Counsellor Stephen Birkland
on the Internet
31 August 1998
To Auxiliary Board members
Dearest Friends,
For some time I have been promising to send more
material collected on the subject of the Internet,
World Wide Web, and electronic discussion groups.
Here is an attempt, however inadequate, to explore
some of these current issues and the principles by
which we can make wise decisions and help the friends.
In the following document I have tried to address many
of the questions received from the believers by citing
quotations from the Writings of the Central Figures of
the Faith, as well as excerpts from letters written by
the Universal House of Justice. In addition to
addressing general matters, I have tried to include
guidance about the specific topics of criticism,
conflict and attacks on the Faith.
My hope is that this will be helpful to you and
especially to your dear assistants as they interact
with the friends in the course of their work.
Every development in this world can have a positive
and negative side. However, it will always be better
if we can help the friends to distinguish between the
negative and positive aspects of this electronic
communication and encourage the friends to strengthen
their capacity to contribute to the positive.
1 "Every outward thrust into new fields, every
multiplication of Bahá'í institutions, must be
paralleled by a deeper thrust of the roots which
sustain the spiritual life of the community and ensure
its sound development."
(Shoghi Effendi, in Wellspring of Guidance, p.77)
It will be helpful if you and your assistants can
encourage the friends to remain focused on the
positive aspects of the emergence of the Internet and
World Wide Web.
2 "The opportunity which electronic
communication technology provides for more speedy and
thorough consultation among the friends is highly
significant. Without doubt, it represents another
manifestation of a development eagerly anticipated by
the Guardian when he foresaw the creation of 'a
mechanism of world intercommunication ... embracing
the whole planet, freed from national hindrances and
restrictions, and functioning with marvellous
swiftness and perfect regularity.'"
(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House
of Justice to an individual Bahá'í dated 19 May 1995)
However, as the Universal House of Justice points out,
using this medium in an honorable and unifying manner
will require discipline, in some ways even higher
levels of disciple than required in direct personal
and social interaction.
3 "As you well appreciate, the extent to which
such technology advances the work of the Faith
depends, of course, on the manner in which it is used.
As a medium for Bahá'ís to exchange views, it imposes
on participants the same requirements of moderation,
candour, and courtesy as would be the case in any
other discussion.
"The ease and relative impersonality of the electronic
medium require in some ways an even higher level of
self-discipline than is the case in situations where a
spirit of unity is reinforced by the opportunity for
direct personal contact and social interaction. In the
pursuit of such a spirit of unity, Bahá'ís will,
without doubt, wish to assist the consultative
processes by sharing and discussing relevant Bahá'í
texts. This will itself have the further effect of
drawing attention back to the framework of Bahá'í
belief."
(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House
of Justice to an individual Bahá'í dated 19 May 1995)
In the following excerpt the Universal House of
Justice elaborates on this need for higher levels of
self-discipline and even gives some definition.
4 "The House of Justice notes that you have been
disturbed by some of the postings made to the email
discussion group of which you have recently been a
member. Email discussion groups are a new phenomenon;
they can provide immense benefits for communication
between people and for the teaching of the Faith, but,
as you have seen, they can also give rise to
far-reaching problems. The use of email requires an
adjustment of perception. In the past, discussions
among Bahá'ís would take place orally among groups of
friends in private, or at summer schools and other
Bahá'í events, or in letters between individuals.
Inevitably, many erroneous statements were made; not
all comments were as temperate as they should have
been; many statements were misunderstood by those who
heard them. After all, not all Bahá'ís have a profound
knowledge of the teachings, and it is clear that even
academic eminence is no guarantee of a correct
understanding of the Revelation of God. Before email
such extravagances had a limited range and were of an
ephemeral nature. Now, the same kind of discussion is
spread among a hundred or more people, who often do not
know one another, is in a form more durable than
speech, and can be disseminated to a vast readership at
the touch of a button. A new level of self-discipline,
therefore, is needed by those who take part. Such
discussions among Bahá'ís call for self-restraint and
purity of motive as well as cordiality, frankness and
openness."
(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House
of Justice to an individual Bahá'í dated 18 February
1996)
The surest guarantee, as always, is to rely on the
guidance of our Teachings.
5 "Most important of all, as with any
exploration by Bahá'ís of the beliefs, and practices
of their Faith, electronic discussion will serve the
interests of the Cause and its members only as it is
conducted within the framework of the Bahá'í Teachings
and the truths they enshrine. To attempt to discuss
the Cause of God apart from or with disdain for the
authoritative guidance inherent in these Teachings
would clearly be a logical contradiction."
(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House
of Justice to an individual Bahá'í dated 19 May 1995)
And the framework provided by the Covenant.
6 "The central, unifying element of the Faith is
the Covenant. This is the institution which guarantees
that the Faith and its teachings will remain true to
the Revelation brought by Bahá'u'lláh and expounded by
His divinely guided Interpreters. It is the one
agency which can protect the Faith against the
distortion and disruption to which all previous
Revelations have been subjected by the efforts-whether
well-intentioned or not-of the self-opinionated and
ambitious among their followers to force the Cause of
God into patterns which they personally favoured."
(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal
House of Justice to an individual Bahá'í dated 18
February 1996)
It should not be surprising at all that participants
in electronic discussion groups will regularly read
postings that differ from their own and may even
appear to contradict the Teachings. They may wonder
how to respond and quite often will turn to the
Auxiliary Board members or one of their assistants for
advice. Since you can best help the believers by
referring them to principle; the following excerpt
from a letter written on behalf of the House of
Justice can be a wonderful starting point.
7 "The combination of absolute loyalty to the
Manifestation of God and His Teachings, with the
searching and intelligent study of the Teachings and
history of the Faith which those Teachings themselves
enjoin, is a particular strength of this Dispensation.
In past Dispensations the believers have tended to
divide into two mutually antagonistic groups: those
who held blindly to the letter of the Revelation, and
those who questioned and doubted everything. Like all
extremes, both these can lead into error. The beloved
Guardian has written that 'The Bahá'í Faith...enjoins
upon its followers the primary duty of an unfettered
search after truth....' Bahá'ís are called upon to
follow the Faith with intelligence and understanding.
Inevitably believers will commit errors as they strive
to rise to this degree of maturity, and this calls for
forbearance and humility on the part of all concerned,
so that such matters do not cause disunity or discord
among the friends."
(From a letter dated 7 October 1980 written on behalf
of the Universal House of Justice to an individual
believer)
The following from the Universal House of Justice
reminds us of how the principles of consultation
inform the attitude required for successful dialogue
among Bahá'ís.
8 "As it is beyond the scope of this letter to
expatiate upon these principles, let it suffice to
recall briefly certain of the requisites of
consultation, particularly for those who serve on
Spiritual Assemblies. Love and harmony, purity of
motive, humility and lowliness amongst the friends,
patience and long-suffering in difficulties- these
inform the attitude with which they proceed 'with the
utmost devotion, courtesy, dignity, care and
moderation to express their views,' each using
'perfect liberty' both in so doing and in 'unveiling
the proof of his demonstration.' 'If another
contradicts him, he must not become excited because if
there be no investigation or verification of questions
and matters, the agreeable view will not be discovered
neither understood.' 'The shining spark of truth
cometh forth only after the clash of differing
opinions.'"
