Promotion of the Equality of Men and Women in Society

21 January 2014

Dear Bahá’í Friend,

The Universal House of Justice has received your email letter … in which you pose thoughtful and probing questions about the application of the principles of the oneness of mankind and the equality of men and women, as well as the promotion of the Bahá’í teachings in the wider society…. We have been asked to convey the following.

Among your questions is how the roles of men and women should be defined and reinforced when applying Bahá’í principles in current and future society. In its Ridván 2012 message, the House of Justice indicated that it is not possible today to glimpse “anything but an intimation, distant and indistinct, of the future society to which the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh is destined to give rise”, and it observed that none should “suppose that the civilization towards which the divine teachings impel humankind will follow merely from adjustments to the present order.” Rather, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has stated that “‘among the results of the manifestation of spiritual forces will be that the human world will adapt itself to a new social form’”. It is impossible at present to foresee how the principles of the Faith will be applied as the process of organic change unfolds under the influence of the Divine Plan. However, we may, through personal daily study and through acts of service to the Faith and to one’s fellow man and by resolving questions through prayerful reflection and sincere consultation, come to a better understanding of how to apply the teachings in our daily lives and contribute to the advancement of society—including matters pertaining to gender equality.

Participation in Politics and Social Activities

24 December 2013

[Authorized translation from the Persian]

Dear Bahá’í Friend,

Your letter dated 5 October 2013, in which you raise a number of questions related to the discussions that took place at the recent conference of the Association of Friends of Persian Culture in Chicago, was received by the Universal House of Justice. It has asked us to convey the following.

The House of Justice noted with appreciation your concern for safeguarding
 the interests of the Cause. In response to your questions, it should be noted
 that non-involvement in politics is one of the principles of the Bahá’í Faith and cannot be disregarded by any individual or institution. The House of Justice has repeatedly, and most recently in its message of 2 March 2013 addressed to the believers in the Cradle of the Faith [online here], elaborated a framework within which Bahá’ís may participate in constructive social activities and interactions without deviating a hair’s breadth from this law of Bahá’u’lláh.

Concerning the contents of the talk given by one of the prominent believers at this conference, no doubt you have by now seen his response to the open letter.

Women and Membership of the Universal House of Justice

22 December 2013

Dear Bahá’í Friend,

The Universal House of Justice has received your email letter dated 1 August 2013, asking how to respond to a question that arose in an online forum … and that concerns the ineligibility of women for membership on the House of Justice in relation to the Bahá’í principle of the equality of men and women. We have been directed to say that, while no one answer will satisfy every individual, the following principles should be considered.

Only God, the Creator of mankind and of each human soul, knows the purpose of His creation and exactly what, at each stage of its development, is required for its fulfillment. This purpose, through His great love, is conveyed to mankind by the Divine Manifestation. As Bahá’u’lláh affirms, “No man, however acute his perception, can ever hope to reach the heights which the wisdom and understanding of the Divine Physician have attained.” The Manifestation “doeth as He willeth” in establishing His laws and ordinances in accordance with human reality and His intended aims for individual and collective transformation. To recognize Bahá’u’lláh is to have faith in His authority to make the judgments necessary to guide the progress of humanity through the course of the Dispensation.

As you are aware, among the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh for this age is the equality of men and women—a revolutionary step forward in religious history that has set the stage for the advancement of women in every field of human endeavor. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has explained:

Pilgrims' Notes: Considerations for Sharing

12 August 2013

Dear Bahá’í Friend,

The Universal House of Justice has received your email letter of 5 January 2013 in which you seek guidance about posting online the pilgrimage accounts of ... and we have been directed to convey the following.

Shoghi Effendi permitted the sharing, among the believers, of the notes taken down by pilgrims. At the same time, however, he discouraged widespread dissemination of the notes through publishing them and indicated that it would not be appropriate to give them out to members of the general public. As explained in a letter written on his behalf:

The notes of all pilgrims, whoever they may be, taken during the time of the Master or hence, are merely personal impressions of the pilgrim and have to be considered as such. They have no special significance. Everything which either the Master or Shoghi Effendi desired to communicate to the friends they have mentioned in their letters. Hearsay and notes of pilgrims have only a personal value, because they reawaken past impressions. In many cases Shoghi Effendi has gone a step further and even discouraged publishing them....

...The interests of the Cause have often suffered from reports taken over by pilgrims — not untruths, but misunderstandings — and it is our duty to do our utmost for that aim. (From a letter dated 19 February 1929 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual)