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346. Bahá’í Authors Should Write in Such Manner as to Attract the Souls
"… Whatever is written should not transgress the bounds of tact and wisdom, and in the words used there should lie hid the property of milk, so that the children of the world may be nurtured therewith, and attain maturity. We have said in the past that one word hath the influence of spring and causeth hearts to become fresh and verdant, while another is like unto blight which causeth the blossoms and flowers to wither. God grant that authors among the friends will write in such a way as would be acceptable to fair-minded souls, and not lead to cavilling by the people."
- (Bahá’u’lláh: Extracts from the Bahá’í Writings on the Subject of Writers and Writing, A Compilation, p. 3, July 1980)
347. Bahá’í Writers Should Have their Works Approved for Publication by National Assembly of Country where Published
"It is not the practice of the World Centre to review the writings of individual Bahá’ís intended for publication. As you know, Bahá’í authors, writing about the Faith, are requested to have their work approved for publication by the National Spiritual Assembly of the country where such work is published. There is no objection whatever, to your submitting your manuscript to a non-Bahá’í firm, provided that the approval of the manuscript by the National Assembly is first obtained."
- (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, December 10, 1981)
348. Bahá’í Authors and Writers Should Welcome Review of their Works
"Bahá’í authors should welcome review of their works, and can greatly assist promptness in review by supplying a sufficient number of copies of the manuscript for each member of the Reviewing Committee to have one.
"Bahá’í authors may submit their works for review to any National Spiritual Assembly, and may send their works, once approved, to any publisher they like, Bahá’í or non-Bahá’í, at home or abroad. It should be remembered, however, that the approval should be given by the National Spiritual Assembly of the country where the work is to be first published. And in the case of a non-Bahá’í publisher the author should insist on use of the system of transliteration at present used by the Faith for languages employing the Roman alphabet.
"It is hoped that Bahá’í authors will provide a constant stream of new works. Introductory books, commentaries, dissertations on various aspects of the Revelation, text books, histories, reviews, audio-visual material are all needed to stimulate study of the Faith and to promote the vital teaching work."
- (The Universal House of Justice: from Memorandum on Bahá’í Publishing, Ridvan 1971)
349. Review of Magazine Articles Written by Individual Believers
"In the Feb. 'Bahá’í News', page 3, it mentions that magazine articles about the Cause … 'written by individual believers as their personal understanding of the teachings' …need not be reviewed officially. He feels this is unwise, in view of the Master's own instructions that articles about the Cause should not be published by individuals without proper approval of some responsible body.
"The Guardian says the Local Assemblies can pass upon such articles; it is not necessary to refer them to a National Committee.
"So often persons can be carried away by their enthusiasm and express something detrimental to the Faith. Therefore they must either refer their articles to their Local Spiritual Assembly or the National Reviewing Committee."
- (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada, April 13, 1946)
350. The Reviewing Committee
"It is recommended that Reviewing Committees be small, composed of two or three believers with adequate education and knowledge of the Cause. It is essential that works submitted be dealt with promptly. The standards to be upheld by reviewers are the following: (a) conformity with the Teachings, (b) accuracy, (c) dignity in presentation. The Spiritual Assembly, on the basis of its Reviewing Committee's report, gives or withholds approval of the work.
"… In general the function of a reviewing committee is to say whether the work submitted gives an acceptable presentation of the Cause or not. Reviewers may win the gratitude and good will of authors by calling attention to such things as occasional grammatical or spelling errors, but approval should not be refused on such grounds; all such details are editorial matters for agreement between author and publisher."
- (Memorandum on Bahá’í Publishing-Ridván 1971, from the Universal House of Justice, March 28, 1971 to the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá’í world, pp. 1-2)
351. Obligation of Bahá’ís to Present the Faith in Dignified Manner
"We approve your action in writing to the Public Information Department and in publishing a statement instructing Bahá’ís who are authors not to attempt or be persuaded to write articles on the Faith for unsavoury publications.
"It is an obligation of all Bahá’ís to present the Faith in a dignified manner and therefore when writing articles about the Faith they should take into consideration the type of magazine or other publication in which the article is to appear. Should there be any question about its character they should consult with the National Spiritual Assembly. In addition, all authors should bear in mind that anything written about the Faith for publication is subject to review before submission to the publishers."
