NSA of New Zealand : "we have removed your name from our membership rolls"

Alison Marshall was born in 1959 in Dunedin, New Zealand. She became a member of the New Zealand Baha'i community in 1980. At that time, she was living in the small northern town of Kaikohe, where she was taught the Baha'i Faith by a local Maori couple. Over the next two years she moved to Wellington, where her daughter was born. After leaving the father of her child, she settled again in her home town of Dunedin, where she participated actively in the local Baha'i community.

During the 1980s, Alison served on the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Dunedin for about five years. In 1987, she went on pilgrimage to Haifa, Israel. Between 1981 and 1991, Alison attended the University of Otago, gaining a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws. She married Steve Marshall (nee Bollam) in 1991. In 1992, she began her career as a business writer, becoming a joint owner of Right Words New Zealand Ltd in 1995 and retiring in 2015.

In late 1994, Alison and Steve joined the Internet discussion group 'Talisman' (Talisman@indiana.edu), which was set up by a small group of Baha'i academics for discussion on the Baha'i Faith. Over the next 18 months, it became clear that the discussions were considered heretical by the Baha'i administration. A number of the participants resigned from the Baha'i community when they were threatened with being declared 'covenant breakers', which is traditionally punished with shunning.

This event had a profound effect on Alison, who decided in 1998 to voice her concerns on Talisman about the actions of the administration and the shift towards fundamentalism in the Baha'i community. Over the next two years, Alison also developed a keen interest in Sufism or Islamic Mysticism.

In March 2000, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of New Zealand was told by the Universal House of Justice to remove Alison's name from the membership rolls of the New Zealand Baha'i community. She took a dispute over their actions to the Privacy Commissioner and later to the High Court. Following this, Alison moved on to pursue new spiritual directions as an 'unenrolled Baha'i'. This is the term given to people who are Baha'i by faith but not enrolled members of the Baha'i community.

Source : http://www.whoisbahaullah.com/Alison/about.html

The failed Office of Guardianship in the Baha'i faith.

On October 6, 1963, the Universal House of Justice sent a message to all National Spiritual Assemblies 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."

The Universal House of Justice

6 October 1963

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Beloved Friends,

We wish to share with you the text of the following resolution:

After prayerful and careful study of the Holy Texts bearing upon the question of the appointment of the successor to Shoghi Effendi as Guardian of the Cause of God, and after prolonged consideration of the views of the Hands of the Cause of God residing in the Holy Land, 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.

Please share this message with the friends in your jurisdiction.

With loving greetings,

[signed: The Universal House of Justice]

The Guardianship is now a defunct hereditary office of the Bahá'í Faith that was first mentioned in the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Shoghi Effendi was named as the first Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith, and future Guardians were to be appointed from among the male descendants of Bahá'u'lláh. However, since Shoghi Effendi died without having named a successor Guardian, the institution ceased to exist after his death on November 4, 1957, and Shoghi Effendi remains the only individual acknowledged as Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith.

The Will and Testament of 'Abdu’l-Bahá was written by 'Abdu’l-Bahá on three different occasions, and the text remains in three parts. In his Will 'Abdu’l-Bahá addresses the Bahá'í Covenant and the role of Mírzá Muhammad 'Alí as a Covenant-breaker; outlines the obligation and responsibilities of the Hands of the Cause of God; explains the election of the Universal House of Justice; and defines the institution of the Guardianship as a hereditary office with its essential function as Interpreter of the Bahá'í writings. Shoghi Effendi describes the Will, along with the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, the Tablets of the Divine Plan, and the Tablet of Carmel, as one of the charters of the Bahá'í Administrative Order.

Appointing Shoghi Effendi as Guardian

Although in the Kitáb-i-'Ahd Bahá'u'lláh designates Mírzá Muhammad 'Alí as 'Abdu'l-Bahá's successor, in his Will, `Abdu'l-Bahá reprimands his brother as "The Center of Sedition, the Prime Mover of mischief" and establishes the institution of the Guardianship, appointing Shoghi Effendi to this newly-created office:

"O my loving friends! After the passing away of this wronged one, it is incumbent upon the Aghsán (Branches), the Afnán (Twigs) of the Sacred Lote-Tree, the Hands (pillars) of the Cause of God and the loved ones of the Abhá Beauty to turn unto Shoghi Effendi—the youthful branch branched from the two hallowed and sacred Lote-Trees and the fruit grown from the union of the two offshoots of the Tree of Holiness,—as he is the sign of God, the chosen branch, the Guardian of the Cause of God, he unto whom all the Aghsán, the Afnán, the Hands of the Cause of God and His loved ones must turn. He is the Interpreter of the Word of God and after him will succeed the first-born of his lineal descendents."

"O ye the faithful loved ones of 'Abdu’l-Bahá! It is incumbent upon you to take the greatest care of Shoghi Effendi, the twig that hath branched from and the fruit given forth by the two hallowed and Divine Lote-Trees, that no dust of despondency and sorrow may stain his radiant nature, that day by day he may wax greater in happiness, in joy and spirituality, and may grow to become even as a fruitful tree.

For he is, after 'Abdu’l-Bahá, the Guardian of the Cause of God, the Afnán, the Hands (pillars) of the Cause and the beloved of the Lord must obey him and turn unto him. He that obeyeth him not, hath not obeyed God; he that turneth away from him, hath turned away from God and he that denieth him, hath denied the True One. Beware lest anyone falsely interpret these words, and like unto them that have broken the Covenant after the Day of Ascension (of Bahá’u’lláh) advance a pretext, raise the standard of revolt, wax stubborn and open wide the door of false interpretation. To none is given the right to put forth his own opinion or express his particular conviction. All must seek guidance and turn unto the Center of the Cause and the House of Justice. And he that turneth unto whatsoever else is indeed in grievous error.

The Glory of Glories rest upon you!"

Defining the Guardianship as Hereditary

The Guardian is to appoint in his own life-time his successor from among the Aghsán:

"O ye beloved of the Lord! It is incumbent upon the Guardian of the Cause of God to appoint in his own life-time him that shall become his successor, that differences may not arise after his passing. He that is appointed must manifest in himself detachment from all worldly things, must be the essence of purity, must show in himself the fear of God, knowledge, wisdom and learning. Thus, should the first-born of the Guardian of the Cause of God not manifest in himself the truth of the words:—“The child is the secret essence of its sire,” that is, should he not inherit of the spiritual within him (the Guardian of the Cause of God) and his glorious lineage not be matched with a goodly character, then must he, (the Guardian of the Cause of God) choose another branch to succeed him.

