tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83475534400785942702024-03-04T22:59:17.390-08:00Baha'i Newsalex stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612241435015329454noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347553440078594270.post-75629074403673884032010-09-22T07:48:00.000-07:002010-09-22T07:48:59.784-07:00The Fourth Basic Bahai (BUPC) Principle is:"Religion Must be a Source of Unity."<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> The Fourth Basic Baha'I (BUPC) Principle is: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
"Religion Must be a Source of Unity." </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><i>If it is not, its non-being were better than its being. The fourth foundation stone, the emerald, is green. Green is the color of harmony and unity. There is no color known that green will not harmonize with, as the green foliage blends with every hued flower. It is the color of immortality and also of humility.</i></span> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><i>'Abdu'l-Baha</i></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> The oneness of Religion, is an essential part of World Order. For until men are united spiritually, there can be no true brotherhood, nor any universally accepted authority. And both are essential to a social order. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Various religious systems developing round the Person of their Founder, come into contact with other "religions" which have grown in the same way, and because they see the outer differences, accentuated by differences of climate, occupation and clothing, conclude that they are actually different religions. The inevitable conclusion is that "ours" is the only true one, thus making superficial differences into impassable barriers. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Baha'u'llah shows how the teaching of a Manifestation of God is divided into two parts. The spiritual principles which do not change, and social ordinances and decrees which vary with the growth of man. He asks none of the established religions to accept the laws and ordinances of one among them. Neither does he leave us to fight it out among ourselves. In his own Revelation he fulfills the hopes and promises of all previous religions, those promises recorded in their own scriptures. His Book of Laws has the same authority as the Ten Commandments or the Sermon on the Mount and is acceptably to all religions. Without denying what has gone before and without "lowering" one Manifestation in favor of another, the Truth revealed by Bahá'u'lláh is able to bring religious unity to a torn and divided race. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> This new age, this new cycle of human power, revolves around a new principle, the principle of Unity. "Unification of the whole of mankind is the hall-mark of the stage which human society is now approaching. Unity of family, of tribe, of city, state, and nation have been successively attempted and fully established. World unity is the goal towards which a harassed humanity is striving. Nation building has come to an end. The anarchy inherent in state sovereignty is moving towards a climax. A world, growing to maturity, must abandon this fetish, recognize the oneness and wholeness of human relationship and establish once for all the machinery that can best incarnate this fundamental principle of its life." </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><i>"A new life, is, in this age, stirring within all the peoples of the earth; and yet none received its motive."</i></span> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><i>"O ye children of men, the fundamental purpose animating the Faith of God and His Religion is to safeguard the interests and promote the unity of the human race..."</i></span> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><i>'Abdu'l-Baha</i></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>BAHAI’S UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE COVENANT (BUPC),</span></b></span> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Links: </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>bupcindia.webs.com</span></span> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span><a href="http://www.bupc.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.bupc.org</a></span></span> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span><a href="http://www.bupc.org/covenant-fireside.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Baha'i Covenant</a></span></span> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span><a href="http://entrybytroops.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Entry by Troops</a></span></span> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span><a href="http://www.bahaullah.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bahaullah.net</a></span></span> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span><a href="http://www.bahaifireside.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Baha'i Firesides</a></span></span> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><a href="http://www.uhj.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Universal House of Justice</a></span></span></div>alex stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612241435015329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347553440078594270.post-82952961230393498652010-09-22T07:31:00.000-07:002010-09-22T07:31:30.234-07:00World Baha'i Statistics<div class="article"><br />
<div style="clear: both;"><div class="pic300"><div class="img-frame-inner"><a class=" active" href="http://www.iranian.com/main/blog/ravian-bilani/world-bahai-statistics"><img alt="World Baha'i Statistics" class="img-portrait" height="300" src="http://www.iranian.com/main/files/blogimages/bahai%20statistics.jpg" title="World Baha'i Statistics" width="300" /></a></div></div></div><br />
<div id="english" style="text-align: justify;">Recently two articles posted on net effectively analyzed exaggerated Baha’i census. One “Exit by troops”<br />
(<a href="http://www.angelfire.com/ca3/bigquestions/troopsexit.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://www.angelfire.com/ca3/bigquestions/troopsexit.html">http://www.angelfire.com/ca3/bigquestions/troopsex...</a>) and the other “Three types of Baha’i census of India”. (<a href="http://bahaicensusindia.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="http://bahaicensusindia.blogspot.com/">http://bahaicensusindia.blogspot.com/</a>)<br />
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The first article is a very moderate view of the author, whereas the second article “The Three Type of Baha’i census of India” is much deeper analysis supported by documents authenticated by figures.<br />
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The common point in the two analyzations is the fact that one reason for this huge discrepancy in Baha’i census is that, no one is ever removed from the membership rolls unless they write a letter to the National Center renouncing their belief. So a person who becomes disillusioned and simply drifts away can remain on the rolls indefinitely. Once a Baha’i then always a Baha’i even after his death.<br />
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There is another opinion by Mr. Larry Rowe who believes that “The gross exaggeration of world Baha'i membership numbers is meant to placate all those who have been promised entry by troops for the past 80 years. The gross exaggeration of the number of actual Baha'is in India goes hand in hand with the inclusion of tens of thousands of people who signed declaration cards in North America in the past 20 to 40 years and that was it; they never truly became Baha'is they simply put their name on a card like you would on a Zellers card and never followed it up. Also the many others who signed declaration cards but who have become inactive and no long believe in the Baha'i faith or have actually joined other religious communities but have never taken the time to resign and have been addressing unknown for many years.”<br />
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Well I feel that the real cause for such a huge exaggeration in Baha’i census is much deeper and that is ‘well planned strategy of Baha’i administration centered at Haifa to show to the world high acceptability and success so as to claim that Baha’i Faith is one of the major religions of the world. It can be considered as the thirteen unwritten principle of Haifa based organization. All the counselors, ABMs assistant and members of LSAs are trained to work towards achieving this goal. The one who is more expert in this exaggeration is promoted much higher in the Baha’i Organization.<br />
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The Ruhi book courses are just to collect the addresses and to claim these are Baha’is. False stories are fabricated that the whole world is just dying for doing Ruhi books and to be converted. Whereas the fact is that many countries have deported Baha’is for proselytizing children and Junior youths as young as fifteen years and in many countries the Priests have warned the baha’is not to do any moral classes with Christian children, they may do it only for Baha’i children.<br />
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There is virtually no Baha'is in continental Europe. Very few in Holland, similar in Spain, Germany and France, fewer in Italy. From a demographic point of view this may as well be "zero."<br />
The Baha’is claim to be about 5,000 in the UK but who knows what that means, and it is not a lot anyway. Likewise the CIS countries have very few Baha'is. Almost none in China. So, with Europe, Eurasia and China out of the way, where are they?<br />
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There are 60,000 adult Baha'is with good addresses in the US, 12,500 in Canada. These are addresses only! It means the aim of Ruhi Books courses are implemented very successfully. Actually they are not more than 500 in US and same number in Canada<br />
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The Middle East is likewise very small. Mostly Persians who married deceitfully Arab women’s without giving their Baha’i identity and then claiming their Baha’i children as citizen of that country.<br />
There are 2,000 at most in the Arab world mostly Iranian pioneers. There are less than 30,000 registered Baha’is in Iran. Maybe 200, mostly Iranian refugees, in Turkey.<br />
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Not more than 1500 in Pakistan (mainly former Hindus, mainly rural peasants). About 500 in Bangladesh.<br />
There are 300 in Thailand. There were 400 in Vietnam before the revolution, but few are likely to remain. There are very few, then, in all of Southeast Asia. There are only a few hundred in Japan, and a similar number in Korea. East Asia is a wash.<br />
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All that is really left is Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, and India. 2.2 millions are claimed in India but the official census of Government of India say the exact number of Baha'is are only 11,324. Indians like to 'join' things, but go on being Hindus.<br />
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The claim of millions of Baha'is in Latin America is also fake. Mexico appears to have almost none. Columbia and Bolivia may have few hundreds each, to my recollection, but that is not the same as millions.<br />
The biggest community was Uganda. But it has been greatly disrupted in the last 2 decades by war and dictatorship, and one doesn't know how many are left.<br />
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The Baha’i movement contains no potential for growth. It has only vertical potential of growth in terms of different sects originating in small time of 160 years. (<a href="http://www.sectsofbahais.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="www.sectsofbahais.com">www.sectsofbahais.com</a>). The 7 million reported to Encyclopedia Britannica by someone in Wilmette or Haifa is.... wish-fulfillment rather than a solid social science statistic. This high exaggeration also points towards a high level of frustration which is developing amongst members of Haifa based organization. At any point of time the Baha’i population in the World is not more than hundred thousand (0.1 million).<br />
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Baha’i Faith is essentially Persian dominated organization. It is no where near Christianity. It is not the fastest growing religion, it is not the most widespread religion after Christianity. Yes it may be the most comfortable religion, well then that is not a religion.</div></div>alex stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612241435015329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347553440078594270.post-19689205739499446402010-09-22T07:19:00.000-07:002010-09-22T07:19:01.773-07:00The fatal flaw in Baha’i authority<div style="clear: both;"><div class="pic300"><div class="img-frame-inner"><a class=" active" href="http://www.iranian.com/main/blog/dale-husband/fatal-flaw-baha-i-authority"><img alt="The fatal flaw in Baha’i authority" class="img-portrait" height="348" src="http://www.iranian.com/main/files/blogimages/bde1_0.jpg" title="The fatal flaw in Baha’i authority" width="360" /></a></div></div></div><br />
<div id="english"><div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>The basic problem of authority in the Baha’i Faith, with its false claim that those authorities are infallible, really becomes obvious when you consider the issue of the Guardianship, which Shoghi Effendi held from 1921 until his death in 1957. He was appointed to that position by his grandfather, Abdu’l-Baha.</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong> </strong> </div><div> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span id="more-148"></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <em><span>O ye the faithful loved ones of Abdu’l-Baha! it is incumbent upon you to take the greatest care of Shoghi Effendi… For he is, after Abdu’l-Baha, the Guardian of the Cause of God… 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… 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.<br />
</span></em>(`Abdu’l-Baha: Will and Testament, pages 25-26) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>Later, Shoghi Effendi himself wrote:</strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span><em>Divorced from the institution of the Guardianship the World Order of Baha’u'llah would be mutilated and permanently deprived of that hereditary principle which, as Abdu’l-Baha has written, has been invariably upheld by the Law of God. …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.</em><br />
