One thousand years should not be taken literally.

"...as to the meaning of the passage in the 'Íqán' in which Bahá'u'lláh refers to the renewal of the 'City of God' once in about a thousand years: this, as the word about implies, is simply an approximate date, and should not therefore be taken literally."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, October 29, 1938: Dawn of a New Day, p. 202 & Lights of Guidance, p. 482)

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Teach that person carefully until he becomes a Baha'i.

Never must they let a day pass, without teaching some soul, hoping that Bahá’u’lláh will cause each seed to grow. The Friends should seek pure souls, gain their confidence and then teach that person carefully until he becomes a Bahá’í — and then nurture him until he becomes a firm and active supporter of the Faith.

http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/se/MC/mc-251.html

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UHJ appeals Baha'is to convert more people.

We especially appeal to our fellow Bahá’ís everywhere to mount a mightier effort than ever before in offering the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to increasing numbers of their compatriots, and in inviting them to investigate and embrace His Cause.

- The Universal House of Justice

https://bahai-library.com/uhj_28_november_2004

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Meat-eating in the writings of Baha'u'llah and Abdu'l-Baha

By Sen McGlinn

There is quite a lot on meat-eating in the writings of Baha'u'llah and Abdu'l-Baha, beginning with the Aqdas:

"If ye should hunt with beasts or birds of prey, invoke ye the Name of God when ye send them to pursue their quarry; for then whatever they catch shall be lawful unto you, even should ye find it to have died."

This is expanded in Questions and Answers no. 24:

Other means, such as bows and arrows, guns, and similar equipment employed in hunting, are also included. If, however, traps or snares are used, and the game dieth before it can be reached, it is unlawful for consumption.

So the basic rule is, one should recite the name of God over the animal before slaughtering it, and the meat is then halal. The first exception is that reciting the name of God before releasing the hawk or firing the gun is also acceptable: the meat is halal. The exception to the exception is that meat taken from fatal forms of traps and snares is not halal, even if one recited the name of God over the trap. Because furs are not haram for Bahais, traps could still be used to catch animals for fur - but in my opinion the kind that trap one foot of the animal (gin traps) should be banned as dangerous to children and cruel to animals. But cruelty to animals is another topic.

Before you start wondering whether there is a Jewish or halal butcher in your neighbourhood, note that this is among the laws not at present binding on the Bahais in the West.

Baha'u'llah also writes:

O concourse of priests and monks! Eat ye of that which God hath made lawful unto you and do not shun meat. God hath, as a token of His grace, granted you leave to partake thereof save during a brief period.

(Summons of the Lord of Hosts 154; Athar-e Qalam-e 'a`ali, volume 1 p. 50 from line 6. )

"A brief period" is an interpretive translation - it says "certain days" which might refer to Fridays just as well as Lent. There are similar tablets of Abdu'l-Baha in Amr wa Khalq, saying not to abstain from eating meat and there is this section in Tablets of Abdu'l- Baha:

Reflect upon the inner realities of the universe, the secret wisdoms involved, the enigmas, the inter-relationships, the rules that govern all. For every part of the universe is connected with every other part by ties that are very powerful and admit of no imbalance, nor any slackening whatever. In the physical realm of creation, all things are eaters and eaten: the plant drinketh in the mineral, the animal doth crop and swallow down the plant, man doth feed upon the animal, and the mineral devoureth the body of man. Physical bodies are transferred past one barrier after another, from one life to another, and all things are subject to transformation and change, save only the essence of existence itself -- since it is constant and immutable, and upon it is founded the life of every species and kind, of every contingent reality throughout the whole of creation.

Whensoever thou dost examine, through a microscope, the water man drinketh, the air he doth breathe, thou wilt see that with every breath of air, man taketh in an abundance of animal life, and with every draught of water, he also swalloweth down a great variety of animals. How could it ever be possible to put a stop to this process? For all creatures are eaters and eaten, and the very fabric of life is reared upon this fact. Were it not so, the ties that interlace all created things within the universe would be unravelled.

(Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 157)

On the other hand, there's a report from Abdu'l-Baha (not my translation, I suspect it might be by Ahang Rabbani) that says:

Regarding the eating of animal flesh and abstinence therefrom, know thou of a certainty that, in the beginning of creation, God determined the food of every living being, and to eat contrary to that determination is not approved. For instance, beasts of prey, such as wolf, lion and leopard, are endowed with ferocious, tearing instruments, such as hooked talons and claws. From this it is evident that the food of such beasts is meat. If they were to attempt to graze, their teeth would not cut the grass, neither could they chew the cud, for they do not have molars. Likewise, God hath given to the four-footed grazing animals such teeth as reap the grass like a sickle, and from this we understand that the food of these species of animal is vegetable. They cannot chase and hunt down other animals. The falcon hath a hooked beak and sharp talons; the hooked beak prevents him from grazing, therefore his food also is meat. 