Guardian and Hands of the Cause of God

The Guardian is to appoint the Hands of the Cause of God who are to be under his direction and obey his command:

"O friends! The Hands of the Cause of God must be nominated and appointed by the Guardian of the Cause of God. All must be under his shadow and obey his command. 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."

"This body of the Hands of the Cause of God is under the direction of the Guardian of the Cause of God. He must continually urge them to strive and endeavor to the utmost of their ability to diffuse the sweet savors of God, and to guide all the peoples of the world, for it is the light of Divine Guidance that causeth all the universe to be illumined. To disregard, though it be for a moment, this absolute command which is binding upon everyone, is in no wise permitted, that the existent world may become even as the Abhá Paradise, that the surface of the earth may become heavenly, that contention and conflict amidst peoples, kindreds, nations and governments may disappear, that all the dwellers on earth may become one people and one race, that the world may become even as one home. Should differences arise, they shall be amicably and conclusively settled by the Supreme Tribunal, that shall include members from all the governments and peoples of the world.

"The Hands of the Cause of God must elect from their own number nine persons that shall at all times be occupied in the important services in the work of the Guardian of the Cause of God. The election of these nine must be carried either unanimously or by majority from the company of the Hands of the Cause of God and these, whether unanimously or by a majority vote, must give their assent to the choice of the one whom the Guardian of the Cause of God hath chosen as his successor. This assent must be given in such wise as the assenting and dissenting voices may not be distinguished (i.e., secret ballot)."

Guardian and the Universal House of Justice

The Guardian is to be the head of the Universal House of Justice and either attend its deliberations in person or appoint a representative to do so:

"By this body all the difficult problems are to be resolved and the Guardian of the Cause of God is its sacred head and the distinguished member for life of that body. Should he not attend in person its deliberations, he must appoint one to represent him. Should any of the members commit a sin, injurious to the common weal, the Guardian of the Cause of God hath at his own discretion the right to [Covenant-breaker|expel him]], whereupon the people must elect another one in his stead. This House of Justice enacteth the laws and the government enforceth them. The legislative body must reinforce the executive, the executive must aid and assist the legislative body so that through the close union and harmony of these two forces, the foundation of fairness and justice may become firm and strong, that all the regions of the world may become even as Paradise itself."

Recipient of Huqúqu'lláh

'Abdu'l-Bahá's Will stipulates that Huqúqu'lláh, which had been made directly to Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá during their life times, would henceforth be made to the Guardian.

"O friends of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá! The Lord, as a sign of His infinite bounties, hath graciously favored His servants by providing for a fixed money offering (Ḥuqúq), to be dutifully presented unto Him, though He, the True One and His servants have been at all times independent of all created things, and God verily is the All-Possessing, exalted above the need of any gift from His creatures. This fixed money offering, however, causeth the people to become firm and steadfast and draweth Divine increase upon them. It is to be offered through the Guardian of the Cause of God, that it may be expended for the diffusion of the Fragrances of God and the exaltation of His Word, for benevolent pursuits and for the common weal."

Shoghi Effendi Defines the Guardian

As Guardian, Shoghi Effendi held a new and distinct role. Building on the foundation that had been established in 'Abdu’l-Bahá's Will, Shoghi Effendi elaborated on the role of the Guardian in the developing Bahá'í Administrative Order in several works, including Bahá'í Administration and the World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, in the chapter entitled The Administrative Order.

Distinct Institution

Shoghi Effendi goes to great lengths to emphasize that the Guardianship is a distinct station from that of Manifestation or Center of the Covenant:

"Dearly-beloved friends! Exalted as is the position and vital as is the function of the institution of the Guardianship in the Administrative Order of Bahá’u’lláh, and staggering as must be the weight of responsibility which it carries, its importance must, whatever be the language of the Will, be in no wise over-emphasized. The Guardian of the Faith must not under any circumstances, and whatever his merits or his achievements, be exalted to the rank that will make him a co-sharer with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the unique position which the Center of the Covenant occupies—much less to the station exclusively ordained for the Manifestation of God. So grave a departure from the established tenets of our Faith is nothing short of open blasphemy. As I have already stated, in the course of my references to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s station, however great the gulf that separates Him from the Author of a Divine Revelation it can never measure with the distance that stands between Him Who is the Center of Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant and the Guardians who are its chosen ministers. There is a far, far greater distance separating the Guardian from the Center of the Covenant than there is between the Center of the Covenant and its Author."

Shoghi Effendi was critical of Bahá'ís referring to him as a holy personage, asking them not to celebrate his birthday or have his picture on display. Furthermore, he did not refer to his own personal role as an individual, but instead to the institution of the Guardianship. In his correspondences, Shoghi Effendi signed his letters to Bahá'ís as "brother" and "co-worker," to the extent that even when addressing youth, he referred to himself as "Your True Brother."

"No Guardian of the Faith, I feel it my solemn duty to place on record, can ever claim to be the perfect exemplar of the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh or the stainless mirror that reflects His light. Though overshadowed by the unfailing, the unerring protection of Bahá’u’lláh and of the Báb, and however much he may share with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá the right and obligation to interpret the Bahá’í teachings, he remains essentially human and cannot, if he wishes to remain faithful to his trust, arrogate to himself, under any pretense whatsoever, the rights, the privileges and prerogatives which Bahá’u’lláh has chosen to confer upon His Son. In the light of this truth to pray to the Guardian of the Faith, to address him as lord and master, to designate him as his holiness, to seek his benediction, to celebrate his birthday, or to commemorate any event associated with his life would be tantamount to a departure from those established truths that are enshrined within our beloved Faith. The fact that the Guardian has been specifically endowed with such power as he may need to reveal the purport and disclose the implications of the utterances of Bahá’u’lláh and of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá does not necessarily confer upon him a station co-equal with those Whose words he is called upon to interpret. He can exercise that right and discharge this obligation and yet remain infinitely inferior to both of them in rank and different in nature."

