Baha'i Children Classes

The increase in the number of children's classes worldwide during the Five Year Plan was dramatic. At the beginning of the Plan, there were some 3,800 children's classes worldwide serving 42,000 children, the vast majority of whom (87 per cent) came from Baha'i families. By April 2006, there were well over 10,000 classes serving more than 93,000 children, of which 56 per cent came from the wider community.

(THE FIVE YEAR PLAN, 2001-2006: Summary of Achievements and Learning - Prepared under the supervision of the International Teaching Centre)

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Baha'i Education in State Schools (BESS) programme in Australia

The largest, most systematic approach to providing Baha'i education for children was undoubtedly the Baha'i Education in State Schools (BESS) programme in Australia which, while initiated before 2001, expanded and improved significantly during the Five Year Plan. A number of school principals, as a means of attracting enrolments to their school, promoted the fact that they offered Baha'i classes. So great was the demand for this programme from school administrators and non-Baha'i parents that the community could not raise up a sufficient number of teachers. At the conclusion of the Plan, the BESS programme was serving more than 6,000 children throughout Australia, and more than 90 per cent of them were from non-Baha'i families.

(THE FIVE YEAR PLAN, 2001-2006: Summary of Achievements and Learning - Prepared under the supervision of the International Teaching Centre)

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training and deploying human resources

At the heart of this framework were "two complementary, reinforcing movements'', which guided and focused the efforts of the believers in systematically advancing the process of entry by troops. Through patient, sustained endeavour it became apparent that as more and more friends completed the sequence of courses and arose to carry out the tasks of expansion and consolidation, an impetus was given to the development of the cluster and its capacity to achieve and sustain growth. Concentrated attention to these two movements was seen as essential to the progress of the Plan and became the standard by which progress was assessed.

Training institutes grew progressively more able "to provide their communities with a constant stream of human resources to serve the process of entry by troops". By 2006, more than 36,000 tutors and nearly 75,000 children's class teachers had been trained. The number of core activities rose correspondingly, showing a sixfold increase in devotional meetings and a threefold increase in children's classes. The impact of the success in training and deploying human resources was reflected in a growing number of advanced clusters. After achieving a vigorous institute process, the multiplication of core activities, and an increase in the tempo of teaching, the conditions were favourable for launching intensive programmes of growth in these clusters. By the end of the Five Year Plan, 296 such programmes had been initiated.

(THE FIVE YEAR PLAN, 2001-2006: Summary of Achievements and Learning - Prepared under the supervision of the International Teaching Centre)

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Baha'i schools

Many schools have gone beyond the initial stages of establishment, often fraught with difficult yet inevitable challenges, to infuse their programmes with elements that enhance their Bahá’í character. The presence of such a well-functioning school in a region redounds to the good name of the Faith and provides for the sound intellectual and moral development of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of young people. The following schools run by Bahá’í’s, only a fraction of the total number, are together serving more than 16,500 students:

School of the Nations in Brazil; Unidad de los Pueblos in Bolivia; Satara International School in Burkina; Maxwell International Bahá’í School and Nancy Campbell Collegiate Institute in Canada; Ecole Les Etoiles Brillantes in Chad; Faizi and Muhájir Schools in Chile; Escuela Nuevo Jardin, Ruhi—Arbab School and Simmons School in Colombia; Louis Gregory School in the Congo Republic; Townshend International School in the Czech Republic; Ecole Internationale Enfants du Monde and Les Gouttelettes School in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Riḍván School in El Salvador; Raul Pavén Bahá’í School in Ecuador; Ani’s Zum’izr’ Bahá’í School in Haiti; School of the Nations in Guyana; Blossoms School, Brilliant Stars School, New Era High School, Rabbani School, Rúḥíyyih School, Splendour School, and Tadong Bahá’í School in India; William Foster Bahá’í Academy in Liberia; School of the Nations in Macau; Bambino Schools in Malawi; Abhá English School in Nepal; Ecole Prive’e Alliance and Lycée Enoch Olinga in Niger; New Day School in Pakistan; Badi’ School in Panama; Miki Rutan Bahá’í School in Paraguay; Bahá’í Schools in Swaziland; Ruaha Secondary School in Tanzania; Santitham Witthayakhom School in Thailand; Ecole Internationale Arc-en-ciel in Togo; Ocean of Light International School in Tonga; Auntie Claire’s Kindergarten and Louis Gregory Memorial Bahá’í Schools in Uganda; Rowhani School in Vanuatu; and Banani International School in Zambia.

(THE FIVE YEAR PLAN, 2001-2006: Summary of Achievements and Learning - Prepared under the supervision of the International Teaching Centre)

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The Baha’i Faith as an organization does the complete opposite of what they teach ‘seekers’.

One exBahai says:

The Baha’i Faith as an organization does the complete opposite of what they teach ‘seekers’. They tell interested souls that it is a universal religion that accepts the validity of all religions, then goes around telling its own membership that the world is suffering because all of humanity hasn’t become Baha’is. It tells interested minds that the Baha’i Faith doesn’t demand or accept blind faith, unlike those ‘old religions’, but then tells skeptical believers that ‘there are some things you’re just going to have to accept, even if you can’t understand the wisdom of it at the moment’.