</span>(Shoghi Effendi: World Order of Baha’u'llah, page 148 ) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>It stands to reason that if Shoghi Effendi must be obeyed absolutely as the representative of God’s will, then he himself must obey the Baha’i commandments that came before him. If he was disobedient to Baha’i laws, then no one should obey him. </strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong> </strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>Baha’ullah, the founder of the Baha’i Faith, stated in his book of laws, the Kitab-i-Aqdas, paragraph 109,</strong> <span>“Unto everyone hath been enjoined the writing of a will.”</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span> </span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>Likewise, Abdul-Baha, son of Baha’u'llah, in the very Will and Testament by which he appointed Shoghi Effendi to the Guardianship, stated:</strong> <span>“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.”</span><span><span> </span><span>(Abd’ul-Baha. Will and Testament, p. 12.)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span> </span></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span><strong>Shoghi Effendi did none of these things. He had no children, and in fact he expelled from the Faith as “Covenant-breakers” every other descendant of his own grandfather, thus betraying the Faith. When he died in 1957, he left no will and had appointed no successor, thus failing to obey the very Covenant he was expected to uphold.</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><strong> </strong></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>With no further guidance from the Guardian, the Hands of the Cause of God that he had appointed to assist him did the only thing they could to keep the Baha’i Faith alive: They took over the Faith and arranged for the eventual election of the Universal House of Justice in 1963. But without a Guardian to preside over that body, it would never be in accordance with the very writings that established its authority. And the only ones who could be Guardian were the male descendants of Baha’ullah, all of whom were excluded from the Faith by the first Guardian!</strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>Indeed, the simple fact that Shoghi Effendi disobeyed both Bahau’llah and Abd’ul-Baha by not leaving a will, by expelling all his own relatives from the Faith, and not appointing in his lifetime one of his brothers or male cousins as his sucessor to the Guardianship should be enough to demonstrate that there is NO “true” Baha’i Faith existing today. Its authority is meaningless by the testimony of its own history!</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong> </strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>And perhaps this was inevitable, since Baha’ullah himself warned his successors in the Faith not to exceed the proper bounds of their authority. Referring again to the Kitab-i-Aqdas, we find this as paragraph 37:</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong> </strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span>“Whoso layeth claim to a <strong>Revelation direct from God, ere the expiration of a full thousand years, such a man is assuredly a lying impostor</strong>. We pray God that He may graciously assist him to retract and repudiate such claim. Should he repent, God will, no doubt, forgive him. If, however, he persisteth in his error, God will, assuredly, send down one who will deal mercilessly with him. Terrible, indeed, is God in punishing! Whosoever interpreteth this verse <strong>otherwise than its obvious meaning is deprived of the Spirit of God and of His mercy which encompasseth all created things</strong>. Fear God, and follow not your idle fancies. Nay, rather, follow the bidding of your Lord, the Almighty, the All-Wise. Erelong shall clamorous voices be raised in most lands. Shun them, O My people, and follow not the iniquitous and evil-hearted. This is that of which We gave you forewarning when We were dwelling in ‘Iráq, then later while in the Land of Mystery, and now from this Resplendent Spot.”</span> <span> (</span>Emphasis mine)<strong> </strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong> </strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>Since any Baha’i would affirm that Abdu’l-Baha is inferior in rank to Baha’u'llah, we have to apply consistent logic to the Baha’i Writings; and when we do…..</strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span>“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 His Holiness, the Exalted One (may my life be offered up for them both). <strong>Whatsoever they decide is of God. Whoso obeyeth him not, neither obeyeth them, hath not obeyed God; whoso rebelleth against him and against them hath rebelled against God; whoso opposeth him hath opposed God; whoso contendeth with them hath contended with God; whoso disputeth with him hath disputed with God; whoso denieth him hath denied God; whoso disbelieveth in him hath disbelieved in God; whoso deviateth, separateth himself and turneth aside from him hath in truth deviated, separated himself and turned aside from God.</strong> May the wrath, the fierce indignation, the vengeance of God rest upon him!” <span>(Will and Testament of Abdu’l-Baha, Page 11 [Emphasis mine] )</span></span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>There is no way that passage can be reconciled with the one of Baha’u'llah denying that anyone can recieve direct revelation from God before the passage of 1000 years. And that might explain why Shoghi Effendi died without issue at the relatively young age of 60, in the midst of the Ten Year World Crusade he was leading. He was probably struck down by God himself just as Baha’u'llah would have predicted. And despite the desperate efforts made ever since to teach and proclaim the Baha’i Faith under the Universal House of Justice, it remains to this day a small, cult like body scattered over the world, with no potential to make any real difference in the world at large.</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong> </strong> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <strong>To all readers, I implore you to be fair in your judgment and search your feelings. The Baha’i Faith is a failure and you need not be bound by laws, authorities, or institutions that are not based on truth. If you belong to the mainstream Baha’i Faith that follows the Guardianship-less Universal House of Justice, or one of the splinter groups that rejected the authority of that body, the fact remains that you follow a spiritually dead faith and are totally wasting your time. The Baha’i Faith in its present form will never become the great religion of the world Baha’ullah and Abdu’l-Baha envisioned it to be, because Shoghi Effendi ruined it with his blind assumption of his own infallibility. His own relatives questioned his decisions and were expelled for doing that. If you cannot question authority, it can destroy you. Or, in this case, the credibility of the authority is destroyed and opposing it becomes a moral obligation. Let it be so!</strong></div></div>alex stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612241435015329454noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347553440078594270.post-79292749047619929862010-09-08T22:59:00.000-07:002010-09-08T22:59:41.968-07:00Former Bahai - Revealing Bahai Lies!<span style="font-size: large;"></span><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://formerbahai.blogspot.com/2010/09/sending-salam-on-prophet-muhammad.html">Sending salam on the Prophet Muhammad</a></span> </h3><div> </div><div class="post-header" style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><span class="noprint">It's interesting how Bahai's tend to say 'peace be upon him' when they mention Bahaullah, although they have no need to do so yet they do so only in following what muslims are obligated to do when they hear the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mentioned.Why do muslims send salutation and praises on the Prophet Muhammad? Because it is a command from the Prophet as we observe from the hadith below:<br />
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"The miserly is he, before whom I am mentioned and he does not invoke blessings on me"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="noprint"> Tirmidhi, al-Jami'-us-saheeh, b. of da'wat (supplications) ch.101, (5: 551 # 3546)<br />
So muslims are encouraged by the Prophet to send praises upon him. Sadly bahais do not have such a command, yet in their hearts, they too want their 'prophet' to be seen as revered and praised as Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). So they follow suit in praising their so called 'prophet', basically in envy and not in obligation or encouragement of it in their religion.<br />
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What this means is that Bahai's are not taught the proper ettiquetes of addressing their 'prophet'.<br />
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In case you've noticed, all previous prophets used their real names and NOT some psuedo-names like Bahaullah or Bab. Bahai's are not proud that their 'prophets' have muslim names, perhaps because it hinders their marketing of their religion in the west.<br />
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Muhammad (peace be upon him), is the last and final messenger of God and there are reasons for that and perhaps I would write on it in details in future blogs, God willing. Sending praises and blessings of God on the Prophet Muhammad is an instruction from the prophet the like of which is severely lacking in the Bahai Faith.</span></span></div>alex stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612241435015329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347553440078594270.post-15871849569919708832010-09-08T22:55:00.000-07:002010-09-08T22:55:58.210-07:00Night of Power (Laylatul Qadr) - How Bahai faith is lacking<h3 class="post-title entry-title"> <a href="http://formerbahai.blogspot.com/2010/09/night-of-power-laylatul-qadr-how-bahai.html"></a> </h3><div class="post-header"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="noprint">Its a good thing that many people have given me feedbacks, mostly Bahais, and they displayed how they were annoyed at me (some even threatened) when they read my views on the Bahai Faith :-). It's amusing.</span><br />
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<span class="noprint"> For the record, I'm only writing. It's not like I've taken 'jihadi' action against any Bahais. At least not yet. But if push comes to shove, inshallah the Muslim world would rise against it. So best keep words to words and not act irrationally towards people's views. I have a right to voice my opinions against the Bahai Faith just as Husayn Ali can say that he is the return of Muhammad (pbuh). If there's something not right, please highlight to me with proof and evidence, then we can talk, otherwise leave it. Again, I have emphasized in my disclaimer that there is no force on the part of the reader to take 100% what I say here. Check it out for yourselves, do some 'independent investigation' ;-).</span><br />
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<span class="noprint"> Today I'm covering the discrepencies surrounding Laylatul Qadr or Night of Power. To understand this discrepency, we have to first get the idea of what the Night of Power means. Islam has declared its existence in the Surah Qadr, as below:</span><br />
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<span class="noprint"> <i><u><b>Surah Al-Qadr (Quran 97:1-5)</b></u></i></span><br />
<span class="noprint"> <i><span id="verse_6126_language_6_content">1. Indeed, We sent the Qur'an down during the Night of Decree.</span></i></span><br />
<span class="noprint"> <i><span id="verse_6127_language_6_content">2. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree?</span></i></span><br />
<span class="noprint"> <i><span id="verse_6128_language_6_content">3. The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.</span></i></span><br />
<span class="noprint"> <i><span id="verse_6129_language_6_content">4 The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter.</span></i></span><br />
<span class="noprint"> <i><span id="verse_6130_language_6_content">5.Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.</span><span id="verse_6129_language_6_content"> </span><span id="verse_6128_language_6_content"> </span><span id="verse_6127_language_6_content"> </span><span id="verse_6126_language_6_content"> </span></i> </span><br />
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<span class="noprint"> So, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) taught us, as we know from various hadith, that the last tens nights of ramadhan holds this Night of Power. On that night, Angel Jibril (Gabriel) descends with his party of angels to implement on earth the records from the Guarded Tablet (lawhul mahfuz). We will cover this in detail in later articles, inshallah.</span><br />
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<span class="noprint"> So the Night of Power has a few features to indicate its occurence. The Quran says, '<span id="verse_6130_language_6_content">Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.' meaning that night is extraordinarily peaceful. From the hadith we also know that it would be extraordinarily cloudy and cold the next morning and there would not be barking of dogs.</span></span><br />
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<span class="noprint"> So, the question is: What has happened to the Night of Power in the Bahai 'revelation'? Has it been abrogated?</span><br />
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<span class="noprint"> Of course, being a former Bahai for 25 years I can tell you off hand that the Bahai faith is totally silent about this matter. But that's me. I did some more research and found that its true that this matter is not mentioned in Bahai text:</span><br />
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<span class="noprint"> <blockquote><blockquote><u><b><i>I</i></b></u><i><span><u><b>tem 20 - - 'Night of Power'</b></u></span></i></blockquote></blockquote></span><br />
<span class="noprint"><blockquote><blockquote><i><span> Reference is made to 'a Bahá'í book about the Qur'án, possibly Proofs from the Holy Qur'án, where the Quranic 'Night of Power' is discussed.<a href="http://bahai-library.com/uhj_aspects_teaching#fn7">7</a> Mr. ... wishes to know whether the interpretation provided in this work is correct. A discussion of this subject under the heading, 'The Night which is better than [a] Thousand Months', is contained in Proofs from the Holy Qur'án, pp. 145-146. A careful reading of this section will show that the author states that he is expressing his own view. <b>The Research Department has not been able to locate any authoritative interpretation of this Quranic verse in the Bahá'í Writings. </b>Mr. ... should reach his own understanding of the matter.</span><span></span></i></blockquote></blockquote></span><br />
<span class="noprint"><blockquote><blockquote><i><span> </span></i><i><span>taken from http://bahai-library.com/uhj_aspects_teaching#s13 </span></i></blockquote></blockquote>Can you believe it? They actually admit there is nothing in the bahai text written on this matter. To me this is a problem. Why? Because if there is a faith allegedly from God, that has come to abrogate all previous laws, and let's say for the sake of argument we don't argue on that, then what about all the principles and unseen events mentioned in the Quran like the Night of Power or restrictions to worship a human being? Can you have a new religion that abrogates previous laws, but failed to either uphold or cancel all other concepts in the previous religion?</span><br />
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<span class="noprint"> This is just the tip of the iceberg. In Islam we have so many concepts and unseen events which is alluded to by the Quran, are they all now abrogated?</span><br />
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<span class="noprint"> You see, abrogating laws is one thing, but totally cancelling out or remaining silent on certain other truths which are not law related, is another. For example, is it right that if the Bahai faith says only after a thousand years would another manifestation come, and then a guy calling himself Maitreya after only 150 years declares himself as the next manifestation, abrogates not only the laws of the Bahai faith but also the truth that time frame of a thousand years gap between manifestations is also abrogated. Can you abrogate establish truth? It just doesn't make sense.</span><br />
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<span class="noprint"> Many Bahais do this to me, all the time! When muslims attempt to explain that there are certain established truth that cannot be abrogated, Bahais simply say that their religion abrogates Islam, totally! I hope you as the reader can discern well my point here.</span><br />
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<span class="noprint"> My question to the Bahai World is: What has happened to the Night of Power? Has it stopped from happening? Or is it still going on? I challenge the Bahai 'scholars' to give me textual answers from their books, if they can. Anyone can give their opinion, but I want to know if they can defend this issue on a professional level, bringing proof from their text.</span></span></div>alex stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612241435015329454noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347553440078594270.post-74103718401545458072010-09-03T23:59:00.000-07:002010-09-06T02:21:47.766-07:00BAHA'I SCAM-ARTISTRY & FRAUD IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: A Multi-Milliard Rial Scam* By A Baha’i Company in Dubai<div style="text-align: justify;">Originally appeared in the Persian language ‘Asr-i-Iran 26th of Isfand 1387 (solar) = Monday, March 16, 2009 CE <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=D&q=http://www.asriran.com/fa/pages/%3Fcid%3D67633&usg=AFQjCNHWTDscYtmvyGkz_GBKzOIuOlGafA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.asriran.com/fa/pages/?cid=67633</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A Multi-Milliard Rial Scam* By A Baha’i Company in Dubai </div><div style="text-align: justify;">- <br />
After the passage of 20 months it is established that this company not only did not build a single tower/high rise, but didn’t even obtain the properties for their construction!<br />
-</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In an unprecedented scam involving the amount of 2,150 milliard rials (which was taken from Iranians who had invested money for the purpose of obtaining property in Dubai), a high-rise/tower construction development company connected to the Baha’is in the United Arab Emirates has committed fraud. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">According to reports by [the newsagency?] MAWJ (wave), approximately 20 months ago the company ‘Reliance’, which is connected to twoBaha’is by the names of Farhang Rahavi and Elham Sabeti, took money <br />
