I enter all meetings, all churches, so that the Cause (Baha'ism) maybe spread.

Convey the Message! Attract the hearts! Sow the seeds! Teach the cause (Baha'ism) to those who do not know.... I enter all meetings, all churches, so that the Cause (Baha'ism) maybe spread.

Abdul Baha
The Chosen Highway, p. 177

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The children of men are being chastised for their refusal of Baha'u'llah

Shoghi Effendi in his letter addressed to the North American Bahá'ís titled "The Anger of God and His Correction" states that the World Wars are God's "direct interposition" being "the rod of both the anger of God and of His correction. The fierceness of its devastating power chastens the children of men for their refusal to acclaim the century-old Message of their promised, their Heaven-sent Redeemer."

http://bahai-library.com/shoghieffendi_this_decisive_hour#s82

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Every Institution of This Divinely Created Order is One More Refuge for a Tottering Society

Every institution of this divinely created Order is one more refuge for a distraught populace; every soul illumined by the light of the sacred Message (every new Baha'i) is one more link in the oneness of mankind (Baha'i NWO).

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to all National Spiritual Assemblies, May 25, 1975)
https://bahai-library.com/hornby_lights_guidance_2&chapter=2#1102

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Majdi'd-Dín...the incarnation of Satan...miserably perished struck with paralysis affecting his limbs and tongue. Dispensation of Providence prolonged the span of his infamous life to a hundred years.

Shoghi Effendi announces the death of "Majdi'd-Dín, the most redoubtable adversary of `Abdu'l-Bahá, denounced by Him as the incarnation of Satan...who above sixty years labored with fiendish ingenuity and guile to undermine its foundations, miserably perished struck with paralysis affecting his limbs and tongue. Dispensation of Providence prolonged the span of his infamous life to a hundred years."

Majdi'd-Dín was the son of Bahá’u’lláh's full brother Áqáy-i-Kalím, also known as Mirzá Musa, and was married to Samadiyyih, Bahá’u’lláh's daughter from his second wife Fatimih Khanum, who Bahá’u’lláh titled Mahd-i-'Ulya. Both Majdi'd-Dín and Samadiyyih were eventually declared Covenant-breakers.

[Cablegram, May 26, 1955]

Archbreaker of Bahá'u'lláh's Covenant

Announce to National Assemblies that Majdi'd-Dín, the most redoubtable adversary of Abdu'l-Bahá, denounced by Him as the incarnation of Satan and who played a predominant part in kindling the hostility ofAbdu'l-Hamíd and Jamál Páshá, and who was the chief instigator of Covenant-breaking and archbreaker of Bahá'u'lláh's Covenant, and who above sixty years labored with fiendish ingenuity and guile to undermine its foundations, miserably perished struck with paralysis affecting his limbs and tongue. Dispensation of Providence prolonged the span of his infamous life to a hundred years, enabling him to witness the extinction of his cherished hopes and the disintegration with dramatic rapidity of the infernal crew he unceasingly incited and zealously directed, and the triumphant progress and glorious termination of `Abdu'l-Bahá's thirty-year ministry as well as evidences of the rise and establishment in all continents of the globe of the administrative order, child of the divinely-appointed Covenant and harbinger of the world-encircling order.

--Shoghi

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The NDFs are for the Bahá'ís, and the Bahá'ís exclusively, and no variation from this principle is permitted.

"The beloved Guardian has instructed me to write you concerning an action recently taken by your National Assembly, as published in your January-February Bahá'í News, that non-Bahá'ís may attend 19 Day Feasts if 'the earnestness of their interest in the Faith' is vouched for by a declared believer.

"The Guardian wishes me to direct your attention to the fact that none of the institutions of the Faith nor its cardinal principles may be changed under any circumstances.

"The 19 Day Feast is an institution of the Cause, first established by the Bab, later confirmed by Bahá'u'lláh, and now made a prominent part of the administrative order of the Faith. These 19 Day Feasts are for the Bahá'ís, and the Bahá'ís exclusively, and no variation from this principle is permitted.

"Thus the Guardian feels you should rescind the action taken by your Assembly in opening the Feasts to 'near Bahá'ís', as it is not consistent with the spirit of the administrative order for non-Bahá'ís or near Bahá'ís to attend the 19 Day Feasts, particularly the administrative portion of the Feast."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany and Austria, May 28, 1954: The Nineteen Day Feast, November 1975)

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Baha'i point of view on Christian beliefs

Concerning the Resurrection of Christ you quote the twenty-fourth chapter of the Gospel of St. Luke, where the account stresses the reality of the appearance of Jesus to His disciples who, the Gospel states, at first took Him to be a ghost. From a Bahá'í point of view the belief that the Resurrection was the return to life of a body of flesh and blood, which later rose from the earth into the sky is not reasonable, nor is it necessary to the essential truth of the disciples' experience, which is that Jesus did not cease to exist when He was crucified (as would have the belief of many Jews of that period), but that His Spirit, released from the body, ascended to the presence of God and continued to inspire and guide His followers and preside over the destinies of His Dispensation.