It tells open hearts that there is no clergy in the Baha’i Faith, that the consciences of human beings are sacred and should be protected, that every one has the right and obligation to independently investigate the truth, that every one has the right to express their concerns and opinions without fear; yet its top leadership disenrolls, excommunicates, and shuns those who ‘cross the line’. I don’t blame Baha’u’llah or ‘Abdu’l-Baha for this, though. I think it is the organization’s fault for missing the mark of their teachings drastically. Baha’u’llah and ‘Abdu’l-Baha would have had to been total hypocrites or lost all memory of being prisoners of conscience in Iran and the Ottoman Empire, to then set up their own version of religion that scares people from speaking their true feelings and opinions by threatening them with the possibility of shunning and excommunication, or being subject to religious tribunals with different names, etc.

https://stetsonius.wordpress.com/2009/04/21/ridvan-2009-bahais-missing-the-point-of-their-own-religion/#comment-6

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Revision, Censorship, and Suppression in Modern Baha’i Literature

While Babi-Baha’i history suffers a kind of distortion at the hands of Baha’i authors which is rather subtle, a more direct approach is taken by the Baha’i Administration and publishers, through revision of previously printed materials and by a review process of future publications. This ongoing policy of updating earlier writings and regulating works by Baha’is, whether for publication in Baha’i organs or otherwise, is intended to preserve doctrinal purity and to “‘present a true picture of the Faith to the general public…'” Justification for such practices have generally centered on the need to correct minor errors and update statistics. Or, in the case of the review process, to ensure some standard of academic quality. However, the evidence suggests that the the primary concerns are the promotion of a consistent picture of Baha’i history and dogma, the blotting out of references to failed predictions and promises, and the diversion of readers from differing or hostile points of view.

(A Critical Examination of 20th Century Baha’i Literature by Vance Salisbury)

www.bosalisbury.com/interests/the-bahai-faith/a-critical-examination

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One Christian ex-Baha'i about Baha'u'llah

One Christian ex-Baha'i says:

Baha'u'llah claimed to be God or a Manifestation of God depending on his mood at the time of dictating. He also is considered "Return of Christ" ... equal to Jesus.

I analyzed his life and see absolutely nothing that would lead me to conclude that he was anything like Jesus. I wish I'd been able to do that analysis when I was seventeen before I got into this religion, but I wasn't. It took 10+ years after leaving Baha'i to be able to look objectively at Baha'ullah's life.

I believe he hatched his plan to become "Him Who God Will Make Manifest" to fulfill the Bab's prophecy, maybe while he was in the Sulaymaniyah mountains for two years living alone, or maybe soon after. Maybe he had altruistic reasons.. disappointment with his brother's leadership abilities, and a desire to help the Babi community of Baghdad.

The first thing he had to do was write a respectable book to impress people with. The first book, The Hidden Words, is without a doubt the best. It is readable, concise, enjoyable even. Nothing after that was nearly as worth reading... it was just reams and reams of "revelation" - him dictating and someone else writing down what he said.

I don't believe Baha'u'llah was God's messenger. He was very intelligent, may have had charisma, and was also a great talker/writer. His sister wrote that he obsessively studied philosophy books when younger, so even if he didn't attend a school, he was very well educated.

I have forgiven him for the time I took out of my life in following this religion that he started.

The ridiculous mess of succession, and "covenant breaking" in his family serves to show that the religion was flawed from the beginning.

Just my opinion... I hope it helps explain my feelings about Baha'u'llah and the Baha'i Faith.

https://old.reddit.com/r/exbahai/comments/2esca7/regarding_baháulláhs_actions/cmjk2zh/

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One exBahai writes about Baha'u'llah being a "prolific writer" and the "biblical prophecy" of Baha'u'llah

In response to Baha'u'llah being a prolific writer, if you look at other prolific writers you'll notice many of them have something in common, repetition. They find a formula that works and stick to it. I don't think Baha'u'llah is an exception to this. I find that he says the same things over and over.

I also do not put much stock in prophecy because they are so vague that it's not too hard to fulfill them, for example the entire book of Revelations. Or, right now I'm looking at The Half-Inch Prophecy by William Sears. The prophecy he's talking about is from the Bible. It reads, "In that day also he shall come even to thee from As-syr-i-a, and from the fortified cities, and from the fortress even to the river, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain." So all you have to do is find a guy who has been to all of these places and you've fulfilled a prophecy. To explain the Assyria part, William Sears says, "Baha'u'llah's enforced journey took Him to Baghdad which was once in the ancient kingdom of Assyria." He didn't even come from there, he was just there for a little while. I have a problem with this type of truth investigation. You pick your conclusion and then you go looking for supporting evidence. That doesn't make much logical sense to me.

https://old.reddit.com/r/exbahai/comments/2esca7/regarding_baháulláhs_actions/ck3ht6b/

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Baha'i resembles a cult in many ways.

Baha'i resembles a cult in many ways. I've studied cults and their mind control techniques.

1) Information control - Baha'i is big on this. For example, making Baha'is afraid to listen to covenant breakers or read what they wrote. Baha'is are not trusted to make up their own minds and independent thinking is not allowed... plus there's the right of review for published materials.

2) Emotional control - Causing Baha'is to be afraid of breaking Baha'i law or any kind of disobedience.. and ostracizing them if they are imperfect, sanctioning them and excluding them.

3) Thought control - Use of Baha'i prayer-book prayers instead of encouraging people to communicate directly with God. I believe God loves us and wants to have a conversation with us - not just listen to us read from books.

I believe there are many elements of mind control in the Baha'i Faith. Even now, more than ten years after I left the religion, I still struggle to overcome the programming.

Baha'u'llah also threatened those who leave the religion - a common cult practice. At the end of the Kitab-i-Iqan you'll find this:

"We conclude Our argument with His words—exalted is He—'And whoso shall withdraw from the remembrance of the Merciful, We will chain a Satan unto him, and he shall be his fast companion.' 'And whoso turneth away from My remembrance, truly his shall be a life of misery.' " (you can Google the "Kitab-i-Iqan" ... look at the last page for that... he is quoting the prophet of Islam)

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The Bab had assured his followers that he could not be put to death - bullets could have no power over him.