But now coming to man, we see he hath neither hooked teeth or sharp nails or claws, or teeth like iron sickles. From this it becomes evident and manifest that the food of man is cereals and fruit. Some of the teeth of man are like millstones to grind the grain, and some are sharp to cut the fruit. Therefore he is not in need of meat, nor is he obliged to eat it. Even without eating meat he would live with the utmost vigor and energy. For example, the community of the Brahmins in India does not eat meat; notwithstanding this they are not inferior to other nations in strength, power, vigor, outward senses or intellectual virtues. Truly, the killing of animals and the eating of their meat is somewhat contrary to pity and compassion, and if one can content oneself with cereals, fruit, oil and nuts, such as pistachios, almonds and so on, it would undoubtedly be better and more pleasing.

 "Khatirat-i Habib" p. 297

http://bahaiforums.com/general-discussion/13309-abdul-baha-contradictions.html

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The world is but one country and mankind its citizens.

This statement is the plagiarized version of a line of poetry from the 13th century Persian Poet called Saadi:

Human beings are members of a whole,
In creation of one essence and soul.

Baha’u’llah the founder of Baha’ism simply repeated this statement using other words and attributed it to himself.

The statement is simply “stating the obvious”, yes the world is like a big country and yes we are its citizens.

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Abdul Baha went to the baths with the entire party.

On September 27, 1912, during his tour of North America, Mahmud's Diary relates that 'Abdu’l-Bahá availed himself of the resort amenities in Glenwood Springs, Colorado where he "strolled in the spacious garden and boulevard adjacent to the hotel until He reached the river where there were bath houses and hot springs...the Master went to the baths with the entire party.

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You should go to Spiritual Assemblies as a child would to its parents.

"...These bodies have the sacred obligation to help, advise, protect and guide the believers in every way within their power when appealed to--indeed they were established just for the purpose of keeping order and unity and obedience to the law of God amongst the believers.

"You should go to them as a child would to its parents...."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, September 28, 1941: The Local Spiritual Assembly, compiled by the Universal House of Justice)

http://bahai-library.com/hornby_lights_guidance&chapter=1#n9

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The Tablets of the Divine Plan, by Abdu'l-Bahá are the Charter for the teaching of the Faith.

"As you are no doubt aware, the Tablets of the Divine Plan, which were revealed by Abdu'l-Bahá during the First World War, are the Charter for the teaching of the Faith. All the teaching plans launched by the beloved Guardian, as well as those subsequently directed by the Universal House of Justice, are stages in the implementation of this master plan conceived by the Centre of the Covenant for the diffusion of the Message of Bahá'u'lláh."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, September 29, 1977)

http://bahai-library.com/hornby_lights_guidance_2.html&chapter=4#n1628

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Your generation must provide the saints, heroes, martyrs and administrators of future years.

On October 2, 1951, Shoghi Effendi urged Bahá'í Youth

"to make up your minds to do great, great deeds for the Faith; the condition of the world is steadily growing worse, and your generation must provide the saints, heroes, martyrs and administrators of future years."

http://bahai-library.com/hornby_lights_guidance_2.html&chapter=5#n2128

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Queen Marie's daughter : It is quite incorrect to say that my mother was a member of the Baha'i Faith.

On October 3, 1939, Shoghi Effendi posthumously appointed Martha Root as a Hand of the Cause of God. Martha Root had eight meetings with Queen Marie of Romania, which occurred from January 1926 through February 1936.

Although Bahá'ís frequently refer to her as "the first member of a royal family to embrace the Bahá’í Faith," Queen Marie's daughter disputes this claim: "It is perfectly true that my mother, Queen Marie, did receive Miss Martha Root several times.....She came at the moment when we were undergoing very great family and national stress. At such a moment it was natural that we were receptive to any kind of spiritual message, but it is quite incorrect to say that my mother or any of us at any time contemplated becoming a member of the Baha’i faith.".

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'Abdu'l-Baha goes aboard the warship HMS Marlborough.

On October 4, 1919, on the invitation of Major Williamson, the acting Military Governor of Haifa, 'Abdu'l-Bahá goes aboard the warship HMS Marlborough.

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Why Baha'is are 'persecuted' in Iran?