from Iranians in a pre-sale/‘on plan’ venture capacity, which involved 60 percent on the sale value [of properties], totalling 724 million dirhams (equivalent to 1,950 milliard rials). </div><div style="text-align: justify;">With the sale of two [corporate] projects (a German named ‘Solar Star’and the Emirati named ‘Al-Mahara’), this company as well demanded the sum of 75 million dirhams (equivalent to 200 milliard rials) from Iranians for the purpose of buying property, and obtained it. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Farhang Rahavi, who is an Iranian national with an American passport, then traveled to Dubai with the aim of organizing an association for the defense of the misled Baha’i cult. He - who sometime before, due to his involvement with other fraudulent ventures, had earlier fled Iran - married Elham Sabeti (the former wife of Dr. Mahbubi, i.e. the community head of the misled Baha’i cult in Dubai), and with the company named ‘Reliance’ entered the real estate property market in Dubai. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">This company, in pursuit of illegal transactions, then obtained the sum of 2,150 milliard rials from Iranians for 22 completed towers/high rises with the two German and Emirati [corporate] projects. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">It should be mentioned that amongst this collected sum approximately 1,110 milliard rials (equivalent to 112 million US dollars) has been transferred out of the United Arab Emirates and over to the United States of America. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The buyers [i.e. investors] are of the opinion that through the agency of one individual named Pezhman Riazati, who is also a Baha’i, their money was sent out of Iran over to the United Arab Emirates and then transferred to the United States. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The defrauded Iranians in seeking redress with the legal courts of the Emirates are as yet unsuccessful in obtaining hearings, and moreover their cases presently stand in a state of limbo. Some of the bigger Iranian real estate companies in Dubai, who likewise had dealt with this company in the past, at the present time have also not been able to contact the company owners of ‘Reliance’.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A few years ago, in regard to foreign investments and transactions in Iran, the Chief Justice of our nation had in some cases specifically warned about unknown companies without identity. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">* ‘Kollah-bardari’ (literally. ‘taking the hat off’) is translated interchangably as ‘scam’ and ‘fraud’. </div>alex stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612241435015329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347553440078594270.post-84785890413866732562010-09-03T23:56:00.000-07:002010-09-06T02:28:53.336-07:00BAHA’I CONTROL ON THEIR ELECTORAL SYSTEM (IT IS SELECTION NOT ELECTION)<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">PART II </span></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">BAHA’I CONTROL ON THEIR ELECTORAL SYSTEM </span></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">(IT IS SELECTION NOT ELECTION) </span></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">From UHJ to NSA to SBC/RBC down to LSAs all are selections in the name of elections </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">A- UHJ Elections </span></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">1-Every member of the present UHJ is from International Teaching Centre (ITC).It is clear indication that a Baha’i is first appointed on board of counselor, then he is promoted to ITC and finally he is elevated as UHJ member. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">2-Mr. Razavi and Correa when promoted to ITC, they were given a world tour (Made a part of the Orchestra) to justify their programmed predetermined election. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">3-Mr. Omid Seioshanseian in India and Mr. Jabbar Eidhelkhani in Bangladesh are sending false reports to UHJ with the intention of getting appointed on ITC. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">4. India has the highest population of Baha’is of more than 2.2 million, but never even a single Indian has been elected as member of the UHJ. This speaks of the STAGE MANAGED, UHJ election. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">5-There are National Spiritual assemblies in almost 200 countries but four members out of nine (45%) on UHJ are Persians. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">All with approval of UHJ. </span></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">B- Nexus between UHJ and NSA </span></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">1-UHJ sees that no undesired member is elected on the NSA. This is done with collaboration of the UHJ member responsible for that country and the continental counselors. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">2-Members of NSA also use fraudulent means of getting himself and his group elected every year. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">3-When there are so many active local Indian Baha’is and more than half the delegates are Indian then how come the members elected are Persians. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">4-Some of those members of the NSA, who are being elected year after year, do not possess an impressive record of services to the Faith. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">5-The circle is so vicious and so tightly bound that there doesn’t appear to be any way out of it for sincere active Indian Baha’is. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">6-A Baha’i delegate purposely made his ballot invalid by writing 10 names but the report of the chief teller said there was no invalid votes. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">7-Those members who get elected to the NSA by fraudulent means, also manage to manipulate the election/appointments to the State Baha’i Councils and Regional Baha’i Councils of their States, besides taking improper action on other matters.</span></div><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">8-There is a close nexus between these people. This has been going on. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">All with approval of UHJ. </span></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">C- Counting process </span></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The counting process of the Baha’i election is Stage managed, because, it is at this stage that the names mentioned in the votes are not read out correctly to the tellers that is why, year after year, the same men manage to get themselves on the National Assembly. Can appropriate handling of Funds be expected from such cheats! </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">D- Meetings of NSA </span></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">1-Whenever one or two 'prominent' members (Persian members) are not able to attend a meeting, the meeting is either cancelled or postponed. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">2 Decisions are taken on phone. Although Baha'i administration do not allow for consensus decisions over the phone. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">3 Decisions taken in this manner are improper and cannot be acted upon. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">4-Mrs. Sorabjee after being removed as counselor tried very desperately to become NSA member despite her advanced age. She use to attend National Conventions and did thorough canvassing for her. With the approval of UHJ (Payman Mohajir) she was declared elected. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">5-Certain members like Mr.Anil Sarwal, Dr. Mogbelpur and Dr. Ansari were made to resign to clear the way for Mrs. Sorabjee, Mrs. Farideh Vahedi and Ms. Nazneen Rohani. The love for women is not only the specialty of Dr. Payman but it is of entire Mohajir clan. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">6-The undesired member Dr. Ansari was reelected but was again asked to resign after a month to clear the way for Dr. Sohail Mohajir. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">7-Days are numbered for Dr. Telli, Mr. Ramsevak and Mr. Ali Merchant. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">8. The decision by these women is taken in consultation with Mr. Mohajir and conveyed to the other respected members and they are left with no option but to accept it or else the door is open. Hats off to Mr.Ansari for maintaining his self esteem. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">9. When no women member is allowed on the UHJ, then how come on the NSA we have a majority of decisions making by women and the others are made to look like show pieces just to fill in the seats.</span></div><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">All with approval of UHJ </span></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">PREPARED BY </span></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">FORMER MEMBERS OF </span></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF INDIA.</span></b></div>alex stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612241435015329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347553440078594270.post-74188195149422657142010-09-03T23:54:00.000-07:002010-09-06T02:38:58.857-07:00BAHA’I CONTROL ON THEIR ELECTORAL SYSTEM - EXPOSED<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>A. A study of Baha'i institution</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Many control mechanisms relate to the electoral system and the realities of power are existing in the Baha'i community. Early Baha’is allowed nominations to be made for Baha’i office, and also allowed campaigning for Baha’i Institution. When early Baha’is asked ‘Abdu’l- Baha, how they should conduct elections for local spiritual assemblies ? He replied that they should follow the rules for elections common in their own country (‘Abdu’l-Baha 1908-1916: I,7). </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Van den Hoonard points out that nominations and canvassing for Baha’i office were standard practice in North America in the time of ‘Abdu’l- Baha (van den Hoonard 1996:157-158). </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Baha'i Institutions abolished the practice of nominations and campaigning for elective Baha’i office in accordance with Iranian Baha’i practice. Although ending these practices appears to have a reason, as the community grew, it became impossible for Baha’i elective institutions to have a control over the elections and to bring only those candidates whom they rely and decide.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
<b>CRITICISM OF BAHA’I INSTITUTIONS BY A BAHA’I IS CONSIDERED AN ACT OF "COVENANT BREAKING". </b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Criticism of Baha’i institutions by a Baha’i is considered an act of“ Covenant Breaking” and is often branded a “dishonest attack” on the Baha’i faith, punishable by shunning. After a vote has been taken, all the members of the Baha’i community must support the result, and defeated minorities may not continue to criticize. This theory of political behavior denies the need for checks and balances. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The placing of elected bodies above public criticism and the silencing of defeated minorities has had predictable effects at the national level. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
<b>BAHA'I ELECTIONS ARE IN FACT SELECTIONS</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>BAHA'I ELECTORAL RESULTS ARE SKEWED IN THREE WAYS. </b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
<b>First</b> <br />
The National Spiritual Assembly enjoys all the advantages of controlling the image of potential NSA members in the national newspaper, The Baha’i News India (an organ of the N.S.A.), sending these incumbents to local communities, and sending members around to conferences, which enhances their visibility (all this is paid for out of the national Baha’i fund). These advantages of incumbency are especially very useful in a system where no campaigning for office by others is allowed. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
<b>Second</b> <br />
The sitting members often promote close associates onto the body,“flying them around to conferences,” appointing them to high-powered national committees, and giving them prominence at important events . Since speaking openly about candidates is not allowed, subtle non- erbal signals have taken on extreme importance for delegates, who seem willing to be guided by the incumbents in these indirect ways.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">So the future members of the NSA is made a part of an orchestra conducted by the N.S.A Formally approved by Universal House of Justice and supported by the Continental Counselor present in the Convention.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
<b>Third</b> <br />
Some campaigns are launched by unannounced candidates who go about the country giving talks. Such informal campaigning, the National Spiritual Assembly occasionally stops by ordering the person’s talks cancelled, or, if chairmanship of a national committee is becoming a platform for popularity, by firing the individual. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Baha’is call these manipulation of elections, as divinely inspired. Control Mechanisms and Sanctions.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Baha’i leaders employ a number of important control mechanisms to control the Baha’is. These include removal of voting rights, shunning, demands for sticking to traditions, accusations of “weakness in the covenant,” informing and surveillance, and various forms of censorship. Many of these tools are employed basically against persons who are somehow prominent or appear to have leadership potential but do not seem easy for incumbents to control, or against intellectuals</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The prohibition of nominations and campaigning leads administrators to feel a need for strict controls on Baha’i discourse, and often to the avoidance of even mentioning leaders by name in public, which would be considered as “backbiting.” </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The ban on campaigning leads to a situation where a great deal of suspicion falls on any active intellectual not directly controlled by the N.S.A. Great suspicion attaches to any Baha’i teacher or lecturer who is not an elected or appointed official and is thought to be <br />
“gaining a following.”:<br />
<br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>B. A study of Indian Baha’i Institution </b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">National Convention Delegates </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Till about 1986 there were about 171 delegates, courtesy Oliyai Family. These delegates were in accordance with the paper Baha’is projected by the Oliyai family which controlled the NSA elections. False statistics were given by which a large number of delegates were procured.These delegates were given free Delhi trip and free lodging and boarding and were asked to vote for particular candidates .One of the delegate reported “While all of us were coming from Gwalior in a Jeep for National Convention, one of the delegates said,” Nissan <br />
Oliyai is a very good boy, vote for him.” </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Many of the decisions of the NSA were taken outside NSA as Oliyai family enjoyed the majority. A set of decisions were made and it was circulated amongst their friends to finally approve them in the meeting. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Once the members were of no use they were dropped from the NSA list in the next elections. <br />
Mr. Bargawa in 1972 <br />
Mr. Khare in 1986 <br />
Mr. & Mrs. Gandhi in 2000 <br />
Mr. Khemani in 2000 <br />
Mr. Shah in 2003 </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Later on the UHJ cut short the number of delegates from 171 to 38 to cut Oliyai family to size, but HOUSE failed miserably. <br />
Letter of Universal House of Justice dated 20th September 1988 The allocation of 38 delegated to India is a temporary measure. <br />
{11th meeting of NSA, 26th and 27th may 1993.} </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
<b>Canvassing in the National Convention </b><br />
i. A full scale canvassing is being done during the National convention, the NSA members show deep interest in the delegates enquiring about every minor and finer points of their states, to convey to the delegates that they are very true and faithful Baha’is and always wish for the development of the Faith in his state. This concern goes down till the Ballot paper. And once the Election is <br />
