Responses to “conflicts, injustices, and suffering… symptoms of the disintegration of the old world order”

13 January 2015

Dear Bahá’í Friend,

The Universal House of Justice has received your email letter of 7 August 2014, in which you seek guidance regarding the response of Bahá’ís to conflicts, such as that in the Middle East, and the humanitarian concerns they cause, and has asked that we convey the following.

The heart of a Bahá’í cannot but be distressed when contemplating the desperate state of global affairs. The friends must remember, however, that the conflicts, injustices, and suffering they observe are symptoms of the disintegration of the old world order. Ultimately, political affairs must be reordered and the lesser peace established, for humanity is a single entity and the best interests of any part are inextricably bound up with the best interests of the whole. Yet, so long as particular nations, peoples, and political factions pursue their own interests, whether by political, economic, or military means and often at the expense of others, the great challenges facing humanity will remain insoluble. While each side portrays its position in terms of what is just and right, using whatever means available to gain public favor — especially the media and global forums — Bahá’ís must be careful not to be drawn into such arguments, for they are the well-wishers of all peoples and nations. “Let them refrain from associating themselves, whether by word or by deed, with the political pursuits of their respective nations, with the policies of their governments and the schemes and programs of parties and factions”, Shoghi Effendi stated. “In such controversies they should assign no blame, take no side, further no design, and identify themselves with no system prejudicial to the best interests of that world-wide Fellowship which it is their aim to guard and foster.”

Posting the Bahá’í Writings on Personal Websites and Blogs

6 November 2014

Dear Bahá’í Friend,

Your email letter of 9 November 2009, requesting electronic files of Bahá’í texts for use in sharing the writings online, was received by the Office of Public Information at the Bahá’í World Centre. At the time your letter was received, work had begun to introduce a significantly revised presentation of the Bahá’í Reference Library website, and consequently a reply was held in abeyance. The work has reached a point where the new site is available for viewing, and it is now timely to draw the site to your attention and to convey to you the following comments.

The Universal House of Justice has been pleased to note the steady strengthening of the Bahá’í presence on the World Wide Web in recent years, and it looks forward to the continued unfoldment of this process. Whether through personal websites, blogs, public sites, or social networks, an increasing number of believers have found ways to present the Faith and its teachings and to share with others their understanding of its perspectives on a wide variety of issues, thereby enhancing the Faith’s online presence.

The Bahá’í Reference Library is the authoritative online source for the Bahá’í writings, and the friends may use the texts it contains in ways they feel are appropriate, bearing in mind the terms of use set forth on the site. With respect to individuals making the writings available on the Internet, this can, in itself, be a worthy endeavor, but certain cautions must be observed. First, making available a comprehensive presentation of the writings is generally the responsibility of Bahá’í institutions on official websites; whilst individuals may present some of these writings on their own sites, it would be preferable if for a complete presentation users are directed to official Bahá’í websites, including the site of the Bahá’í Reference Library….

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

Department of the Secretariat

(Messages from the Universal House of Justice 2001-2022)

In Vitro Fertilization

28 October 2014

Dear Bahá’í Friend,

The Universal House of Justice has received your email letter of 17 September 2014 in which you and your husband, …, seek guidance regarding the disposition of embryos and has asked that we reply as follows.

The Bahá’í view of matters pertaining to infertility is balanced. While it appreciates the value of medical techniques that enable previously childless couples to enjoy the blessings of a family, the teachings define such limits as are necessary to preserve the dignity of the individual and the sanctity of marriage.

The House of Justice does not wish to legislate at this time on the disposition of any embryos following the in vitro fertilization process. Hence, for the time being, it is left to the Bahá’í couple to decide what to do with the unused embryos.

In your letter you mention the possibility of donating the embryos to another couple seeking fertility treatment. Statements made by the beloved Guardian establish the principle that, for Bahá’ís, the process of reproduction pertains to a husband and wife. Furthermore, the option you have suggested, which involves the adoption by one couple of an embryo derived from the sperm and ovum of another couple and implanted in the womb of the adoptive mother, is very closely related to the concept of surrogacy and raises additional complex issues. As you know, the House of Justice has determined that the spiritual and social implications involved in surrogacy are too far-reaching for such procedures to be permissible for Bahá’ís. In light of this, the option of your donating the remaining embryos to another couple would not be acceptable.