...technically speaking, the Islamic Republic of Iran, while it does not constitutionally recognize or accord legitimacy to Bahaism as a creed, has no state sponsored policy of persecuting Bahaism either. Baha’is as Iranian citizens are legally accorded full citizenship rights under the law in Iran. It is their creed (together with its organization and activities) which is not recognized, or granted legal privileges, and not their rights as citizens per se. This fact is consistently misrepresented, confused or totally glossed over in silence in the West. Nevertheless, besides the fact that at all stages of its history Bahaism has been consistently sponsored and supported by the forces of Anglo-European imperialism and colonialism against the interests and security of Iran; the issues the Islamic Republic of Iran currently has with the activities of Bahaism have to do primarily with the reality that the Haifan Baha’i organization and its leadership have consistently enjoyed a tightly knit relationship with the state of Israel, its establishment and state apparatus. The Israeli establishment, quite literally, has gone out of its way to protect the Baha’is since 1948 and in turn the Baha’is themselves have been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Zionist state. The reader is invited to Google pictures of their Baha’i World Centre in Haifa to see for themselves the kind of allowances the Israeli state has made to this organization in the construction of their megalomaniacal Hanging Gardens of Babylon on Mt Carmel. Independent Israeli filmmaker Naama Pyritz even confessed during her 2004 interview of Frederick Glaysher what she believed to be the Haifan Baha’i organization’s inordinately ‘special relationship’ with the Israeli state (as well as with the United States and Great Britain): a special relationship which no other community or organization in Israel presently enjoys.

As such, given the history here, together with the central, overriding fact that its very world headquarters is located in Israel, the activities of the Haifan Baha’i organization demonstrably pose a serious national security threat to the Islamic Republic of Iran in a similar fashion as various radical Islamist terrorist groups or violent irredentists (such as the Basque separatists and similar) would theoretically pose national security threats to Western governments and their internal national security interests. It should be noted as well that France banned Scientology and proscribes its activities by law, and to some extent Germany as well; and so, the situation of the Haifan Baha’i organization in Iran is legally similar to the situation of Scientology or, say, the Jehovah’s Witnesses in France and Germany. In Germany, for instance, they are not even registered as a religious organization but as an NGO.

The Western media often likes to blow the Baha’i issue in Iran beyond all reasonable proportions while conveniently remaining silent or otherwise downplaying similar parallels existing in Western countries. Almost nothing is mentioned by them about Baha’isms sordid history or eyebrow raising linkages and connections presently. This is precisely because these Western establishments are engaging in carefully orchestrated neo-colonial perception management, consensus building and so information war against Iran due to the fact that the Haifan Baha’is have in fact been their dependable comprador lackeys and trojan horse in the region – and so, native informers — for the good part of one-hundred and sixty-six years.

- Wahid Azal

http://www.counterpunch.org/2016/05/25/behind-the-politics-of-a-current-brouhaha-in-iran-an-ex-president-ayatollahs-daughter-and-the-bahais/

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Baha'is believe all non-Baha'is are astray.

"The first duty prescribed by God for His servants is the recognition of Him Who is the Dayspring of His Revelation and the Fountain of His laws, Who representeth the Godhead in both the Kingdom of His Cause and the world of creation. Whoso achieveth this duty hath attained unto all good; and whoso is deprived thereof hath gone astray, though he be the author of every righteous deed. It behoveth every one who reacheth this most sublime station, this summit of transcendent glory, to observe every ordinance of Him Who is the Desire of the world. These twin duties are inseparable. Neither is acceptable without the other. Thus hath it been decreed by Him Who is the Source of Divine inspiration."

(Baha'u'llah, Kitab-i Aqdas, verse 1)

Baha'u'llah also states:

"whoso turneth away from this Beauty hath also turned away from the Messengers of the past” (Baha'u'llah, Tablet of Ahmad)

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Dr Sa'eed Khan about Baha'is

Dr Sa'eed Khan [was] a highly-respected physician...who had as a doctor treated the second widow of the Bab, and had for a lifetime known intimately both Babis [i.e. Bayanis] and Baha'is in Tehran and Hamadan. He says:

"...There is no conscience with them [ i.e. the Baha'is], they keep to no principle, they tell you what is untrue, ignoring or denying undoubted historical facts, and this is the character of both the leader and the led...As to morality and honesty, the whole system has proved disappointing...I have been in contact with many Baha'is, and have had dealings with many and have tested many, and unfortunately I have met not a single one who could be called honest or faithful in the full sense of these words..."

From Mission Problems in New Persia, 1926, p. 83, 87 and 89 quoted by William McElwee Miller in The Baha'i Faith: It's History and Teachings, 1973, p. 289.

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There is no way to appoint.. a second Guardian to succeed Shoghi Effendi.

On October 6, 1963, the UHJ sent a message to all NSAs stating that "the Universal House of Justice finds that there is no way to appoint or to legislate to make it possible to appoint a second Guardian to succeed Shoghi Effendi."

http://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/19631006_001/19631006_001.pdf

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The implementation of Bayan and non-implementation of Aqdas !?

The Bayan advocates death, violence, and war against non-Babis and since it was meant to be implemented that is exactly what the followers of the Bab did and created havoc and mayhem in Iran. If the laws of the Bayan were not meant to be implemented then there would be no need for Babis to cast aside their previous beliefs (mostly Islamic) and perform Babi rituals. Which human in his sane mind would bring a new religion with new laws then ask that these laws and rituals are not be acted upon. Even Baha'u'llah was practicing Babi law until he created Baha'ism.

