A New World Order/The Spirit of the Administrative Order
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THE SPIRIT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER:
. . . the Spirit breathed by Baha'u'114h upon the world, and which is manifesting itself with varying degrees of intensity through the efforts consciously displayed by His avowed supporters and indirectly through certain humanitarian organizations,
can never permeate and exercise an abiding influence upon mankind unless and until it incarnates itself in a visible Order, which would bear His name, wholly identify itself with His principles, and function in conform- ity with His laws.
Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Baha'u'llah, p. 19
To dissociate the administrative principles of the Cause from the purely spiritual and humanitarian teachings would be tantamount to a mutilation of the body of the Cause, a separation that can only result in the disintegration of its component parts, and the extinction of the Faith itself.
Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Baha'u'llah, p. 5
And now, it behooves us to reflect on the animating purpose and primary functions of these divinely-established institutions, the sacred character and the universal efficacy of which can be demonstrated only by the spirit they diffuse and the work they actually achieve. I need not dwell upon what I have already reiterated and emphasized that the administration of the Cause is to be conceived as an instru- ment and not a substitute for the Faith of Baha'u'llah,
that it should be regarded as a channel through which His promised blessings may flow, .. . that the whole machinery of assemblies, of committees and conventions is to be regarded as a means, and not an end in itself; that they will rise or fall according to their capacity to further
the interests, to coordinate the activities, to apply the principles, to embody the ideals and execute the purpose
of the Baha'f Faith.
Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bah&'u'l1l&h, p. 9
[Page 33]
THE SPIRIT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER:
Why is there an Administrative Order?
How do the spiritual aspects of the Faith relate to the administration of the Faith?
According to these quotations, on what basis will any Baha'f committee rise or fall?
What does it mean that the Administration is "a means, and not an end in itself"?
According to these quotations, what is wrong with just "living a Baha'f life" but never registering as a Baha'f?
How can you communicate the spirit of the Administrative Order to other youth in your area?