# The Next Five Years: An Internet Perspective

*Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-19 — 1 clipping.*

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> Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Marc Wasley, The Next Five Years: An Internet Perspective, bahai-library.com.
> ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
> 
> The Next Five Years:
> 
> An Internet Perspective
> 
> Marc Wasley
> published in 75 Years of the Bahá'í Faith in Australasia
> 
> Rosebery: Association for Bahá'í Studies Australia, 1996
> 
> The year 2000 marks the 150th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Bab.
> These next 5 years will bring remarkable changes in technology, and many of those new
> opportunities opening up are already available to us. This presentation aims to inspire
> those present, providing them with ideas and examples, and encouraging them to go out and
> investigate things for themselves.
> 
> The Internet was born in 1967 (150 years after the birth of
> Bahá'u'llah) when several government funded computer networks in the U.S. were linked together.
> Developments during the late 1980s in the methodology and protocols for transferring
> information led to the Internet we have today. The Internet is a collection of computer
> networks operating in a similar fashion to the telephone system. Computers act like
> telephone exchanges, contacting other exchanges around the world and exchanging
> information, just like making a telephone call. There are nominated sites on computers
> around the world from which information can be obtained. These interlinked computers form
> a global web, which also enables mail to be sent electronically throughout the world. The
> current Internet is much more advanced than the first computer networks. It now enables
> voice, pictures, text, video and even software to be transmitted.
> 
> There are two main ways the Internet can be accessed:
> 
> By using a computer within a network which is already an integral part of the Internet.
> 
> By using a service provider, and connecting to their computer (which is part of the Internet).
> 
> Note: A service provider operates in a manner similar to Telecom,
> charging users for calls made to their computers. The service provider's computer acts as
> a go-between, sending information between the Internet and the user's computer.
> 
> What are some things we could use the Internet for?
> 
> Communicating
> 
> Educating
> 
> Teaching
> 
> Pioneering
> 
> Deepening
> 
> Raising funds
> 
> 1. Communication
> 
> We can use the Internet for communication between individuals, between
> individuals and institutions, between institutions, between committees and committee
> members, for communications about news and events and for publishing bulletins and
> journals.
> 
> Individuals both locally and overseas can communicate, work on
> projects, discuss issues, provide personal support, provide professional advice and
> assistance, provide Internet access to local community groups and schools, and can strike
> up friendships with suitable single people. One of the audience members has recently
> become engaged to a Bahá'í lady he met over the Internet.
> 
> Institutions can carry out administrative tasks, publish important
> messages, publish information about pilgrimage and publish maps of their local areas (such
> as how to get to places of interest). In Hawaii, new believers can be enrolled
> electronically.
> 
> Individuals can reach institutions on a timely basis, send letters and
> reports and can even check their place in the pilgrimage queue.
> 
> News and events can be easily communicated via the Internet. An
> international bulletin board is operated over which internationally relevant messages can
> be set to and read by the international community. A separate national system has begun in
> Australia and others already operate in countries such as the United Kingdom.
> 
> Bulletins and journals can also be sent electronically. The
> International Bahá'í News Service is available free of charge. The Tasmanian publication
> called 'The Beacon' is available. Specialist journals and mailing lists are also
> maintained around the world, targeting particular themes and groups of people.
> 
> 2. Education (Distance learning and training)
> 
> The Internet can be used to share resources such as education
> materials, lesson plans and correspondence teachers. It can be used to advertise and
> locate particular needs and resources. It enables multi-faith and multi-racial interaction
> between teachers and students around the world. A group called I*EARN operate a network of
> around 1,000 schools spread over 27 countries which interact electronically, with the
> children writing about selected topics. The Internet also enables traditional education to
> be carried out en masse, providing access to multimedia computer programs and access to
> educational materials including maps, photographs, facts and figures. A single lesson or
> training program can be delivered to thousands of people at the touch of a button. This
> can even be used to assist with the professional development and maturation of Local
> Spiritual Assemblies.
> 
> 3. Teaching
> 
> The Internet enables users to reach people of different races,
> cultures, religions, economic conditions and social positions. It allows users to access
> specific groups through bulletin boards, mailing lists and specific Internet sites.
> Indigenous peoples, government and the media all have their own areas of the Internet.
> There are numerous discussion groups, where issues can be discussed with other Bahá'ís,
> where issues can be discussed with people of other religions and where issues can be
> discussed by people participating and being known as Bahá'ís. People of prominence and
> capacity can be reached. Bahá'ís can provide input to local and overseas journals of all
> fields, disseminating material into the wider community. Most Bahá'ís with access to
> electronic mail sign their name and close their message with a Bahá'í quote.
> 
> There is a need for care, especially in the way the faith is taught and
> represented to people of capacity. Friendship should be the primary objective when getting
> to know people met on the Internet, as purity of motive can often open doors normally
> closed to us.
