It seems our Faith in India and abroad is continuously ridden with controversies and scandals. As though the numerous elopement episodes, financial frauds, gross violation of Baha’i stipulations (like consuming alcohol and post marital affairs) and legal violations (like duplicate passports) were not enough, that we have a LSA flexing muscles and interfering in personal lives of the community members.
The LSA of …….(India) has circulated an agenda to discuss personal matter of a sincere Baha’i, ……., which he resisted on ethical grounds that personal matters would become public. Subsequently the LSA ex-communicated him on several pretexts, such as:
a. How did he dare to write to UHJ?
b. His interfering in affairs of another Baha’i, Mr. X.
c. His misconduct with Mr. X, although she had openly abused and accused him.
This Baha’i was summoned several times and subjected to severe humiliation. He was accused to be a liar, a criminal and with indecent family background. He was also accused to be responsible of the poor state of Baha’i Faith in his state.He was never given a chance to defend himself and was always bombarded with fresh accusations.
He bore all of this, thinking a compromise would be reached and having faith in Bahaullah. His torment reached such a state that he has now lost hopes in the administrative order of the Baha’i Faith and indeed in the integrity of LSA members and other Baha’is, including the RBC and NSA who knew all along about the situation of this Baha’i. Finally he was disgraced with ex-communication.
All this because of callous behaviour of LSA of …….. Shameful indeed!
He has started feeling that all this problem in the Faith is due to not having A GUARDIAN of the Faith which was clearly mentioned in WILL AND TESTAMENT of Abdul Baha.
An Open Letter to a Heterodox Believer
Dear [heterodox Bahá'í],
I'm writing this letter in order to express my concerns.
Not too long ago I was sharing the Faith with a close friend of mine whom happens to be a Sikh. I was so excited in having the chance to explain the beautiful Faith to her. We had talked about other faiths as well and how the Bahá'í Faith is prophesied in all the true faiths of the world. But most of the human race doesn't recognize this because they have deviated so far from the truth. Then she asked me a question that surprised me. She asked, "So how can you be sure that the Bahá'í Faith won't deviate from the truth?"
Recently, I have been studying the Will and Testament [of `Abdu´l-Bahá] with some friends. At the end of the session there are 14 questions listed. I was finding my answers to these questions when all of a sudden, it was like a light went on. Question #5, "How will 'the mighty stronghold' of the Cause 'remain impregnable and safe"? The answer, "The mighty stronghold shall remain impregnable and safe through the obedience to him who is the Guardian of the Cause of God."
What a wonderful answer. A Guardian on this earth to keep us from deviating from the truth. A Guardian to translate the Holy Writings. A true living Guardian to guide us to God's Kingdom. How great this would be.
However, the large body of Bahá'ís don't believe this to be true. So then how do the large body of Bahá'ís keep themselves from deviating from the truth?
I read on. After the questions it has some recommended reading. One of them is the Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh. So I read it again, looking for an answer as to how Bahá'ís can be sure that they are staying true to the Faith.
Of course, it continuously talks about the importance of the Guardianship. One quote that stands out in regards to my question is "Without such an institution, (the Guardianship) the integrity of the faith would be endangered. It's prestige would suffer, the means required to take a long, uninterrupted view over a series of generations would be completely lacking, and the necessary guidance to define the sphere of legislative action of it's representatives would be totally withdrawn." Without the Guardian the integrity of the faith would be endangered. So how is the Faith, at this present time, being kept from becoming endangered if it's believed by most that there is no Guardian?
Later, I had asked one of the friends how Bahá'ís are supposed to keep themselves from deviating from the truth. He told me that the Bahá'ís, in order to remain true to the faith are to follow the Will and Testament of `Abdu´l-Bahá. Well let's have closer look.
"By this body (the Universal House of Justice) all difficult problems are to resolved and the Guardian of the Cause of God is its sacred head and distinguished member for life of that body." But if there is no Guardian, there is no sacred head. How can a body live without a head?
"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." How can this instruction be fulfilled when soon there will be no more Hands of the Cause within the large body of Bahá'ís? And therefore, they can not continually "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."
It is incumbent upon every one, "to show their obedience, submissiveness and subordination unto the Guardian of the Cause of God, to turn unto him and be lowly before him." Another instruction that is not being followed, because it's believed by the large body of Bahá'ís that there is no Guardian.
"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..." So, if it's believed by the large body of Bahá'ís, that there is no Guardian and soon no more Hands of the Cause who is going to guide all the peoples of the world?
These are just a few excerpts taken from the Will and Testament that already, aren't being followed. Again because it's believed by most that there is no Guardian.
But with a living Guardian the instructions in the Will and Testament could be completely followed. No question. How wonderful that would be.
What have I been told about the Will and Testament of `Abdu´l-Bahá? How important is it to the Bahá'í Faith? It's of the utmost importance. That it's as if the Words have come from Bahá'u'lláh himself. That together, the Will and Testament with the most Holy Book, "are inseparable parts of one complete unit." They are both Holy Writings that can not be changed or altered. Shoghi Effendi states, speaking of the Administrative Order, that no one shall, "misconceive its character, belittle its significance or misrepresent its purpose. The bedrock on which this Administrative Order is founded is God's immutable purpose for mankind in this day."
What I see happening right now with the large body of Bahá'ís is terrifying. Because from what I see, if the Will and Testament is supposed to keep everybody true to the faith and nobody is following it, they must be already deviating. This is one of the reasons why I believe it is so important to have a living Guardian on this earth today.
Isn't there any possibility that Shoghi Effendi chose his successor and he went unrecognized?
Damaris Campbell
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