Re: The Lost Teachings of the Bahá'í Guardianship



Dear Jeffrey,

I think that truth can best be found when we don't disparage the other
person's thinking saying things like they're "brainwashed". In one
sense, everyone is brainwashed. We all believe aspects of what we
have been taught in this society, and surely not everything that we
have learned or our understanding of it is "the truth". So it's
better to just start out fresh and look at the truth together and see
if we can come to any common understanding. Maybe we can, and maybe
we can't, but we don't know until we try.

If you think your community is so
loving and joyful and transformational, why don't you try this little
experiment. The next time you are in one of their meetings, sincerely
ask this question: "By what authority did the Custodian Hands take
over the Faith after Shoghi Effendi's death, and why didn't they let
the International Baha'i Council (which Shoghi Effendi said was the
embyronic UHJ) be activated instead of creating the Custodian Hands (a
creature that was not created by the Holy Texts or Shoghi Effendi)?"

Without any direct instructions from Shoghi Effendi on this matter, I
would say we only have the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha to
decide where the line of authority went after the passing of the
Guardian. Shoghi Effendi didn't say that the International Council
was the same as the Universal House of Justice, because it hadn't been
"universally elected" as it says in this passage in the Will and
Testament:

"The sacred and youthful branch, the Guardian of the Cause of God, as
well as the Universal House of Justice to be universally elected and
established, are both under the care and protection of the Abha
Beauty, under the shelter and unerring guidance of the Exalted One
(may my life be offered up for them both). Whatsoever they decide is
of God..."
(`Abdu'l-Baha: Will and Testament, Page: 11)

This passage is the one where it gives instructions to the Guardian to
appoint a successor:

"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.
(`Abdu'l-Baha: Will and Testament, Page: 12)

So it wasn't just anybody who could be the second Guardian. They had
to be the son of Shoghi Effendi, and that son had to have spiritual
qualities; otherwise it had to be another "branch", in other words
some other male descendant of Baha'u'llah who had to be appointed.
Shoghi Effendi didn't have an heir, and there were no male descendants
of Baha'u'llah who had the spiritual qualities to carry on the line.
So Shoghi Effendi couldn't designate anyone to succeed him.

Here's where it refers in the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha to
the custodian Baha'is:

"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).
"

So these Hands of the Cause were given the responsibility to approve
or disapprove the choice of Guardian. They all agreed, including
Mason Remey by the way, that Shoghi Effendi hadn't left a will so
there was nobody designated. It was only a couple of years later that
Mason Remey (who is not related to Shoghi Effendi and was not
designated by him to be the second guardian) made his claim. The
Hands of the Cause, following the instructions of 'Abdu'l-Baha, voted
on it, and he was not accepted. This was their right and their
responsibility.

And this eventuality was foreshadowed in the Will and Testament as
well:

"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."
(`Abdu'l-Baha: Will and Testament, Pages: 12-13)

This was exactly what happened when Mason Remey made his claim.

The reality is
that the unity of your community is based upon unity of thought that
is enforced by mind control techniques, coercion, threats, and
lawsuits.

I'm sorry you had this experience. I understand that whatever has
been done has had the motive purpose to preserve the unity of the
Baha'i community. There's much in the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-
Baha on this theme.

NO BAHA'I FAITH whatsoever would be far preferable
than the deceptive, controlling, fascist, dark and evil organization
that is now parading around as if it were the true Cause of God.

I'm sure it appears that way from your perspective. I wonder what you
yourself may be bringing to the situation as well, since I've never
experienced this nor do I know anyone personally who has.

Come and see how we all can hold opinions and
express ourselves freely without fear at all of being censured by the
powers that be, and see how thoughtful and open our members are. See
how the members interact as if they were truly family, and not like
unity robots. Then go back to your joyful and loving community and
compare it.

Perhaps you could give me a taste of some of this kindness and
thoughtfulness you speak of here on this forum.

Kind regards,

Suzanne

.

Relevant Pages

  • 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: 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)
  • 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)
  • 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)
  • =?iso-8859-1?q?Re:_"Not_so_with_the_Revelation_of_Bah=E1ull=E1h."_--Shoghi_Effendi?=
    ... "Charter of the New World Order", His Will and Testament. ... Guardianship of the Baha'i Faith with a succession of living Guardians ... blood-line successor and Shoghi Effendi states quite candidly that ALL ... rejecting the words of the first Guardian which you referred to, ...
    (talk.religion.bahai)