At length some of the more restless spirits, contrary, it is said, to the counsel of the Bab, raised the standard of rebellion against the Persian Government. The suppression of this rebellion severely taxed the powers of the Government; but in the end it was suppressed, and its leaders put to death. The Bab also, though he had taken no part in the insurrection, was arrested, tried, and executed. He had, it is again said, assured his followers that he could not be put to death - bullets could have no power over him. The failure of these assurances did not, however, shake the faith of his adherents.

Twenty years have now passed since this death of the founder of the sect, but in the mean time, the number of its adherents, as they claim, is continually increasing.

(Bliss, Rev. Edwin. E. "Bab and Babism" Missionary Herald (Cambridge, Mass.), vol. 65, May, 1869 146-148)

https://www.h-net.org/~bahai/index/diglib/articles.htm

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Altogether, more than 200,000 worldwide have completed Book 1 of the Ruhi Institute

While inadequate to express the full significance of the developments taking place, the statistics suggest something of the scope of what is being achieved. The human resources of the Faith have steadily multiplied. Altogether, more than 200,000 worldwide have completed Book 1 of the Ruhi Institute, and many thousands have reached the level where they can effectively act as tutors of the study circles that, with increasing frequency, are held in every part of the globe, over 10,000 at the last count. The number of seekers engaged in the core activities has continued to climb, crossing the 100,000 mark several months ago. Meanwhile, some 150 clusters have developed to the point that intensive programs of growth either have been launched or stand ready to be initiated. There is every indication that this number will be substantially surpassed by the end of the Plan.

(The Universal House of Justice, Riḍván 2005)

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Rashid Ridá's encounter with the Baha'i faith in Egypt

Rashid Ridá, then a student in Tripoli, read the al-Muqtataf article and with a group of friends wrote a letter to Gulpáygání protesting its contents. This was the beginning of Ridá's antipathy to the Bahá'í Faith. Later, when he arrived in Cairo, he met with Gulpáygání and was unhappy with the latter's exposition of the divinity of Bahá'u'lláh. As a strict Sunní Muslim, Ridá was unable or unwilling to understand the doctrine of theophany (zuhuru'lláh) preached by the Bahá'ís. It smacked to him of incarnationism and seemed to make the Bahá'í Faith far more similar to Christianity than to the transcendalist faith of Islám.

Juan R.I. Cole. "Muhammad `Abduh and Rashid Rida: A Dialogue on the Baha'i Faith." World Order Vol. 15, nos. 3-4 (Spring/Summer 1981):7-16.

https://www.h-net.org/~bahai/diglib/articles/A-E/cole/abduh/abduh.htm

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Abdul Baha would attend Muhammad 'Abduh's study sessions

He [Rashid Ridá] says that when 'Abduh [one of the key figures of Islamic Modernism and the Salafi movement, also an opponent of the Ottoman ulama] was living in Beirut (presumably in the late 1880s) 'Abdu'l-Bahá more than once came to Beirut from Haifa and would make a point of attending some of Muḥammad 'Abduh's study sessions. Bahá'í sources, however, speak of only one encounter between 'Abdu'l-Bahá and 'Abduh, and the matter of how intimate the two men were bears more investigation. After 'Abduh returned to Cairo, he continued to correspond with 'Abdu'l-Bahá, and Ridá said that he had in his possession some of the latter's letters to 'Abduh.

Juan R.I. Cole. "Muhammad `Abduh and Rashid Rida: A Dialogue on the Baha'i Faith." World Order Vol. 15, nos. 3-4 (Spring/Summer 1981):7-16.

https://www.h-net.org/~bahai/diglib/articles/A-E/cole/abduh/abduh.htm

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"it is impossible to treat multiple wives equally."

"Prior to the Revelation of the Prophet Muhammad, the Apostle of God (may the blessings of God rest upon Him), the practice of polygamy was so prevalent among the Arabs that it would not have been possible to enjoin monogamy on them all of a sudden. This notwithstanding, the Prophet Muhammad declared that if a man was incapable of treating all four of his wives equally, he would need to choose just one of them to be his wife." It is clear from this verse that, in reality, it is the practice of monogamy which is allowable and acceptable in the sight of God, since it is impossible to treat multiple wives equally."

(Mirza Mahmud Zarqani, Mahmud's Diary, volume two, Abdu'l-Baha in Europe, 1912-1913, translated by Adib Masumian, George Ronald, Oxford, 2024, footnote, p. 246)

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Baha'u'llah's influence

"Among 'Abdu'l-Bahá's visitors that morning, according to Sohrab, was the Intizamu's-Saltanih, for whom He related this story:

"There was a Mirza Fadlu'lláh who was looking for a government appointment. He came one day to the Blessed Perfection and begged Him to use His influence before the secretary of one of the departments so that he may become appointed as a clerk. As he was a good and able man this was done and the next day the man took his position as a clerk. Now it so happened that the name of the chief clerk was also Mírzá Fadlu'lláh and as he was an old man he soon died. By sheer audacity the first man took on his own initiative the place of the chief clerk because of the identity of the names, he signed all the documents and were taken to His Majesty for royal approval. Without noticing the change, the Sháh approved the papers and after that the man filled this important position for many years and few knew of the change of personality."

(Mirza Mahmud Zarqani, Mahmud's Diary, volume two, Abdu'l-Baha in Europe, 1912-1913, translated by Adib Masumian, George Ronald, Oxford, 2024, footnote, p. 656)

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Shoghi Effendi created the IBC to succeed him as his successor!