Importance of the Guardianship

Shoghi Effendi goes to great lengths to emphasize the significance of the "Institution of Guardianship," which he calls the "head cornerstone of the Administrative Order of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh,"

"He feels that if ... ponders more deeply about the fundamentals of Divine Revelation, she will also come to understand the Guardianship. Once the mind and heart have grasped the fact that God guides men through a Mouthpiece, a human being, a Prophet, infallible and unerring, it is only a logical projection of this acceptance to also accept the station of Abdu'l-Bahá and the Guardians. The Guardians are the evidence of the maturity of mankind in the sense that at long last men have progressed to the point of having one world, and of needing one world management for human affairs. In the spiritual realm they have also reached the point where God could leave, in human hands (i.e., the Guardians'), guided directly by the Bab and Bahá'u'lláh, as the Master states in His Will, the affairs of His Faith for this Dispensation. This is what is meant by 'this is the day which will not be followed by the night'. In this Dispensation, divine guidance flows on to us in this world after the Prophet's ascension, through first the Master, and then the Guardians. If a person can accept Bahá'u'lláh's function, it should not present any difficulty to them to also accept what He has ordained a divinely-guided individual in matters pertaining to His Faith."

"Though the Guardian of the Faith has been made the permanent head of so august a body he can never, even temporarily, assume the right of exclusive legislation. He cannot override the decision of the majority of his fellow-members, but is bound to insist upon a reconsideration by them of any enactment he conscientiously believes to conflict with the meaning and to depart from the spirit of Bahá’u’lláh’s revealed utterances. He interprets what has been specifically revealed, and cannot legislate except in his capacity as member of the Universal House of Justice. He is debarred from laying down independently the constitution that must govern the organized activities of his fellow-members, and from exercising his influence in a manner that would encroach upon the liberty of those whose sacred right is to elect the body of his collaborators."

Separation of Powers

Shoghi Effendi delineates a distinct separation of powers between the "twin pillars that support this mighty Administrative Structure—the institutions of the Guardianship and of the Universal House of Justice."

"It should be stated, at the very outset, in clear and unambiguous language, that these twin institutions of the Administrative Order of Bahá’u’lláh should be regarded as divine in origin, essential in their functions and complementary in their aim and purpose. Their common, their fundamental object is to insure the continuity of that divinely-appointed authority which flows from the Source of our Faith, to safeguard the unity of its followers and to maintain the integrity and flexibility of its teachings. Acting in conjunction with each other these two inseparable institutions administer its affairs, cöordinate its activities, promote its interests, execute its laws and defend its subsidiary institutions. Severally, each operates within a clearly defined sphere of jurisdiction; each is equipped with its own attendant institutions—instruments designed for the effective discharge of its particular responsibilities and duties. Each exercises, within the limitations imposed upon it, its powers, its authority, its rights and prerogatives. These are neither contradictory, nor detract in the slightest degree from the position which each of these institutions occupies. Far from being incompatible or mutually destructive, they supplement each other’s authority and functions, and are permanently and fundamentally united in their aims.

"From these statements it is made indubitably clear and evident that the Guardian of the Faith has been made the Interpreter of the Word and that the Universal House of Justice has been invested with the function of legislating on matters not expressly revealed in the teachings. The interpretation of the Guardian, functioning within his own sphere, is as authoritative and binding as the enactments of the International House of Justice, whose exclusive right and prerogative is to pronounce upon and deliver the final judgment on such laws and ordinances as Bahá’u’lláh has not expressly revealed. Neither can, nor will ever, infringe upon the sacred and prescribed domain of the other. Neither will seek to curtail the specific and undoubted authority with which both have been divinely invested."

Interpreter of the Word of God and Source of Divine Guidance

As Guardian, Shoghi Effendi was the "Interpreter of the Word of God," "with the right and obligation to interpret the Bahá’í teachings." His interpretations of the writings of Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá were authoritative and binding.

"He feels that if ... ponders more deeply about the fundamentals of Divine Revelation, she will also come to understand the Guardianship. Once the mind and heart have grasped the fact that God guides men through a Mouthpiece, a human being, a Prophet, infallible and unerring, it is only a logical projection of this acceptance to also accept the station of Abdu'l-Bahá and the Guardians. The Guardians are the evidence of the maturity of mankind in the sense that at long last men have progressed to the point of having one world, and of needing one world management for human affairs. In the spiritual realm they have also reached the point where God could leave, in human hands (i.e., the Guardians'), guided directly by the Bab and Bahá'u'lláh, as the Master states in His Will, the affairs of His Faith for this Dispensation. This is what is meant by 'this is the day which will not be followed by the night'. In this Dispensation, divine guidance flows on to us in this world after the Prophet's ascension, through first the Master, and then the Guardians. If a person can accept Bahá'u'lláh's function, it should not present any difficulty to them to also accept what He has ordained a divinely-guided individual in matters pertaining to His Faith."

Hereditary

Shoghi Effendi reiterates the hereditary nature of the Guardianship as was first laid out in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's Will.

"Divorced from the institution of the Guardianship the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh would be mutilated and permanently deprived of that hereditary principle which, as 'Abdu’l-Bahá has written, has been invariably upheld by the Law of God. “In all the Divine Dispensations,” He states, in a Tablet addressed to a follower of the Faith in Persia, “the eldest son hath been given extraordinary distinctions. Even the station of prophethood hath been his birthright.” Without such an institution the integrity of the Faith would be imperiled, and the stability of the entire fabric would be gravely endangered. Its prestige would suffer, the means required to enable it to take a long, an uninterrupted view over a series of generations would be completely lacking, and the necessary guidance to define the sphere of the legislative action of its elected representatives would be totally withdrawn."

"The hereditary authority which the Guardian is called upon to exercise, the vital and essential functions which the Universal House of Justice discharges, the specific provisions requiring its democratic election by the representatives of the faithful—these combine to demonstrate the truth that this divinely revealed Order, which can never be identified with any of the standard types of government referred to by Aristotle in his works, embodies and blends with the spiritual verities on which it is based the beneficent elements which are to be found in each one of them. The admitted evils inherent in each of these systems being rigidly and permanently excluded, this unique Order, however long it may endure and however extensive its ramifications, cannot ever degenerate into any form of despotism, of oligarchy, or of demagogy which must sooner or later corrupt the machinery of all man-made and essentially defective political institutions."

Expulsion and excommunication

The Guardian has the power to declare Bahá'ís who cause disunity in the Faith as Covenant-breakers:

"The Guardian alone holds the power to expulsion or ex-communication from the Faith, which can be effected by the Guardian alone in his capacity as the supreme spiritual head of the Community, has far-reaching spiritual implications affecting the very soul of that believer."

"ex-communication, which lies within the powers of the Guardian alone, and is consequently a very weighty weapon to wield."

"People who have withdrawn from the Cause because they no longer feel that they can support its Teachings and Institutions sincerely, are not Covenant-breakers--they are non-Bahá'ís and should just be treated as such. Only those who ally themselves actively with known enemies of the Faith who are Covenant-breakers, and who attack the Faith in the same spirit as these people, can be considered, themselves, to be Covenant-breakers. As you know, up to the present time, no one has been permitted to pronounce anybody a Covenant-breaker but the Guardian himself."