On the other hand, the Aqdas has numerous laws that no one even cares about and every Baha'i that I have argued with claims the laws are non-binding. Just take a look at these easily implementable laws that have been cast aside by the UHJ: http://bahai-library.com/uhj_laws_not_binding or have been replaced "by the civil laws of each country".

Out of all the laws in the link that are not yet binding, one of the exceptions is the law of paying Huququ'llah to the UHJ: "The law of Huququ'llah is not yet applied to the western friends. [It became universally applicable at Ridvan 1992.]" Seems like the UHJ is some sort of cash hungry entity instead of being a spiritual center making sure the laws of Baha'ism are followed and implemented by Baha'is.

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UHJ gives guidance on how to Pray and Meditate !

On October 11, 1978, the Universal House of Justice sent a letter to Bahá’í Friend regarding his "appeal for guidance" telling him to "Pray and meditate about it. Use the prayers of the Manifestations, as they have the greatest power. Learn to remain in the silence of contemplation for a few moments. During this deepest communion take the next step.

Arrive at a decision and hold to this. This decision is usually born in a flash at the close or during the contemplation. It may seem almost impossible of accomplishment, but if it seems to be an answer to prayer or a way of solving the problem, then immediately take the next step. Have determination to carry the decision through. Many fail here. The decision, budding into determination, is blighted and instead becomes a wish or a vague longing. When determination is born, immediately take the next step."

http://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/19781011_001/19781011_001.pdf

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Perhaps Shoghi Effendi writes about himself...

So many misunderstandings arise from the passionate attachment of the friends to the Faith and also their immaturity. We must therefore be very patient and loving with each other and try to establish unity in the Bahá'í family. The differences ... which you describe in your letter he feels are caused by the above and not by enmity to the Faith or insincerity.

(From a letter dated 17 October 1944 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)

http://bahai-library.com/compilation_living_the_life#n1301

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World Religion Day.. was not meant primarily to provide a platform for all religions...

On October 22, 1968, the UHJ wrote, "World Religion Day, which is a celebration of the need for and the coming of a world religion for mankind, the Bahá'í Faith itself...the Day was not meant primarily to provide a platform for all religions and their emergent ecumenical ideas."

http://bahai-library.com/hornby_lights_guidance_2.html&chapter=4#n1710

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Shoghi Effendi suggests Baha'i pilgrims to record their notes

"It is very important that the Bahá'ís should accurately record their experiences with the Master and events in the Cause's progress for these things form data for future histories of the Cause. They have not, however, the authority of the revealed Word of the Tablets,..."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, October 23, 1949: Bahá'í News, No. 228, February 1950, p. 4)

http://bahai-library.com/hornby_lights_guidance_2.html&chapter=4#n1617

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Membership on the Universal House of Justice is confined to men.

On October 27, 1986, the UHJ stated that "it is an incontrovertible fact that all Manifestations of God known to us have been men. Moreover, it is a clear provision in Bahá’í administration that the Guardians were to be men and that membership on the Universal House of Justice is confined to men."

http://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/19861027_001/19861027_001.pdf

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Materials about the Faith authored by Baha’is must be reviewed by Baha’i institutions before publication.

On October 28, 1991, the Universal House of Justice addressed a letter to an individual believer, an academic, regarding the "requirement that materials about the Faith authored by Bahá’ís must be reviewed by Bahá’í institutions before publication."

http://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/19911028_001/19911028_001.pdf

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Personal relations with Covenant-breakers... is strictly forbidden.

"Personal relations with Covenant-breakers, however, such as personal contact or entering into correspondence with one is strictly forbidden."

http://bahai-library.com/hornby_lights_guidance&chapter=2#n611

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About the Bab's writings

Shírází was a man obsessed: obsessed by all things religious and esoteric, by the untapped possibilities inherent in Shi‘ite theology and philosophy, by words and concepts he had never fully understood, by his own personality and the parts he could play. He was an autodidact in a world that idolized a sometimes precious and affected learning. Words poured from him in an undammed torrent, scarcely controlled, frequently rambling and incoherent, sometimes poetic, original, and exciting. If he churned out endless reams of ill-digested Arabic phrases, he also played Dadaesque games with the rules and regulations of formal theological writing.

(Denis MacEoin, The sources for early Bábí doctrine and history)

https://bahai-library.com/pdf/m/maceoin_sources_babi_history_proofed.pdf

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Bab's books

"whole sections of the Bab's later books don't in fact mean anything very much, but are elaborate exercises in interesting things you can do with Arabic roots."