The mystery of Shoghi creating the IBC as his successor as I claimed in my previous statement is found within the last Will & Testament of Abdul-Baha himself. Let me carefully explain. First, if you notice, Abdul-Baha’s last Will & Testament is primarily written in the Persian language. But, there are times where he switches up & writes certain words in Arabic. There’s a divine wisdom & reason for this.

You see, the Persian language in comparison with Arabic is more simple, straightforward & less multi-faceted. Thus, by a person choosing to write a certain word in Arabic, it could mean several things. When Abdul-Baha is speaking about the guardian appointing his successor in his Will, he says & I quote:

“It is incumbent upon the guardian of the cause of God to appoint in his lifetime “him” that shall become his successor, that differences shall not arise after his passing.”

The Arabic equivalent of the word “Him” is HOVA. This word can mean different things such as “he that” or “him” or “that which.” In other words, it can refer to a person or an institution, which is exactly what the IBC was that Shoghi created. By Shoghi being the appointed divine interpreter of the Bahai Holy writ, he knew that both Bahaullah & Abdul-Baha were instructing him to appoint an institution rather than a person as his successor in order to set up the test that was to immediately go into effect after his passing. If you recall, Shoghi himself warned on multiple occasions in his cablegrams that a severe test would soon encompass the entire Baha’i world. He gave these warnings just two years before his death after he established the IBC with all 9 members.

This test was a test of faith to prove if the Baha’i’s really believed in the words of their Holy writ, especially where it states that the guardian is infallible & that everything that he says & does is of God & that there will always be successive guardians throughout the entire Baha’i dispensation.

In fact, to clearly prove that Shoghi was well aware of this duty of selecting a successor during his lifetime & that he clearly fulfilled that duty by creating the IBC, he states in his cablegram, dated January 9th, 1951, that the creation of the IBC was the greatest event, shedding luster upon the second epoch of the formative age of the Bahai dispensation, & was unsurpassed by any enterprise undertaken.

He also stated that its creation ranked second only to the events associated with the ministries of the Bab, Abdul-Baha & Bahaullah. Think about that. It ranked “SECOND ONLY.” So, by him stating that, the IBC he created was obviously very important & wasn’t supposed to be dissolved by Ruhiyyih & the hands. So, when you compare their actions against Shoghi’s words, it clearly proves that what they did was clearly against God.

Also, in his book “God Passes By” on page 324, Shoghi clearly states that the same spirit that was in the Bab, Bahaullah & Abdul-Baha, incarnated itself in Bahai institutions. Was not the IBC that Shoghi created a Bahai institution? So, if Shoghi said that the same spirit that was in the Bab, Bahaullah & Abdul incarnated itself in that institution, then that obviously means that that same institution can serve as his successor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_LbwjGKXKc&lc=UgykXDPQIIUA28XMWhV4AaABAg.99Ln_S9FNGaA7JAoH2afuF

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if a king violates to the extent of one atom he shall be cut off immediately.

The confirmation of the Kingdom of Abhá' shall descend uninterruptedly upon those souls who are firm in the Covenant. Thou hast well observed that every firm one is assisted and aided and every violator is degraded, humiliated and lost... This Covenant is the Covenant of His Holiness Baha'u'llah. Now its importance is not known befittingly, but in the future it shall attain to such a degree of importance that if a king violates to the extent of one atom he shall be cut off immediately.

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablet, Star of West, Vol. IV, p. 240)

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Abdul Baha "revealing" Tablets!

“Once ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was freed from His many daily engagements, He would call Aqa Mirza Nuru’d-Diin and begin dictating divine verses. At the same time, previously revealed Tablets were presented to ‘Abdu’l-Baha for His review, correction and signature. Here, He wrote in His own hand while simultaneously dictating verses, for He was the essential reality of the phrase ‘One task does not distract Him from another’; mental confusion had no meaning at that threshold.

However, it was also necessary at this hour for the many pilgrims – who were scattered all over ‘Akká, some at the pilgrim house, some in the reception room downstairs and yet others in the streets and bazaars, all longingly waiting – to be given the opportunity of attaining the presence of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. In this way, while relishing the joys of reunion they could also benefit from the wisdom of His words revealed in response to various complex questions.

Having been summoned to His presence, they would arrive and take their seats. After bestowing on each His expressions of love and greeting, He would again begin to reveal divine verses, at times uttering the words simply and distinctly in a powerful and commanding voice, at other times chanting the verses in that same melodious and heavenly tone which He used to chant Baha’u’llah’s Tablet of Visitation.

“ . . . this warm and tender gathering, this retreat of love, was often disrupted by the arrival of non-Baha’is, for the door of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s house was open to all: no doorkeeper or watchman blocked the way to any guest.

Suddenly two or more guests would enter. If they were not enemies of the Cause, they would be received warmly by the Master with the words, ‘Welcome, welcome. How are you?’ After imparting His expressions of love and greeting to each, the revelation of verses would begin again and that spiritual state would return. However, if they were not worthy, or if the number of people exceeded the capacity of the room, then with the words, ‘Go in the care of God,’ ‘Abdu’l-Baha would give permission for the friends to leave and would then return to His work. This is how Tablets were revealed when dictated to a secretary.

https://bahai-library.com/afroukhteh_velasco_portrait_abdul-baha

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More Ahmadiyah Muslims than Baha'is

In 125 years since their inception the Ahmadiyah claim to have spread to over 200 countries worldwide with millions of adherents. They claim to run over 15000 mosques and 1000 schools from one end of the earth to the other providing secular education to children of all backgrounds. They say they have founded over 300 hospitals open to people of every creed and persuasion, and they often do not charge a single penny to those who cannot afford it. They are providing social services to humanity and are actually serving humanity. What have the Baha'is ever done of similar scope?