After Shoghi Effendi

Although the Kitáb-i-Aqdas requires every Bahá'í to have a will, Shoghi Effendi did not have one when he passed away unexpectedly of Asian flu on November 4, 1957 in London, England. Shoghi Effendi did not have any children and had not designated a successor Guardian. With all living male descendants of Bahá'u'lláh having been declared Covenant-breakers by either `Abdu'l-Bahá or Shoghi Effendi, no suitable qualifying candidates remained for appointment to the office of Guardian. On November 19, 1957, nine of the Hands of the Cause issued an "Official Statement" after searching through Shogi Effendi's personal affects in Haifa, Israel, affirming that "the safe and desk have been opened and searched and the non existence of a Will and Testament executed by Shoghi Effendi was definitely established." A subsequent "Unanimous Proclamation of the 27 Hands of the Cause of God" on November 25 confirmed that Shoghi Effendi had died "without having appointed his successor." The Hands of the Cause of God elected from among their own nine individuals who would serve as Custodians to help lead the transition of the International Bahá'í Council, whose members had previously been appointed by Shoghi Effendi, into the Universal House of Justice, whose members are elected by all the members of each Bahá'í National Spiritual Assembly in the world.[48]

On April 8, 1960, Mason Remey, the architect of the Bahá'í Houses of Worship in Uganda and Australia who Shoghi Effendi had appointed a Hand of the Cause and President of the International Bahá'í Council, issued a written announcement claiming that he was the second Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith. He based his claim on the idea that by appointing him as President of the International Bahá'í Council, the embryonic form of the Universal House of Justice which would be led by the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi had in fact implicitly named him as the second Guardian. Mason Remey's claim was largely rejected with several notable exceptions, including five members of the National Spiritual Assembly of France lead by Joel Marangella. The remaining 26 Hands of the Cause unanimously declared Remey and whoever followed him Covenant-breakers.

The Universal House of Justice, the only institution authorized to adjudicate on situations not covered in scripture, later announced that it could not legislate to make possible the appointment of a successor Guardian to Shoghi Effendi. The Universal House of Justice also determined that it could not appoint any further Hands of the Cause, whose work is now carried out by other appointed institutions such as the Continental Counsellors and the Auxiliary Boards. 

Source : https://reddit.com/r/onthisdateinbahai

Baha'i Hack Scott Hakala exposes his naivety!

[–]investigator919

Many of Baha'u'llah's Arabic works, like those of the Bab, are incomprehensible mumbo-jumbo. That is why you never see them or their translations.
His book of Certitude is a mash of logical fallacies.

[–]DavidbinOwen[S] 

What language was the Kitab-i-Iqan written in?

[–]investigator919 

Archaic un-eloquent Qajar era Persian with a pinch of Arabic here and there (mostly verses of the Quran which he couldn't write properly and usually were distortions of the original).
But you wouldn't know would you, because you don't know either language.

[–]DavidbinOwen[S]

How do you know what I know? In fact, you don't know and are wrong. When I was younger, in fact, I studied both languages and then had the pleasure of knowing some persons very well versed in both languages over time to help me to read, hear, and understand. To a person with a closed mind and hostility, you may say and believe such things. That does not make them true, as Mirza Abu'l-Fadl confessed. It certainly was convincing and effective for Ḥájí Mírzá Siyyid Muḥammad, the Bab's uncle who accepted both the Bab and Baha'u'llah.
I find these attacks strange given that Baha'u'llah was acknowledged even by some of His most ardent opponents to be quite effective and persuasive, so much so that they feared being influenced by Him. In His two years of solitude in Kurdistan, He became known for His Writings and eventually so impressed a head of a Sufi school that He was asked to teach at times there.

[–]investigator919 

To claim someone is right because some other person accepted his statements is naive.

[–]DavidbinOwen[S]

:)

Source : https://www.reddit.com/r/exbahai/

Baha'u'llah would copy exact phrases from the writings of others and claim they were divine revelations.

In his Tablet of Wisdom Baha'u'llah claims the Tablet is a Divine revelation:

"This is an Epistle which the All-Merciful hath sent down from the Kingdom of Utterance." (Baha’u’llah, Tablets of Baha’u’llah Revealed After the Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 137)

He then writes these historically incorrect statements in the Tablet:

"Empedocles, who distinguished himself in philosophy, was a contemporary of David, while Pythagoras lived in the days of Solomon, son of David, and acquired Wisdom from the treasury of prophethood. It is he who claimed to have heard the whispering sound of the heavens and to have attained the station of the angels. In truth thy Lord will clearly set forth all things, if He pleaseth. Verily, He is the Wise, the All-Pervading." (Baha’u’llah, Tablets of Baha’u’llah Revealed After the Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 145)

These are verbatim statements from the books of Historians. This was so bad for Baha'is that they were forced to justify it by claiming in a footnote that:

"In many of the passages that follow concerning the Greek philosophers, Baha’u’llah quotes verbatim from the works of such Muslim historians as Abu’l-Fath-i-Shahristani (1076–1153 A.D.) and Imadu’d-Din Abu’l-Fidá (1273–1331 A.D.)." (Baha’u’llah, Tablets of Baha’u’llah Revealed After the Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 145, footnote)

Apparently in Baha'ism God sends down wrong historical facts that he has copied verbatim from Sunni Muslim history books:

"This is an Epistle which the All-Merciful hath sent down from the Kingdom of Utterance." (Baha’u’llah, Tablets of Baha’u’llah Revealed After the Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 137)

Source

Video : Baha'i cultists spread their network in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia

This is like : Baha'is gifting cake to Bayanis on the 'auspicious occasion of Baha'u'llah's birthday'

Official Website of the Baha'is spreading lies on the internet about a bogus bicentenary cake gifted to Baha'is from Muslims

This image:

Source : http://news.bahai.org/story/1213/slideshow#img-4

with the description:

A beautifully decorated cake offered as a gift from a Muslim family in Iran to their Baha’i neighbors in honor of the bicentenary of the birth of Baha’u’llah

Has been placed on the official website of the Baha'is and is being propagated by Baha'is widely on Social Media, such as :

https://www.reddit.com/r/religion/comments/788y56/the_gift_of_love_and_tolerance_a_cake_presented/

https://www.reddit.com/r/ImagesOfIran/comments/788v9p/the_gift_of_love_and_tolerance_a_cake_presented/

https://www.reddit.com/r/iran/comments/788v8p/the_gift_of_love_and_tolerance_a_cake_presented/

https://www.reddit.com/r/ImagesOfIran/comments/7822mp/a_cake_presented_to_the_bah%C3%A1%C3%ADs_of_isfahan_iran_by/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Bahaipics/comments/7822lw/a_cake_presented_to_the_bah%C3%A1%C3%ADs_of_isfahan_iran_by/

There is a major problem with the text written on the cake and postcard beside it. The prose of the Persian text is strictly Baha'i and no Persian Muslim would use the terms inscribed therein. e.g "Hazrate Baha'u'llah" (his highness Baha'u'llah) or "Hazrate rabbe Aalaa" (the most great Lord) which is a strictly Baha'i way of referring to the Bab. There is nothing in the texts on the cake and postcard that would show the slightest evidence that it was donated by a Muslim, rather all evidence, prose and style, shows that the cake was made by Baha'is for Baha'is!