- (From a letter of the Universal House of Justice written to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, September 15, 1968)
352. The Function and Purpose of Reviewing
"The function of reviewing is, essentially, to check the Author's exposition of the Bahá’í Faith and its teachings, which may include verification of any quotations from Bahá’í writings. This function should not be confused with evaluation of the literary merit of a work or of its value as a publication, which are normally the prerogative of the publisher…."
- (From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles, March 11, 1965)
353. Purpose of Review
"… The purpose of review is to protect the Faith against misrepresentation by its own followers at this early stage of its existence when comparatively few people have any knowledge of it. An erroneous presentation of the Teachings by a Bahá’í who is accounted a scholar, in a scholarly journal, would by that very fact, do far more harm than an erroneous presentation made by an obscure Bahá’í author with no pretensions to scholarship."
- (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, October 8, 1980)
354. No Objection to Bahá’ís Writing Novels Portraying Historical Events
"There is no objection to Bahá’ís writing novels portraying historical events and figures of the Faith. However, in view of the impossibility of ever portraying adequately the Manifestation of God as a character in a novel, and of the disrespect implicit in such an attempt, the House of Justice feels that no such portrayal should be attempted. Of course, His sayings and the events of His life may be recounted, but in this case care should be taken to quote His exact words as we have them in authorized translations, and events in Bahá’í history should not be distorted.
"Generally speaking, works of fiction which the writers hope will help to promote knowledge of the Cause of God will fulfill this purpose better if they are set against the background of particular events or developing processes in the Cause of God, and not used to portray the actual historical events themselves and the figures taking part in them. The reality of the actual events and the actual personages is so much more convincing than any fictional account. In this connection the Guardian's secretary wrote on his behalf:
'He would not recommend fiction as a means of teaching; the condition of the world is too acute to permit of delay in giving them the direct teachings associated with the name of Bahá’u’lláh. But any suitable approach to the Faith, which appeals to this or that group, is certainly worthy of effort, as we wish to bring the Cause to all men, in all walks of life, of all mentalities.' "
- (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, September 23, 1980)
355. Journalists
"There is no objection to your being a journalist as long as you try to keep off political issues; especially the big East-West issues. You have a talent for writing, and it might be of help to you financially and in making contacts for the Faith."
- (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, November 30, 1950)
356. Sciences that Begin and End with Words—Bahá’u’lláh Never Meant to Include Story Writing under this Category
"What Bahá’u’lláh meant primarily with 'sciences that begin and end in words' are those theological treatises and commentaries that encumber the human mind rather than help it to attain the truth. The students would devote their life to their study but still attain no where.
"Bahá’u’lláh surely never meant to include story writing under such a category; and shorthand and typewriting are both most useful talents very necessary in our present social and economic life.
"What you could do, and should do, is to use your stories to become a source of inspiration and guidance for those who read them. With such a means at your disposal you can spread the spirit and teachings of the Cause; you can show the evils that exist in society, as well as the way they can be remedied. If you possess a real talent in writing you should consider it as given by God and exert your efforts to use it for the betterment of society."
- (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, November 30, 1932: Extracts from the Bahá’í Writings on the Subject of Writers and Writing, A Compilation, July 1980, p. 6)
357. The Faith Needs Bahá’í Authors
"Regarding the advice you asked him for, he feels that to devote all one's studies with the object of becoming a Bahá’í author is rather risky. We need Bahá’í authors badly, but you have to be assured that you have the talent to earn your living in that field, and also serve the Faith in it.
"He feels that the best thing for you to do is to devote your studies to acquiring a sound education, if you like along literary lines, and then see what develops."
- (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, May 14, 1957)
358. Doctoral Theses and Similar Treatises
"It has been decided that doctoral theses and similar treatises submitted to institutions of learning for the obtaining of a degree are not subject to Bahá’í review unless they are to be published more widely than is required for the degree in question."
- (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, May 11, 1982)
359. No Publisher has the Right to Alter Author's Manuscript
"A publishing trust has the right to refuse publication of any particular title, and a National Assembly has the right to review any proposed Bahá’í publication for accuracy and propriety. But no publisher has the right to alter or change an author's manuscript without his knowledge and consent."
- (From a letter of the Universal House of Justice written to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, July 28, 1966)