I don't like the Ahmadiyah doctrine and consider Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani to have been a false claimant. But I give the Ahmadiyah Muslims all the kudos in the world for walking their talk and providing social services around the world to needy people. This is how they have grown and spread, and not by building meglomanical architecture to themselves on colonized land.

And this is why when Bahaism is finally flushed down the toilet of history in all of its iterations, the Ahmadiyah will continue to thrive and grow.

So Baha'is can rant and rave all they want about their f-ed up "covenant" and its founder. They can delusionally congratulate themselves for falsely believing they are the greatest thing since sliced bread until the cows come home (which they aren't). Words are cheap! The Ahmadiyah Muslims have let deeds and not empty words be their adorning, and the people of Hot Air (Baha) have got nothing - f*ck all! - here to compete against them for recruitment.

-Wahid Azal

https://old.reddit.com/r/FreeSpeechBahai/comments/1esklcq/more_ahmadiyah_muslims_than_bahais/

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This law is binding on Persian believers

"…the Universal House of Justice instructs us to say that according to its ruling, the law of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas that the lapse of time between engagement and marriage should not exceed ninety-five days, is binding on Persian believers wherever they reside, if both parties are Persian. This law is not applicable, however, if one of the parties is a western believer."

-Lights of Guidance (second part)

https://bahai-library.com/hornby_lights_guidance_2&chapter=3/

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Baha'u'llah laments being surrounded by the Jews of Israel

"This Holy Land hath been mentioned and extolled in all the sacred Scriptures. In it have appeared the Prophets of God and His chosen Ones. This is the wilderness in which all the Messengers of God have wandered, from which their cry, "Here am I, here am I, O my God" was raised. This is the promised Land in which He Who is the Revelation of God was destined to be made manifest. This is the Vale of God's unsearchable decree, the snow-white Spot, the Land of unfading splendor. Whatever hath come to pass in this Day hath been foretold in the Scriptures of old. These same Scriptures, however, unanimously condemn the people that inhabit this land. They have, at one time, been stigmatized as the "generation of vipers." Behold how this wronged One is now, whilst surrounded by a "generation of vipers," calling aloud and summoning all men to Him Who is the world's Ultimate Desire, the Summit and Day Spring of Glory. Happy is the man that hath hearkened to the voice of Him Who is the Lord of the Kingdom of Utterance, and woe betide the heedless, they that have strayed far from His truth."

https://bahai-library.com/writings/bahaullah/gwb/164.html

"generation of vipers" is a reference to Bible verses such as this:

“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”

-Matthew 3:7

Clearly the generation of vipers is the Jews.

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Bahá’u’lláh says ‘Soon will a foul odor be spread; shun it...

“O thou dear maid-servant of God!

“Thy letter was received and the contents became known. Thou hast asked some questions; that why the blessed and spiritual souls who are firm and steadfast, shun the company of degenerate persons. This is because that just as the bodily diseases, like consumption and cancer, are contagious, likewise, the spiritual diseases are also infectious. If a consumptive should associate with a thousand safe and healthy persons, the safety and health of these thousand persons would not affect the consumptive and would not cure him of his consumption. But when the consumptive associates with those thousand souls, in a short time the disease of consumption will infect a number of those healthy persons. This is a clear and self—evident question.

“Likewise, if a thousand magnanimous persons associate with a degraded one, the perfection of those souls will not affect this debased person. On the contrary, this mean person will be the cause of their going astray. Therefore, His Holiness Bahá’u’lláh says in the Tablets: ‘Soon will a foul odor be spread; shun it, so commandeth the Omniscient and the Wise. That is, in that city a stinking odor will soon be spread. You should avoid it. So are ye commanded by His Holiness, the Knower and the Wise.’ That foul odor is that of violation. Also in the Tablet of Advice He says: ‘Now, do not neglect your Sower, Protector and Educator; and do not choose and prefer others to Him, lest foul and poisonous Winds should pass over you.’

“His Holiness Christ says that the owner of the garden does not leave the dried tree, but certainly cuts it and throws it into the fire, because the dried Wood is Worthy and deserving of fire. Again, His Holiness Bahá’u’lláh says: ‘Then, O ye trees of the blessed garden of My bestowal, protect ye yourselves from the poison of the treacherous souls and stinking Winds, which are the association of the polytheist and the negligent ones, so that the trees of existence, through the bounty of the Worshipped [One] be not deprived of the blessed breaths and breezes of love.’ ”

- Star of the West, Vol. XII, pp. 233, 234..

https://bahai.works/index.php?title=File:World_Order_Vol8_Issue8.pdf&page=28

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Abdul Baha's prayer for the Baha'is - shield them from the doubts of the violators and the evil suggestions of the waverers

O my Lord! O my Lord! Intoxicate them with the wine of knowledge; sweeten their tastes with the delicacies of prayer in the early morn and eve; gather them together in one congregation; confer upon them a shelter; protect them in the cave of thy Covenant and thy Testament; shield them from the doubts of the violators and the evil suggestions of the waverers; make them mines of knowledge, wisdom and assurance; cause their feet to be firm and steadfast in the straight pathway and grant unto them prosperity in whatever country they call the people to thy Name! Verily, thou art the Lord of the Cause, and thou are powerful to do whatsoever thou desirest!

(Words of Abdul-Baha: From Diary of Mirza Sohrab, July 18, 1913.)

https://bahai.works/Star_of_the_West/Volume_8/Issue_16/Text

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most terrible of all punishments

... most terrible of all punishments described by the Master in His Will when He wrote:

‘Should any, within or without the company of the Hands of the Cause of God disobey and seek division, the wrath of God and His vengeance will be upon him, for he will have caused a breach in the true Faith of God.’