Once more Haifan Baha'i cultists have been exposed.

Source : https://www.reddit.com/r/exbahai/comments/789crs/official_website_of_the_bahais_spreading_lies_on/

Murders and Killings by Baha'u'llah's men.

Assassinations by Baha's Men

Baha started out his pretensions at Edirne, They were preceded and followed by murders committed by Baha's men to remove prominent Babis, who rejected his pretensions. Baha's men included "those servants who fled into exile with God, and beyond them those brought nigh."

In his letter "revelation" at Acre Baha called a halt to these act of violence perpetuated by his 'Party of God (Hezb-ul'llah)' and enjoined self-constraint upon them." See section 3 of this topic.

 This was Baha's "Era of the Most Great Peace."

Aqa Sayyid Ali the Arab was murdered in Tabriz:

Subh-i-Azal's brother-in-law Mirza Nasrullah, who was honoured with a letter of commendation from Baha (Baha's amanuensis Mirza Aqa Jan of Kashan's letter to Mirza Nasrullah) was poisoned in Edirne on the eve of Baha's departure to Acre.

Mirza Aqa Jan's letter to Mirza Nasrullah:

The Bab's brother-in-law Mulla Rajab Ali Qahir was murdered in Karbala.

The Bab's brother-in-law Aqa Ali Muhammad (brother of Ghahir) was killed in Baghdad.
See the accounts of assassinations of Qahir & Seraj .

Hajji Mirza Ahmad of Kashan, brother of Mirza Jani of Kashan, author of Nuqtatul Kaf was assassinated in Baghdad.

PP. 40-41, Prof. Browne's Persian Introduction to Mirza Jani of Kashan's Nuqtatul Kaf; P. 306, & P. 308, the Hasht Bihisht;

P. 35, Materials for the study of the BABi religion by Prof. Browne; pp. 119-126, the Kashful-Hiyal, 3rd impression vol. III; the Kitab-i-Subhi, P. 120.

"The Khayyat-Bashi [chief tailor] [Muhammad Khan] and Hajji Ibrahim were murdered in the Carawansaray of the corn-sellers [in Acre] and buried in the quick-time under the platform, which was only mortared up over their bodies. After a while, however the smell of the composing bodies corpses became so offensive that the other inhabitants of the Carwansaray complained to the local authorities, who instituted a search and discovered the bodies."

The Traveller's Narrative, English Translation, Vol II, Professor Browne's Note W.

In his Kitab-i-Subhi, P. 120, author Subhi Fadlullah Muhtadi, one time Persian scribe to Sir Abbas Effendi and a Bahai missionary confirms the Hasht-Bihisht version and adds:

The owner of the Carwansaray is stated to have reported to the local authorities that the victims had died of plague and the matter was hushed up to avoid panic among the local inhabitants.

In his Kashf-al-Hiyal, Vol, I, 6th impression, P.36 author Abd-al-Husayn-Ayati surnamed Awara, one time member of "the Hands of the Cause" and a prominent Bahai missionary, confirms the Hasht-Bihisht account and adds :

The assassins were Ustad Muhammad Ali the Barber [of Isfahan] and his accomplices. These two men were billed because they had presumptuously told Baha's brother Mirza Musa that remittances were being procured from Iran by way of deceit, fraud and blackmail and that their share was denied to them. The text sums as follows:

« و سبب قتلشان این بوده که به کلیم برادر بهاء جسارت کرده گفته اند پول ها را به مکر و حیله و شارلاتانی از ایران میطلبد و با بهره نمیدهد.»

In the Kashf-al-Hiyal Vol. III, 3rd impression, PP. 114-115, the author adds :

"the murder was hushed up upon production of a medical report furnished by a priest physician an old friend of Sir Abbas Effendi, to the local authorities to the effect that the victims had died of plague. The physician received a handsome sum from Sir Abbas Effendi for his service.

Incidentally there two victims were of "these servant's who fled with into exile with god."

In his introduction to the Materials for the Study of the Babi Religion, P. x (PP. 154) Professor Browne says: 'Khayrullah's narrative of the treat addressed to him on account of his apostasy from [i.e. Abbas Effendi Abdul Baha] by Mirza Hasan-i-Khurassani [Sir Abbas Effendi's special envoy, and the history of the sad fate of Mirza Yahya at Jeddah (PP. 156-167) [who had transferred his allegiance to Sir Abbas Effendi's half-brother Mirza Muhammad Ali whose sad fate Sir Abbas Effendi is stated to have foretold, and who was poisoned] read like extracts from the history of the assassins of Alamut and 'the old man of the mountain'."

When Baha, members of his family and his partisans were banished from Edirne to Acre in the holy land, three of Subh-i-Azal's followers namely Sayyid Muhammad of Isfahan, Subh-i-Azal's brother-in-law; Mirza Rida Quli of Tafrish and Aqa Jan Beg Kaj-Kulah, were also exiled to Acre.

Sayyid Muhammad of Isfahan, Mirza Rida Quli of Tafrish, and Aqa Jan Beg Kaj Kulah, were murdered by Baha's men in Acre, in 1872, the assassins included Ustad Muhammad Ali, the Barber of Isfahan. Mirza Jawad's Historical Epitome, Materials for the Study of the BABi Religion, by Prof. Browne, PP. 52-58.

The murder of Haji Sayyid Muhammad of Isfahan is alluded in a passage of Baha's Kitab-i Aqdas (the Most Holy Book) addressed to Subh-i-Azal wherein he says: “God hath taken him who led thee astray.”