- Denis MacEoin

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Baha'u'llah's source of knowledge

"We purposed to read some of his works. Although We never felt disposed to peruse other peoples’ writings, yet as some had questioned Us concerning him, We felt it necessary to refer to his books, in order that We might answer Our questioners with knowledge and understanding. His works, in the Arabic tongue, were, however, not available . . . We sent for the book, and kept it with Us a few days. It was probably referred to twice,”

(Baha’u’llah, The Kitab-i-Iqan, pp. 184–186.)

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Love thy enemies - contradiction !

Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 320.

"O ye beloved of the Lord! The Kingdom of God is founded upon equity and justice, and also upon mercy, compassion, and kindness to every living soul. Strive ye then with all your heart to treat compassionately all humankind—except for those who have some selfish, private motive, or some disease of the soul. Kindness cannot be shown the tyrant, the deceiver, or the thief, because, far from awakening them to the error of their ways, it maketh them to continue in their perversity as before. No matter how much kindliness ye may expend upon the liar, he will but lie the more, for he believeth you to be deceived, while ye understand him but too well, and only remain silent out of your extreme compassion." Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 320.

Baha'i scripture is so full of contradictions and hypocrisy. Compare the above with:

“Apply ointment to the wounds of tyrants and heal the pain of oppressors,” Asad-Allāh Fāḍil Māzandarānī, Amr wa khalq, vol. 3,p. 228.

and

" The meaning of this is that ye must show forth tenderness and love to every human being, even to your enemies, and welcome them all with unalloyed friendship, good cheer, and loving-kindness. When ye meet with cruelty and persecution at another’s hands, keep faith with him; when malevolence is directed your way, respond with a friendly heart. To the spears and arrows rained upon you, expose your breasts for a target mirror-bright; and in return for curses, taunts and wounding words, show forth abounding love." (http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/ab/SAB/sab-8.html)

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Baha'u'llah and Polytheists

“O group of polytheists (deniers of Baha’ism), if you take pride in your name remaining amongst the animals or being mentioned amongst the livestock, then take pride in that for you are worthy of it.” (Baha’u’llah, Athar-i Qalam-i A`la, vol. 2, no. 81, p. 452)

“From this day, any individual that mentions as human [or humanness] a single person from those who deny me—whether that [denier] has a high or low stature—they will be excluded from all of (God’s) Merciful Graces, let alone trying to prove [those deniers] have dignity or stature.” (Baha’u’llah, Kitab-i badi`, p. 140)

“Whoever denies this apparent exalted luminous grace (meaning Baha’ism), it is worthy that he asks his state from his mother and he will soon be returned to the bottom of hell,” Ishraq Khavari, Ma’idiy-i asimani, vol. 4, p. 355; (citing Baha’u’llah)

“Whoever has the enmity of this servant (meaning Baha’u’llah) in his heart, certainly Satan has entered their mother’s bed,” Ishraq Khavari, Ganj-i shaygan, p. 79. (citing Baha’u’llah)

“It is incumbent on ever soul to keep away from the wicked breath of the polytheists (deniers of Baha’ism),” `Abd al-Ḥamīd Ishrāq Khāwarī, Mā’idiy-i āsimānī, vol. 8, p. 39 (citing Baha’u’llah)

“Know that God has forbidden his friends from meeting with the polytheists (deniers of Baha’ism) and hypocrites,” `Abd al-Ḥamīd Ishrāq Khāwarī, Mā’idiy-i āsimānī, vol. 4, p. 280 (citing Baha’u’llah)

“It is not permitted to interact, speak, or meet with those individuals that have turned away and made their objections apparent. This is an order revealed from the heavens of an Ancient Commander,” `Abd al-Ḥamīd Ishrāq Khāwarī, Mā’idiy-i āsimānī, vol. 8, p. 74; (citing Baha’u’llah)

“Run away from he who you do not find my love in his heart, keep away from him, and keep a great distance between you.,” Bahā’u’llāh, Āthār-i Qalam-i A`lā, vol. 2, p. 345 (sūrat al-aṣḥāb); (citing Baha’u’llah)

“Cleanse your eyes from [seeing] the deniers and the polytheists (meaning non-Baha’is) and turn away from them,” Bahā’u’llāh, Āthār-i Qalam-i A`lā, vol. 2, no. 81, p. 477 (citing Baha’u’llah)


Note : In Baha’i terminology the word ‘polytheist’ is used to refer to any person who denies Baha’u’llah.

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Baha'i Faith and Dissimulation

"In Istanbul, every day at noon Bahá'u'lláh would go to the Mosque of Sultán Muhammad and there recite the prayer in the manner of Islam"

(Ustád Muhammad-`Alíy-i Salmání, MY MEMORIES OF BAHÁ'U'LLÁH, pp. 38-39)

"Thereupon, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá sought water to perform His ablution. With the utmost deliberation, He completed His ablution and then commenced to perform the long obligatory prayer of the Muslims."

