During this month of fasting, Bahá'ís refrain from food and drink each day during the hours between sunrise and sunset in obedience to Bahá'u'lláh's law. They do this because they truly believe that Bahá'u'lláh is the Manifestation of God for this age, and that He has revealed the laws necessary for human growth, peace, justice and tranquility. Bahá'ís believe there is a power in this Revelation, and that God firmly rules this creation, so that the ultimate victory of the Cause of God is assured. "All the kingdoms of heaven and earth and whatever is between them are God's, and His power is supreme over all things." [From the Báb, protection prayer] "Never be depressed. The more ye are stirred by violation, the more deepen ye in firmness and steadfastness, and be assured that the divine hosts shall conquer, for they are assured of the victory of the Abha Kingdom." [From Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 211]
So if we are assured of the victory of the Cause of God over violators and other enemies, what is there to fear from them? If one is truly faithful, and truly believes that one is firm in the Covenant, there is nothing to fear from those who oppose the Faith.
But the actions of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States headquartered in Wilmette, Illinois ("NSA") lead me to question whether all Bahá'ís truly believe in the ultimate victory of the Cause, or that they have faith of their own firmness in the Covenant.
If they truly believed, they would not be so concerned about increasing their numbers, constantly seeking to proselytize the Faith, seeking fresh recruits to the organization, and frequently requesting more and more funds from their members to fund the organization's growth. If one is assured of victory, then one must believe that one's duty is to merely inform the world of the Teachings, making the Teachings available, and then rely upon God to awaken to the Truth those whom God sees fit to bring in to His Cause.
If they truly believed, they would not seek to silence the Orthodox Bahá'ís and others who challenge the legitimacy of their leadership, and who seek to inform the world about the Truth of the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh, to the point of taking them to federal court and appealing their loss to the Court of Appeals in Chicago, seeking to topple the legal traditions of the United States for religious freedom. Using a legal technicality (arguing that a final Judgment cannot be attacked no matter how unlawful it is) and obfuscating their true position (that the only people who can call themselves Bahá'ís are those authorized by their sans-Guardian UHJ) from the appeals court. If one is assured of victory, and that one's position is correct, there is no reason to run from argument or to obfuscate one's position. They should confidently assert their claim for leadership and allow Bahá'ís everywhere to fully consult upon and discuss the legitimacy of their leadership, allowing the Truth to prevail, and allowing the matter to be decided in the hearts of the Bahá'ís instead of attempting to enforce their leadership by having a secular judge decide the question.
You can find information on the court case here: http://www.truebahai.com/court_case.html
For a partial transcript of the NSA's attorney's attempts at obfuscation, go here: http://www.truebahai.com/2009/02/the-true-colors-of-wilmette-nsa-come-out-under-questioning-by-court-of-appeals.html
If they truly believed, they would not squelch dissent and discussion within their own ranks. They would allow freedom of the members to independently investigate the truth for themselves. They would not attempt to dictate the actions and thoughts of their members by coercion, shunning, sanctions, and threats. Instead, they would allow all matters to be freely consulted upon.
Where there is fear, there one finds a lack of faith.
So ask yourself why the leadership of the sans-Guardian organization, with all of its money, power, and influence, and with its claims of religious legitimacy, is so afraid of a tiny band of persons faithful to the living Guardian?
If they truly believed, they would not fear us.
Jeffrey
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