Baha describes “Hajji Sayyid Muhammad of Isfahan as a man possessed of utmost degree of atheism or ditheism (Jandaqa), placing him in the same category as Munira Khanum, wife of Abdul Baha.” P. 14, Ibn-al-Baha Badiullah's Memoirs;

In his letter penned in his own hand writing, facsimile of which is attached to and referred to below, and addressed to a partisan of Baha in Iran. At the time, Sir Abbas Effendi seeks to condone and justify the murders on the ground that Mirza Rida Quli of Tafrish conducted hostile propaganda against Baha and his partisans among the local inhabitants, drank wine and ate pork. … and the divine might struck across his back like a shooting star.

In his reference to the murder of these three men, the Kashf-al-Hiyal volume III, 3rd impression, P.117, the author says Sir Abbas Effendi Himself was positively as accountable [in the murder of these three men], nay, he led the murder [gang] and the order [to kill] was issued by his father. Not only that, but in the early days Bahai argument or reasoning Sayyid Muhammad of Isfahan was killed by Sir Abbas Effendi himself and for this reason Sir Abbas Effendi was the Messiah and Sayyid Muhammad Antichrist. Because on the strength of an Islamic tradition Antichrist is to be slain with the sword of the Messiah. When it was realised that this reasoning or argument was scandalous, it was passed over in silence. The text sums as follows:

« چنانچه مکرر اشاره شد جنایات بهاء و پسرانش خیلی بیش از اینهاست راجع به همین سه نفر هم به طور حتم خود عباس افندی شریک بلکه پیش قدم در قتل بوده و فرمان از پدرش صادر شده. در اوایل استدلال میکرده شاند که سید محمد را خود عباس افندی کشته است و باین واسطه او مسیح و سیّد محمد دجال است که در اخبار اسلامی است که دجال به شمشیر مسیح کشته خواهد شد بعد دیدند این استدلال موجب افتضاح است مسکوت گذاشتند. »

P. 125, ibid : All the Bahais say that Baha issued the epistle of wrath

“Where are your swords of vengeance, O, Dominant of the world's [see 12.4.6, in which I have quoted Baha's revelation calling halt to acts of violence committed by his men. A similar passage appears in the text] and the friends [i.e. “those servants who fled into exile with god] understood that the slaying of these men [i.e. Sayyid Muhammad of Isfahan, Mirza Rida Quli of Tafrish, and Aqa Jan Beg Kaj Kulah] was incumbent upon them.

The text sums as follows:

« همه گوسفندان بهاء میگویند که بهاء الله لوح قهریّه صادر کرد که « این اسیاف انتقامک یا قهار العالمین » و احباب دانستند که کشتن آن اشخاص لازم است و یکی از قاتلین استاد محمد علی سلمانی را من خودم 21 سال پیش در عشق آباد دیدم و شرح حبس چندین ساله خود را برایم گفت و گفت وقتیکه تصمیم بر قبل آن مخالفین گرفتم من از جمال مبارک (بهاء ) اجازه خواستم با تبسم و شوخی فرمودند اگر اجازه ندهم چه میکنی عرض کردم اگر اجازه ندهید من شرکت در قتلشان خواهم کرد تبسمی نموده فرمودند مگر از خدا نمیترسی ؟ عرض کردم خدائی غیر از شما نیست که از او بترسم دیدم وجهة مبارک شاد و خندان شد و فرمودند مرحبا موفق باشی!»

“I personally met one of the killers being ‘Muhammad Ali the chief barber’ 21 years ago in Ishq-Abad (of Russia). He told me about his imprisonment which lasted for a few years and said: “When I decided on killing those opposing (Baha), I asked for permission from the blessed Beauty (i.e. Baha). With a simle on his face he asked me what I would do if he did not give me the permission. In response I said that I woul (still) take part in their killing. He smiled and asked “Aren’t you afraid of God?”, I said: “There is no god but you to be afraid of.”. His blessed face became jubilant and happy and said “Well done! Good luck to you!”.

Mirza Rida Quli's murder “was justified on the grounds that he “drank wine & ate pork.”. Abdul Baha's letter reproduced in facsimile in the Kitab-i Subhi, pp. 184-186, and the Kashf-al-Hiyal pp. 122-123, 3rd impression, vol. III.

With the blood of the victims land at his door, Baha alleged against Subh-i-Azal an attempted fratricide of which, according to Subh-i-Azal, he was in reality himself the author. Baha produced as evidence “those servants who fled into exile with god [i.e. Baha], and beyond then those brought nigh and one of my attendants.”

Baha's Sura-i Haykal, pp. 205-207.

“One of my attendants” is identified “as Ustad Muhammad Ali, the barber of Isfahan, whose ears had been cut off for theft and other crimes by the Governor of Isfahan, who, having fled thence to Baghdad, had become one of Baha's chosen associates, and the source of manifold evils and mischiefs” P. 305, the Hasht Bihisht, “who was one of the assassins of the Azalis in Acre.” P. 55, Mirza Jawad's Historical Epitome, Materials for the Study of the BABi Religion by Professor Browne, who “received Baha's blessing on the eve of the commission of his crime”, pp. 125-126, the Kashf-al-Hiyal, 3rd impression, Vol II, and who was apparently recipient of the title “the Barber of the Truth,” in Baha's Honour list.,

p. 309, the Hasht Bihisht, & How Baha referred to his Members of family.

Baha suffered from Dystaxia. P. 65 the Tanbihun Naimin (The Sleeper Awakened). This infinity affected Baha's hands which had become shaky. Traces of this disease were noticeable in Baha's writings written with a shaky hand.

To cover up Baha's infinity with some sort of excuse in the eyes of his followers Abdul Baha invented this canard:

“Subh-i-Azal administered poison to Baha, who not wishing to break the former's heart, took the poison. But for the poison to work Baha's blessed will was not forthcoming. So Baha escaped death; but his hand remains shaky.”

pp. 78-79, Kashf-al-Hiyal, sixth impression, Vol. I.

Avareh dismisses Baha's allegation of attempted fratricide as a fabrication. P. 321, Kashf-al-Hiyal, 3rd impression, vol III.

“… If they be true [i.e. charges of assassinations of the Azalis by Bahais; they were confirmed by Prof. Browne in his Introduction to the Tarikh-i-Jadid (The New History), pp. vviii-xxiv, and in his Persian Introduction to Mirza Jani of Kashan's Nuqtatul Kaf, pp. 40-41] on whole view of the tendencies and probable influences of Baha's teachings must necessarily be greatly modified, for of what we are the noblest and most humane utterances if they be associated with deeds such as here alleged.”