From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, 28 May 1984
http://bahai-library.com/stockman_christianity_bahai_perspective&chapter=1

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Baha'is await an hour when 'mass conversion' will occur and all nations and races will accept Baha'ism.

This flow (of reinforcements), moreover, will presage and hasten the advent of the day which, as prophesied by `Abdu'l-Bahá, will witness the entry by troops of peoples of divers nations and races into the Bahá'í world--a day which, viewed in its proper perspective, will be the prelude to that long-awaited hour when a mass conversion on the part of these same nations and races, and as a direct result of a chain of events, momentous and possibly catastrophic in nature, and which cannot as yet be even dimly visualized, will suddenly revolutionize the fortunes of the Faith, derange the equilibrium of the world, and reinforce a thousandfold the numerical strength as well as the material power and the spiritual authority of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh.

(Citadel of Faith. A collection of messages from Shoghi Effendi to the Bahá'ís of the United States, written between 1947 and 1957)

http://www.ibiblio.org/Bahai/Texts/EN/CF/CF-103.html

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Abdul Baha's asks to capture and throw the pregnant mouse.

This mouse is pregnant and this room is not suitable for such developments.

http://juxta.com/wp-content/uploads/sweet_enchanting_electronic.pdf

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Treacherous Ruhi Afnan !

May 17. On this date in 1953, Shoghi Effendi addressed a cablegram to the Bahá'ís of the word, condemning his one-time close companion, secretary, and first cousin as "treacherous Ruhi Afnan."

Shoghi Effendi's eldest cousin and close friend, Ruhi Afnan accompanied him for rest and relaxation in the Bernese Oberland in the Swiss Alps on April 5, 1922, some four months after returning to Haifa subsequent to the death of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá,

Treacherous Ruhi Afnan

Treacherous Ruhi Afnan, not content with previous disobedience, correspondence with Ahmad Sohrab, contact with old Covenant-breakers, sale, in conjunction with other members of family, of sacred property purchased by Founder of Faith, and allowing his sister to marry son of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's enemy, is now openly lecturing on Bahá'í movement, claiming to be its exponent and is misrepresenting the teachings and deliberately causing confusion in minds of authorities and the local population. Inform National Assemblies.

On December 13, 1951, Shoghi Effendi had sent a cablegram addressing "Old and New Covenant-breakers" wherein he states "Evidences multiplying attesting Ruhi's increasing rebelliousness, efforts exerted my eldest sister pave way fourth alliance members family Siyyid 'Alí involving marriage his granddaughter with Ruha's son and personal contact recently established my own treacherous, despicable brother Riaz with Majdi'd-Din, redoubtable enemy Faith, former henchman Muhammad-'Ali, Archbreaker Bahá'u'lláh's Covenant."

Old and New Covenant-Breakers

With feeling profound concern, grief, indignation, am compelled disclose Bahá'í world recent developments Holy Land furnishing further incontestable proof relationship established old and new Covenant-breakers demonstrating increasing boldness, marked, tragic decline in character and spiritual condition grandchildren 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Their shameful attitude and conduct receiving approbation their elders. Evidences multiplying attesting Ruhi's increasing rebelliousness, efforts exerted my eldest sister pave way fourth alliance members family Siyyid 'Alí involving marriage his granddaughter with Ruha's son and personal contact recently established my own treacherous, despicable brother Riaz with Majdi'd-Din, redoubtable enemy Faith, former henchman Muhammad-'Ali, Archbreaker Bahá'u'lláh's Covenant. Convey information all National Assemblies.

--Shoghi

[Cablegram, December, 13, 1951]

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UHJ admonishes Baha'is

In general the House of Justice advises the friends to be less concerned with correcting what they conceive to be present imperfections in the administrative system, than with thoroughly understanding the principles which underline it, as clearly expounded by the Guardian, and with perfecting the application of those principles in practice.

With regard to your question about review requirements for works related to the Faith written or published by Bahá'ís, no decision has been taken as to when this practice will no longer be needed. Concerning access by individuals to source materials held in the Bahá'í International Archives, incoming requests are dealt with on a case-by-case basis, as the gradually expanding facilities of the Bahá'í World Centre permit.

http://bahai-library.com/uhj_suggestions_administrative_order

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Shoghi Effendi was happy with the conversion of Jewish people to the Baha'i faith.