> 
> 4. Pioneering
> 
> The Internet can simplify reaching and networking into the wider local
> community. Many local councils, libraries and regional institutions are now maintaining
> their own Internet sites. Some sites provide information about council permits, local
> trades, and job opportunities. The site of my own local council provides access to a
> community directory, supplying suitable contact details for even the local Bahá'í
> community. Overseas, some Local Spiritual Assemblies already maintain their own Internet
> presence, supplying materials as well as contact details and news of upcoming events.
> 
> At the national and international level, electronic mailing lists
> enable individuals to send messages directly to the Institution or contact desired, for
> information or assistance. Before visiting a location, a message can be sent to a bulletin
> board asking for individuals in an area to respond, enabling one to locate suitable
> contacts. Individual areas and goal towns can set up their own Internet sites, providing
> information about accommodation, government assistance and regulations, important things
> like shopping, and even advertising job vacancies.
> 
> With virtual reality becoming increasingly realistic and affordable, it
> will soon be possible to visit a region, checking out suitable locations from the comfort
> of your chair.
> 
> 5. Deepening
> 
> The Internet can be used to discuss issues and teachings, access the
> original writings from the World Centre, contact authors of publications, form study
> groups, collect together compilations and to access and prepare conference presentations.
> 
> 6. Fundraising
> 
> Products can easily be advertised on the Internet, via special sites,
> electronic mail and bulletin boards. The need for funds for special projects can also be
> advertised, often drawing responses from as far away as Australia.
> 
> Some Other Possibilities
> 
> Disaster and crisis management. The Internet can be used to
> obtain information about people and events, to obtain needed help and advice, and to
> re-establish contact with individuals and institutions.
> 
> Calling for prayers for individuals, projects and institutions
> in need.
> 
> Staying in touch with current issues, news and events. Some
> sites maintained by commercial newspapers even enable you to search for and obtain
> articles about a given topic, collecting them together in chronological order.
> 
> Reaching people who are visually impaired. Using modern
> technology, written works are translated into Braille and published by the Institute for
> the Blind, not far from the conference venue. These materials can be sent and received
> electronically. Several of the visually impaired staff are prominent on the Internet and
> are receptive to the faith.
> 
> Checking with the weather bureau before outdoor functions.
> 
> Accessing the local government network 'Councilnet' for news
> and advice.
> 
> Participating in world events.
> 
> The Way Forward (or at least my predictions!)
> 
> Within a short time, electronic trade will be more feasible,
> with financial transactions able to be carried out securely. The first bank recently
> joined the Internet.
> 
> Improved Internet security will lead to increased protection
> for the transfer of documents and software, leading to more secure publication of
> copyright materials.
> 
> The Internet will be able to be accessed more easily.
> Infrastructure such as optic fibre cabling will become more common. Local libraries will
> provide Internet access to their patrons, and eventually to their less advantaged
> community members. Fixed locations for access will become less necessary with increased
> use of mobile communications and portable computers.
> 
> Voice technologies will improve, reducing the need for
> keyboards, and making the Internet more accessible to the physically handicapped.
> 
> Video conferencing via the PC will become more commonplace,
> enabling people to work from home and to conduct meetings more easily, making more
> effective use of their time.
> 
> Conferences will be held which use the Internet to conduct
> sessions.
> 
> Virtual reality will enable users to access Internet sites in
> 3D, like walking down a corridor and opening doors to the rooms desired.
> 
> Improvements will occur in global health, due to Internet
> communications. An example is a group known as the Global Health Network which has
> significant Bahá'í involvement. The aim of the group is to bring about dramatic
> improvements in world health by providing low cost access to information about disease,
> its monitoring and its prevention world wide.
> 
> Concerns
> 
> The Internet provides the ability to reach large numbers of
> people. This is an opportunity, and a concern. Any mistakes made are going to be
> potentially very big and very visible.
> 
> People who join the Internet community could cause problems,
> because they don't know what they are doing.
> 
> People can cause problems for the faith using the Internet.
> The Internet is still not a secure place. Internet sites need to be protected and people
> transmitting messages need to be made aware that others may be reading them.
> 
> Lack of technical knowledge and support.
> 
> Lack of official guidance and guidelines.
> 
> In closing, I've tried to illustrate some of the opportunities that are already
> available to us right now. Don't just take my word for it, go out there and investigate
> things for yourselves.
> 
> METADATA
> 
> Views6547 views since posted 2011-10-23; last edit 2011-10-23 UTC;
> 
> previous at archive.org.../wasley_internet_perspective
> Language
> English
> Permission
> fair use
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> Formatted 2011-10-23 by Jonah Winters.
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> Shortlink: bahai-library.com/2800
> Citation: ris/2800
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> — *The Next Five Years: An Internet Perspective (Used by permission of the curator)*