Consultation.
Say what you think frankly, and then let go of it completely, because the moment it is spoken it belongs to the group and not to you. A decision once taken is executed wholeheartedly by everyone including the dissenters — on the reasoning that a wrong decision carried out in unity reveals its wrongness faster than a right one carried out in fragments.
Bahá'í consultation is a specified procedure rather than a disposition, and its rules are unusual. Participants must express their views frankly and completely, and then — this is the operative rule — must detach entirely from them, because an opinion once offered becomes the property of the group and may be dismembered without offence to its author. Discussion continues to unanimity where possible and to majority vote where not. Once a decision is made, all members including those who opposed it must support it wholeheartedly and identically, and the stated reasoning is striking: a wrong decision executed in unity will reveal its wrongness quickly and can then be corrected, whereas a right decision executed in disunity will fail and teach nothing. The method is used by Spiritual Assemblies at every level, and Bahá'ís are encouraged to use it in families and workplaces. It has attracted attention outside the faith from people working on group decision-making, and the hard part in practice is always the detachment clause.
The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions.
'Abdu'l-Bahá, on consultation (rendered)The clash is only safe because a view offered ceases to belong to the person who offered it.
The same ground, other faiths
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