(Khalil Shahidi, Translated by Ahang Rabbani, A Lifetime with Abdu'l-Baha, p. 116)

"At the beginning, when wisdom in certain matters was most necessary and essential, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá would fast during Ramadan."

(Khalil Shahidi, Translated by Ahang Rabbani, A Lifetime with Abdu'l-Baha, p. 42)

"Abdu’l-Bahá’s manifold activities continued with little abatement despite increasing bodily weakness and weariness up till the last day or two of His life. On Friday, November 25, 1921, He attended the noonday prayer at the Mosque in Haifa"

(Esslemont, Baha'u'llah and the New Era, p. 65)

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Be thou as a flame of fire to My enemies

Be thou as a flame of fire to My enemies and a river of life eternal to My loved ones...

http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/c/BP/bp-173.html

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Waging a war for righteous purpose can be a praiseworthy thing!

Abdul Baha says :

“A conquest can be a praiseworthy thing, and there are times when war becomes the powerful basis of peace, and ruin the very means of reconstruction. If, for example, a high-minded sovereign marshals his troops to block the onset of the insurgent and the aggressor, or again, if he takes the field and distinguishes himself in a struggle to unify a divided state and people, if, in brief, he is waging war for a righteous purpose, then this seeming wrath is mercy itself, and this apparent tyranny the very substance of justice and this warfare the cornerstone of peace,”

J. E. Esslemont, Bahā’u’llāh and the New Era, p. 172
http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/o/BNE/bne-140.html

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Purging mankind from the defilement of the outcast and the ungodly!

"God will soon take out from the sleeves of power the hands of strength and dominance and will make the Servant (Bahā’u’llāh) victorious and will cleanse the earth from the filth of every rejected polytheist (deniers of Baha’ism). And they will stand by the cause and will conquer the lands using my mighty eternal name and will enter the lands and they will be feared by all the servants."

Polished (distorted) official translation:

"Erelong shall God draw forth, out of the bosom of power, the hands of ascendancy and might, and shall raise up a people who will arise to win victory for this Youth and who will purge mankind from the defilement of the outcast and the ungodly. These hands will gird up their loins to champion the Faith of God, and will, in My name the Self-Subsistent, the Mighty, subdue the peoples and kindreds of the earth. They will enter the cities and will inspire with fear the hearts of all their inhabitants. Such are the evidences of the might of God; how fearful, how vehement is His might, and how justly doth He wield it!"

http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/SLH/slh-4.html

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One who accepts Baha'u'llah will never die!

"Whoso hath been re-born in this Day, shall never die; whoso remaineth dead, shall never live."

http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/GWB/gwb-106.html

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Baha'i Scholarship !

On October 19, 1993, the Universal House of Justice addressed a letter to an individual believer "inquiring about the term 'Bahá’í scholarship.'"

The Universal House of Justice states that

"In the simultaneous endeavor to pursue their studies and to delve deeply into the Bahá’í Teachings, believers are enjoined to maintain a keen awareness that the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh is the standard of truth against which all other views and conclusions are to be measured."

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Baha'u'llah strictly forbade association with the Covenant-breakers, and even warned the friends against entering if possible a city where Covenant-breakers resided...

On October 15, 1960, the Hands of the Cause of God in the Holy Land sent a letter to all the National Spiritual Assemblies refuting Mason Remey's claim of being the second Guardian, noting that "The glorious Báb forbade association with Covenant-breakers. Bahá'u'lláh strictly forbade association with the Covenant-breakers, and even warned the friends against entering if possible a city where Covenant-breakers resided, as their poison polluted the entire area. 'Abdu'l-Bahá's teaching with regard to shunning and having no contact whatsoever with the Covenant-breakers is contained in hundreds of Tablets. The beloved Guardian forbade all association with Covenant-breakers and warned that their poison was so deadly, that it was not permissible to have even their literature in one's possession. The Chief Stewards of the Faith, mindful of their paramount responsibility to protect the believers, have taken action to expel from the Faith Mason Remey and his supporters because of their Covenant-breaking activities, and to forbid all association with them."

http://bahai-library.com/uhj_ministry_custodians&chapter=4#235

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Polygamy and Tact and Wisdom

This principle (of tact and prudence) has been applied by 'Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi in the case of Bahá'í teachings on monogamy. The Kitab-i Aqdas appears to allow bigamy when it states: "Beware that ye take not unto yourselves more wives than two."[33] In an untranslated letter 'Abdu'l-Bahá gave a believer permission to take a second wife. He also indicated that the law concerning taking no more than two wives cannot be abrogated. He also noted that this law was conditional upon justice which was a condition virtually impossible to fulfill, but that 'Abdu'l-Bahá would not prevent believers from marrying a second wife if they were certain they would act with justice.[34] Both during the ministry of Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá bigamy was practiced in Bahá'í communities within the Middle East. Yet in another Tablet 'Abdu'l-Bahá stated:

Know thou that polygamy is not permitted under the law of God, for contentment with one wife hath been clearly stipulated. Taking a second wife is made dependent upon equity and justice being upheld between the two wives, under all conditions. However, observance of justice and equity towards two wives is utterly impossible. The fact that bigamy has been made dependent upon an impossible condition is clear proof of its absolute prohibition. Therefore it is not permissible for a man to have more than one wife.[35]

Shoghi Effendi later determined that this statement of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's would be considered normative within the Bahá'í community.[36] A letter from the Research Department of the World Centre on this topic suggests that 'Abdu'l-Bahá "introduced the question of monogamy gradually in accordance with the principles of wisdom and the progressive unfoldment of His purpose."[37] As we have seen, the term wisdom in Bahá'í writings whether it refers to inscrutable divine wisdom or the caution and tact with which Bahá'ís are urged to conduct themselves for the protection of the Faith usually carries with it the connotation of foresight. In practice, the word could be used within the community to refer to acts which seemingly contradicted some of the basic principles of the Faith but which in the long term were seen as serving its best interest. Especially included among such acts have been the willingness on the part of believers to deny their Bahá'í identity under persecution, the temporary exercise of censorship, and compromises made in regards to gender issues.

https://bahai-library.com/maneck_wisdom_dissimulation_hikmat

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We are seeking to build up a New World Order

We Bahá'ís are one the world-over, we are seeking to build up a New World Order, Divine in origin.

(Shoghi Effendi, The Light of Divine Guidance, Vol. 1, p. 123)

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Baha'i participation in public demonstrations involving controversial issues

The Universal House of Justice, Department of the Secretariat:

…You state that there are large-scale demonstrations…and you inquire about the appropriateness of Bahá'ís participating in demonstrations for peace.…while these activities are generally carried out in the name of peace, such occasions are motivated by highly political and controversial sentiments at a time of turmoil and confusion in the world.… to become associated with such activities, it could also be harmful to the interests of the Faith internationally. … As you can no doubt understand, Bahá'í participation in public demonstrations involving controversial issues would undermine the Faith's essential purpose of promoting unity in all aspects of human affairs…

(2003 Mar 27, Participation in Anti-War Demonstrations)

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To remain a member of the Church is not proper for us

… we, as Baha'is, must not have any affiliations with churches or political parties. ... We, as Baha'is, can never be known as hypocrites or as people insincere in their protestations and because of this we cannot subscribe to both the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh and ordinary church dogma. The churches are waiting for the coming of Jesus Christ; we believe He has come again ... The churches teach doctrines - various ones in various creeds - which we as Bahá'ís do not accept... In other words there is no Christian church today whose dogmas we, as Bahá'ís can truthfully say we accept in their entirety - therefore to remain a member of the Church is not proper for us, for we do so under false pretences. …Very much the same reasons motivate us in withdrawing from all political movements, however close some of their ideals may be to ours.

(Shoghi Effendi, The Light of Divine Guidance, Vol. 1, p. 123)

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UHJ lied about the meaning of "proselytizing"

It is true that Bahá'u'lláh lays on every Bahá'í the duty to teach His Faith. At the same time, however, we are forbidden to proselytize, so it is important for all believers to understand the difference between teaching and proselytizing. It is a significant difference and, in some countries where teaching a religion is permitted, but proselytizing is forbidden, the distinction is made in the law of the land. Proselytizing implies bringing undue pressure to bear upon someone to change his Faith. It is also usually understood to imply the making of threats or the offering of material benefits as an inducement to conversion. In some countries mission schools or hospitals, for all the good they do, are regarded with suspicion and even aversion by the local authorities because they are considered to be material inducements to conversion and hence instruments of proselytization.

(The Universal House of Justice, Messages 1963 to 1986, p. 513)

This quote, no more than 150 words, is sufficient to refute the supposed infallibility of the UHJ and therefore, dismiss the Faith altogether. I'm not making "molehills into mountains". You claim that the UHJ is infallible and in fact, would excommunicate and shun any Baha'i who claims otherwise. So tell me, how on earth did the UHJ not lie about the meaning of "proselytizing"? How on earth did the UHJ not deceive millions of Baha'is that they're not proselytizing because they don't coerce?

Also see this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYtqcL406Dk

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Best way to serve ones country is to convert it to Baha'ism.

The best way for a Bahá'í to serve his country and the world is to work for the establishment of Bahá'u'lláh's World Order, which will gradually unite all men and do away with divisive political systems and religious creeds.

(Shoghi Effendi, The Light of Divine Guidance, Vol. 1, p. 124)

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We must build up our Baha'i system, and leave the faulty systems of the world to go their own way.