over, everything is backed to original state.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">ii. Some of the members although unable to pronounce clearly Allahabha use to greet every delegate with a loud welcome of ALLAHUABHA .To show that they are completely PERSIANISED. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">iii. The NSA members also do not fail in giving treats to the delegates of ICE CREAMS, who under ordinary days will not even bother to glance at them. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">iv. The consultation during conventions are a major platform to project the Candidates for the NSA election. All the speeches are occupied by outgoing NSA members where they leave no stone unturned to show that they are the one “Human with potentials” and deserved to become the NSA members. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">v. Although Hindi is the Mother Tongue of a large number of the delegates, the NSA members will give big speeches in English, which is not even understood by a large number of delegates, but English is the effective way of proving that they are PERSONS WITH CAPACITY </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">vi. The NSA also decides during the year to have meetings in different states. This is just a publicity stunt and to impress the delegates who will be attending the convention. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
<b>False Voting</b> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">A teller reported that a number of Ballot papers are received by post with the same name repeated in the same order showing that the source of all these ballot papers are one</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The total numbers of delegates present in the convention were 17. The total number of ballots received and counted were 33. <br />
All these is well known by the Counsellor present in the convention. It all takes place with the effective approval of the UHJ as they do not want any unapproved member on NSA . </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">UHJ interference in elections </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Many a times the appointment of Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer came from UHJ, there was no election, only selection, but it was announced as election of the office bearers. It was clear that the House was very interested in appointment of certain member as a Treasurer. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Many a times Members of the House attended the NSA of India meeting and requested certain members to resign. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Present Scenario </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The UHJ controls every bit of NSA members and their decisions, Mr. Payman Mohajir is the person responsible for India .He is indirect contact with Mrs. Farideh Vahidi who cares a damn not only to the various departments of NSA but also to her host Country. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">When one of the employees of the Baha'i House, who was unjustly removed after his long years of services asked her to follow the law of the Land, <br />
She said I care a damn about your Country and its Laws.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The election of Mrs. Sorabji is actually an election of Mr. Sorabji .It should be known that a non-Baha'i Mr. Sorabji is more useful to the Faith then Mrs. Sorabji. As amount of power he yields in the Government. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Mr. Sohail Mohajir, Yes the Surname matters a lot to UHJ. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">So the main decision taker is UHJ through Mr. Paymen Mohajir supported by Mrs. Vahidi, Mrs. Sorabji Mrs. Nazneen Rohani and ofcourse one can take Mr. Mohajir for granted because of his surname. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">To put aside any discrepancies Mr. Satnam is appointed as the consultant showing the real position of Indian counselors. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Not to mention all other members NSA are just a show piece. Congrats to Mr. Sarwal and Dr. Ansari for their self respect.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
<b>PREPARED </b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>BY </b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>A FORMER MEMBER OF </b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF INDIA.</b></div>alex stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612241435015329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347553440078594270.post-40294769602058668992010-09-03T23:51:00.000-07:002010-09-03T23:51:11.553-07:00BAHAI Tactics & Techniques<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">"Slanderous Vilification" = The Baha'i Technique - Ad Hominem, Libel, Slander, Demonize, Scapegoat, Ostracize, Shun, Banish, Backbite, Defame, Vilify, Discredit, Smear, Revile, Suppress, Attack, Bully, Intimidate, Threaten, Malign, Blackball, Deceive, Coerce, Silence, Harass... etc., etc.... CAUTION NON-BAHAIS</span><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. As far as possible they hold back from responding</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"> 2. Then they claim no knowledge of the given issue by feigning</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> ignorance</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"> 3. After the exposer has exposed they will try to divert to secondary</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> and totally peripheral and irrelevent side-issues</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"> 4. The exposer is then painted as someone with an axe to grind,</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> biased, deluded (while they, the bahaim, still have not responded to</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> the main issue exposed)</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"> 5. Next they relate mental instability and insanity to the exposer,</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> i.e. shoot the messenger</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"> 6. Then, the last tactic, is to wheel out several dubious personas on</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> the scene who claim to be neutral non-</span><span class="il" style="font-weight: bold;">bahai</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> observers who then begin</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> attacking the exposer as well as the issue exposed while supporting</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> the bahais and their issues as so-called non-bahais</span></div>alex stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612241435015329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347553440078594270.post-5210367231060245802010-09-03T23:48:00.001-07:002010-09-03T23:48:44.701-07:00http://www.episcopalcafe.com/daily/interfaith/lessons_for_christians_in_the.php<strong>By Adrian Worsfold</strong><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">When I was confirmed into the Church of England in 1984 I asked some Baha'is I met at their firesides to come along. None did. In the end I fell out with the Baha'is as I discovered academic material that presented their history differently from their own. They are very committed to the preservation of their history as monitored by the Universal House of Justice, the nine seater male-only assembly meant to be a combined secular and religious decision making body for the world, elected without campaigns by the National Spiritual Assemblies below them, these elected by delegates from the Local Spiritual Assemblies below them. It is a very conserving system, a sort of democratic centralism: what the top level says goes.</div><div> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Very quickly summarising: the origins of the Baha'i Faith are in the Babi faith that developed out of Shia Islam in Iran and Iraq. They were waiting for the return of the Hidden Twelfth Imam and a Holy War for the victory of Islam. In 1844 Sayyid Ali Muhammed Shrirazi claimed to be the Bab, the Gateway to the returning Imam. When he didn't appear at Karbala, Sayyid Ali Muhammed escalated his status in stages to the Imam, then the Prophet and then superseding to a new Manifestation of God. The movement was surrounded by violence, and started much of it themselves. The Bab appointed Mirza Yahya (or Sub-i-Azal) to be his successor, but after the Bab was killed by the authorities the violence continued and the movement was in severe decline. Sub-i-Azal's half brother, Mirza Husayn Ali, an elite Persian convert, built up his own faction and in 1863 he, Baha'u'llah (Glory of God) announced himself as the Bab's next Manifestation of God. The authorities never left either faction alone, and the Azalis ended up in Cyprus and the Baha'is at Palestine. However, Baha'u'llah, in the course of the compulsory travels and his declaration to the few and then the world of his status, read Sufi and New Testament material, and completely remodelled the faith as it came into the Western orbit, making itself syncretistic in character, peaceful and expecting the unification of the world.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Baha'u'llah died in 1892, and Abbas Effendi, his eldest son, or Abdul-Baha, became the leader and only interpreter or "Centre of the Covenant". Here there was factionalism, as a group known as the Unitarians (people of the Book, not Abdul-Baha's interpretations) broke out and were excommunicated. The Young Turks' victory meant an end to imprisonment, and Abdul Baha became a traveller around the West even more spiritualising and Westernising the movement, and was a charismatic figure as he attended mosques, Christian and Unitarian (the other sort) churches and synagogues.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">After he died Shoghi Effendi became the first Guardian. Some Germans did not accept the validity of Abdul Baha's will appointing him and so the Free Baha'is emerged for a time. Shoghi Effendi should have had a serving Universal House of Justice under him, but he did not set it up. He should have left a will, but either he didn't or it never appeared. So when he died in 1957 there was a crisis of leadership, after which in 1963 the Universal House of Justice was formed and took to itself powers of the Guardian, most importantly the sole power to interpret and the power to excommunicate.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The chief of Hands of the Cause, a forerunner to the UHJ, Mason Remey, thought he should be the new Guardian. Factions have arisen ever since from that branch, including one that now thinks the second Guardian was presumptive, but so was the Universal House of Justice taking power to itself.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The UHJ produces plans for growth. The millennial nature of the Bahai Faith is that it expects the Most Great Peace to arrive (instead we had George Bush) and a tipping point where "troops" of people convert to the Bahai Faith. Unfortunately, the Bahai Faith has been born in a rather irreligious age in Europe, and other than some growth in developing countries, Europe has been slow and with a high turnover of members. Plus, the UHJ in Haifa has a habit of turning members who don't submit to censorship panels into covenant breakers. There are also quite a few people who find themselves mysteriously removed from the rolls of membership, but in the age of the Internet they continue the faith themselves with new freedom, the name Baha'i being in the public realm. A problem for the Haifa Baha'is is that only they can raise money for themselves, and members who can participate in Feasts as well as Firesides find themselves locked into administration details: the Baha'i Faith is an "Administrative Order" after all.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">So at each stage of leadership transition elite groups have competed and been excluded, and it is reasonable to say that the quest for unity has been a failure because of its high cost in factions and breakaways, and now there is a more relaxed Bahaism emerging of excluded or drifter individuals. It matters not that the Universal House of Justice only recognises itself as legitimate, because anyone can read the Kitab-i-Iqan and Kitabi-i-Aqdas and the published materials that Shoghi Effendi translated into his strained olde-worlde English. Even infallibility is being questioned by individuals let loose.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Bahai Faith is useful for Christians and Christian theology in a number of ways.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">First of all we see something of a parallel in the Bab as a kind of announcer of a new manifestation, although he became what he expected. He gets positioned like a John the Baptist, and probably John the Baptist was his own man too. Then we have the central manifestation (Incarnation) figure, Baha'u'llah. Then we have the very important St. Paul figure, who becomes such an important interpreter and spreader into new cultures and giving a further twist to the faith.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Then we have the issue of authority. There is something of the Pope in the Guardian, of course, but the UHJ is like Orthodoxy or Roman Catholic centralism - with knobs on. In fact it is very Weberian-bureaucratic, and very pyramidal. Weber regarded such with great pessimism: it was anti the life-giving enchantment that he thought religion supplied.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The other lesson is that of allowing theology to grow organically and in diversity. There is a distinct double identity problem of Baha'i member scholarship in secular institutions including that of religious studies departments. It does the Baha'i Faith no favours. We see similar with some Roman Catholics. If Christians become more subject to such pressures of membership conformity, then there is a distortion to both the academic sphere and to the representational sphere.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">I also suggest that Christians should express the truth as they find it even when it conflicts with doctrines or interpretations of the Bible. If there is some compelling finding about, say, the Jesus of history as an endtime Jewish rabbi, then this should come first, or at least people should be honest about the layer-cake nature of doctrines or how people interpret the Bible.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Older faiths have developed more maturity with time. They can sit light and worry less about how their faiths are represented. Or at least this is what we thought, as the Christian world gave rise to a secular and plural world.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are pressures to go along a road of such as the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans. There is a narrowing of what is legitimate expression of a faith, and there are calls for excluding those who are not biblical enough. An Anglican Communion, properly understood, would become a World Wide Anglican Church with authoritative statements handed down, with again distant high-up forms of selection of those with centralised power.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Who knows how these developments will work out. The Baha'is could not predict their own future, despite the claimed infallibility of the words of both their Manifestation of God and Centre of the Covenant. So Anglicans cannot predict theirs! Nevertheless, if secularisation and plurality lead down the road to authoritarianism and centralisation, there are going to be quite a few Anglican Communion Covenant Breakers who will continue to define the faith in a broad way, however they organise, meet and link up together.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>Adrian Worsfold (Pluralist), has a doctorate in sociology and a masters degree in contemporary theology. He lives near Hull, in northeast England and keeps the blog <a href="http://pluralistspeaks.blogspot.com/">Pluralist Speaks</a>.</em></div>alex stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612241435015329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347553440078594270.post-78703432773708418722010-09-03T23:45:00.000-07:002010-09-03T23:45:27.153-07:00Battle of Covenants<div align="justify"><span class="nfont"><a class="clink" href="http://bahaifaction.sosblog.com/The-first-blog-b1/Wilmette-NSA-s-Haifian-Bahai-contempt-motion-FAILS-against-Different-Sects-of-Bahais-b1-p15.htm" target="new">Wilmette NSA's (Haifian Bahai) contempt motion FAILS against different sects of Bahá'ís</a> </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont"><a class="clink" href="http://trueseeker.typepad.com/true_seeker/court_case.html" target="new">JUDGE ISSUES DECISION IN FAVOR OF ORTHODOX BAHA'IS</a> </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont"><span class="nfont"><span class="hfont">1 - ORTHODOX BAHAIS (MARANGELLA GROUP) RESPONSE</span></span> </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont">The Court has issued its decision in the court action brought by the Wilmette NSA. The Court has ruled in favor of the Orthodox Baha'is. To read the Court's decision, follow this link: </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont"><a class="clink" href="http://trueseeker.typepad.com/true_seeker/court_case.html" target="new">http://trueseeker.typepad.com/true_seeker/court_case.html</a> </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont">Judgment in favor of the Orthodox Baha’i Faith In a decision handed down by the United States District Court, the Orthodox Baha’i Faith was found not guilty of contempt charges levied against it by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States (Wilmette NSA). The injunction that the Orthodox Baha’i Faith was accused of violating, would have prohibited it from using the name Baha’i, meaning a follower of Baha’u’llah (as the name Christian refers to one who follows Christ.) The NSA, a national branch of the world organization with over 6 million members, brought the legal action against the Orthodox Baha’i Faith, whose membership, in contrast, numbers less than 50 in the United States, many of whom are life-long believers. As a result of the judge's finding, the Orthodox Baha'i Faith may continue to use the name Baha'i in identifying itself and may continue to teach its belief in the continuing Guardianship of the Faith of Baha'u'llah, a teaching in direct opposition to that taught by the NSA group. The Orthodox Baha’i Faith recognizes Joel B. Marangella as the rightful Living Guardian of the Baha’i Faith. The original injunction was issued over forty years ago to a now extinct rival body to the NSA. In her judgment, the Honorable Amy J. St Eve wrote: “[T]he chain of successorship lacks a link” ruling on April 23, 2008 after holding an evidentiary hearing last January 7, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois on the contempt motion brought by the NSA. Also cited in the case was the Baha’i Publishers Under the Provision of the Covenant, a completely separate organization from either of the other parties. They too were found not guilty. The complete opinion of the Court can be found on the internet: </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont"><a class="clink" href="http://trueseeker.typepad.com/true_seeker/court_case.html" target="new">http://trueseeker.typepad.com/true_seeker/court_case.html</a> </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont">Contact: <br />