(“Guard Ye the Cause of God” A Message from the Hands of the Faith Residing in the Holy Land)

https://bahai.works/Bahá’í_News/Issue_353/Text

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Undoubtedly the unworthy souls must be shunned

“O thou who are firm in the Covenant:

“Your letter was received. You have Written that some of the waverers had written to me and that I had written answers to them; [and] that some have taken this as a proof that association with the waverers is permissible. This is the essence of error! For ‘Abdu’l-Bahá corresponds with all the people, even with the enemies. This emanates from his mercy and not from their merit.

“One of the Women of Chicago has written me a letter . . . an answer has been written and enclosed. . . . Read this to the Spiritual Assembly . . . then give it to her and know this is the standard. Undoubtedly the unworthy souls must be shunned, otherwise the morals will be entirely corrupted.”

- Star of the West, vol. XII, pp. 232, 234.

https://bahai.works/World_Order/Volume_8/Issue_8/Text

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These few nakazeen cannot accomplish anything worth while.

“O thou divine servant! ...

“Convey the wonderful Abhá greeting to the believers. Chicago, in comparison with the cities of America, was in advance and numerically contained more Bahá’í's. But when the stench (vile odor) of the nakazeen [violators of the Covenant] was spread in that city there was stagnation. The Cause in other cities of America is progressing day unto day, but Chicago is stationary. Therefore, strive that the sweet fragrance of the Testament and Covenant may become diffused, the nostrils of the spiritual ones become perfumed, the banner of ‘Ya—Baha’u’l—Abhá!’ be unfurled, and the tent of the oneness of the world of humanity be pitched. Then ye shall observe that Chicago will become the Paradise of Abhá. These few nakazeen cannot accomplish anything worth while. The utmost is this that they will be the means of the drooping of the believers of God in that city. A person deprived of the spirit of the Covenant is [judged and] sentenced as dead. Therefore, breathe the spirit of the Covenant and Testament as much as ye can in the hearts so that the souls may progress day unto day and obtain a new exhilaration.”

-Star of the West, vol. XI, p. 319

https://bahai.works/World_Order/Volume_8/Issue_8/Text

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They must suffer to awaken.

After the coming calamity the United States will fulfill the prophecy that the United States will suffer, then it will lead all the nations spiritually. He said that he has given up warning the friends, as they paid no heed to either the warnings of Abdu'l-Bahá nor to Shoghi Effendi. They must suffer to awaken.

https://bahai-library.com/moffett_pilgrims_notes

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Mirza 'Ali-Akbar saved the Cause!

This person was none other than Mirza 'Ali-Akbar, the son of Mishkin Qalam. It was he who had saved the day by informing 'Abdu'l-Bahá of Mirza Aqa Jan's intention to announce a claim as Guardian of the Faith. Had he been able to do so, there would have followed-as the Covenant-breakers hoped-a major confrontation between them and the believers, and this would have necessitated the intervention of Tabur Aqasi, 'Akka's Chief of Police, who had been monitoring events from the upper window of the Mansion and along with his cohorts was prepared to charge and make arrests-and in so doing inflict irreparable damage on the reputation of the Faith. This would have brought about the ultimate realization of the well-laid plans of the Covenant-breakers, of which more will be said in a future chapter.

Another reason for Mirza 'Ali-Akbar's happy mood was his discovery and appropriation of the Covenant-breaker materials found on the person of Mirza Aqa Jan. When he had pursued Mirza Aqa Jan into the Shrine and heard him shouting and cursing, he had grabbed him. But at that very moment, 'Abdu'l-Bahá arrived on the scene and prevented him from continuing the confrontation. However, while they wrestled, some papers fell out from under Mirza Aqa Jan's 'aba; these were quickly recovered by Mirza 'Ali-Akbar and shown to 'Abdu'l-Bahá. The Master in turn ordered a thorough search of all his pockets; during this a bundle of Covenant-breaker materials were discovered, and now lay on the table in 'Abdu'l-Bahá's biruni. The Master opened the papers. There were about one to two man of crumpled, torn and twisted papers, all bearing writing either in pencil or ink and most of them signed and sealed. Each sheet was addressed to a renowned devoted believer in a style similar to that of the Tablets revealed by Bahá'u'lláh, except in an indignant and angry tone and containing among other things insulting references to the Master. A few of the papers were read; these gave an idea of the nature and intent of the rest of the batch. After that, the meeting ended, the gathering dispersed and we returned to the pilgrim house.

(Memories of Nine Years in Akka by Youness Khan Afroukhteh, Oxford: George Ronald, 1952/2003)

https://bahai-library.com/afroukhteh_nine_years_akka

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Mirza Aqa Jan was induced to lay an independent claim to divine inspiration.

And so they [the CBs] secretly established communication with him and encouraged him to rebel. As previously mentioned, having deceived him, the Covenant-breakers instructed and trained him, fed his ego and on the strength of his eminent position as the recorder of the verses of revelation received by Bahá'u'lláh, induced him to lay an independent claim to divine inspiration. Their purpose, of course, was provocation-to create chaos in the hope that it would lead to a full-scale rebellion against the Faith.

The foolish Mirza Aqa Jan then spent a great deal of time preparing letters containing a description of the dream he had concocted, in which he claimed to have been admitted into the presence of Bahá'u'lláh and through divine revelation and inspiration to have received and written down words expressing God's indignation and outrage. It was these messages that he had planned to send to various devoted believers. In one case he claimed that he had received directly from heaven a Tablet inscribed in green ink commanding him to rescue the Faith from the clutches of the infidels. The writings contained the same accusations and insults hurled at 'Abdu'l-Bahá by the Covenant-breakers, except in much harsher and more venomous language.