Because love for our fellowmen and anguish at their plight are essential parts of a true Bahá'í's life, we are continually drawn to do what we can to help them. It is vitally important that we do so whenever the occasion presents itself, for our actions must say the same thing as our words -- but this compassion for our fellows must not be allowed to divert our energies into channels which are ultimately doomed to failure, causing us to neglect the most important and fundamental work of all. There are hundreds of thousands of well-wishers of mankind who devote their lives to works of relief and charity, but a pitiful few to do the work which God Himself most wants done: the spiritual awakening and regeneration of mankind.

(The Universal House of Justice, Messages 1963 to 1986, p. 127)

"We must build up our Bahá'í system, and leave the faulty systems of the world to go their own way. We cannot change them through becoming involved in them; on the contrary they will destroy us."

(Bahá'í News, No. 215, p.1) (The Universal House of Justice, Wellspring of Guidance, pg 134-135)

https://bahai-library.com/mitchell_time_peril_peace

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The solution given to the world's problems by Baha'u'llah

...the solution given to the world's problems by Bahá'u'lláh is the only solution -- being Divine in origin -- and most desperately needed; therefore we, the few who have caught the vision, should not waste our energies beating up and down the paths pursued by humanity, and which are not solving its ghastly present-day problems. We should concentrate on the Cause, because it is what is needed to cure the world. This is a sound attitude, for if we don't devote ourselves to the Bahá'í work and teaching, who will?

(5 July 1949 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)
(The Compilation of Compilations Vol II, p.273)

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All men will adhere to one religion, will have one common faith.

One of the great events which is to occur in the Day of the manifestation of that Incomparable Branch is the hoisting of the Standard of God among all nations. By this is meant that all nations and kindreds will be gathered together under the shadow of this Divine Banner, which is no other than the Lordly Branch itself, and will become a single nation. Religious and sectarian antagonism, the hostility of races and peoples, and differences among nations will be eliminated. All men will adhere to one religion, will have one common faith, will be blended into one race and become a single people. All will dwell in one common fatherland, which is the planet itself. Universal peace and concord will be established among all nations.

('Abdu'l-Bahá. Some Answered Questions. On the Influence of the Prophets. 12. Commentary of the Eleventh Chapter of Isaiah. Paragraphs. 4-7. Pgs. 73-75)

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Baha'i faith will embrace both religious and political issues.

Regarding the question raised in your letter, Shoghi Effendi believes that for the present the Movement, whether in the East or the West, should be dissociated entirely from politics. This was the explicit injunction of `Abdu'l-Bahá... Eventually, however, as you have rightly conceived it, the Movement will, as soon as it is fully developed and recognized, embrace both religious and political issues. In fact Bahá'u'lláh clearly states that affairs of state as well as religious questions are to be referred to the House of Justice into which the Assemblies of the Bahá'ís will eventually evolve.

(Letter written on behalf of the Guardian in response to queries from individual believers, 30 November 1930)

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Establishment of a Baha'i State

The Bahá'ís must remain non-partisan in all political affairs. In the distant future, however, when the majority of a country have become Bahá'ís then it will lead to the establishment of a Bahá'í State.

(Letter written on behalf of the Guardian in response to queries from individual believers, 19 April 1941)

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Baha'i Faith is the sole panacea for the innumerable ills afflicting our present-day world.

“In connection with your teaching work: What the Guardian wishes you to particularly emphasize in all your talks is the supreme necessity for all individuals and nations in this day to adopt in its entirety the social program given by Bahá’u’lláh for the reconstruction of the religious, economic and political life of mankind. He wishes you to explain and analyze the elements that help in raising this Divine World Order in the light of the present-day events and conditions in the world. Special stress, he feels, should be laid on the impending necessity of establishing a super-national, and sovereign world state, as the one described by Bahá’u’lláh. With the world becoming increasingly subject to tumults and convulsions never experienced before, the realization of such a necessity is entering into the consciousness of not only the wise and learned, but of the common people as well. The believers should, therefore, seize this opportunity to make a supreme effort to present, in convincing and eloquent language, those social and humanitarian teachings of the Faith which we believe to constitute the sole panacea for the innumerable ills afflicting our present-day world.”

http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/se/DG/dg-196.html

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Fundamentalism in the Baha'i Faith

We are accustomed to religious fundamentalists saying, incessantly and even stridently, that the only solution to the problems that the individual person will encounter, or, for that matter, that the family, the neighborhood and municipality, the province, the nation, the world will face, can only be solved by God, and by a particular faith tradition – God's religion. Most Bahá’ís are accustomed to thinking of themselves as progressives, liberals, and not fundamentalists of any kind. How astonishing it may be then, for Bahá’ís and their friends to discover that this doctrine is found in the Teachings of Bahá'u'lláh.

(Peter Terry, The Sovereign Remedy: A Study of Bahá'í Sources)

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