May 20. On this date in 1952, a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi addressed to a Canadian Bahá'í, noted that "the Guardian was happy to learn of the success you are having in your teaching work, especially with the Jewish people." An online network of Bahá'ís of Jewish background believes that the rule prohibiting teaching of the Bahá'í Faith in Israel should be re-examined.

20 May 1952

To an individual believer

Dear Bahá'í Sister:

Your letter of May 4th has been received, and the beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He deeply appreciates your great devotion to the Faith. The Guardian was happy to learn of the success you are having in your teaching work, especially with the Jewish people. He wishes me to assure you that he will pray for those whom you have succeeded in attracting to the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh, and that your own efforts may be richly blessed.

With warm Bahá'í greetings,

R. Rabbani

Assuring you of my loving prayers for your success and spiritual advancement,

Your true brother,

Shoghi

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No Baha'i can practise the laws and ordinances of a previous dispensation!

"...No Bahá'í can any longer dissimulate his faith and practise the laws and ordinances of a previous dispensation and call himself at the same time a believer. No compromise, no vacillation can any longer be tolerated. We must have the courage of our convictions and preserve the integrity of our glorious Cause...."

(Postscript by the Guardian to a letter written on his behalf to an individual believer, May 21, 1933)

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You cannot organize the Baha'i Movement!

“The Bahai Movement is not an organization. You cannot organize the Bahai Movement. The Bahai Movement is the spirit of the age. It is the essence of all the highest ideals of this century. The Bahai Cause is an inclusive movement. The teachings of all religions and societies are found here. Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Mohammadans, Zoroastrians, Theosophists, Freemasons, Spiritualists, etc., find their highest aims in this Cause. Socialists and philosophers find their theories fully developed in this movement”

— Quote attributed to Abdul-Baha

Baha'i Year Book, Vol. 1, 1925-1926, p. 146

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All nations will become one in faith !

"We desire but the good of the world and the happiness of the nations; that all nations shall become one in faith (Baha'i) and all men as brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men shall be strengthened, that diversity of religion shall cease and differences of race be annulled. So it shall be; these fruitless strifes; these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the 'Most Great Peace' (Establishment of a Baha'i Superstate) shall come."

— Baha'u'llah

https://bahai.works/Star_of_the_West/Volume_8/Issue_19

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What is the aim of all Bahá’í activities?

The achievement of this unity is Bahá’u’lláh’s declared mission and the aim of all Bahá’í activity. Its outline and structure are indicated in the following passage from the writings of Shoghi Effendi, great-grandson of Bahá’u’lláh and Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith:

The unity of the human race (converting everyone to Baha'ism), as envisaged by Bahá’u’lláh, implies the establishment of a world commonwealth (Baha'i Superstate) in which all nations, races, creeds and classes are closely and permanently united, and in which the autonomy of its state members and personal freedom and initiative of the individuals that compose them are definitely and completely safeguarded. This commonwealth must, as far as we can visualize it, consist of a world legislature, whose members will, as the trustees of the whole of mankind, ultimately control the entire resources of all the component nations, and will enact such laws as shall be required to regulate the life, satisfy the needs and adjust the relationships of all races and peoples. A world (Baha'i) executive, backed by an international (Baha'i) Force, will carry out the decisions arrived at, and apply the laws enacted by, this world legislature, and will safeguard the organic unity of the whole (Baha'i) commonwealth. A world (Baha'i) tribunal will adjudicate and deliver its compulsory and final verdict in all and any disputes that may arise between the various elements constituting this universal system. A mechanism of world inter-communication will be devised, embracing the whole planet, freed from national hinderances and restrictions, and functioning with marvellous swiftness and perfect regularity. A world metropolis will act as the nerve centre of a world civilization, the focus towards which the unifying forces of life will converge and from which its energizing influences will radiate. A world language (Esperanto!!!) will either be invented or chosen from among the existing languages and will be taught in the schools of all the federated nations as an auxiliary to their mother tongue. A world script, a world literature, a uniform and universal system of currency, of weights and measures, will simplify and facilitate intercourse and understanding among the nations and races of mankind. In such a world society, science and religion, the two most potent forces in human life, will be reconciled, will co-operate, and will harmoniously develop. The press will, under such a system, while giving full scope to the expression of the diversified views and convictions of mankind, cease to be mischievously manipulated by vested interests, whether private or public, and will be liberated from the influence of contending governments and peoples (Baha'i Censorship is already an open secret!). The economic resources of the world will be organized, its sources of raw materials will be tapped and fully utilized, its markets will be co-ordinated and developed, and the distribution of its products will be equitably regulated.