(From a letter written by the Universal House of
Justice to the Bahá'ís in the United States, 29
December 1988)
Not only does the House advise that we react with
forbearance and humility, they also have urged us to
react calmly when confronted with views that differ
from our own since none of us has a perfect
understanding of this Revelation.
9 "The House of Justice agrees that it is most
important for the believers, and especially those who
hold positions of responsibility in the Administrative
Order, to react calmly and with tolerant and enquiring
minds to views which differ from their own,
remembering that all Bahá'ís are but students of the
Faith, ever striving to understand the Teachings more
clearly and to apply them more faithfully, and none
can claim to have a perfect understanding of this
Revelation."
(From a letter dated 18 July 1979 written on behalf of
the Universal House of Justice to an individual
believer)
On one hand is the principle is to react calmly and
humbly, however in the same letter from the House of
Justice we are warned not to take advantage of this
principle in order to foment discord.
10 "At the same time all believers, and scholars
in particular, should remember the many warnings in
the Writings against the fomenting of discord among
the friends. It is the duty of the institutions of
the Faith to guard the community against such
dangers."
(From a letter dated 18 July 1979 written on behalf of
the Universal House of Justice to an individual
believer)
The House of Justice encourages dialogue that promotes
learning and exploration. But they also encourage
self-discipline to avoid contention and disunity.
Ideas will no doubt conflict, but within the framework
of the Teaching there can be an honorable discourse.
When participants cannot resolve an issue they should
refer the matter to the Universal House of Justice.
11 "Thus, if any participant in an email
discussion feels that a view put forward appears to
contradict or undermine the provisions of the
Covenant, he should be free to say so, explaining
candidly and courteously why he feels as he does. The
person who made the initial statement will then be
able to re-evaluate his opinion and, if he still
believes it to be valid, he should be able to explain
why it is not contrary to either the letter or the
spirit of the Covenant. The participants in such a
discussion should avoid disputation and, if they are
unable to resolve an issue, they should refer the
point to the Universal House of Justice since, in
accordance with the Will and Testament of
'Abdu'l-Bahá, 'By this body all the difficult problems
are to be resolved....' and it has the authority to
decide upon 'all problems which have caused
difference, questions that are obscure, and matters
that are not expressly recorded in the Book.' In this
way the Covenant can illuminate and temper the
discourse and make it fruitful."
(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House
of Justice to an individual Bahá'í dated 18 February
1996)
Unfortunately, at this early stage of development and
maturity, some electronic discussions have witnessed
an abundance of intemperate comments,
misunderstandings, offensive remarks, and even attacks
among the friends. The potential of this medium for
promoting the development of the Faith requires great
care by the participants.
Even though some of the friends are distressed by the
abuse of electronic discussions, the House of Justice
assures us that they will not permit a climate of
intolerance to prosper in the Bahá'í community.
12 "Not surprisingly, the abuse of Internet
discussions on the Faith and its teachings has had
just the effect of greatly distressing friends who
become aware of it. That the response has included, as
your letter suggests, a degree of intemperate
criticism, inappropriate comment and unjust accusation
is lamentable, but also not surprising, for
contentiousness begets contention. You should be
confident that the Universal House of Justice will not
permit a climate of intolerance to prosper in the
Bahá'í community, no matter from what cause it
arises."
(20 July 1997 written on behalf of the Universal House
of Justice to an individual believer)
Invoking the existence of the Covenant again and again
will help us preserve the needed perspective because
in terms of the Covenant, dissidence is a moral and
intellectual contradiction.
13 "If Bahá'í individuals deliberately ignore the
principles imbedded in the Order which Bahá'u'lláh
Himself has established to remedy divisiveness in the
human family, the Cause for which so much has been
sacrificed will surely be set back in its mission to
rescue world society from complete disintegration.
May not the existence of the Covenant be invoked again
and again, so that such repetition may preserve the
needed perspective? For, in this age, the Cause of
Bahá'u'lláh has been protected against the baneful
effects of the misuse of the process of criticism;
this has been done by the institution of the Covenant
and by the provision of a universal administrative
system which incorporates within itself the mechanisms
for drawing out the constructive ideas of individuals
and using them for the benefit of the entire system.
Admonishing the people to uphold the unifying purpose
of the Cause, Bahá'u'lláh in the Book of His Covenant,
addresses these poignant words to them: 'Let not the
means of order be made the cause of confusion and the
instrument of union an occasion for discord.' Such
assertions emphasize a crucial point; it is this: In
terms of the Covenant, dissidence is a moral and
intellectual contradiction of the main objective
animating the Bahá'í community, namely, the
establishment of the unity of mankind."
(Universal House of Justice to the Followers of
Bahá'u'lláh in the United States of America, 29
December 1988)
The following excerpts from the Writings contain
principles that can be used to guide electronic
discussions.
Bahá'u'lláh makes unity the paramount goal and writes
in the Tablet of the World:
14 "Whatsoever hath led the children of men to
shun one another, and hath caused dissensions and
divisions amongst them, hath, through the revelation
of these words, been nullified and abolished....
Through the power released by these exalted words He
hath lent a fresh impulse and set a new direction to
the birds of men's hearts, and hath obliterated every
trace of restriction and limitation from God's holy
Book."
(Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, pp. 87-88)
Conventional wisdom and widely accepted views are
often just the opposite of the Bahá'í perspective.
15 "We can well perceive how the whole human race
is encompassed with great, with incalculable
afflictions. We see it languishing on its bed of
sickness, sore-tried and disillusioned. They that are
intoxicated by self-conceit have interposed themselves
between it and the Divine and infallible Physician.
Witness how they have entangled all men, themselves
included, in the mesh of their devices. They can
neither discover the cause of the disease, nor have
they any knowledge of the remedy. They have conceived
the straight to be crooked, and have imagined their
friend an enemy."
(Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, page 214)
And the Blessed Beauty writes that many are unable to
distinguish guidance from error.
16 "We exhort mankind in these days when the
countenance of Justice is soiled with dust, when the
flames of unbelief are burning high and the robe of
wisdom rent asunder, when tranquillity and
faithfulness have ebbed away and trials and
tribulations have waxed severe, when covenants are
broken and ties are severed, when no man knoweth how
to discern light and darkness or to distinguish
guidance from error."
(Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, page 137)
In fact Bahá'u'lláh even writes that some will use the
Holy Writings to challenge the authority of the
Representatives of God.
17 "Know assuredly that just as thou firmly
believest that the Word of God, exalted be His glory,
endureth for ever, thou must, likewise, believe with
undoubting faith that its meaning can never be
exhausted. They who are its appointed interpreters,
they whose hearts are the repositories of its secrets,
are, however, the only ones who can comprehend its
manifold wisdom. Whoso, while reading the Sacred
Scriptures, is tempted to choose therefrom whatever
may suit him with which to challenge the authority of
the Representative of God among men, is, indeed, as
one dead, though to outward seeming he may walk and
converse with his neighbors, and share with them their
food and their drink."
(Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, pp.