David Maxwell, PNBC Chairman <br />
8924 Crest Ridge Drive <br />
Fort Worth, TX 76179 <br />
<span class="skype_pnh_print_container">817-279-3700</span><span class="skype_pnh_container" dir="ltr"><span class="skype_pnh_mark"> begin_of_the_skype_highlighting</span> <span class="skype_pnh_highlighting_inactive_common" dir="ltr" title="Call this phone number in United States of America with Skype: +18172793700"><span class="skype_pnh_left_span" skypeaction="skype_dropdown"> </span><span class="skype_pnh_dropart_span" skypeaction="skype_dropdown" title="Skype actions"><span class="skype_pnh_dropart_flag_span" skypeaction="skype_dropdown" style="background-position: -4499px 1px ! important;"> </span> </span><span class="skype_pnh_textarea_span"><span class="skype_pnh_text_span"> 817-279-3700</span></span><span class="skype_pnh_right_span"> </span></span> <span class="skype_pnh_mark">end_of_the_skype_highlighting</span></span> </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont"><span class="hfont">2 - REFORM BAHAI RESPONSE</span> </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont"><b>US District Court rules against Haifan Baha'is</b> </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont">I've just read both the Opinion and Motion. Here are my highlights for anyone interested in avoiding a lot of the legalese, admittedly beyond my comprehesion: </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont"><b>Contempt Motion by Wilmette NSA & Response by Orthodox Bahá'í Faith</b> </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont"><a class="clink" href="http://trueseeker.typepad.com/true_seeker/court_case.html" target="new">http://trueseeker.typepad.com/true_seeker/court_case.html</a> <br />
<a class="clink" href="http://www.truebahai.com/court/139-opinion.pdf" target="new">http://www.truebahai.com/court/139-opinion.pdf</a> <br />
<a class="clink" href="http://www.truebahai.com/court/140-judgment.pdf" target="new">http://www.truebahai.com/court/140-judgment.pdf</a> </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont">"[T]he chain of successorship lacks a link," wrote the Honorable Amy J. St Eve, United States District Court Judge, in her Judgment in favor of theChicago_trial_january_7_2008_006Orthodox Bahai Faith and the Baha'i Publishers Under the Provisions of the Covenant. The Court ruled on April 23, 2008 after holding an evidentiary hearing last January 7, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois on the contempt motion brought by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States (Wilmette NSA). </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont">In her decision, the Court stated that: "the vast weight of the record (including credible testimony) reflects that there was a significant doctrinal rift on a critical tenet of each group's faith, and that the PNBC's membership varied materially from that of the NSA-UHG. The record further reflects a demonstrable lack of intent to violate the injunction, and that the PNBC was not created to avoid the effect of the injunction. Simply put, there is no substantial continuity between the NSA-UHG and the PNBC, and, as a result, Mr. Schlatter, Mr. Marangella, and the PNBC have not violated the injunction." </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont"><b>Excerpts:</b> </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont">p: 12 <br />
II. Application To The Court's Findings of Fact Applying the above-stated principles here, none of the Alleged Contemnors is in privity with the bound entity, and thus none has violated the injunction. In rendering this finding, the Court has carefully and deliberately weighed all of the evidence adduced at the hearing and otherwise submitted by the parties. The Court closely assessed the demeanor of each testifying witness, including his or her body language, tone of voice, facial expressions, mannerisms, and other factors indicative of credibility. </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont">p. 27 <br />
Rather, the vast weight of the record (including credible testimony) reflects that there was a significant doctrinal rift on a critical tenet of each group's faith, and that the PNBC's membership varied materially from that of the NSA-UHG. The record further reflects a demonstrable lack of intent to violate the injunction, and that the PNBC was not created to avoid the effect of the injunction. Simply put, there is no substantial continuity between the NSA-UHG and the PNBC, and, as a result, Mr. Schlatter, Mr. Marangella, and the PNBC have not violated the injunction. </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont">p. 31 <br />
After considering the full record in this case, the Court finds that SIBC and the BPUPC are not in privity with the NSA-UHG.... </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont">p. 32 <br />
CONCLUSION <br />
For the above reasons, the Court finds that the Alleged Contemnors are not in privity with the NSA-UHG and, in turn, that they are not in contempt of the injunction. </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont">Jugde Amy J. St. Eve <br />
April 23, 2008 </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont"><b>See also for further discussion:</b> <br />
<a class="clink" href="http://groups.google.com/group/talk.religion.bahai/topics?hl=en&gvc=2" target="new">http://groups.google.com/group/talk.religion.bahai/topics?hl=en&gvc=2</a> </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont">Frederick Glaysher <br />
The Reform Bahai Faith <br />
95 Theses - On Bahai Liberty - Articles - Abdu'l-Baha's Covenant <br />
www.ReformBahai.org -- </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont">The Baha'i Faith & Religious Freedom of Conscience <br />
<a class="clink" href="http://www.fglaysher.com/bahaicensorship/" target="new">http://www.fglaysher.com/bahaicensorship/</a> </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont"><span class="hfont">3 - BAHAI’S UNDER THE PROVISION OF COVENANT RESPONSE</span> <br />
Saturday, April 26th, 2008 </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont">Victory! Victory! Victory! Today, this Ridvan 2008, the Covenant-breakers have been defeated! These mainstream violators who are the willing and/or unwitting successors in interest to arch-Violator Ruhiyyih Khanum and the violating “Hands” of the Cause who usurped the Baha’i International shrines on Mt. Carmel (Israel) during their hostile takeover in 1960 have been trying unsuccessfully for 7 years in different venues such as the UN (WIPO) and the Federal Courts (7th Circuit) to shut down our websites and prevent us from publicly and openly teaching the Baha’i Covenant fulfilled: - that Baha’u’llah and His successors have come in fulfillment of prophecy seated upon the throne of King David; that this is the God Promised Kingdom of God on earth, that Jews, Christians and Muslims await according to the text of their scriptures; and His throne-line and genealogy of King David continues in the aghsan lineage of Baha’u’llah and ‘Abdu’l-Baha is the long awaited coming of the Kingship of the second coming of Christ – Baha’u’llah – in the potency of the everlasting Father (Is. 9:6-7; Jn 14:6) seated upon David’s throne that is to last forever. </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont"> Today, this Ridvan 2008, in the 7th circuit Federal Court of the United States of America they have sorely and uttered defeated, smashed, beaten, put down, trounced, thwarted, humiliated, their arguments “erased and effaced” according to the explicit prayer of none less than Baha’u’llah Himself!“Inasmuch as great differences and divergences of denominational belief had arisen throughout the past, every man with a new idea attributing it to God, Baha’u'llah desired that there should not be any ground or reason for disagreement among the Baha’is. Therefore, with His own pen He wrote the Book of His Covenant, addressing His relations and all people of the world, saying, ‘Verily, I have appointed One Who is the Center of My Covenant . All must obey Him; all must turn to Him; He is the Expounder of My Book, and He is informed of My purpose. All must turn to Him. Whatsoever He says is correct, for, verily, He knoweth the texts of My Book. Other than He, no one doth know My Book.’ The purpose of this statement is that there should never be discord and divergence among the Baha’is but that they should always be unified and agreed. In His prayers Baha’u'llah also said, ‘O God! Whosoever violates My Covenant, O God, humiliate him. Verily, whosoever violates My Covenant, O God, erase and efface him.’ (`Abdu’l-Baha: Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 322-323) </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont">We rejoice, therefore, not in the defeat of the avowed enemies of the Cause - but rather in the Victory of God that our teaching effort continues – ALL FLAGS FLYING – publically and openly, vital, strong and true – to both text and testament – the Power of the Covenant alone sustaining us.Many personal sacrifices have been made by many be all along the way. These violators of the Covenant – having no respect for the freedom of religion, first amendment of the United States – are infamous in their destruction of families, repressions and atrocities of their great oppression levied against the people forbidding them to even discus the fact that the true Universal House of Justice (according to the explicit text of the Covenant – W&T, p. 15) must have the living descendent of King David as its president to distinguish it from fakes, frauds and imitations. </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont">Haply in the shadow of our victory, this triumph of the Cause of God over its avowed and recalcitrant enemies, has overshadowed and sheltered all individuals and groups of people calling themselves “Baha’i” as well be set free from the spectre of the violation to continue to practice the faith and promote the Cause the way they understand it. This unique position of our Council (<a class="clink" href="http://uhj.net/" target="new">http://uhj.net</a> “seven rites of the Baha’i faith”) has both amazed, astounded and baffled both our enemies and well-wishers alike! Thus the watchword of “Unity in diversity” has been proclaimed and upheld, and the truth of the words: “Say: ALL ARE CREATED BY GOD!” has been manifested to all the people of the world. The Unity of the believers has been preserved by adherence and loyalty to every single provision of the Will and testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont">These days of immanent war against Iran, world wide poverty and starvation looming, political corruption and intrigue assailing the governments of the world from within and from without, economic crisis and ruin threatening on every turn, estrangement of the cultures of the East and the West due to international “terror”; from out his gloom, only this Great Light of Hope – the Baha’i Peace Program – shines luminous above the horizon of the hearts of all humankind. Blessed and hopeful and happy are those that have seen this great light, and upon them in whom this light has shined!Simultaneous with the Chicago Earthquake epicentered at Mt. Carmel (Illinois) that shook the very foundations of the city of the midmost heart of the US, the ground-breaking Writ of Judge Amy St. Eve of the Federal Court sends forth the Judgment and ruling that the Baha’i’s Under the provisions of the Covenant, and the person of the current living Guardian, the great grandson of ‘Abdu’l-Baha are free to teach and proclaim the truth of the Baha’i Faith and truth of the Baha’i Covenant fulfilled: that ‘Abdu’l-Baha passed the throne of David to his aghsan-son Charles Mason Remey Aghsan, who passed this to his only son, Pepe, also an aghsan, and that Pepe then passed this on to his only aghsan-son, Neal Chase ben Jospeh Aghsan, the current living hereditary Guardian of the Baha’i Faith and President of the true Universal House of Justice of Baha’u’llah, established in the Rocky Mountains in America, that shall bring peace through justice to all the world. </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont">Through the artifice and stratagem, these violators sought to hold the people to a 40 years old injunction placed in 1966 against the first American NSA that had originally accepted Mason Remey as ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s aghsan-son, before they turned against him. Through machinations from with and without, that first NSA was dissolved by ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s son himself, and several breakaway groups formed in its wake outside the provisions of the Covenant as the times of great confusion and testing continued to ravage the people enmeshed in the Baha’i world in the wake of the negative spiritual vortex set froth by Ruhiyyih Khanum and the Hands. In the midst of this maelstrom of violation, Knight of Baha’u’llah, Dr, Leland Jensen, separated himself and emerged as the great Baha’i teacher of the 20th century firm in the Covenant, ardent and resolute, and with the confirming support from on High, was able to point out that the aghsan lineage (the throne-line of King David from Baha’u’llah and ‘Abdu’l-Baha known as “the BRANCH” – Zech. 3:8 KJV) was in fact continued unbroken in Mason and Pepe, the legal son and grandson of ‘Abdu’l-Baha respectively – “an adopted son has all the rights prerogatives of a natural son including the kingship” - and that the people were then free to form the true UHJ as set forth in the explicit text of the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha and the instructions and Jan. 9th, constitution of the IBC/UHJ set forth by Shoghi Effendi Rabanni. Thus has this Truth come as a great shaking issuing forth from Mt. Carmel in America and shaking the very foundations of the heartland of Chicago, Evanston and Wilmette which at this time is the mainstay seat of violation in the US – though many of the faithful reside their and promulgate the divine standard of the genealogy of Baha’u’llah (<a class="clink" href="http://uhj.net/" target="new">http://uhj.net</a>) which we have made public for all freely since September, 2001, the year “Mustaghath” – He Who Is Invoked for Help – as prophesied in the Baha’i scared writ. </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont">Now these signs and portents and things are not to condemnation but to save! Now is the sounding bell and time for all the people to investigate the truth of the claims of the Baha’i Faith, the foundation of its covenant in the sacred Will and Testament of ‘Abdul-Baha, and make their choice. They can come under the provisions of the covenant (<a class="clink" href="http://uhj.net/" target="new">http://uhj.net</a>), jopin God’s heavely army – the 144,000 - or remain obstinate – and be replaced by others - as the catastrophe which is upon us now continues to escalate in both its timing and intensity. Thus with 1966 Injunction non-applicable to Our Cause and International Teaching Effort (“pro tantum brutum fulmen”) we now have a reprieve to continue teaching and growing and promulgating the Law of Universal Love, the Oneness of Humanity and Justice for All, that is at the very core and foundation of the teachings and Revelation of Baha’u’llah and is the animis and real spit incarnated in this now public and visible Order: the Kingdom of God (Davidic). Only the UHJ with the living Davidic King as it present is so fully contacted. Only this incarnation of the Cause of God – identified through its hereditary member – the “sign of God” (W&T, p. 11) is vouchsafed by the power of the Covenant to make a lasting and impressionable effect upon the world at large. For guidance, for truth, for unorganized religion: this organization alone – which is not a substitute for the faith – is so dedicated. God has today revealed His government for all the people of the world; it can only work established upon the foundation of true religion and true spirituality unorganized and unalloyed. The current living Guardian thus Guards it from becoming organized and prevents any clergy from forming. Take heed and warning! For those who have insight into these things -For the shadow of totalitarianism spiritual, material and otherwise, in this Day, still threatens the livelihood of all of humankind.May God’s Blessing and favors be showered amongst All on these Twelve days of Holy Ridvan, 2008. </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont">On behalf of the Council and all the faithful and loyal workers at the World Center , </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont">Your servant, </span></div>alex stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612241435015329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347553440078594270.post-46983760127530629292010-09-03T23:43:00.000-07:002010-09-03T23:43:32.402-07:00Cracks in The Covenant<div align="justify"><span class="nfont">Bahá'ís present their "Covenant" as something unique to their religion. They present it as an undisputable documented contract of inheritance, a will and testament, that is protected by God so that any violaters against it will be rendered impotent by it. The Bahá'í Faith's history is full of fragmentation, and the course the Bahá'í Faith has taken quick surprise turns on a number of occasions. </span></div><div align="center"><span class="nfont"><span class="titleFont">Bahá'í Faith is itself a<br />
