| ←Previous | National Bahá’í Review Issue 77 |
Next→ |
| Return to PDF view |
 | The text below this notice was generated by a computer, it still needs to be checked for errors and corrected. If you would like to help, view the original document by clicking the PDF scans along the right side of the page. Click the edit button at the top of this page (notepad and pencil icon) or press Alt+Shift+E to begin making changes. When you are done press "Save changes" at the bottom of the page. |
Annual Report
of the National Spiritual Assembly
The sober but agreeable tenor of our national activities this year was the natural expression of the deliberate efforts of the believers to prepare for the Five Year Plan. Their preparation began with the announcements at the last Convention and the subsequent message of June 28 to the Bahá’ís of the United States in which the National Spiritual Assembly summarized the four major objectives for the interim year, namely: the adoption of an extension teaching goal by each Local Spiritual Assembly; regular study of the Teachings by individuals, groups, and Assemblies; the holding of seminars for the training of Local Assemblies; and regular giving to the National Bahá’í Fund by these same Assemblies.
Devotion to these tasks has brought a welcome gain in the number of Local Assemblies this Riḍván; there are now some 860 as against 817 last year. Moreover, the occasions for study of the Teaclfings have visibly increased and the Local Spiritual Assemblies giving regularly to the National Fund have surpassed in number those of previous years. Our latest statistics show 5,320 localities where Bahá’ís reside; over 2,400 of these have groups.
A more comprehensive picture of the state of the community can be gleaned from the following reflections on our international activities and on developments on the homefront.
INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES
The international activities of the American Bahá’í community maintained a high pitch especially because approximately 33 supplementary pioneer goals had been assigned to us by The Universal House oflustice. Ninety-two volunteers arose to fill these goals, replace returning pioneers, and to settle in places not included among the stated goal countries. At the same time, 102 pioneers came home; most of them have indicated their intention to return to the pioneering field. Ninety-two individuals were involved in 74 international teaching trips;
in addition, approximately 40 teachers visited the
Bahama Islands at the urging of the Spiritual Assembly of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, whose initiative in this respect has greatly reinforced the teaching work in the Bahamas. A new island, Abaco, in the Bahama chain, was thus opened to the Faith.
The believers in the Falkland Islands. held their second annual teaching conference last January, bolstered by the attendance of American pioneers from Argentina. The Bermuda believers also held a teaching conference during which the Faith was proclaimed on radio and television to the entire island; believers from the New York and Chicago areas attended this conference.
Summer Teaching Projects involved 20 believers who were distributed among India, France, Germany and Mexico. Six of these returned to or remained as pioneers in the countries which hosted their projects.
Kazakh. The translation of literature into Kazakh, a project which resisted our earnest endeavors over a period of 10 years, was achieved this month.
Meeting with Canada. Of unsurpassed importanceiwas the jhint meeting in February of the members of the Canadian and United States National Assemblies, ahappening which conceived rich possibilities for collaboration between these co-heirs of the Divine Plan. The idea for the meeting, the first such meeting between these two Assemblies since Canada established its independent administration 28 years ago, was inspired by the cohesive spirit of the Third International Convention. Canada readily accepted the invitation of our National Assembly to engage in talks about subjects requiring our joint understanding and approach if we are to realize the full implications of the Masters Divine Plan for our two communities.
Highlighting this unusual event, the March 1974 issue of Canadian Bahá’í News reported:
On Saturday morning [February 16] the two Assemblies again met for prayers at the Temple, after which they held a day-long
[Page 2]
joint consultation. The subjects which received particular attention were mass teaching and consolidation, the development of
Bahá’í Institutions, particularly the local
Assembly and the Fund; collaboration in
such areas as publishing, team teaching, Indian and other ethnic proclamation, and
special services such as the computer program. It was an enriching and encouraging
experience for both National Assemblies to
appreciate the essential ‘similarities of their
national problem, and the remarkable degree to which they have separately come to a
common position on the fundamental Bahá’í
principles that must guide this present stage
in the evolution of the Cause on this continent. Within this framework the meeting
provided a unique opportunity for the exchange of experiences and ideas. Both Assemblies came away with a number of ideas
for projects which might be adapted to their
own national needs.
This memorable day culminated with a dinner at which the two National Spiritual Assemblies were joined by the Hand of the Cause Mr. Zikru’lláh Khádem and the four Counsellors. Following dinner the members of the four institutions involved spent the evening consulting on the response which Bahá’í Institutions should make to the problems posed by the growing social, economic, and moral breakdown in North America.
Both Assemblies drew a great deal of strength and reassurance from the intense feeling of unity which marked all of the sessions, and was a result of the spirit of frankness, love and common purpose. A number of areas for U.S.—Canadian collaboration were explored, and it was agreed that the next stage of joint-consultation at the executive level would begin as soon as the new Plan is launched.