He had planned to hand over these papers to the Covenant-breakers on the day of the anticipated revolt. Their intention was to copy the contents in the hand of Mirza Majdu'd-Din, who had been Bahá'u'lláh's amanuensis during the latter part of His life, and then disseminate them among the friends. That is why, on this day, he was carrying the papers under his 'aba, fastened around his waist.

(Memories of Nine Years in Akka by Youness Khan Afroukhteh, Oxford: George Ronald, 1952/2003)

https://bahai-library.com/afroukhteh_nine_years_akka

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At the time of the ascension of Bahá'u'lláh, Mirza Aqa Jan had already been expelled

At the time of the ascension of Bahá'u'lláh, Mirza Aqa Jan had already been expelled from the Faith and was unwelcome in Bahá'í circles. He lived a life of general misery and disgrace.

(Memories of Nine Years in Akka by Youness Khan Afroukhteh, Oxford: George Ronald, 1952/2003)

https://bahai-library.com/afroukhteh_nine_years_akka

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Africans are all like wild savages and land-dwelling animals

"Also, observe that if the human species is deprived of education and training, it becomes poisonous. For what is the difference between African natives and American natives? These [African natives] are like cows that God has created in the form of humans, uncivilized and without intelligence and culture, while even in this journey, in the gatherings, schools, and churches of the blacks in Washington, detailed conversations like those of European intellectuals were taking place. So what is the difference between these two types of blacks except for one being in the lowest depths of ignorance and the other at the height of civilization?"

(Khiṭábát-i-Ḥaḍrat-i-ʻAbdu’l-Bahá, vol. 3, p. 48.)

"The inhabitants of a land like Africa are all like wild savages and land-dwelling animals that lack common-sense and knowledge. There is not a single wise and civilized person among them."

(Makatib-e Abdu’l-Bahá, volume 1, page 331 (published in Egypt))

Both quotes translated from Persian to English by ChatGPT.

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dependent upon their connection with Abdul-Baha; for through Him and through Him only, can they receive the spiritual force

The Bahai Faith is THE COVENANT which is in this day established upon the earth, and Abdul-Baha is The Center of this COVENANT. From him all members of it receive spiritual force and sustenance.

As the organs which make up the physical body of man are dependent upon connection with the heart in order that they may receive life force, so are the believers—composing the spiritual body of The Faith—dependent upon their connection with Abdul-Baha; for through Him and through Him only, can they receive the spiritual force and sustenance necessary for their growth and development in The Kingdom.

(SERVICE IN THE KINGDOM, This article was approved by The Center of the Covenant, and some copies in both English and Persian were spread in 1906.)

https://bahai.works/Star_of_the_West/Volume_4/Issue_14/Text

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The National Assembly is the guardian of the welfare of the Faith

The National Assembly is the guardian of the welfare of the Faith, a most sacred and heavy responsibility and one which is inescapable. They must be ever vigilant, ever on the look-out, ever ready to take action, and, on all matters of fundamental principle, refuse to compromise for an instant. Only in this way can the body of the Faith be free of disease.

(From a letter dated 14 August 1957 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to a National Spiritual Assembly)

https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/compilations/national-spiritual-assembly/national-spiritual-assembly.xhtml

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full equality between men and women

In the 1995 statement The Prosperity of Humankind the Bahá’í International Community identified “a commitment to the establishment of full equality between men and women, in all departments of life and at every level of society” as “central to the success of efforts to conceive and implement a strategy of global development.”

(Bahá’í World, v. 27, p. 241)

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According to the Unitarian Baha'is, this text was fabricated by Abdul Baha

Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh by Bahá’u’lláh
Lawḥ-i-Arḍ-i-Bá (Tablet of the Land of Bá)
https://bahai.works/Tablets_of_Bahá’u’lláh/Tablet_of_the_Land_of_Bá

According to the Unitarian Baha'is, this text was fabricated by Abdul Baha:

Abbas Effendi himself made alterations in one of the Servant’s letters to Muhammad Mustafa of Baghdad in Beirut, that is to say added to it and diminished from it, saying that it was a tablet which the Lord had revealed to him.

-Mirza Jawad Gazvini

Abbas Effendi’s family produced a paper which at first they claimed was written by the servant of Baha’u’llah, Khadimu’llah, and sent to the Greatest Branch when he was at Beirut. Later they claimed it to be one of the utterances of Baha’u’llah and called it the “Tablet of Beirut.” But Khadimu’llah, the servant of Baha’u’llah, denies that it ever was written by him and says that it is not one of the utterances of Baha’u’llah. Abbas Effendi does his utmost to impress his followers with a belief in the authenticity of this document.

-Ibrahim Kheiralla

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Whoso awaiteth a Revelation after Me is of the lost. After Me, O people, cleave ye to the Aghṣán. After the Aghṣán, a lofty station hath been ordained for Mírzá Áqá Ján

Whoso awaiteth a Revelation after Me is of the lost. He who will appear after a thousand [years] shall speak in My Name, and in Mustagháth will come unto you Him Who shall bear witness to Me that I am God, the Lord of the heavens and the earth. None can comprehend this Revelation except to a certain degree. His knowledge embraceth all things.

After Me, O people, cleave ye to the Aghṣán that have branched out from this Ancient Root. Through them shall the fragrances of My garment waft throughout the world, yet none shall discover them save every steadfast believer. It behoveth you, O people of Bahá, to remain firm in the Cause of God under all circumstances. Take heed that ye not follow every wicked fool.