175-176)
According to our Writings, believers should be
constantly on guard to assure that what we write will
not be the cause of disunity. The Master even
appealed for an end to certain kinds of discussion and
analyses:
18 "Let us not keep on forever with our fancies
and illusions, with our analysing and interpreting and
circulating of complex dubieties. Let us put aside
all thoughts of self; let us close our eyes to all on
earth, let us neither make known our sufferings nor
complain of our wrongs. Rather let us become
oblivious of our own selves, and drinking down the
wine of heavenly grace, let us cry out our joy, and
lose ourselves in the beauty of the All-Glorious."
(Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, page
236)
We are not only free but encouraged to seek meaning
and understandings from the Writings and even share
them with others. We must make it clear however, that
these views are merely our own.
19 "...individual interpretation is considered
the fruit of man's rational power and conducive to a
better understanding of the Teachings, provided that
no disputes or arguments arise among the friends and
the individual himself understands and makes it clear
that his views are merely his own. Individual
interpretations continually change as one grows in
comprehension of the Teachings."
(From a letter dated 27 May 1966 written by the
Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)
Hopefully we can create an environment in the Faith
where we can share without pressing ideas on others
and listen to other views without allowing our faith
to be shaken
20 "...although individual insights can be
enlightening and helpful, they can also be misleading.
The friends must therefore learn to listen to the
views of others without being overawed or allowing
their faith to be shaken, and to express their own
views without pressing them on their fellow Bahá'ís."
(From a letter dated 27 May 1966 written by the
Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)
There is no objection to using scientific methods to
try to understand and explain our Teachings, but every
method will no doubt have limitations.
21 "...the House of Justice understands that you
desire to find ways of conveying spiritual truths in
logical ways and demonstrating their validity through
scientific proofs. There can be no objection to such
an attitude. 'Abdu'l-Bahá Himself used such a method.
The danger Bahá'í scholars must avoid is the
distortion of religious truth, almost forcibly at
times, to make it conform to understandings and
perceptions current in the scientific world. True
Bahá'í scholars should guard against this."
(From a letter dated 7 June 1983 written on behalf of
the Universal House of Justice to an individual
believer)
However knowledgeable and learned, at this stage our
understanding of the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh is only
partial.
22 "The Bahá'í Faith is the Revelation of
Bahá'u'lláh: His Own Words as interpreted by
'Abdu'l-Bahá and the Guardian. It is a revelation of
such staggering magnitude that no Bahá'í at this early
stage in Bahá'í history can rightly claim to have more
than a partial and imperfect understanding of it.
"...when searching after the facts of any matter, a
Bahá'í must, of course, be entirely open-minded, but
in his interpretation of the facts and his evaluation
of evidence we do not see by what logic he can ignore
the truth of the Bahá'í Revelation which he has
already accepted...."
(From a letter from The Universal House of Justice,
Bahá'í News, June 1979)
The Master explained how our learning and our
conditioned minds could restrict understanding.
23 "Although the reality of Divinity is
sanctified and boundless, the aims and needs of the
creatures are restricted. God's grace is like the
rain that cometh down from heaven: the water is not
bounded by the limitations of form, yet on whatever
place it poureth down, it taketh on
limitations-dimensions, appearance, shape- according
to the characteristics of that place. In a square
pool, the water, previously unconfined, becometh a
square; in a six-sided pool it becometh a hexagon, in
an eight-sided pool an octagon, and so forth. The
rain itself hath no geometry, no limits, no form, but
it taketh on one form or another, according to the
restrictions of its vessel. In the same way, the Holy
Essence of the Lord God is boundless, immeasurable,
but His graces and splendours become finite in the
creatures, because of their limitations..."
(Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 161)
These limitations can lead to extremes and this is
often when contention and conflict dominate the
discussions.
24 "Some of the protagonists in the discussions
on the Internet have implied that the only way to
attain a true understanding of historical events and
of the purport of the sacred and historical records of
the Cause of God is through the rigid application of
methods narrowly defined in a materialistic framework.
They have even gone so far as to stigmatize whoever
proposes a variation of these methods as wishing to
obscure the truth rather than unveil it. "The House of
Justice recognizes that, at the other extreme, there
are Bahá'ís who, imbued by what they conceive to be
loyalty to Bahá'u'lláh cling to blind acceptance of
what they understand to be a statement of the Sacred
Text. This shortcoming demonstrates an equally
serious failure to grasp the profundity of the Bahá'í
principle of the harmony of faith and reason. The
danger of such an attitude is that it exalts personal
understanding of some part of the Revelation over the
whole, leads to illogical and internally inconsistent
applications of the Sacred Text, and provides fuel to
those who would mistakenly characterize loyalty to the
Covenant as 'fundamentalism'.
"It is not surprising that individual Bahá'ís hold and
express different and sometimes defective
understandings of the Teachings; this is but an
evidence of the magnitude of the change that this
Revelation is to effect in human consciousness. As
believers with various insights into the Teachings
converse-- with patience, tolerance and open and
unbiased minds--a deepening of comprehension should
take place. The strident insistence on individual
views, however, can lead to contention, which is
detrimental not only to the spirit of Bahá'í
association and collaboration but to the search for
truth itself."
(From the Universal House of Justice to an individual
believer dated 8 February 1998)
Bahá'u'lláh encourages us to immerse ourselves in the
ocean of His Revelation and discover the treasures.
This exploration is balanced by methodical intelligent
study on one hand and prayer and inspiration on the
other. This integrated approach yields both
understanding and harmony.
25 "Just as there is a fundamental difference
between divine Revelation itself and the understanding
that believers have of it, so also there is a basic
distinction between scientific fact and reasoning on
the one hand and the conclusions or theories of
scientists on the other. There is, and can be, no
conflict between true religion and true science: true
religion is revealed by God, while it is through true
science that the mind of man 'discovers the realities
of things and becomes cognizant of their peculiarities
and effects, and of the qualities and properties of
beings' and 'comprehendeth the abstract by the aid of
the concrete.' However, whenever a statement is made
through the lens of human understanding it is thereby
limited, for human understanding is limited; and where
there is limitation there is the possibility of error;
and where there is error, conflicts can arise."
(From a letter from The Universal House of Justice,
Compilation on Scholarship, #48)
Earlier this excerpt from a letter from the Universal
House of Justice was cited: "If Bahá'í individuals
deliberately ignore the principles imbedded in the
Order which Bahá'u'lláh Himself has established to
remedy divisiveness in the human family, the Cause for
which so much has been sacrificed will surely be set
back in its mission to rescue world society from
complete disintegration." Without unity, the paramount
goal, we will not really benefit from the thinking of
brilliant minds. In this next section I have
collected a number of excerpts related to obedience,
criticism and the importance of avoiding conflict and
contention. My hope is that you will find in these
quotations useful points for helping the friends to
create productive and honorable electronic dialogue.
26 "Let no one, while this System is still in its
infancy, misconceive its character, belittle its
significance or misrepresent it purpose. The bedrock
on which this Administrative Order is founded is God's
immutable Purpose for mankind in this day."