A world federal system (i.e. Baha'i Superstate), ruling the whole earth and exercising unchallengeable authority (of UHJ) over its unimaginably vast resources, blending and embodying the ideals of both the East and the West, liberated from the curse of war and its miseries, and bent on the exploitation of all the available sources of energy on the surface of the planet, a system in which Force is made the servant of Justice, whose life is sustained by its universal recognition of one God (Baha'u'llah!?) and by its allegiance to one common Revelation (Baha'i) — such is the goal towards which humanity, impelled by the unifying forces of life, is moving.

http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/PB/pb-1.html

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Baha'u'llah calls for deniers of the Baha'i Faith to be tormented!

“And you, oh friends of God, be clouds of grace for those who believe in God and his signs, and be certain torment for those who do not believe in God and are polytheists (deniers of Baha’ism),”

Baha’u’llah, Majmuiy-i alwah-i mubarak-ih, p. 216.

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Bahá’ís must not have any affiliations with churches or political parties.

We, as Bahá’ís, must not have any affiliations with churches or political parties. But he feels certain that when you meditate on this matter you yourselves will see the wisdom of it.

(Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance, p. 158)

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Two Bahá’ís, when getting married, cannot have the religious ceremony of another Faith.

In reply to your letter of January 26th, we feel that while it is important to be flexible in requesting new believers, particularly youth who may encounter parental opposition, to withdraw from membership of other religious organizations, such flexibility cannot be allowed to extend to compromising Bahá’í law. Two Bahá’ís, when getting married, cannot have the religious ceremony of another Faith.

(Universal House of Justice, Lights of Guidance, p. 161)

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If as registered believers you are married in a non-Baha'i ceremony, you will lose your voting rights

5 May 1957

Miss ... and Mr.....

Dear .....,

Your letter of April 23rd has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

The question of your marriage is one which is clearly understood by the National Assembly, and the Guardian thought by most of the believers; and he is surprised that you should have been advised by fellow-Bahá'ís that you could have a Christian marriage, in view of the fact that you are both Bahá'ís.

It is only fair to tell you that, if as registered believers you are married in a Christian ceremony, you will lose your voting rights.

You did quite right to obtain the permission of your parents; and he hopes that now you will be able to extricate yourselves from this difficult position you find yourselves in, without angering Mr......

As you are aware, the Guardian feels that the Bahá'ís must, in view of the condition of the world today, stand forth firmly and courageously as followers of Bahá'u'lláh, obeying His Laws, and seeking to build his World Order. Through compromise we will never be able to establish our Faith or win others' hearts to it. This involves often great personal sacrifice, but we know that, when we do the right thing, God gives us the strength to carry it out, and we attract His blessings. We learn at such times that our calamity is indeed a blessing.

He will pray for the satisfactory solution of your problem.

With warm Bahá'í greetings, R. Rabbani.

May the Almighty guide, bless & sustain you, & aid you to promote the vital interests of His Faith,

Your true brother, Shoghi

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Defending the Cause against Opponents on the Internet

The Bahá'í World Centre Department of the Secretariat addressed a letter to an individual believer concerning "Defending the Cause against Opponents on the Internet," stating in part "Under most circumstances, it would seem worse than futile for a Bahá'í to attempt to defend the institutions or members of the Faith... Similarly, for believers to be drawn into discussion of subjects which the Writings themselves tell us will find clarification only through the passing of time, such as the wisdom of Bahá'u'lláh's limiting membership of the Universal House of Justice to men, the full implication of the Will and Testament, and the process by which the Bahá'í Commonwealth will emerge, would tend to divert attention from real and pressing issues... Where opposition chooses to assail the Faith on points where scholarly expertise in a particular field is required, the challenge to respond falls directly on those believers who are thus qualified, and the Bahá'í community is fortunate in having the human resources necessary to this purpose. For discussions that are of a more general nature, a wider number of the friends will be in a position to provide helpful comment. While the initiative in all such matters rests primarily with the individual believer, the institutions of the Faith are in a position to offer guidance on how the Faith's interests can best be served. Indeed, where discussions of this kind have a direct and immediate impact on the perception of the Faith among the non-Bahá'í public, the Guardian has emphasized the importance of the friends' seeking "the guidance and approval of the National Spiritual Assembly" in all attempts to counter open attacks on the Cause"

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Withdraw from church membership...

"The friends should by all means be encouraged to withdraw from church membership and be made to realize that, though we as Bahá'ís are ardent believers in Christ, we do not and cannot support, church institutions and doctrines when Christ has come again and brought new laws for the world today and its present needs; to adhere to forms, mostly man-made, and now out-moded and no longer needed, is meaningless. This does not mean they should no longer associate with the church members; they should cease to be registered members of it."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, May 5, 1943)

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No one has any right to see the Covenant-Breakers without the permission of the N.S.A.

"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 a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to two individual believers, May 5, 1947)

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