After the Aghṣán, a lofty station hath been ordained for the servant who attendeth the Throne. [Mírzá Áqá Ján] It befitteth you to show respect to the people in Whose midst appeared the Best-Beloved of the worlds [The Bab] from among them that have believed in God, the Almighty, the All-Praised. Thus hath it been revealed in the Bayán and also in this luminous Tablet. He who turneth away from them is of those who are in grevious misbelief. Such a one would indeed be of them that are utterly lost, unless he repenteth. He is, in truth, the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.

(A Tablet of Baha’u’llah that Mentions the Next Manifestation of God)

https://adibmasumian.com/translations/bh03560/

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Thornton Chase's poem for Abdul Baha

Thornton Chase, the first American convert to the Bahá'í Faith to remain in the religion, wrote a poem to 'Abdu'l-Bahá.

From Star of the West, vol. 4, no. 11, pp. 187–8.

TO THE CENTER OF THE COVENANT: ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS.

May the Souls of all Mankind be a Sacrifice to Him!

O THOU David of the Promised Kingdom of GOD!

Thou Princely Leader of all Humanity!

Thou Warrior against the Tribes of Infidelity!

Thou Conqueror of Darkness and Radiator of Light!

Thou Bearer of the Banner of Divine Peace and Prosperity to the Nations!

Thou First Born in the Kingdom of Baha! Beloved of GOD and Men!

Thou First Citizen of the Royal and Holy City!

Thou Branch of the LORD, Beautiful and Glorious!

Thou Greatest Branch from the Ancient Root!

Thou Fruit-bearing Branch of the Divine Tree!

Thou Host of the Divine Table!

Thou Cup-Bearer of the Divine Knowledge!

Thou Diffuser of the Holy Fragrances!

Thou Interpreter of the Revealed Word!

Thou Liver of the Bahai Law!

Thou Establisher of the New Jerusalem descended from the Heaven of the Will of God!

Thou Builder of the Temple of the LORD!

Thou Light of the City of GOD!

Thou Brilliant Moon reflecting the Sun's full Disc of Splendor!

Thou Enlightener of the Spirits of Men!

Thou Heart of the World, sending the Blood of Truth through the arteries of Humanity!

Thou Physician of Souls, raising the dead to Life by the Elixir of the Word!

Thou Possessor of the Philosopher's Stone!

Thou Master of Transmutation!

Thou Kindler of Love and Life in the Heart of Humanity!

Thou Ambassador of Heaven and the Manifestation of Righteousness!

Thou King of servitude and Defender of the Faith!

Thou Temple of the Divine Testimony!

Thou Witness and Aim of THE COVENANT!

Thou Prince of Peace and Ensign of United Humanity!

Thou Guide of mortals to Immortality!

Thou Pathfinder of the Right Way, and Conductor of man from Earth to Heaven!

Thou Lover of GOD and Man; Exemplar of the New Humanity!

Thou Shepherd of the Sheep, and Shelter of the Birds of the Air!

Thou Keeper of the Vineyard, and Trainer of the Children of GOD!

Thou Servant of the Highest, declared by Isaiah!

Thou Right Arm of the Mighty, proclaimed by Israel!

Thou Holy One in the Hand of GOD!

Thou Lord of the Sabbath of Ages!

Thou Unique One of the Millennial Age!

Thou Lion of the Tribe of Judah!

Thou Lamb of the sacrificial Love!

Thou Baptizer of Evanescence!

Thou Sum of Spiritual and Human Perfections!

Thou MYSTERY OF GOD!

Reveal Thyself to those who can bear the Knowledge!

This grain of human dust, stirred by the Breath of the Spirit, longs for Thy

Presence, for the Life-giving touch of Thy Glorious Love. These captives of

Love yearn for Thy Nearness! These ignorant ones seek Thy instruction. These isolated ones hope for the Unity of Thy Meeting. These helpless ones trust in Thine Attraction to awaken the hearts of their friends and relatives.

O my Beloved! What can we say but to praise Thee; to thank GOD for Thee, His Greatest Gift to man; to implore Thee to pray for His Mercy upon these impotent ones, His Strength for these powerless ones, His Guidance for those erring ones, His Guard to protect us from ourselves!

Teach us to serve. Guide us in the paths of Knowledge and Wisdom.

Unite us in mutual purpose and aim, and grant us the favor of Thy personal Presence and Voice.

(SIGNED) THORNTON CHASE.

August 9, 1912, San Francisco, California.

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How Abdul Baha became the greatest example in the Bahá'í Faith?

You will remember that `Abdu'l-Bahá had been surrounded by Covenant-breakers.

Whatever material benefit would come to `Abdu'l-Bahá he would feed these Covenant-breaker with these things, and still they wanted more.

He fed them so perhaps they would keep quiet and no longer be dangerous for the Cause of God, and would not display themselves more than they had done in His time.

Because of this great nature that `Abdu'l-Bahá had, He became the greatest example in the Bahá'í Faith in the history of this Cause of God.

(Talks given by Hand of the Cause of God ‘Abu-l-Qasim Faizí, Excerpt from: "Conqueror of Hearts ")

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Peter Khan warns the believers in North America

The first sort of fear which Peter Khan inspires in his speech is a fear of people, a sense of danger posed by flesh and blood human beings. In his address, Peter Khan warns the believers in North America that we are threatened by men and women within our own communities. He says that "dangerous forces" and "insidious influences" are at work within society at large. But the greatest danger comes not from outside the faith, he explains, but from Baha’is themselves. He tells us that "nefarious elements" menace the faith and "seek to undermine it from within." He quotes Shoghi Effendi warning of "the far more dangerous attacks, the insidious attacks of... people inside the Faith who have no real attachment to the Cause."

(Brendan Cook)

https://bahaisonline.net/entries-by-category/26-brendan-cooks-column/312-response-to-peter-khans-talk-qthe-tests-of-the-westq

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