(Shoghi Effendi, World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 156)
27 "Admonish, then, the people to lend a hearing
ear to the words which the Spirit of God hath uttered
in this irradiant and resplendent Tablet. Say: Sow
not, O people, the seeds of dissension amongst men,
and contend not with your neighbor. Be patient under
all conditions, and place your whole trust and
confidence in God. Aid ye your Lord with the sword of
wisdom and of utterance. This indeed well becometh
the station of man. To depart from it would be
unworthy of God, the Sovereign Lord of all, the
Glorified. The people, however, have been led astray,
and are truly of the heedless."
(Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 296)
28 "Beware lest ye contend with any one, nay,
strive to make him aware of the truth with kindly
manner and most convincing exhortation. If your
hearer respond, he will have responded to his own
behoof, and if not, turn ye away from him, and set
your faces towards God's sacred Court, the seat of
resplendent holiness."
(Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 279)
29 "Therefore, it hath been said: 'To seek
evidence, when the Proof hath been established is but
an unseemly act, and to be busied with the pursuit of
knowledge when the Object of all learning hath been
attained is truly blameworthy.'"
(Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitáb-i-Íqán, p. 147)
30 "O ye beloved of the Lord! In this sacred
Dispensation, conflict and contention are in no wise
permitted. Every aggressor deprives himself of God's
grace. It is incumbent upon everyone to show the
utmost love, rectitude of conduct, straightforwardness
and sincere kindliness unto all the peoples and
kindreds of the world, be they friends or strangers.
So intense must be the spirit of love and loving
kindness, that the stranger may find himself a friend,
the enemy a true brother, no difference whatsoever
existing between them. For universality is of God and
all limitations earthly. Thus man must strive that
his reality may manifest virtues and perfections, the
light whereof may shine upon everyone. The light of
the sun shineth upon all the world and the merciful
showers of Divine Providence fall upon all peoples.
The vivifying breeze reviveth every living creature
and all beings endued with life obtain their share and
portion at His heavenly board. In like manner, the
affections and loving kindness of the servants of the
One True God must be bountifully and universally
extended to all mankind. Regarding this, restrictions
and limitations are in no wise permitted."
('Abdu'l-Bahá: Will and Testament, pp. 13-14)
31 "In brief, O ye believers of God! The text of
the divine Book is this: If two souls quarrel and
contend about a question of the divine questions,
differing and disputing, both are wrong. The wisdom
of this incontrovertible law of God is this: That
between two souls from amongst the believers of God,
no contention and dispute may arise; that they may
speak with each other with infinite amity and love.
Should there appear the least trace of controversy,
they must remain silent, and both parties must
continue their discussions no longer, but ask the
reality of the question from the Interpreter. This is
the irrefutable command!"
('Abdu'l-Bahá: Tablets of the Divine Plan, p. 56)
32 "It is incumbent upon the loved ones of God to
exercise the greatest care and prudence in all things,
whether great or small, to take counsel together and
unitedly resist the onslaught of the stirrers up of
strife and the movers of mischief. They must
endeavour to consort in a friendly spirit with
everyone, must follow moderation in their conduct,
must have respect and consideration one for another
and show loving-kindness and tender regard to all the
peoples of the world. They must be patient and
long-suffering, that they may grow to become the
divine magnets of the Abhá Kingdom and acquire the
dynamic power of the hosts of the realm on high."
(Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 233)
33 "What the Master desired to protect the
friends against was continual bickering and
opinionatedness. A believer can ask the Assembly why
they made a certain decision and politely request them
to reconsider. But then he must leave it at that, and
not go on disrupting local affairs through insisting
on his own views. This applies to an Assembly member
as well. We all have a right to our opinions, we are
bound to think differently; but a Bahá'í must accept
the majority decision of his Assembly, realizing that
acceptance and harmony--even if a mistake has been
made--are the really important things, and when we
serve the Cause properly, in the Bahá'í way, God will
right any wrongs done in the end." (From a October 19,
1947 letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an
individual believer) 34 "Vicious criticism is indeed a
calamity. But its root is lack of faith in the system
of Bahá'u'lláh (i.e. the administrative order) and
lack of obedience to Him - for He has forbidden it.
If the Bahá'ís would follow the Bahá'í laws in voting,
in electing, in serving, and in abiding by assembly
decisions, all this waste of strength through
criticizing others could be diverted into cooperation
and achieving the Plan."
(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an
individual believer dated 18 December 1949, Arohanui:
Letters to New Zealand, page 53)
35 "When criticism and harsh words arise within a
Bahá'í community, there is no remedy except to put the
past behind one, and persuade all concerned to turn
over a new leaf, and for the sake of God and His Faith
refrain from mentioning the subjects which have led to
misunderstanding and inharmony. The more the friends
argue back and forth and maintain, each side, that
their point of view is the right one the worse the
whole situation becomes.
"When we see the condition the world is in today, we
must surely forget these utterly insignificant
internal disturbances, and rush, unitedly, to the
rescue of humanity. You should urge your
fellow-Bahá'ís to take this point of view, and to
support you in a strong effort to suppress every
critical thought and every harsh word, in order to let
the spirit of Bahá'u'lláh flow into the entire
community, and unite it in His love and in His
service."
(From a February 16, 1951 letter written on behalf of
Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
36 "In the application of the social laws of the
Faith, most of the difficulties can be seen to arise
not only from outright disobedience, but also from the
actions of those who, while careful to observe the
letter of the law, try to go as far as it will permit
them away from the spirit which lies at its heart. A
similar tendency can be noted among some Bahá'í
scholars. The great advances in knowledge and
understanding in the vital field of Bahá'í scholarship
will be made by those who, while well versed in their
subjects and adhering to the principles of research,
are also thoroughly imbued with love for the Faith and
the determination to grow in the comprehension of its
teachings."
(From a letter dated 27 March 1983 written on behalf of
the Universal House of Justice to an individual
believer)
37 "Regarding the matter of ... and the inharmony
that seems to exist among certain of the friends...:
when Bahá'ís permit the dark forces of the world to
enter into their own relationships within the Faith
they gravely jeopardize its progress; it is the
paramount duty of the believers, the local assemblies,
and particularly the National Spiritual Assembly to
foster harmony, understanding and love amongst the
friends. All should be ready and willing to set aside
every personal sense of grievance-- justified or
unjustified--for the good of the Cause, because the
people will never embrace it until they see in its
community life mirrored what is so conspicuously
lacking in the world: love and unity."
(From a May 13, 1945 letter written on behalf of Shoghi
Effendi to an individual believer)
38 "At such a time when the political world is
chaotic and society seems to be on the verge of death,
as a result of the activities of societies that
contain only half-truths, the friends of God should be
united and act as one single organism. The greater
their unity the surer they can be of winning the day.
And this unity cannot be achieved save through
obedience to the Assemblies. It is true these are
still immature and may at times act unwisely. But
supporting them will help more their advance towards
an administration that is truly representative of the
Cause, than by criticizing them and ignoring their
advice. Bahá'u'lláh has not only advocated certain
principles, but has also provided a mechanism whereby
that ideal can be established and perpetuated. Both
of these phases are essential for the realization of
His goal of world unity."
(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an
individual believer dated 27 February 1933)
Upholding the authority of the Assemblies is pivotal
to creating the kind of unified environment where
learning and creativity can thrive.