Professor Brown's comment in Note W. p. 364, Abdul Baha's “A Traveller's Narrative,” vol ii, English translation.

“Baha is not [the Imam] Husayn but Hasan [Sabah, History of the Assassins of Alamut and the old man of the mountain] returned.”

PP. 28-38, the Kashf-al Hiyal. 6th impression, vol I.

Disgusted with the crimes laid at the door of the Bahai hierarchy, some Babis renounced their Babi faith and composed the following distich:

“If Husayn Ali [i.e. Baha, his real name Husayn Ali is written as one word in Persian and not as two separate words] is the manifestation of Husayn Ali [i.e. the third Imam, and son of Ali Ibn Ali Talib; Baha claims to be the Imam Husayn returned; the Imam's name Husayn Ali is written in Persian as two separate words] then may god grant heavenly bless thousand times to the pure soul of Yazid [i.e. the Caliph of dynasty of Umayyids, son of Mu'awiya, having instigated the murder of the Imam Ali's two sons, Hasan & Husayn, his name is cursed by Moslems; his name is synonymous with a wicked and execrable person]. Husayn [i.e. the Imam] was the wronged-one (Mazlum) and not the wrongdoer [Yazid].” 

P. 16, The Tanbih Naimin.

Source : http://www.bayanic.com/notes/assas/as01.html
To read more about Bahaism go to the main page, select 'Bahaism' and navigate through the options.

The UHJ deceived millions of Baha'is to believe that they're not proselytizing.

Baha'i Hack Scott Hakala gets exposed on /r/exbahai

Hello u/DavidbinOwen (Scott Hakala) and welcome to r/exbahai. About an hour ago, your comment on this sub made the following points:

• Most of us did not provide a "great reason for leaving".
• Most of us are "not very positive about life or much else".
• Many ex-Baha'is do not participate on this sub because of its negativity, disparagement, and misrepresentation of the Faith.

How about I tackle the first point since the last two are obvious broad assumptions on your part? Let's see...what's a great reason for leaving a religion? How about deception? Here an example:

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)

The definition of "proselytize":

v. intr.
(1) to induce someone to convert to one's faith
(2) to recruit someone to join one's party, institution, or cause
v. tr.
to recruit or convert especially to a new faith, institution, or cause
(Merriam Webster Dictionary)

...

convert or attempt to convert (someone) from one religion, belief, or opinion to another
(Oxford Dictionary)

...

to try to persuade people to share your religious or political beliefs
(Macmillan Dictionary)

...

to convert (someone) from one religious faith to another
(Collins English Dictionary)

...

(1) to try to convert (a person), especially to one's religion
(2) to persuade to do or join something, especially by offering an inducement
(Webster's New World College Dictionary)

...

English
to try to persuade someone to change their religious or political beliefs or way of living to your own
American
to try to persuade someone to change his or her religious beliefs, political party, etc., to your own
(Cambridge Dictionary)

...

v. intr.
(1) to attempt to convert someone to one's own religious faith
(2) to attempt to persuade someone to join one's own political party or to espouse one's doctrine
v.tr.
to convert (a person) from one belief, doctrine, cause, or faith to another
(American Heritage Dictionary)

...

v. intr.
to make converts or proselytes
v. tr.
to convert to some religion, system, opinion, or the like; to bring, or cause to come, over; to proselyte
(Webster's 1913 Dictionary)

To conclude, the UHJ deceived millions of Baha'is to believe that they're not proselytizing in the absence of coercion by conveniently redefining the word to require coercion. Why? To disassociate themselves from its negative connotation and subsequently, they adopted the euphemism, "teaching".

EDIT: I didn't dox because you revealed your name yesterday on Reddit.

Source : https://www.reddit.com/r/exbahai/comments/77oy2f/welcome/

Baha'is using innocent school kids to promote their cult in India. How low these people can go!?

Baha'i Hack Scott Hakala gets a 'cute' response from Dale Husband

Scott's comment to Dale

 

Dale's response to Hakala

Mr. Hakala,

First of all, please don't make any more copies of this comment of yours above and try to post them on my own blog ( https://dalehusband.com/ ) and specifically to post them on a blog entry that has nothing to do with you. ( https://dalehusband.com/2017/09/29/i-have-published-a-book/ )

Second, accusing me of lacking honesty and sincerity is ironic considering you defend a religion that is full of unfounded nonsense that produces hypocrisy by its very nature, as noted here. ( https://dalehusband.com/2014/05/11/four-ways-to-create-a-religion-of-hypocrites/ ) Your arrogance is amazing, to put it politely.

Third, no I do not remember you, and the possibility of you meeting me at any time is irrelevant. Do not try to mess with my head like that again; I will not be intimidated by that.

Fourth, I became a Baha'i because of both ignorance about the Faith's true cultish nature and because of "love-bombing" by Baha'is that is typical of cultists seeking converts. I left the Baha'i Faith gradually as a result of having more and more questions about it that made it clear eventually that things in it simply did not add up to objective truth.

Fifth, have you even bothered to read my writings on the Baha'i Faith? ( https://dalehusband.com/category/religion/bahai-faith/ ) If you can dig through all of them and still profess loyalty to the Universal House of "Justice" and its ridiculous claims of being infallible and having the answers to the world's problems, then I really see no more point in dealing with you. You are either a liar or an idiot and either way I have only contempt for you. The world needs better things than the Baha'i Faith and better people than you to save it!

Abdul Baha's knowledge of Torah!

'Abdu'l-Baha repeatedly asserted that the Torah punishes theft with amputation of the hand.

For during the Mosaic period the hand of a person was cut off in punishment of a small theft; ... You say he [Jesus] abrogated the Torah, but I say he promulgated the Torah, the ten commandments and all the questions which belong to its moral world. But he changed the following: That for a small theft one must cut of the hand.

('Abdu'l-Bahá on Christ and Christianity)

The exigencies of the time of Moses justified cutting off a man’s hand for theft, but such a penalty is not allowable now.

(The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 365)

For example, according to the law of the Torah if a man committed theft of a certain amount, they cut off his hand. Is it practicable and reasonable in this present day to cut off a man’s hand for the theft of a dollar?

(The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 404)

In the time of Moses, there were ten crimes punishable by death. When Christ came this was changed; the old axiom 'an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth' was converted into 'Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you', the stern old law being changed into one of love, mercy and forbearance!

In the former days the punishment for theft was the cutting off of the right hand; in our time this law could not be so applied. In this age, a man who curses his father is allowed to live, when formerly he would have been put to death.

