I truly believe in the concept of "karma." As a Baha'i, I know that reincarnation is false. However, I also know that God's creation was built on the foundation of Justice, despite all appearances; therefore everyone eventually will reap what he or she sows.
O YE PEOPLES OF THE WORLD! Know, verily, that an unforeseen calamity followeth you, and grievous retribution awaiteth you. Think not that which ye have committed hath been effaced in My sight. By My beauty! All your doings hath My pen graven with open characters upon tablets of chrysolite. #63 Persian; The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh
The true Baha'is (the Orthodox Baha'i Faith), including the Guardian himself, were taken to federal court in Chicago, Illinois in November, 2006 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States. The litigation, in which the true Baha'is fought for their right to use the word "Baha'i" to identify themselves, lasted until March 29, 2011 when the appellate court opinion upholding the victory of the true Baha'is was made final. From our point of view, it was a court case in which we were fighting for our very survival for nearly five years.
I recall the meetings and communications with the Guardian and the National Council of the Orthodox Baha'is in the United States when it was discussed what we would do if the NSA won the case and there was an order preventing us from calling ourselves Baha'i. To defy such an order would have resulted in contempt of court. Not only would that implicate the principle that we should obey the government, but on the other hand to be ordered not to call yourself a Baha'i is akin to a demand for a recantation of our Faith, which we must not obey regardless of the consequences. If we were to be forced to disobey the Court order, we would face fines and penalties, including a potential jail sentence. I remember the words of Joel B. Marangella, the third Guardian, who was outrageously hauled into Court, saying that he was willing to put all of his resources on the line and to face whatever penalty he must face, in order to fight for the true Faith of God.
Fortunately, by the grace of God, the court action came out in our favor and the NSA was completely defeated. It was a costly trial and appeal in the United States federal court. This was an evil aggression perpetrated by fanatical Baha'i leadership who truly believed they were in the right by attempting to silence the true Baha'is under penalty of federal law. This fanatical attempt to injure us, however, was pure evil, and those who perpetrated it (which is all of the heterodox Baha'is who support their fanatical organization) must suffer retribution. The wrongdoer will receive justice in due time.
Since that time, the Baha'is in Iran have suffered an increasing persecution at the hands of the authorities in Iran. These Baha'is often publicly express dismay over the outrageous actions of the government imprisoning people and banning them from education, all simply because they are Baha'is. But it is clear to me that they had it coming to them.
Make no mistake. The fanatical Islamic authorities of the government of Iran are completely wrong in the outrageous actions they are taking against the Baha'is of Iran. They are the evildoers in this, and they will most certainly reap what they sow as well. There is no excuse for their behavior and all people should condemn their actions. But the fact remains that the Baha'is in Iran are on the receiving end of exactly the same fanatical evil that was dished out against the true Baha'is by the NSA.
O SON OF SPIRIT! Know thou of a truth: He that biddeth men be just and himself committeth iniquity is not of Me, even though he bear My name. #28 Arabic; The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh
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