39 "... you had asked whether the believers have
the right to openly express their criticism of any
Assembly action or policy: it is not only the right,
but the vital responsibility of every loyal and
intelligent member of the Community to offer fully and
frankly, but with due respect and consideration to the
authority of the Assembly, any suggestion,
recommendation or criticism he conscientiously feels
he should in order to improve and remedy certain
existing conditions or trends in his local Community,
and it is the duty of the Assembly also to give
careful consideration to any such views submitted to
them by any one of the believers. The best occasion
chosen for this purpose is the Nineteen Day Feast,
which, besides its social and spiritual aspects,
fulfills various administrative needs and requirements
of the Community, chief among them being the need for
open and constructive criticism and deliberation
regarding the state of affairs within the local Bahá'í
community.
"But again it should be stressed that all criticisms
and discussions of a negative character which may
result in undermining the authority of the Assembly as
a body should be strictly avoided. For otherwise the
order of the Cause itself will be endangered, and
confusion and discord will reign in the Community."
(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an
individual believer dated 13 December 1939)
40 "While constructive criticism is encouraged,
destructive criticism, such as the pattern of
'continually challenging and criticizing the decisions'
of the Assemblies, prevents the rapid growth of the
Faith and repels those who are yet outside the
community. Indeed 'all criticisms and discussions of a
negative character which may result in undermining the
authority of the Assembly as a body should be strictly
avoided. For otherwise the order of the Cause itself
will be endangered, and confusion and discord will
reign in the community.' 'Vicious criticism is indeed
a calamity,' the root of which is 'lack of faith in the
system of Bahá'u'lláh' and failure to follow the
'Bahá'í laws in voting, in electing, in serving, and in
abiding by Assembly decisions.'"
(From the Universal House of Justice to an individual
believer, dated 2 July 1996)
41 "But let us be on our guard--so the Master
continually reminds us from His Station on high--lest
too much concern in that which is secondary in
importance, and too long a preoccupation with the
details of our affairs and activities, make us
neglectful of the most essential, the most urgent of
all our obligations namely, to bury our cares and teach
the Cause, delivering far and wide this Message of
Salvation to a sorely-stricken world."
(Shoghi Effendi, Bahá'í Administration, p. 42)
42 "The Guardian believes that a great deal of
the difficulties from which the believers in ... feel
themselves to be suffering are caused by their neither
correctly understanding nor putting into practice the
administration. They seem-many of them-to be prone to
continually challenging and criticizing the decisions
of their Assemblies. If the Bahá'ís undermine the
very bodies which are, however immaturely, seeking to
co-ordinate Bahá'í activities and administer Bahá'í
affairs, if they continually criticize their acts and
challenge or belittle their decisions, they not only
prevent any real rapid progress in the Faith's
development from taking place, but they repel
outsiders who quite rightly may ask how we ever expect
to unite the whole world when we are so disunited
among ourselves!
"There is only one remedy for this: to study the
administration, to obey the Assemblies, and each
believer seek to perfect his own character as a
Bahá'í. We can never exert the influence over others
which we can exert over ourselves. If we are better,
if we show love, patience, and understanding of the
weaknesses of others; if we seek to never criticize
but rather encourage, others will do likewise, and we
can really help the Cause through our example and
spiritual strength. The Bahá'ís everywhere, when the
administration is first established, find it very
difficult to adjust themselves. They have to learn to
obey, even when the Assembly may be wrong, for the
sake of unity. They have to sacrifice their
personalities, to a certain extent, in order that the
community life may grow and develop as a whole. These
things are difficult--but we must realize that they
will lead us to a very much greater, more perfect, way
of life when the Faith is properly established
according to the administration."
(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an
individual believer dated 26 October 1943)
43 "The believers should have confidence in the
directions and orders of their assembly, even though
they may not be convinced of their justice or right.
Once the assembly, through a majority vote of its
members, comes to a decision the friends should
readily obey it. Specially those dissenting members
within the assembly whose opinion is contrary to that
of the majority of their fellow-members should set a
good example before the community by sacrificing their
personal views for the sake of obeying the principle
of majority vote that underlies the functioning of all
Bahá'í assemblies."
(From an October 28, 1935 letter written on behalf of
Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
Fundamental to understanding appeals for moderation,
for expressing criticism appropriately and for the
exhortations to avoid conflict and contention is the
individual's relation to society.
44 "The questions of how criticism is expressed
and acted upon in the Bahá'í community, and how the
Spiritual Assemblies administer justice in regard to
individual believers, are but elements of far greater
concepts and should become second nature in the social
discourse of Bahá'ís. The Bahá'í community is an
association of individuals who have voluntarily come
together, on recognizing Bahá'u'lláh's claim to be
the Manifestation of God for this age, to establish
certain patterns of personal and social behavior and
to build the institutions that are to promote these
patterns. There are numerous individuals who share
the ideals of the Faith and draw inspiration from its
Teachings, while disagreeing with certain of its
features, but those who actually enter the Bahá'í
community have accepted, by their own free will, to
follow the Teachings in their entirety, understanding
that, if doubts and disagreements arise in the process
of translating the Teachings into practice, the final
arbiter is, by the explicit authority of the Revealed
Text, the Universal House of Justice.
"It is the ardent prayer of the Universal House of
Justice that any friends who find themselves at odds
in this endeavor will have confidence in the guidance
it provides for them, will renew their study of the
Teachings and, for the sake of Bahá'u'lláh, strengthen
their love for one another. As the beloved Guardian's
secretary wrote on his behalf to an individual
believer on 25 October 1949: 'Without the spirit of
real love for Bahá'u'lláh, for His Faith and its
Institutions, and the believers for each other, the
Cause can never really bring in large numbers of
people. For it is not preaching and rules the world
wants, but love and action.' The worldwide
undertakings on which the Cause of God is embarked are
far too significant, the need of the peoples of the
world for the Message of Bahá'u'lláh far too urgent,
the perils facing mankind far too grave, the progress
of events far too swift, to permit His followers to
squander their time and efforts in fruitless
contention. Now, if ever, is the time for love among
the friends, for unity of understanding and endeavor,
for self-sacrifice and service by Bahá'ís in every
part of the world."
(From the Universal House of Justice to an individual
believer, dated 2 July 1996)
45 "The individual's relation to society is
explained by Shoghi Effendi in the statement that,
'The Bahá'í conception of social life is essentially
based on the principle of the subordination of the
individual will to that of society. It neither
suppresses the individual nor does it exalt him to the
point of making him an anti-social creature, a menace
to society. As in everything, it follows the 'golden
mean'.
"This relationship, so fundamental to the maintenance
of civilized life, calls for the utmost degree of
understanding and cooperation between society and the
individual; and because the need to foster a climate
in which the untold potentialities of the individual
members of society can develop, this relationship must
allow 'free scope' for 'individuality to assert
itself' through modes of spontaneity, initiative and
diversity that ensure the viability of society. Among
the responsibilities assigned to Bahá'í institutions
which have a direct bearing on these aspects of
individual freedom and development is one which is
thus described in the Constitution of the Universal
House of Justice: 'to safeguard the personal rights,
freedom and initiative of individuals.' A corollary
is: 'to give attention to the preservation of human
honour.'
