Bahai Liberty

In observing the behavior of the leaders of the Baha'is who presently occupy the Bahai World Center in Israel and the Wilmette headquarters of the Bahai Faith in the USA, you might not realize that one of the fundamental teachings of the Cause of Baha'u'llah is that individual conscience and the liberty of the individual is essential for peace and for the spiritual growth of humanity.

In the words of Abdu'l-Baha:

"The standard of liberty is held aloft in this land. You enjoy political liberty; you enjoy liberty of thought and speech, religious liberty, racial and personal liberty. Surely this is worthy of appreciation and thanksgiving.... Liberalism is essential in this day -- justness and equity toward all nations and people." (The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 390)

In other passages, Abdu'l-Baha refers to liberty and freedom as bestowals from God.  Any right thinking person will see that the heart of religion is the relationship and mystical union of the individual with God.  Without liberty and freedom of conscience, it is impossible for mysticism to flourish.

The agencies of the State, corporate boards and bodies of all type have no soul. Spiritual progress and understanding does not come from committees and agencies.  It is only the free individual, who answers to and communes with God, that can spiritually grow and apprehend the mysteries of the Holy Spirit.  Without freedom of the individual, there can be no inspiration, no creativity, and no progress.  Without liberty, all is lost.

How then did the Cause of Baha'u'llah become so denigrated and polluted by the pernicious ideas that the thoughts and minds of Baha'is must be controlled and limited for the sake of unity and protection of the community?