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Such a
work ethic naturally raises the question of unemployed people
who, unable to find work, turn to begging. Both
Gandhi and the Bahá'ís agree that mendicancy is an unacceptable solution
to the problems of the unemployed. Bahá'u'lláh condemns mendicancy:
The
most despised of men in the sight of God are they who
sit and beg.[6]
However, in order to be useful, people need to be given
skills so that they may be able to earn a living and
make themselves useful to society.
Concerning this dilemma, Shoghi Effendi
writes:
With reference to Bahá'u'lláh's command concerning
the engagement of the believers in some sort of
profession: the Teachings are most emphatic on this
matter, particularly the statement in the Aqdas to this
effect which makes it quite clear that idle people who
lack the desire to work can have no place in the new
World Order. As a corollary of this principle, Bahá'u'lláh
further states that mendicity should not only be
discouraged but entirely wiped out from the face of
society. It is the duty of those who are in charge of the
organization of society to give every individual the
opportunity of acquiring the necessary talent in some
kind of profession, and also the means of utilizing such a
talent, both for its own sake and for the sake of earning
the means of his livelihood.[7]
Gandhi held similar views about mendicancy, and felt that it is
inconsistent with Ahimsa:
My Ahimsa would not tolerate the idea of giving a free meal to a
healthy person who has not worked for it in some honest way, and if I
had the power, I would stop every Sadavrat![[footnote]](img34.png)
where free meals are
given. It has degraded the nation and has encouraged laziness,
idleness, hypocrisy, and even crime. Such misplaced charity adds
nothing to the wealth of the country, whether material or spiritual, and
gives a false sense of meritoriousness to the donor. How nice it would
be if the donors were to open institutions where they would give meals
under healthy, clean surroundings to men and women who would work for
them
the rule should be, ``No labour, no meal'' I
know that it is easier to fling free meals in the faces of idlers, but
much more difficult to organize an institution where honest work has to
be done before meals are served. From a pecuniary standpoint, in the
initial stages at any rate, the cost of feeding people after taking work
from them will be more than the cost of the present free kitchen. But I
am convinced that it will be cheaper in the long run, if we do not want
to increase in geometrical progression the race of loafers which is fast
over-running this land.[8]
Next: Work as Worship
Up: Work and Sacrifice
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