(Paris Talks, p. 142)

Contrast these statements with what the Torah really teaches.

If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep. If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed. If the sun has risen on him, there shall be guilt for his bloodshed. He should make full restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. If the theft is certainly found alive in his hand, whether it is an ox or donkey or sheep, he shall restore double.

(Exodus 22:1-4 NKJV)

Source : https://www.reddit.com/r/exbahai/comments/77dohc/punishment_for_theft/ 

Bicentenary Celebrations only for the propagation of Baha’i faith.

Supreme Baha’i Administrative body, the UHJ in one of its message states :

“These glorious Festivals will be opportunities for Bahá’ís in every land to attract the largest possible number of believers, their families, friends, and collaborators, as well as others from the wider society, to commemorate moments…”

(Universal House of Justice, 29 December 2015 to the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors, paragraph 50)

A non functioning hotel owner asked his employees, how to increase their hotel’s prestige and to improve their business?

“The public relations officer proposed that the management stage a celebration of the hotel’s thirtieth anniversary. A committee is formed, including a prominent banker, a leading society matron, a well-known lawyer, an influential preacher, and a banquet planned to call attention to the distinguished service the hotel has been rendering the community. The celebration is held, photographs are taken, the occasion is widely reported, and the object is accomplished.”

The situation is not very different with the Baha’i Faith where the Baha’i officials routinely stage events and try to propagate about the Baha’i Faith in which they try to interact and try to present themselves in the best possible light. They orchestrate a situation as Baha’i faith organization wants it to and proceeds in ways that favor the Baha’i Faith. This orchestra is done because Baha’i faith has zero acceptability amongst the general masses it failed miserably to let people believe that a man made faith can gain the status of a revealed religion.

Recently The Baha’i Administration wants to celebrate the 200 years of their twin manifestation Bab and Baha’u’llah for that they have send the invitation to every political leaders of every country. The Messages which these political leaders have given out of courtesy is posted and propagated all over the world and it is shown in the light as if the leaders have some affection and attraction for Baha’i Faith. Let these leaders be assured that after their demise these messages will be shown as a proof of them accepting the Baha’i Faith. The Baha’i Faith and hypocrisy are synonyms.

These celebration also have dinner event for ultra rich and influential leaders (read dinner diplomacy) to show that most who participate in them are also fairly accepting the Baha’i Faith, or at least highly appreciative of Baha’i Faith.

A message given by the Universal House of Justice (highest governing body of the Baha’is) on the Bicentenary celebration dated 1, October 2017, refers to every non Baha’i of the world as SEEKERS to attain the shores of Ocean (means to embrace Baha’i Faith as all other revealed religion are manmade dogmas) . Extract of reference is reproduced as under:

“It is the duty of every seeker to bestir himself and strive to attain the shores of this ocean,” Bahá’u’lláh states. The spiritual teachings brought by successive Messengers through the ages found expression in religious systems that, over time, have become fused with aspects of culture and weighed down with man-made dogmas.”

Finally, The House of Justice asks the Baha’is to translate the message into other languages and to distribute to all the Local Assemblies and hopes that, the message will remind the friends of the privilege that belongs to them in acquainting others with the Cause of Baha’ u’llah i.e. propagation Of Baha’i Faith.

What a deceit! What a cheating!. What a fraud in the name of Unity of Religions.

Baha'is cannot participate in demonstrations for peace but they themselves can organize demonstrations if it serves their interests!

Over 180 Baha'is and non-Baha'is march from Baha'i House of Worship (Lotus Temple) to Iskon temple on 1st April 2012 to protest the "illegal detention" of Yaran. The program was in collaboration with U4I and two other organizations, namely, Asian Centre for Human Rights and Trans Asia Alliance.

The Universal House of Justice, Department of the Secretariat states:

…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)

How Baha'i Politics works? Check some UHJ letters here

Abdul Baha : 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)

Video : Oneness of Religion and the Baha'i Faith

Why I am a Baha'i!? Satire

I've been browsing anti-Baha'i websites from time to time and noticed that many people misunderstand the teachings of the Faith or perhaps, deliberately misrepresent them to the public. Since it is my duty as a Bahá'í to defend the Faith, I'll take this opportunity to faithfully represent some of our noble principles.

Equality of Men and Women

The Faith affirms the equality of men and women. Unlike some religions that claim to believe in gender equality but what they really mean is that men and women are equal in the eyes of God, we stand for its true meaning: equal opportunities regardless of sex. Those religions continue to discriminate against women and claim that it is God's inscrutable wisdom. Ha! Nice try justifying sexism. Furthermore, unlike some religions that have a man or men who govern over womankind, in the Faith, women enjoy the same rights and responsibilities as their counterparts.

Independent Investigation of Truth

The Faith mandates everyone to undergo an independent investigation of truth and as a corollary, members are permitted and even encouraged to read and respond to the writings of heretics and critics. Look how glorious the Faith is! Other religions discourage members in the strongest terms from reading certain books and even possessing them. In contrast, Bahá'ís are exhorted to avoid blind faith by challenging their beliefs.

Oneness of Humanity

Unlike some religions that discriminate against gays, the Faith welcomes them with open arms. How can these religions bring oneness to humanity when 2% or 140 million people in the world are exclusively gay? In contrast, the Faith doesn't label their sexual orientation as a handicap, affliction, problem, etc. We don't use such hurtful language. We don't tolerate homophobia. As an exclusive heterosexual, I know that I would slowly lose my mind if I was forced to spend my life as a celibate so why would I expect it from others?

Oneness of Religion

No matter what a person may believe, in the Faith, we embrace everyone with open arms. That's right, even if someone has a heretical belief, we show them as much love as others. After all, the Faith affirms the oneness of all religions. Some religions shun and subsequently, separate friends and even family members because of the differences of creed. How on earth can these religions bring unity to the world? There's no greater truth than love and that is why the Faith does not tolerate analogies like cancer, leprosy, and poison to refer to people with certain beliefs.

Service to Humanity

Some religions proselytize incessantly. They hide behind euphemisms like witnessing, evangelizing, etc. In contrast, the Faith doesn't expend all or even most of the its time, energy, and money on telling our neighbours that they're wrong or to put it nicely, not right enough. After all, we believe in the oneness of religion so instead, we lower our standard of living if we have to and actually help people. Just as poverty knows no religion, humanitarian work knows no religion. It's unfortunate how some religions build and maintain grandiose temples, often times surrounded by poverty. The real temple is the human heart and that's why we would rather feed an orphan than have a multimillion dollar temple.