product of Covenant Breaking</span> </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont"><span class="hfont">First Covenant Breaking</span> </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont">The act that brought the Bahá'í Faith itself into existence was in defiance of such a covenant. The Báb's successor, was actually Mirza Yahya and Not Bahá'u'lláh. Bahá'ís produced evidence that Bahá'u'lláh was the Báb's intended successor, but did not deny that the Báb appointed Mirza Yahya. </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont"><span class="hfont">Second Covenant Breaking</span> </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont">Bahá'u'lláh appointed his eldest son Abdu'l-Bahá as his successor and after him his younger son Mohammed Ali. After the death of Abdu'l-Bahá although Mohammed Ali was alive still many followed , Shoghi effendi the grandson of Abdu'l-Bahá. Not following Mohammed Ali was Covenant Breaking of Bahá'u'lláh's writing. </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont"><span class="hfont">Third Covenant Breaking</span> </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont">Later, the third Bahá'í leader, Shoghi Effendi, died childless. Having failed to produce a will, and having failed to leave any clear indication of a successor, Shoghi left the Bahá'í world in a precarious situation. What he did was in apparent violation of the Bahá'í Covenant. The Bahá'ís whose allegiance lies with the heterodox organisation, those loyal to the Universal House of Justice currently seated in Haifa, Israel, maintain that those who are true to the Covenant will be empowered by the Covenant. </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont">Bahá'í history shows us a different picture. At many times, the Bahá'ís who eventually prevailed were nearly vanquished. The Bahá'ís loyal to Universal House of Justice claims that they are are dominant group, but even that domination seems impotent and obscure, lacking the influence to even familiarize the world with the word Bahá'í in this information age. </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont">Bahá'í history is mottled with inheritance disputes. In defense of their Covenant, Bahá'ís regard the darker periods as divine tests, arguing that egos are often tested by opportunities for power. </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="nfont">What Bahá'ís do not acknowledge is the fact that their history is just as fragmented as other religions, with breaks occurring from its first years to the years following the death of Shoghi Effendi. </span></div><span class="nfont">At present The Bahá'ís are fragmented in following sects. <br />
1. <a class="clink" href="http://www.sectsofbahais.com/bayanis.html">People of Bayan or Bayanis</a> <br />
2. <a class="clink" href="http://www.sectsofbahais.com/thirdm.html">Essence Of the Baha'i Faith</a> <br />
3. <a class="clink" href="http://www.sectsofbahais.com/unitarian.html">Unitarian Baha'is</a> <br />
4. <a class="clink" href="http://www.sectsofbahais.com/freebahais.html">Free Baha'is</a> <br />
5. <a class="clink" href="http://www.sectsofbahais.com/reform.html">Reform Baha'is</a> <br />
6. <a class="clink" href="http://www.sectsofbahais.com/nhs.html">New History Society</a> <br />
7. <a class="clink" href="http://www.sectsofbahais.com/guardian.html">Those who Believe In Continuation Of Guardianship</a> <br />
8. <a class="clink" href="http://www.sectsofbahais.com/orthodox.html">Orthodox Baha'is</a> (followers of Joel B. Marangella) <br />
9. <a class="clink" href="http://www.sectsofbahais.com/pcovenant.html">Bahá'ís Under the Provisions of the Covenant</a> (Jensen group, Missoula, MT) <br />
10.<a class="clink" href="http://www.sectsofbahais.com/lguardian.html">Baha'is Loyal to the Guardian</a> (followers of Jacques Soghomonian) <br />
11.<a class="clink" href="http://www.sectsofbahais.com/tarbiyat.html">Tarbiyat Baha'is</a> (followers of Rex King et al) <br />
12.<a class="clink" href="http://www.sectsofbahais.com/hetex.html">Heterodox Bahá'ís</a></span>alex stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612241435015329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347553440078594270.post-67816497466479807892010-09-03T23:35:00.000-07:002010-09-03T23:35:28.111-07:00BANK FRAUD - Re: Baha'i technique of loan application (using false, inflated statistics to qualify for loans)Here is how the loan is applied for:<br />
><br />
> 1) NSA applies for a loan<br />
><br />
> 2) NSA Provides the number of contributers- now, recall how Baha'i UHJ<br />
> claims that universal participation is important- even if one gives<br />
> $1.00?<br />
><br />
> 3) Thus everyone is counted, even if they hardly contributed.<br />
><br />
> 4) The total amount of contribution: here, the balance is padded by<br />
> contributions (actually false loans) from Habib Sabet- Khojasteh-<br />
> Amanat- Banani- and many other wealthy Baha'is.<br />
><br />
> 5) Once the loan is obtained from the US Bank, then the " paddedd<br />
> loans" from the wealthy Baha'is are quietly returned .<br />
><br />
> 6) It is no surprise then to see a deficits of 2-3 millions dollars by<br />
> April of each year- disappear due to "sacrificial givings".<br />
><br />
> 7) The giving is really a padded loan from those rich Iranian Baha'i<br />
> Refugees in US-Canada-Australia-Brazil-United Arab Emirates- and even<br />
> Iran.<br />
><br />
> This is in summary the Baha'i technique of "padding" the number of<br />
> contributers and "padding" the amount of contributions.<br />
><br />
> This technique is used very frequently by the NSA- UHJ. It is very<br />
> difficult to pierce as the number of contributers plus contributions<br />
> can not be entirely audited.<br />
><br />
> Recall how the Canada NSA has a huge deficit but in their Tax filing,<br />
> the Canada NSA has a surplus of several million dollars.<br />
><br />
> Link: <a href="http://www.geocities.com/molonelaveh/faq.html"> http://www.geocities.com/molonelaveh/faq.html</a> <br />
> ---------------------------------------------------<br />
><br />
> There you have it- dear TRB readers.<br />
><br />
> I agree with Dr. Maneck in the first part of her response. In the<br />
> second part, you can see how the "padding" is done in order to extract<br />
> the maximum loan amount from the US Bank.<br />
><br />
> Henry<br />
><br />
><br />
><br />
><br />
><br />
> avicenna9012000@[EMAIL PROTECTED]<br />
wrote:<br />
>> > That is an excellent point.<br />
>> > When the US NSA must obtain loans- then the number of followers<br />
> would be great to inflate.<br />
>> > Non-profit organizations have ways to get their loans approved.<br />
><br />
> smaneck@[EMAIL PROTECTED]<br />
wrote:<br />
>> Banks look at numbers of contributers and amounts of contributions.<br />
>> They couldn't care less what the membership is if they don't<br />
> contribute.<br />
><br />
<br />
---<br />
<a href="http://groups.google.com.au/group/alt.religion.bahai/msg/4a1504bba3950856?dmode=source&hl=en"> http://groups.google.com.au/group/alt.religion.bahai/msg/4a1504bba3950856?dmode=source&hl=en</a> <br />
Message from discussion <a href="http://groups.google.com.au/group/alt.religion.bahai/browse_thread/thread/e3b411d3d97a014e/4a1504bba3950856?&hl=en#4a1504bba3950856"> BANK FRAUD - Re: Baha'i technique of loan application</a><br />
alex stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612241435015329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347553440078594270.post-23041130344385801692010-09-03T23:33:00.000-07:002010-09-03T23:33:22.927-07:00Ex-Baha'i Christian Testimony Baha'i Faith "left me spiritually cold and hungry"<i>Here is the story of <b>Brigid</b>, a former Baha'i who has become a Christian. This was originally posted by the author to the <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ex-bahai/" target="ex-bahai group">ex-bahai</a> Yahoo group, and has been reproduced here with one minor addition and the author's last name deleted by request.</i><br />
<h3 align="center">Reflections on Leaving the Baha'i Faith</h3>In September 1999 I discovered the Baha'i Faith via the Internet, declared in September 2000 and resigned in September 2001. I have continued to reflect on my experiences with the BF in the intervening year and offer the following as a reflection on why I initially joined the Faith and, more importantly, why I was unable to remain within it.<br />
<b>Background</b><br />
My own religious roots lie in Catholicism, whose traditional liturgy and ritual I loved for giving me a sense of the majesty and transcendence of God. It did, however, also foster a false image of God as a stern judge, always waiting for me to make a mistake and who did not hesitate to let me know that my best was never good enough. I rebelled against this in my teens and starting seeking alternative paths including humanism and Quakerism. I found both of these ultimately disappointing, being comprised largely of nice, comfortable, middle-class people who were very well meaning but ultimately ineffectual in addressing the not so nice and not so comfortable world around me.<br />
In the early 1990s I attempted to return to my roots by attending the Tridentine (Latin) Mass but found that while the liturgy was a balm to my spirit I simply could not share the deeply conservative, even paranoid, worldview of the rest of the congregation. I left feeling that I was never fated to find a faith community where I could pursue both spiritual practice and social justice.<br />
<b>Discovering the Baha'i Faith</b><br />
Finding the Baha'i faith, therefore, seemed initially to be the answer to all that I had been seeking for. I had typed in a request to an Internet search engine for prayers for healing, and one of the pages referred me to something called "The Long Healing Prayer".<br />
Reading the prayer sparked my curiosity about its author with the unpronounceable name and I followed one link after another. I had discovered the Baha'i faith.<br />
The following weeks were filled with a sense of excitement as a thrilling vision of a new society based on the principles of justice, equality and peace emerged from the Baha'i Writings. I simply devoured one text after another and finally plucked up the courage to contact the local Baha'i community. I found that I had already met the local secretary in another capacity some years previously and we became firm friends. She invited me to attend the regular devotional meeting at her home where I was warmly welcomed. Here I could say and hear the wonderful prayers that had first attracted me to the Faith.<br />
Soon I began attending firesides, devotionals and talks and felt that I had indeed discovered a pearl of great price.<br />
<b>Declaration</b><br />
After a year of intensive study I began to feel that it was decision time. I was also aware that following my attendance at a Baha'i summer school, there was a tangible expectation that I would declare soon. My sponsor told me that although she had taken a number of years to take the final step I could only truly experience the faith from the inside and could always walk away if I found I had made the wrong decision.<br />
Yet, now that it was crunch time I had a sense of doubt that simply would not go away. I think it was a sense that, as the old adage has it, "if something sounds too good to be true then it probably is".<br />
Wouldn't it be better to try and answer all my niggling questions and doubts before taking the plunge? I told myself that perhaps these difficulties would disappear as I grew in the faith, and I was very aware that if I failed to declare soon, I would disappoint the Baha'is who had taken an interest in me.<br />
Thus I persuaded myself to go ahead despite my misgivings. I had no sense of peace or elation. Indeed, I felt miserable on the evening of my declaration, but put it down to residual guilt for having "betrayed" Christianity. I tried to comfort myself with the assurances that I was now a "completed" Christian and had not turned my back on Jesus Christ, instead I had recognized His return.<br />
Immediately after my declaration people congratulated me, but then I had a sense of being yesterday's news and it was on to finding the next convert. The three months after I declared were a lonely time for me and I felt I was in some sort of limbo, not knowing what my role was, what was expected of me, or simply of what I was supposed to do next. I had no sense of being a cherished new member of a living, loving community or of being taken by the hand and gently guided along. I received no practical guidance or emotional support at all, just a standard letter from the NSA telling me I had done a great thing and encouraging me to look to the LSA for spiritual support and guidance.<br />
<b>Disillusionment</b><br />
In hindsight, it was perhaps inevitable that my initial sense of excitement and discovery could not last. Yet, I did not expect to be so thoroughly disillusioned quite so quickly. The first real jolt came when I attended the weekly Baha'i school a week after I declared and found that the emphasis appeared to be not on the independent investigation of truth but rather on sitting passively in rows being lectured to. It brought back unpleasant memories of religious education classes at school where to question things equated to being labelled a potential troublemaker or heretic. I worked as an adult education teacher and felt that how the school operated broke every rule in the book. Frankly, I expected better from Baha'is; the faith for the modern age ran a disturbingly old-fashioned Sunday school. I was desperately keen to study the Writings in depth but there was no outlet to do this. The school seemed to be keener on indoctrination than on the search for truth.<br />
The second factor in my disillusionment was a growing dissatisfaction with the quality of community life. The community seemed to lack a sense of vitality or enthusiasm, and, for that matter, any meaningful sense of community at all. It was a curious paradox that the community appeared to be characterized by inertia despite the fact that the active members were impossibly busy! I often wondered why people did not draw back from the round of meetings and activities to ask themselves exactly what all this "busyness" actually achieved. I also noticed that many Baha'is lived their whole lives within the context of these activities and did not seem to engage with the wider world, unless it was to prosleytize them for the faith. For a religion with an international focus the Baha'i world often seemed extremely narrow and inward looking.<br />
The third, and most important, aspect of my disillusionment lay in the disappointing quality of Baha'i spiritual life. The lack of ritual was obviously a challenge for someone with my background and I felt its absence keenly. I had heard Baha'is speak disparagingly about "empty ritual" without ever seeking to explore the meaning and function of ritual in the religious experience of human beings.<br />
As an enquirer I had often wondered what it would be like to attend a Baha'i Feast and imagined that it would be a special, spiritually nourishing experience. I could not have been more wrong. So far from being spiritual dynamite a feast was a damp squib. There was nothing special at all about it, people stumbled their way through hastily arranged devotionals, and then it was time for business and a quick snack. My first feast was a letdown from which I never really recovered and I attended only a few more before giving up completely.<br />
