Abdu'l-Baha's rejection of tyranny

The dictatorial attitude and practices of the Bahai World Faith (that is the Baha'i organization presently headquartered in Haifa and Wilmette, hereafter "BWF"), by which they attempt to rule and control over every aspect of its members' lives and thoughts, does not at all arise from the teachings of the Founders of the Faith.

Abdul-Baha, the Center of the Covenant and the Interpreter of the Bahai Texts, rejected all forms of despotism and tyranny.  In a talk He gave on 18 November 1911 in Paris, the Master said this:

"For persons who are believers, to commit tyranny is to be visited by divine torment in the world of immortality. Naturally, they will avoid despotism and coercion, especially if they believe that if they act justly they will draw near to the threshold of grandeur, gain eternal life, enter into the kingdom of God, and have their faces be illumined by the lights of divine grace and loving-kindness....

"My own hope is that all the divine friends will be manifestations of justice in all affairs. For justice does not pertain to government figures alone. Merchants must also be just in commerce. Those who make goods must be just in what they produce. All human beings, large and small, must behave with justice and fairness. Justice consists in not exceeding their own prerogatives. They must wish for each person what they wish for themselves. This is divine justice. Praise be to God, the sun of justice has risen from the horizon of Baha'u'llah. For in his tablets was laid the foundation for a justice such as was never conceived by any mind from the beginning of creation until now. A station has been established for every sort of individual, which they must not transgress against. For instance, he says that the people of every occupation must exercise justice therein, that is, they must not go beyond what they deserve. If anyone should transgress in his occupation, such as a king who becomes a despot, there is no distinction between them and him. All individuals who do not observe justice in their dealings with others are like the dictatorial leader. Thus, it is apparent that every human being can be just or tyrannical. But my hope is that all will be just, and that all of your thoughts will be of associating with all humankind and employing the utmost justice and fairness in your dealings with others." 
[from `Abdu'l-Baha on Democracy and the Separation of Religion and State by Juan R.I. Cole]
http://www.h-net.org/~bahai/trans/vol6/absiyas2.htm

In my view, the dictatorial behavior of the BWF arises out of fear and a lack of true guidance. The overwhelming fear of their leaders and their rank and file becomes manifest every time the legitimacy of their leadership is questioned. If they were so certain that they were in the right, that they had divine authority to lead the Baha'i community, then they would react with faith and confidence in the face of naysayers.  By reacting with panic and fear, their own faithlessness becomes apparent and their own doubts and concerns become evident.  They know full well that their leadership's claim to authority is based upon hollow and empty interpretations of the Bahai Texts.  It is a house of cards ready to fall with the slightest dissent.  Their bogus UHJ has no clothes!

There will come a time when the misled members of the BWF will awaken and begin to think for themselves. They will see that there is no reason for them to tolerate the mind control and busybody regulation of their personal lives practiced by the BWF leadership.  There is no reason at all for them to accept this abuse from anyone.  They will see that the true Faith of God is united by attraction and love and not by fear and coercion. When that day arrives that the misled Baha'is awaken to the Truth, the Guardian of the Cause of God, Joel B. Marangella, will joyously welcome them back under the shade of the Tree of Covenant.