Promoting ideas and interests contrary to scriptures

Sometimes I see contradictions in the words of God, or in the writings
of Abdu'l-Baha, or in the writings of Shoghi Effendi, or in the
writings of the Universal House of Justice, or between one and
another. I see them telling me to do two or more things that I don't
see how to fit together. For example:

"O ye beloved of the Lord! In this sacred Dispensation, conflict and
contention are in no wise permitted. Every aggressor deprives himself
of God's grace. It is incumbent upon everyone to show the utmost love,
rectitude of conduct, straightforwardness and sincere kindliness unto
all the peoples and kindreds of the world, be they friends or
strangers. So intense must be the spirit of love and loving kindness,
that the stranger may find himself a friend, the enemy a true brother,
no difference whatsoever existing between them. For universality is of
God and all limitations earthly. Thus man must strive that his reality
may manifest virtues and perfections, the light whereof may shine upon
everyone. The light of the sun shineth upon all the world and the
merciful showers of Divine Providence fall upon all peoples. The
vivifying breeze reviveth every living creature and all beings endued
with life obtain their share and portion at His heavenly board. In
like manner, the affections and loving kindness of the servants of the
One True God must be bountifully and universally extended to all
mankind. Regarding this, restrictions and limitations are in no wise
permitted."

(The Will and Testament, p. 13)

"And now, one of the greatest and most fundamental principles of the
Cause of God is to shun and avoid entirely the Covenant-breakers, for
they will utterly destroy the Cause of God, exterminate His Law and
render of no account all efforts exerted in the past."

(The Will and Testament, p. 20)

To resolve this dilemma, I began by searching for passages in the
writings of Baha'u'llah about shunning and avoiding people. I found
passages about avoiding fellowship with some people.

I asked myself, how can I bountifully extend my affections and loving
kindness universally to all mankind, without restrictions or
limitations, while avoiding fellowship with people who are Covenant
Breakers according to the House of Justice, and applying the guidance
from the House of Justice concerning Covenant Breakers in Internet
discussions?

I won't try to explain all my reasoning. I'll just describe how I've
been applying it in Internet discussions.

1. I stay away from boards, lists, and forums that I think are
essentially gathering places for people promoting other Guardians
after Shoghi Effendi. At Beliefnet, I didn't even let my mouse pass
over the links to those boards.

2. In Internet discussions where I do participate, I'm trying not to
make any distinction between people who might be Covenant Breakers
according to the House of Justice, and others.

3. I don't participate in discussions about Guardians after Shoghi
Effendi, with anyone.

To be continued . . .

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Join the battle against the rulers of the darkness of this world
    ... If those Baha'is have not determined from the Writings of Baha'u'llah ... first guardian, Shoghi Effendi. ... "So firm and mighty is this Covenant," He Who is its appointed Center ... -- Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 238, 239 ...
    (talk.religion.bahai)
  • Re: Who Ya Gonna Believe?
    ... We must remember that God is the focal point of the equation. ... majority understood that Shoghi Effendi was the appropriate leader, ... the Living Guardian of the Faith. ... thread (or Germ) between God and this World, ...
    (talk.religion.bahai)
  • Re: What is there about "Everything" that you do not understand?
    ... The above statement by Shoghi Effendi is known to be a Pilgrim’s Note, ... passing even though they insist the Guardian himself never did so. ... It gets back to where the Power of God ... understood where to look for the Germ of guidance. ...
    (talk.religion.bahai)
  • Re: Infallabile words of God
    ... According to the holy writings we are indeed 'to turn to' Abdul ... to the writings the concept of 'turn to and obey' they have ... Was Abdul Baha the first 'mere mortal' to ... "Obey God and obey the Apostle..." ...
    (talk.religion.bahai)
  • What is there about "Everything" that you do not understand?
    ... The above statement by Shoghi Effendi is known to be a Pilgrim’s Note, ... passing even though they insist the Guardian himself never did so. ... It gets back to where the Power of God ... understood where to look for the Germ of guidance. ...
    (talk.religion.bahai)