I found that there was very little spiritual encouragement in general within the local community. I attended talks about the gardens at Haifa, the covenant and the importance of giving to the funds, but nothing about the spiritual life. Materialism seemed to be at the centre of my new religion and it left me spiritually cold and hungry.<br />
<b>Leaving the Faith -- Stage One</b><br />
Six months after I joined I told my sponsor that I wished to leave. She was upset but accepted a lot of my criticisms. Word reached the LSA and the Chairman rang up and lectured me about backbiting instead of approaching the Assembly. I was taken aback as it had honestly never occurred to me to bare my soul before 9 people, some of whom I did not even know. I informed him that I had simply discussed my difficulties with my sponsor and another friend, both of whom had encouraged me to remain. How was this backbiting?<br />
A Persian Baha'i then invited me to his home and he and his wife also listened to my views. They had recently moved into my community and were aware of some of the difficulties with the quality of feasts and other issues that I raised. After further discussion with my sponsor I said that I would give myself another six months before finally making a decision.<br />
Perhaps it was not a coincidence but things started to happen after that. I was appointed to a committee, invited to talk at the next summer school and generally encouraged to get more involved. Yet, it was already too late.<br />
<b>Leaving the Faith -- The Turning Point</b><br />
During this six-month period I did a lot of prayer and meditation and really searched myself. It was during meditation that a question arose which proved the key to it all. I had an icon of Christ in my room which I'd brought back from a vacation in Greece many years ago. During my meditation I heard a voice within me asking, "Who do men say that I am?" I dismissed this as a passing distraction and centred myself again, but my gaze was drawn to the icon. As I grew quiet again the voice, this time louder and more insistent, addressed me by my first name and said, "Who do YOU say that I am?" Immediately I answered aloud "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God". Then I just sank to my knees and said "We praise you O Christ, and we adore you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world". This is a prayer that Catholic people traditionally say when performing the stations of the cross; I hadn't said it for years and yet it just burst forth from me.<br />
I have never been a "signs and wonders" person, but I feel this was a direct intervention from God and it was the catalyst for my deliverance from the Baha'i faith and my return to Christianity. My commitment to the Baha'i faith ended at that very moment and I set myself to working out how I was going to tell the Baha'is that I would be going through with my resignation after all.<br />
<b>Leaving the Faith -- Stage Two</b><br />
In some ways stage two was easier than what went before in the sense that I had regained the inner peace that had eluded me since joining the faith, but harder in that I was now officially involved and had commitments which I felt bound to honour. The real struggle was carrying on with the knowledge that I no longer believed in the faith and yet knowing that my resignation would disappoint and hurt people that I cared about.<br />
In the end, however, it was made easier for me by the community's decision to hold a series of deepenings for new believers. I dutifully attended session one but it was clear to me that I could not delay my resignation any longer. The deepening consisted of a long list of rules and regulations, of laws and of do's and don'ts that must be obeyed by the new Baha'i. I realized that I had come full circle and was back to the impossible task of trying to please a legalistic, judgmental God. Wasn't this what I was trying to get away from?<br />
During the coffee break I went to the kitchen to help the host and told her that I was unhappy in the faith and wanted to return to Christianity. She told me that it was difficult for some people to stop hankering after empty ritual and not having priests telling them what to do. She regretted that her husband was not there as he could have convinced me from the Bible that the Baha'i faith was true.<br />
I left knowing that I would not be back for session two and the next day began writing a letter to the assembly. In it I told them that a year previously I had signed a declaration card which I could not in conscience sign today as I did not believe Baha'u'llah was the return of Christ or His equal. They accepted my resignation with regret but assured me that all the friendships I had made in the community would remain. It was over.<br />
<b>Life After the Faith</b><br />
After my resignation I was overwhelmed by a sense of relief and freedom. Yet, there were other, more negative, emotions present too. I felt a good deal of anger, both at the faith which had been such a fraud and disappointment, and at myself for being taken in by it. I have spent the year since my resignation trying to deal with the issues that my involvement with the Baha'i Faith raised for me.<br />
Writing about my experience has proved therapeutic and I am glad I have been able to put the whole thing behind me. I still remain in contact with my former sponsor and with another friend who has recently left the faith himself. I have met some other Baha'is since and found that some have remained friendly towards me whereas others give me a cooler reception. I rejoice, however, that I have been able to move on.<br />
<b>Postscript</b><br />
In September 2001 I resigned from the Baha'i Faith. In September 2002 I was received as a catechumen (someone taking instruction) in the Orthodox Church and at Pascha (Easter) 2003, was received into the full membership of the Church.<br />
_____<br />
<i>Here is an email from Brigid in which she explains her decision to convert to the Eastern Orthodox form of Christianity:</i><br />
Subject: On choosing Orthodoxy when I left the Baha'i faith<br />
Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2003 23:58:12 +0100 (BST)<br />
From: Brigid [Last Name Deleted]<br />
To: Eric Stetson, webmaster, <a href="http://www.bahai-faith.com/">Bahai-Faith.com</a><br />
Glory be to Jesus Christ our true saviour!<br />
Hello Eric,<br />
God bless you for all you are doing with the new yahoo group and your own wonderful web site....<br />
You asked me why I chose Orthodoxy when I left the Baha'i faith, and the answer is in one way very simple -- I think it is the only church which has preserved the faith once handed down to the apostles, unchanged and unchanging. I also found that it offered me richness and beauty in sacramental worship, and if you read my ex-Baha'i story you will see why that is important to me. The mystical strain in eastern Christianity is very attractive as well to me as is the chance to escape the judgmental legalism of my Roman Catholic background. Orthodoxy does not accept the RC doctrines of purgatory, for example, and I find the veneration of the saints and the Theotokos (The Blessed Virgin Mary) somewhat healthier in Orthodoxy. I found when I started to study Orthodoxy I was being confronted with a wholly different understanding of who exactly Jesus Christ is and why He came into the world. I rediscovered the importance and centrality of the Trinity, of prayer, fasting and repentance. Orthodox thinking about salvation is different from the emphases in western thinking too....<br />
Eric, I rejoice every day that I got out of the Baha'i faith and it is my prayer that others will too. To see Our Lord's uniqueness reduced to playing a subordinate role as a forerunner to Muhammed and Baha'u'llah is intolerable to me. <a href="http://www.bahai-faith.com/Jesus-Bahaullah.html">Christianity and the Baha'i faith are irreconcilable theologically</a>, yet articulating this truth boldly but with compassion is the difficult bit for me!<br />
God bless you<br />
In Christ<br />
Brigidalex stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612241435015329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347553440078594270.post-52608493510611889812010-09-03T23:16:00.000-07:002010-09-03T23:16:16.674-07:00The entrenchment of homophobia in the Baha'i Faith: Pray the gay away<div style="text-align: justify;">At a recent Association for Baha'i Studies conference in Vancouver an <br />
anti-gay presenter was invited to give her pray the gay away spiel. <br />
God these folks are still in the stone age, lol!!! <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here's part of the hand out about her presentation: <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">By Lynne Schreiber <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lynne Schreiber • Rethinking Same‐Sex Attraction and General <br />
Principles of How to Overcome It <br />
The fact that some people experience same‐sex attraction as unwanted <br />
and take measures to overcome it <br />
remains somewhat hidden from society, including much of the mental <br />
health profession. Shedding light <br />
on this process may be encouraging news to those who struggle with <br />
such attraction. Understanding the <br />
complex factors that commonly shape same‐sex attraction unlocks the <br />
possibility to conceptualize a new <br />
framework for growth. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">LYNNE SCHREIBER’s expertise comes not through academic study or <br />
professional years of service, but <br />
through 20 years of struggle and spiritual transformation. The <br />
presenter has also gained much learning <br />
through extensive study of the Bahá’í guidance, Christian materials <br />
and cutting edge research on <br />
overcoming same sex attractions. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">General Principles of How to Overcome Same-Sex Attraction <br />
1.Education & Independent Investigation of Truth <br />
2.Support <br />
3.Healing & Growth through Relationships <br />
4.Personal & Spiritual Development <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">---- <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you can stomach it the rest of her handout can be found here: <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=D&q=http://revolked2.blogspot.com/2010/08/bahai-faith-is-homophobic-following-was.html&usg=AFQjCNF8izQ7PzPTtZ4jgESYhhDKUfdWsg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://revolked2.blogspot.com/2010/08/bahai-faith-is-homophobic-follo...</a> <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">----- <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Looks as though the Baha'i Faith is officially taking on the same anti- <br />
gay stance that is being preached by some far right Christians. Sad. <br />
</div>Cheersalex stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612241435015329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347553440078594270.post-1943971376953217482010-09-03T23:08:00.001-07:002010-09-03T23:08:32.817-07:00The Orchestra at the recent National Convention of Bahai’s of India (2010)<div style="text-align: justify;">More often than not, we see that the National Convention of every <br />
country is an orchestra in which the members to be elected are <br />
predecided. The recently concluded elections to the NSA of India are a <br />
further proof to this principle. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So what exactly happened in this election? Eight members of the <br />
previous assembly were reelected. For the ninth member, it was <br />
declared a tie amongst Mr. Sohail Mohajir, Mr. Sunil Oliyai and Mrs. <br />
Shireen Malahati. It is no coincidence, but selectively all are of <br />
Persian background. The delegates were then asked to break the tie and <br />
elect the ninth member from these three members only. Finally, as <br />
reported, Mrs. Shireen Malahati was elected. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The process by itself was not conducted in a transparent manner and in <br />
a fashion befitting a democratic process of election. There was no <br />
disclosure of how many votes each members received. How many votes did <br />
the 9th member receive? And by how many votes was the tie was broken? <br />
This is a complete violation of a democratic election, in which as <br />
claimed by the Baha’is, the number of votes polled by each member <br />
should be declared too. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">By conducting this orchestra the Universal House of Justice has <br />
clearly tried to convey to the Baha’is that “The elections are true <br />
elections because a member like Mr. Sohail Mohajir who is related to <br />
UHJ member, Mr. Payman Mohajir can not be re- elected”. Interestingly <br />
last year too, Mr. Sohail Mohajir was not elected and Mr. Ahmed Ansari <br />
was made the sacrificial lamb and asked to resign to make a way for <br />
Mr. Sohail. Let us see what is the policy of UHJ this year. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The process seems to be one of selection and not election because for <br />
the ninth member all the three members were Persians. The two were <br />
first timers. In this way, the UHJ has given the indication that who <br />
are the tenth and the eleventh member in the waiting list. An <br />
indication to the delegates that if any of these nine members fall <br />
away from the grace of UHJ then whom they should vote for. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A new policy of UHJ, “preparation of pool of names” a hidden way of <br />
nomination of candidates. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The UHJ, through the counselor present in the national convention, has <br />
instructed delegates to prepare a pool of names to whom they can vote. <br />
These pure souls are then asked to write the names of about 20 to 25 <br />
members for whom they have to vote. During this so called spiritual <br />
atmosphere the incumbent members keep on moving in front of the <br />
delegates to remind them lest they forget. So it does not take much <br />
effort to understand the preparation of pool of names is nomination of <br />
candidates. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">All the NSA members were present during the preparation of pool of <br />
names and during the deepening sessions, the delegates commented upon <br />
the behavior of the outgoing members but with no result. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is very true that there are some Baha’is who never worked and will <br />
never work for the Faith. What they want is let others work. They can <br />
only order for work and be in the position of authority. One cannot go <br />
against the prescribe norms because this is what the UHJ wants. <br />
</div>A delegate at the National Convention India (2010)alex stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612241435015329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347553440078594270.post-74119213593024430342010-09-03T23:06:00.001-07:002010-09-03T23:06:28.213-07:00Government of Iran spoilt the Grand Party of UHJ.<div style="text-align: justify;">The Supreme body of Haifan Baha’is (UHJ) expected death sentence for <br />
Yaran. The judgment of government of Iran spoilt the Grand Party for <br />
the UHJ. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A Report <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Supreme Authority of the Haifan Baha’is, ‘Universal House of <br />
Justice’ (UHJ) has been identified with trying to derive mileage out <br />
of sufferings of followers. Unbelievable but true, this news has been <br />
leaked out from internal sources! The recent sentence of 20 years <br />
imprisonment to the 7 Baha’is, accused of spying in Iran, came as an <br />
unpleasant surprise to the UHJ! While the UHJ was preparing to derive <br />
global mileage, as there were all indications that the government of <br />
Iran would deliver a death sentence, the verdict has spoilt the party <br />
for the UHJ. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Inside sources say that the UHJ cannot digest this reality still. With <br />
planned publicity success on previous occasion, where a young Baha’i <br />
girl (Mona) was sentenced to death in Iran, the UHJ did not expect the <br />
events to turn so distasteful. In the death of Mona, the UHJ spotted a <br />
unique propagation opportunity. Mona Schools, Mona Teaching Projects, <br />
Mona Classes, Mona Funds etc spread in her memory all over the world! <br />
It was like celebrations at the death of a small kid. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Such spirit is unique to the teachings of the Baha’i Faith, strictly <br />
governed by the UHJ. While other religions and societies would prefer <br />
to observe mourning and try to overcome unpleasant memories, the UHJ <br />