EDUCATION OF THE COMMUNITY
The efforts to educate the community during this interim year were greatly increased by a variety of means: the establishment of a National Education Committee, which has been charged with the task of providing and promoting programs of education for children, the family, youth, and the local community as an entity; the release of the Comprehensive Deepening Program, which has gained wide use at home and ever—increasing attention abroad; the more numerous summer/winter schools and the further development of basic course materials by the National Bahá’í Schools Committee; the inception, at long last, of week-long study courses at the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute; the decided enrichment of Bahá’í literature through the energetic activities of the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, activities which are
JUNE‘ 1974
compelling the further physical expansion of that self—sustaining enterprise; the quiet but significantly increased ministrations of the Bahá’í Service to the Blind, whose formal affiliation with the Publishing Trust is to be sealed in the new year.
Children. Steps were begun to clarify for the Local Spiritual Assemblies and teaching committees
the manner in which children should be incorporated into the Bahá’í community. Sensing the growing demand to provide for their development, the National Spiritual Assembly decided to establish as quickly as circumstances allow a center for the training of Bahá’í children. A prospective site is being considered for the erection ofthis facility, at which it is proposed to train teachers as well as hold classes for children.
Youth. In consonance with the ongoing objective of fostering youth activity; a national conference was held in Oklahoma City from June 20-24 at which there were some 4,000 believers, the second largest gathering of Bahá’ís to occur on the planet. The reverberations of that conference have been felt
around the world particularly because of the subse quent teaching activities of many of its participants; until now it has continued to exert a steady influence in our community.
ADMINISTRATIVE DEVELOPMENTS
Further refinement of the instruments of the Administration demanded much of the National Assembly’s time. First and foremost was the attention given to Local Spiritual Assemblies: 46 seminars were held for the benefit of their members; these seminars represented the second in two years, of a series of actions which have been designed to awaken these institutions to a further realization of their high purpose and the indispensability of their basic functions to the building of a new order. These seminars form part of a broad evolving scheme for Assembly development in support of which the National Teaching Committee, National Education Committee, and National Spiritual Assembly, through the Secretariat, will play integral roles.
District Conventions. Although the plans for the District Conventions were more elaborately prepared this year, their essential improvement over last year’s was somewhat undermined by a breakdown in the mailing arrangements. The remedial actions taken, though not entirely effective, resulted in a slightly higher overall level of participation in District Conventions. A new schedule has already been activated that should better prepare the community for District Conventions next time.
National Bahd’z'Cenrer. A dislocation in the staff of the National Bahá’í Center subsequent to the completion of the Nine Year Plan aggravated by a simultaneous voluminous increase in correspon /ex
[Page 3]
REVIEW
3
dence pressed the National Assembly to reassess its executive system and to take bold steps to amplify its capacity to cope with the evident new phase which
the Administration of the Cause in America had
entered. The end of the Nine Year Plan marked the end of certain tenures of employment and service; some workers went on to other Bahá’í assignments elsewhere. The necessary renewal and upgrading of the staff has been far advanced, although much retooling has yet to be done to bring the Administrative machinery up to required strength.
Committees. The amplification of the National Spiritual Assembly’s capacity to administer the affairs of an ever-growing community must be achieved to a great extent through the mature, coordinated functioning of national committees, which the beloved Guardian described as its “expert advisers and executive assistants” and with which he urged Local Spiritual Assemblies to cooperate. The Assembly has, therefore, made a concerted effort to trace more clearly the framework in which major national committees may collaborate effectively on matters of mutual concern. The work of the committees this year has produced a most encouraging augury: more numerous and more highly productive joint meetings. For example, the meetings between the National Teaching Committee and the National Information Committee concerning ‘proclamation programs, between the Bahá’í Publishing Committee and the National Information Committee concerning mutually advantageous publishing projects, between the National Properties Committee and the School Councils concerning the maintenance of properties for accommodating school programs are evidences of the confidence and facility with which the national administration is functioning. There has thus been a remarkable increase in the cohesive quality and output of committee work. An observation worth mentioning is that with the firm establishment of Regional Teaching Committees, especially in California and South Carolina, the effectiveness of the work of the National Teaching Committee has been powerfully reinforced and the viability of such committees fully justified.