"How noteworthy that in the Order of Bahá'u'lláh,
while the individual will is subordinated to that of
society, the individual is not lost in the mass but
becomes the focus of primary development, so that he
may find his own place in the flow of progress, and
society as a whole may benefit from the accumulated
talents and abilities of the individuals composing it.
Such an individual finds fulfillment of his potential
not merely in satisfying his own wants but in
realizing his completeness in being at one with
humanity and with the divinely ordained purpose of
creation.
"The quality of freedom and of its expression-indeed,
the very capacity to maintain freedom in a
society-undoubtedly depends on the knowledge and
training of individuals and on their ability to cope
with the challenges of life with equanimity. As the
beloved Master has written: 'And the honour and
distinction of the individual consist in this, that he
among all the world's multitudes should become a
source of social good. Is any larger bounty
conceivable than this, that an individual, looking
within himself, should find that by the confirming
grace of God he has become the cause of peace and
well-being, of happiness and advantage to his fellow
men? No, by the one true God, there is no greater
bliss, no more complete delight.'"
(From a letter written by the Universal House of
Justice to the Bahá'ís in the United States, 29
December 1988)
46 "He fully appreciates the spirit which has
prompted you to abide whole-heartedly and without any
hesitation by the instructions of the National
Assembly, and he strongly feels that your attitude in
the whole matter constitutes an example which the
friends will gladly learn to follow. You have, and
must indeed continue to sacrifice some of your
personal opinions and views regarding the teaching
work for the sake of upholding the authority of the
N.S.A. For such a sacrifice on your part does not
involve submission to any individual, but has the
effect of strengthening the authority of the community
as a whole as expressed through the medium of its duly
recognized representatives. We should, indeed, learn
to curb our individualism when we are confronted with
problems and issues affecting the general welfare of
the Cause. For Bahá'í community life implies a
consciousness of group solidarity strong enough to
enable every individual believer to give up what is
essentially personal for the sake of the common weal."
(From a May 31, 1934 letter written on behalf of
Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
Concerns about the proper functioning of the Bahá'í
community will be a natural part of our development.
47 "The House of Justice understands and
appreciates your concern for the proper functioning of
the Bahá'í community. It urges you to contemplate the
issues you have raised in the light of the Teachings
themselves, and not to the fundamental assumptions of
which differ in many respects from those of
Bahá'u'lláh's divinely conceived Order."
(From the Universal House of Justice to an individual
believer dated 2 July 1996)
48 "There have, however, been cases of believers
who look upon themselves as scholars, and may even be
such in a academic sense, who have considerable
expertise in certain aspects of the Faith but are
lamentably ignorant or misinformed about other aspects
of the Cause and the Teachings. Others have expressed
bitingly critical views with a quite unscholarly
intemperance."
(From a letter dated 8 October 1980 written on behalf
of the Universal House of Justice to an individual
believer)
49 "Beyond contention, moreover, is the condition
in which a person is so immovably attached to one
erroneous viewpoint that his insistence upon it
amounts to an effort to change the essential character
of the Faith. This kind of behaviour, if permitted to
continue unchecked, could produce disruption in the
Bahá'í community, giving birth to countless sects as
it has done in previous Dispensations. The Covenant
of Bahá'u'lláh prevents this. The Faith defines
elements of a code of conduct, and it is ultimately
the responsibility of the Universal House of Justice,
in watching over the security of the Cause and
upholding the integrity of its Teachings, to require
the friends to adhere to standards thus defined."
(From the Universal House of Justice to an individual
believer dated 8 February 1998)
50 "It is natural that the friends would discuss
such matters among themselves, as you and your
correspondent have been doing on your Internet
discussion group; how otherwise are they to deepen
their understanding of the Teachings? But they should
recognize that the resolution of differences of
opinion on such fundamental questions is not to be
found by continued discussion, but in referring to the
Universal House of Justice itself, as you have done.
Prolonged, unresolved, public discussion of these
fundamental questions can do nothing but breed
confusion and dissension."
(From the Universal House of Justice to an individual
believer dated 3 June 1997)
51 "It is our primary task to keep the most
vigilant eye on the manner and character its (the
Bahá'í Cause) growth, to combat effectively the forces
of separation and of sectarian tendencies, lest the
Spirit of the Cause be obscured, its unity be
threatened, its Teachings suffer corruption; lest
extreme orthodoxy on one hand, and irresponsible
freedom on the other, cause it to deviate from that
Straight Path which alone can lead it to success."
(Shoghi Effendi, Bahá'í Administration, p. 42)
In this Faith, the manner in which we communicate is
just as important as what we are communicating.
52 "Bahá'u'lláh warns us that 'the tongue is a
smoldering fire, and excess of speech a deadly
poison.' 'Material fire consumeth the body,' He says
in elaborating the point, 'whereas the fire of the
tongue devoureth both heart and soul. The force of the
former lasteth but for a time, whilst the effects of
the latter endureth a century.' In tracing the
framework of free speech, He again advises
'moderation.' 'Human utterance is an essence which
aspireth to exert its influence and needeth
moderation,' He states, adding: 'As to its influence,
this is conditional upon refinement which in turn is
dependent upon hearts which are detached and pure. As
to its moderation, this hath to be combined with tact
and wisdom as prescribed in the Holy Scriptures and
Tablets.'
"Also relevant to what is said, and how, is when it is
said. For speech, as for so many other things, there
is a season. Bahá'u'lláh reinforces this
understanding by drawing attention to the maxim that,
'Not everything that a man knoweth can be disclosed,
nor can everything that he can disclose be regarded as
timely, nor can every timely utterance be considered
as suited to the capacity of those who hear it.'
"Speech is a powerful phenomenon. Its freedom is both
to be extolled and feared. It calls for an acute
exercise of judgment, since both the limitation of
speech and the excess of it can lead to dire
consequences. Thus there exist in the system of
Bahá'u'lláh checks and balances necessary to the
beneficial uses of this freedom in the onward
development of society. A careful examination of the
principles of Bahá'í consultation and the formal and
informal arrangements for employing them offer new
insights into the dynamics of freedom of expression."
(From a letter written by the Universal House of
Justice to the Bahá'ís in the United States, 29
December 1988)
Beyond the concern about intemperate remarks,
inappropriate criticisms, and other abuses is another
development, the increasing use of this medium by
Covenant-breaker groups. Their aim, of course, is to
undermine the Covenant and promote their own ideas
about successorship and leadership in the Faith.
Various groups of Covenant-breakers have established
web sites and their members have participated in
Bahá'í discussion groups both openly and deviously.
This has been particularly upsetting to many Bahá'ís
who have never experienced this kind of attack. It
has also been frustrating to Bahá'ís who have had
difficulty keeping their discussion groups free of
these unwanted postings. The advice we can give to
the friends is really nothing new. The principle to
shun Covenant-breakers and avoid or ignore their
supporters and their material remains unchanged.
53 ". . .One of the greatest and most fundamental
principles of the Cause of God is to shun and avoid
entirely the Covenant-breakers, for they will utterly
destroy the Cause of God, exterminate His Law and
render no account all efforts exerted in the past."