prefers to campaign for Baha’i beliefs on such occasions. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are reports that UHJ even steps out and maneuvers situations to <br />
worsen the crises. Directions are forwarded to believers under <br />
investigation, to challenge authorities, admit and support violations <br />
of law of land. The innocent followers, enthused by such messages, <br />
continue the course of conflict with the authorities. Little do they <br />
realize the repercussions and the fact that they are being used as <br />
pawns. Pity the innocent followers! <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The UHJ has also been accused on other occasions of dumping-off <br />
follower, when it does not see a potential. The UHJ follows the policy <br />
of “USE AND THROW”. Take the example of Mr. Timur who is a respectable <br />
Baha’i who when deported from Uzbekistan for Proselytizing, was <br />
declared an Iranian Agent by the mouth pieces of Universal House of <br />
Justice, ‘Muslim Network for Baha’i Rights’. <br />
</div>Insiders say that the entire UHJ is run with secrecy and shrewdness <br />
that would put to shame the intelligence of the best of countries! It <br />
is not a surprise that insiders fear to speak out against the UHJ or <br />
the Faith due to fear of reprisals.alex stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612241435015329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347553440078594270.post-62361943941853769482010-09-03T22:59:00.000-07:002010-09-03T22:59:49.788-07:00Shocking disclosure by “BAHA’I NEWS INDIA”<div style="text-align: justify;">The recent monthly circulation of Indian Baha'is, The BAHA’I NEWS <br />
INDIA, ISSUE VII JULY 2010 has revealed shocking facts, through an <br />
article titled “Preparations of Government of India Census 2011”, <br />
These are summmarised as under : <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. There have been rigorous conversion activities over the past fifty <br />
years by the Baha’i Faith. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. These conversions was accelerated with the construction of the <br />
Lotus Temple at Delhi and with the visits of Hands of the Cause Dr. <br />
Rahmatulláh Muhájir, and Amatu'l- Bahá Ruhiyyih Khánum. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3. Though the Baha’i records of the data on Baha’i population shows <br />
that one time it had crossed two millions yet the Census of India <br />
reports of 1971, 1981, 1991 and 2001 show only a fraction of the total <br />
number Baha'is throughout the country. This means that the census <br />
department of India fumbled four times to give accurate number of <br />
Baha'is. Just to cite an example, Baha’i census figures in 1991 was <br />
5575 and in 2001 it was 11,324 against 2.2 millions claimed by the <br />
Baha’i administration. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">4. Through the article we understand this is largely due to illiteracy <br />
and lack of distinct identifying characteristics of rural Indians. <br />
Does it not mean that conversions were done deceptively without an <br />
individual ever knowing that he has accepted the Baha’i Faith? Does it <br />
also not indicate that the Baha'is have been targeting rural Indians <br />
(mostly in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh) for the past so many <br />
years? <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">5. The article suggests that Baha’i Faith members display Baha’i Faith <br />
identification stickers in their houses so that the official GOI <br />
census official can enter the religious identity accurately. This is a <br />
very big accusation against both the individual being interviewed and <br />
the GOI census official! Are both these so gullible that one will <br />
forget to declare his allegiance to the Baha’i Faith and the other <br />
will record it based on stickers/posters on the wall! Is it not some <br />
sort of racist discrimination practiced by the Baha’i Faith governing <br />
body, many of them being of Iranian origin. Should we tolerate such an <br />
assessment of our fellow countrymen! <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">6. The article suggests that the Baha’i Faith machinery will attempt <br />
to contact government officials from highest level down to Panchayat <br />
level. Is this not some sort of influencing the government officials <br />
in performance of their duty? Should not serious action be taken <br />
against the Baha’i Faith for this? <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">7. Lastly, the article silently threatens the readers that giving <br />
wrong information to the census department is punishable!. Do we need <br />
to learn this from scoundrels who have always used deception to <br />
inflate numbers, perform conversion activities and get government <br />
concessions? In fact the action should be taken against the Baha’i <br />
administration for misguiding the world since last so many years. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">AT THE END, CAN BAHA’I ADMINISTRATION EXPLAIN WHY THE NUMBER OF LOCAL <br />
SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES MENTIONED IN BAHA’I WORLD [VOLUME XVIII <br />
(1979-1983)] IN INDIA WERE MORE THAN 10,000 WHILE THE PRESENT NUMBER <br />
OF ASSEMBELIES IS ONLY 600 - WHICH IS JUST 6%. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR <br />
THIS GROSS EXAGGERATION - THE CENSUS DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT OF INDIA <br />
OR THE BAHA’I ADMINISTRATION THEMSELVES ? <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Dear readers, I have worked for Baha'is for many years. Never even in <br />
their exaggerated record the Baha’i population reached even the figure <br />
of 20,000. Everybody at the top is absolutely convinced that there is <br />
gross exaggeration in the Baha’i population in India and elsewhere in <br />
the world, but nobody wants to accept publicly because of fear of <br />
sanctions from the Universal House of Justice. Moreover the Baha'is <br />
claim that 40% of world Baha’is resides in India, which is just 11324. <br />
Is it not easy now to assess World Baha’i Population? Let someone also <br />
open the can of worms on authentic world Baha’i population! <br />
</div>By <br />
FORMER MEMBER OF NSA OF BAHA’IS OF INDIAalex stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612241435015329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347553440078594270.post-65319297411795959782010-09-02T23:41:00.000-07:002010-09-02T23:41:23.905-07:00The Orchestra at the recent National Convention of Bahai’s of India (2010).<h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://bahaism.blogspot.com/2010/08/orchestra-at-recent-national-convention.html"></a> </h3><div class="post-header"> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxDMbvPjlBIbA_jIo8q2CM0m4fTSKBPRZZGIPfkgwgpgdjRz0x_UN6gON6cfiGvPxT9kE6W33wbEGuXzrTnC7LsiMUPIt1RZ7PJJea15uhvKkUVv85-iaVqmVlNHnqzWzE_O9Zg9R9A/s1600/bahai+india.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511155382735261010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxDMbvPjlBIbA_jIo8q2CM0m4fTSKBPRZZGIPfkgwgpgdjRz0x_UN6gON6cfiGvPxT9kE6W33wbEGuXzrTnC7LsiMUPIt1RZ7PJJea15uhvKkUVv85-iaVqmVlNHnqzWzE_O9Zg9R9A/s400/bahai+india.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 225px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 400px;" /></a>More often than not, we see that the National Convention of every country is an orchestra in which the members to be elected are predecided. The recently concluded elections to the NSA of India are a further proof to this principle.<br />
<br />
So what exactly happened in this election? Eight members of the previous assembly were reelected. For the ninth member, it was declared a tie amongst Mr. Sohail Mohajir, Mr. Sunil Oliyai and Mrs. Shireen Malahati. It is no coincidence, but selectively all are of Persian background. The delegates were then asked to break the tie and elect the ninth member from these three members only. Finally, as reported, Mrs. Shireen Malahati was elected.<br />
<br />
The process by itself was not conducted in a transparent manner and in a fashion befitting a democratic process of election. There was no disclosure of how many votes each members received. How many votes did the 9th member receive? And by how many votes was the tie was broken? This is a complete violation of a democratic election, in which as claimed by the Baha'is, the number of votes polled by each member should be declared too.<br />
<br />
By conducting this orchestra the Universal House of Justice has clearly tried to convey to the Baha'is that “The elections are true elections because a member like Mr. Sohail Mohajir who is related to UHJ member, Mr. Payman Mohajir can not be re- elected”. Interestingly last year too, Mr. Sohail Mohajir was not elected and Mr. Ahmed Ansari was made the sacrificial lamb and asked to resign to make a way for Mr. Sohail. Let us see what is the policy of UHJ this year.<br />
<br />
The process seems to be one of selection and not election because for the ninth member all the three members were Persians. The two were first timers. In this way, the UHJ has given the indication that who are the tenth and the eleventh member in the waiting list. An indication to the delegates that if any of these nine members fall away from the grace of UHJ then whom they should vote for.<br />
<br />
A new policy of UHJ, “preparation of pool of names” a hidden way of nomination of candidates.<br />
<br />
The UHJ, through the counselor present in the national convention, has instructed delegates to prepare a pool of names to whom they can vote. These pure souls are then asked to write the names of about 20 to 25 members for whom they have to vote. During this so called spiritual atmosphere the incumbent members keep on moving in front of the delegates to remind them lest they forget. So it does not take much effort to understand the preparation of pool of names is nomination of candidates.<br />
<br />
All the NSA members were present during the preparation of pool of names and during the deepening sessions, the delegates commented upon the behavior of the outgoing members but with no result.<br />
<br />
It is very true that there are some Baha'is who never worked and will never work for the Faith. What they want is let others work. They can only order for work and be in the position of authority. One cannot go against the prescribe norms because this is what the UHJ wants.<br />
<br />
A delegate at the National Convention India (2010)alex stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06612241435015329454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347553440078594270.post-88231905620025303852010-08-31T00:30:00.000-07:002010-08-31T00:34:41.304-07:00LETTER OF NSA OF NEW-ZEALAND<div class="post-body entry-content" style="text-align: justify;">16 December, 1996<br />
<br />
To the Baha'is of New Zealand<br />
<br />
Dear Baha'i Friends<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Lamentable Situation Calls for Loyal Response </span><br />
<br />
With heavy hearts, the National Spiritual Assembly announces to the Baha'i community that Ms Pauline Smith, of Masterton, has broken the Covenant and been expelled from the Faith by the Universal House of Justice. Ms Smith has unfortunately not heeded the guidance and warnings she has been given over a period of some months, and has decided to maintain contact and association with known Covenant-breakers, who are some of the relatives of Shoghi Effendi, and in particular, Ms Parvine Afnan Shahid.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Ms Smith, who had known about the Faith for some years in New Zealand, went to the United Kingdom where she continued learning about the Faith from believers she met there. While in England she also happened to meet the family of Covenant-breakers and became friends with them. Ms Smith later became a Baha'i in England and, soon afterwards, returned to New Zealand (in 1995). Since then, there have been attempts by the institutions of the Faith to counsel Ms Smith about her association with Ms Shahid, who intends to come to live in Masterton from early 1997. The Universal House of Justice says:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> "It has been determined that Parvine Shahid, who is the granddaughter of the notorious Covenant-breaker Nayyir Afnan, is infected with the spirit of Covenant-breaking and should be treated as a Covenant-breaker."(1)</span><br />
<br />
Friends wishing to know more about the history of Ms Shahid's family should refer to a book by Mr Adib Taherzadeh, entitled *The Covenant of Baha'u'llah* which provides full information about this matter. A four page summary of relevant details is being sent to all Local Spiritual Assemblies and groups, and is available from the National Office on request.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">A fundamental principle of the Faith is that no believer can have any contact or association with a believer who has been deemed by the Head of the Faith to break the Covenant, whether by correspondence, telephone, or in person. Strict adherence to this rule is obligatory. The essential reason for this is to preserve the unity of the Baha'i Faith. It is because of division within themselves that the religions of the past have not fulfilled their purpose to unify mankind. For a further elaboration of this principle please see the attached extracts from a letter of the Universal House of Justice dated 9 December 1996, to a believer in Masterton [not supplied].</span><br />
<br />
Over the next few months the National Spiritual Assembly will implement, in collaboration with the Arm of the Learned and working through the Local Spiritual Assemblies and assistants, a systematic deepening programme on the Covenant aimed at every believer in New Zealand. In the meantime, the friends are urged to rededicate themselves to study of 'Abdul-Baha's Will and Testament, and to familiarise themselves with guidance regarding firmness in the Covenant, which is found in such publications as *Lights of Guidance*. All communities were recently sent a copy of a publication entitled *The Power of the Covenant* which consists of a set of three booklets. This provides further reference material for any questions you may have about this matter. Audio cassette tapes on the subject of the Covenant are also available from the Audio-Visual Unit. The National Spiritual Assembly urges you to make a concerted effort to study deeply the subject of the Covenant, individually and in groups.<br />
<br />
Meeting this challenge represents a new stage in the growth of the Faith in New Zealand. These words of a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi provide reassurance of the progress that comes from a crisis:<br />
<br />
"He urges you not to be discouraged or depressed, but rest assured that Baha'u'llah will assist you. Every set-back this Cause receives is invariably a means of ensuring a future victory, for God will never permit His Faith to be put out or uprooted."(2)<br />
<br />
As the believers strengthen their understanding of the Covenant and more faithfully adhere to its provisions, such firmness will not only increase their own understanding of Baha'u'llah's Revelation and provide protection for our national community, but will also give additional impetus to deepening our commitment to achieving the purpose and goals of God's plan.<br />
<br />
We are fully conscious of the distress and shock that many believers will go through as a result of this severe test and we do not underestimate the severe challenge this poses.<br />
<br />
The Universal House of Justice says:<br />
<br />
"We are confident that the dearly loved New Zealand believers will not allow this lamentable situation to deflect them from their meritorious endeavours to further develop their Baha'i community and to maintain its unity."(3)<br />
<br />
Be assured of the ardent prayers of this institution for your reassurance, comfort and strength of faith.<br />
<br />
Warmest Baha'i love<br />
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY<br />
<br />
<br />
Suzanne Mahon<br />
Secretary<br />
<br />
enc: Extract from a letter of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, 9 December 1996<br />
______________________________<br />
<br />
1. From a letter dated 12 December 1996 from the Department of the Secretariat, Universal House of Justice, to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of New Zealand[.]<br />
<br />
2. From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, dated 26 January 1950 to the Local Spiritual Assembly of Panama, quoted in The Compilation of Compilations: Volume l, #323.<br />
<br />
3. From a letter of the Universal House of Justice dated 12 December 1996 to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of New Zealand. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="post-author vcard"> </span><span class="post-icons"><span class="item-action"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/email-post.g?blogID=6510761613406111002&postID=9192600837539199859" title="Email Post"><br />
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