('Abdu'l-Bahá, Will and Testament, p.20)
If a believer is approached by a member of a
Covenant-breaker group directly via e-mail, he or she
can be encouraged to report this contact and then
ignore the message. The Covenant-breakers have
devised many approaches to engage the Bahá'ís in
discussing their views, but the impact of their
efforts will be minimized if we just follow the
principle given to us by the Master in His Will and
Testament.
54 "... It is a pity that some of the Western
friends, with remarkable naivete, do not grasp the
fact that there is absolutely nothing keeping those
who have broken the Covenant, whether Bahá'u'lláh's or
the Master's, out of the Cause of God except their own
inner spiritually sick condition... Unfortunately a
man who is ill is not made well just by asserting
there is nothing wrong with him! Facts, actual
states, are what count. Probably no group of people
in the world have softer tongues, or proclaim more
loudly their innocence, then those who in their heart
of hearts, and by their every act, are enemies of the
Center of the Covenant. The Master well knew this,
and that is why He said we must shun their company,
but pray for them. If you put a leper in a room with
healthy people, he cannot catch their health; on the
contrary they are very likely to catch his horrible
ailment"
(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to the
National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, April
11, 1949; Lights of Guidance #618)
55 "With regard to avoiding association with
declared Covenant-breakers. Shoghi Effendi says that
this does not mean that if one or more of these
attends a non-Bahá'í meeting any Bahá'ís present
should feel compelled to leave the meeting or to
refuse to take part in the meeting, especially if that
part has been prearranged. Also if in the course of
some business it should become necessary to negotiate
with one of these people, in order to clear up the
business, that is permissible, provided the
association is confined to the matter of the business
in hand. It is different if one of these people should
come to Bahá'í meetings. Then it would become
necessary to ask him in a most tactful and dignified
way to leave the meeting as Bahá'ís are forbidden to
associate with him."
(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to
an individual believer, May 16, 1925; Lights of
Guidance, #610)
56 "We have your letter of 14 March 1970 asking
whether it is forbidden for the friends to associate
with non-Bahá'ís who are in close association with
Covenant-Breakers. There are no hard and fast rules
about such things. Under some conditions the
involvement of the non-Bahá'í party may be superficial
and harmless, in which case no action should be taken.
For example, Bahá'ís have at times used non-Bahá'ís,
such as lawyers, to contact Covenant-breakers in
certain matters of business. If, however, the
Covenant-breaker is using the non-Bahá'í party to
spread his ideas among the friends, the matter should
be reported to the Continental Board of Counsellors,
and whatever they decide in such cases in consultation
with the National Spiritual Assemblies concerned
should be unreservedly accepted by the friends."
(Letter from the Universal House of Justice to the
National Spiritual Assembly of Ecuador, April 2, 1970,
Lights of Guidance, pp. 183-184, #605)
57 "Regarding Mr. ...'s question about the
Covenant-breakers, Bahá'u'lláh and the Master in many
places and very emphatically have told us to shun
entirely all Covenant-breakers as they are afflicted
with what we might try and define as a contagious
spiritual disease; they have also told us, however, to
pray for them. These souls are not lost forever. In
the Aqdas, Bahá'u'lláh says that God will forgive
Mírzá Yahyá if he repents. It follows, therefore,
that God will forgive any soul if he repents. Most of
them don't want to repent, unfortunately. If the
leaders can be forgiven it goes without saying that
their followers can also be forgiven. "Also, it has
nothing to do with unity in the Cause; if a man cuts a
cancer out of his body to preserve his health and very
life, no one would suggest that for the sake of unity
it should be reintroduced into the otherwise healthy
organism. On the contrary, what was once a part of
him has so radically changed as to have become a
poison."
(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an
individual believer, November 28, 1944: Principles of
Bahá'í Administration, pp. 22-23)
58 "No one has any right to see the
Covenant-Breakers without the permission of the
N.S.A., and Mrs. ... in doing so should realize she is
putting herself in contact with a dangerous,
contagious, spiritual disease, as the Master pointed
out over and over again! She is also disobeying
express instructions of the Master and the Guardian by
contacting Covenant-Breakers."
(From letter written on behalf of the Guardian to two
individual believers, May 5, 1947)
59 "To read the writings of Covenant-breakers is
not forbidden to the believers and does not constitute
in itself an act of Covenant-breaking. Indeed, some of
the Bahá'ís have the unpleasant duty to read such
literature as part of their responsibilities for
protecting the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh. However, the
friends are warned in the strongest terms against
reading such literature because Covenant-breaking is a
spiritual poison and the calumnies and distortions of
the truth which the Covenant-breakers give out are
such that they can undermine the faith of the believer
and plant the seeds of doubt unless he is fore-armed
with an unshakable belief in Bahá'u'lláh and His
Covenant and a knowledge of the true facts."
(The Universal House of Justice, October 29, 1974 as
cited in "Developing Distinctive Bahá'í Communities."
5.10)
To a believer who moderates an electronic discussion
group the Universal House of Justice wrote that he may
have to read postings of Covenant-breakers as a part
of his duties but the House of Justice also suggested
that his 'contact with them be kept to a minimum...."
In the same letter they wrote:
60 "You will want to resist any temptation to be
drawn into discussions or consideration of the
arguments which they [Covenant-breakers] may advance."
(From the Universal House of Justice to an individual
believer dated 28 March 1998)
It is always helpful and valuable when the friends
bring these concerns about Covenant-breakers to the
attention of the Institutions and they should be
encouraged for this.
61 "You are free at any time to refer to the
Continental Boards of Counsellors and the Auxiliary
Board members for protection any matters about which
you are not clear involving the security of the Faith
in your area and you will always find them willing to
assist you in dealing with such problems."
(Written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice,
October 1, 1979, as cited in "Developing Distinctive
Bahá'í Communities", 5.11)
It is important to be vigilant but not quick to judge
a person who has posted a contribution to an
electronic discussion. It is also important not label
someone as a Covenant-breaker unless he or she has
been expelled from the Faith by the Central Authority
of our Cause. Covenant-breaking is very serious and a
matter for certain Bahá'í institutions. We should
encourage the friends not to use this term casually or
indiscriminately. In any event, when a Bahá'í is
trying to decide whether or not to interact with
another, it is best to pray and to follow one's
spiritual instincts. We can ask questions like: Is
this discussion uplifting and spiritual stimulating or
does it have the "odor of mischief"? Bahá'u'lláh
wrote:
62 "Time and again have We admonished Our beloved
ones to avoid, nay to flee from, anything whatsoever
from which the odor of mischief can be detected. The
world is in great turmoil, and the minds of its people
are in a state of utter confusion. We entreat the
Almighty that He may graciously illuminate them with
the glory of His Justice, and enable them to discover
that which will be profitable unto them at all times
and under all conditions. He, verily is the
All-Possessing, the Most High."
(Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, pp. 97-98)
Our Teachings warn us not to judge others but we are
also encouraged to be discriminating and to avoid
situations that distract us, cause doubts, and lead to
ignoble thoughts and actions.
63 "O FRIEND! In the garden of thy heart plant
naught but the rose of love, and from the nightingale
of affection and desire loosen not thy hold. Treasure
the companionship of the righteous and eschew all
fellowship with the ungodly."
(Bahá'u'lláh, Persian Hidden Words, No. 3)
A sure safeguard for all of us will be to beseech God
for strength and spiritual insights.
64 "Help them, then, O God, to reach forth,
through the power of Thy sovereign might, towards such
a station that they can readily distinguish every foul
smell from the fragrance of the raiment of Him Who is
the Bearer of Thy most lofty and exalted name, that
they may turn with all their affections toward Thee,
and may enjoy such intimate communion with Thee that
if all that is in heaven and on earth were given them
they would regard it as unworthy of their notice, and
would refuse to cease from remembering Thee and from
extolling Thy virtues."
(Prayers and Meditations by Bahá'u'lláh, pp. 159-160
65 "O ye beloved of the Lord! On one
side the standard of the One True God is unfurled and
the Voice of the Kingdom raised. The Cause of God is
spreading, and manifest in splendour are the wonders
from on high"
"On the other side the faithless wax in hate and
rancour, ceaselessly stirring up grievous sedition and
mischief. No day goeth by but someone raiseth the
standard of revolt and spurreth his charger into the
arena of discord. No hour passeth but the vile adder
bareth its fangs and scattereth its deadly venom. "The
beloved of the Lord are wrapped in utter sincerity and
devotion, unmindful of this rancour and malice.
Smooth and insidious are these snakes, these
whisperers of evil, artful in their craft and guile.
Be ye on your guard and ever wakeful! Quick-witted
and keen of intellect are the faithful, and firm and
steadfast are the assured. Act ye with all
circumspection!"
"Beware lest any soul privily cause disruption or stir
up strife. In the Impregnable Stronghold be ye brave
warriors, and for the Mighty Mansion a valiant host.
Exercise the utmost care, and day and night be on your
guard, that thereby the tyrant may inflict no harm."
(Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, page
314)
It should not be surprising to us Bahá'ís that the
emergence of this new form of electronic communication
has coincided with the emergence of our precious Cause
from relative obscurity and the approach of the end of
this century. Neither is it surprising that our
emergence from obscurity has given rise to increasing
attacks on the Faith, both from outside and from
within.
A few years ago the Universal House of Justice wrote:
66 "As the Bahá'í community continues to emerge
inexorably from obscurity, it will be confronted by
enemies, from both within and without, whose aim will
be to malign and misrepresent its principles, so that
its admirers might be disillusioned and the faith of
its adherents might be shaken...."
(From a letter written on behalf of the House of
Justice to an Association for Bahá'í Studies, quoted in
a letter to an individual Bahá'í, dated 19 October
1993)
And
67 "As the stature of the Cause of God increases
in the eyes of the world, the process of its emergence
into the limelight of public attention ... is
accelerated, and the Faith, gradually and inevitably,
is projected into the next stage of its divinely
propelled development.
"Now, with the entrance of the Faith on the world
scene, we call upon the believers everywhere not to
allow themselves, even for one moment, to be perturbed
by any increase in opposition to the Cause. Rather
let them deepen their understanding of the creative
interaction between crisis and victory in the
evolution of the Faith, and increase their awareness
of the power inherent in the Cause to surmount all
obstacles that threaten its progress. Armed with this
knowledge, let them seize the opportunities that arise
and embrace the God-given challenges, confident in the
invincibility of the Faith and the steady onward march
of its Institutions."
(From a letter to all National Spiritual Assemblies
dated 27 October 1987)
Through the efforts of the members of this
Institution, the Bahá'ís must be aided to increase
their understanding of this process and their
confidence in the invincibility of the Faith. Our
goal is that the friends will not "allow themselves,
even for one moment, to be perturbed by any increase
in opposition to the Cause."
We can expect many challenges as the Cause moves
forward.
68 "The resistless march of the Faith of
Bahá'u'lláh viewed in this light, and propelled by the
stimulating influences which the unwisdom of its
enemies and the force latent within itself, both
engender, resolves itself into a series of rhythmic
pulsations, precipitated, on the one hand, through the
explosive outbursts of its foes, and the vibrations of
Divine Power, on the other, which speed it, with
ever-increasing momentum, along that predestined
course traced for it by the Hand of the Almighty."
(Shoghi Effendi: Messages to America, p. 51)
However, this process will always produce positive
results.
69 "Viewed in the light of past experience, the
inevitable result of such futile attempts, however
persistent and malicious they may be, is to contribute
to a wider and deeper recognition by believers and
unbelievers alike of the distinguishing features of
the Faith proclaimed by Bahá'u'lláh. These
challenging criticisms, whether or not dictated by
malice, cannot but serve to galvanize the souls of its
ardent supporters, and to consolidate the ranks of its
faithful promoters. They will purge the Faith from
those pernicious elements whose continued association
with the believers tends to discredit the fair name of
the Cause, and to tarnish the purity of its spirit.
We should welcome, therefore, not only the open
attacks which its avowed enemies persistently launch
against it, but should also view as a blessing in
disguise every storm of mischief with which they who
apostatize their faith or claim to be its faithful
exponents assail it from time to time. Instead of
undermining the Faith, such assaults, both from within
and from without, reinforce its foundations, and
excite the intensity of its flame. Designed to
becloud its radiance, they proclaim to all the world
the exalted character of its precepts, the
completeness of its unity, the uniqueness of its
position, and the pervasiveness of its influence."
(Shoghi Effendi: World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, pp.
15-16)
The Universal House of Justice has written favorably
about the development of the Internet and the World
Wide Web. Ours is the challenge to rise up to a level
of maturity so that we can make the most use of this
development for the propagation of our precious Cause.
Let's pray that we will be able to create an etiquette
of expression and communication worthy of the
approaching maturity of the human race
70 "We return to the phenomenal characteristics
of speech. Content, volume, style, tact, wisdom,
timeliness are among the critical factors in
determining the effects of speech for good or evil.
Consequently, the friends need ever to be conscious of
the significance of this activity which so
distinguishes human beings from other forms of life,
and they must exercise it judiciously. Their efforts
at such discipline will give birth to an etiquette of
expression worthy of the approaching maturity of the
human race. Just as this discipline applies to the
spoken word, it applies equally to the written word;
and it profoundly affects the operation of the press."
(From a letter written by the Universal House of
Justice to the Bahá'ís in the United States, 29
December 1988)
71 "...the House of Justice will continue to
encourage use of the greatly expanded opportunities
for the discussion of Bahá'í concepts and ideals,
which Internet communication so marvellously
provides."
(Written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to
an individual dated 20 July 1997)
Dear friends, I hope this expanded compilation of
excerpts from the Central Figures of the Faith and
letters from the Universal House of Justice will be
helpful in your work and the work of your dear
assistants. I will be grateful if you can share with
me your reactions and any suggestions for the next
draft.
With loving gratitude for all your efforts,
Stephen Birkland, Member
Continental Board of Counsellors in the Americas
cc: The International Teaching Centre
Continental Board of Counsellors in the Americas
National Spiritual Assembly of the United States
National Spiritual Assembly of Alaska