DEVELOPMENT OF PROPERTIES
Effecting necessary repairs and refurbishments of important properties continued to be a source of major concern to the National Spiritual Assembly and the National Properties Committee. Such work is urgently needed at the House of Worship and the Green Acre and Davison schools. Since sufficient funds were not available, very slow progress was made with any of these projects, although a notable achievement was the repairs to the steps of the Temple. Several encouraging signs emerged to offset the near-desperation we felt; the Properties Committee
acted boldly to improve the staffing for its maintenance and security systems; extensive engineering studies confirmed the structural soundness of the Temple while pointing out several areas needing work which could cost an estimated $750,000 to $1,000,000; the National Spiritual Assemblies of Alaska, Canada, and the Hawaiian Islands, though hard-pressed for funds themselves, pledged financial support for repairs to the Temple (the amount already received from them together with the $20,000 contributed by The Universal House of Justice enabled us to decide to reupholster and refinish the seats in the Auditorium this year); a replacement for Geyserville was purchased in Santa Cruz, California, and both a clear title and use permit were obtained after prolonged legal work. The new property, to be dedicated this summer, has been named in memory ofJohn and Louise Bosch, the donors of the Geyserville property.
INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA One of the administrative changes announced at
the last National Convention was the amalgamation ‘
of the external and internal information functions in a National Bahá’í Information Committee. In addition to informing the public through the mass media, the Committee would take over the production of Bahá’í News, The American Bahá’í’, and National Bahci’z’Review. It has made a brilliant begi-nning: not only has it improved these publications editorially and physically, it has, as well, introduced a Spanish page to The American Bahá’í’, instituted Bahá’í’ Digest, a newsletter for believers in prison, and begun to provide a recorded digest of The American Bahd'z’ for use in Georgia where literacy among a number of the believers was reported to be low.‘ Nor has the Committee neglected to provide materials for the mass media. The impressive achievements of the three experimental information services brought under its aegis merit applause: two of these have succeeded in making an impact on the press in Arkansas and Georgia. In Georgia, the service has begun production of radio spot announcements for use by Bahá’í communities. The methodical gathering of human talents and materials toward the realization of its multifarious projects is worthy of a committee with more extensive experience.
RELATIONS WITH THE CONTINENTAL BOARD OF COUNSELLORS
The beneficial consequences of the creation of the International Teaching Center in the Holy Land last summer forged wholly new opportunities to enhance the collaboration between the National Spiritual Assembly and the_Continental Board of Counsellors in North America. Although an unbroken interaction had obtained between them for five years, an unburried meeting between the two institutions was long
JUNE 1974
overdue; the adjustment in membership on the Continental Board provided persuasive reasons for it. Therefore, on October 20 and 21, the Counsellors and the National Assembly members engaged in a conference memorable for its length, but particularly for the optimistic tone it set for their future working relationship. Indeed, it was on this occasion that the schedule was worked out for a series ofjoint discussions in anticipation of the launching of the Five Year Plan, discussions which would culminate in a meeting on May 26 involving not only the members of thesetwo senior institutions, but also those of their chief ancillary institutions, the Auxiliary Boards and the National Teaching Committee, in discussion of the Assembly’s decisions regarding the execution of the Plan in our community.
One of the high points of the year was the initial talks on the Plan, two days after Naw-Rtiz, when the Hands of the Cause Zikru’lláh fihadem and John Robarts joined the four Counsellors and the members of the National Spiritual Assembly; the effusion of spirit from this intense experience revealed rich new prospects for increased collaboration between these institutions.
LAUNCHING THE NEW PLAN
Theeagerly awaited Five Year Plan is here. The letter of November 21 from the Supreme Institution announcing to all National Spiritual Assemblies its duration and prescribing the conditions under which it might be launched arrived simultaneously with the proposals of a special committee of the National Spiritual Assembly which had been organized in October to outline the program of the proposed national conference to launch the Plan. A search had been instituted in September for a conference site and the selection of St. Louis had already been agreed upon. These presumptive arrangements gave us a much—needed head start toward meeting the requirement stated by The House of Justice that each National Spiritual Assembly hold “one or more conferences in conjunction with its Convention or soon after.”
The arrangements for our conference, which will be illumined with the presence of Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, are well advanced; and the National Assembly feels that they will fulfill the expressed hope of the Supreme Institution that “such conferences would greatly assist in acquainting the friends with the nature and aims of the Plan and in enlisting their enthusiasm and resolution to achieve it.”
In the meantime, the National Assembly is in the midst ofextensive preparations for diffusing the Plan throughout the entire community and for investing its _administrative constituents with the capability to
manage it. Inspired, advised, and aided by the Hands of the Cause and the Continental Counsellors during the preliminary discussions in March of the goals assigned to our community, the Assembly immediately initiated a series of planning sessions which have as their aim the recommendation of means and the preparation of detailed guidelines by which the believers and their institutions can rise to this new challenge in a sustained, vigorously prosecuted, rigorously coordinated campaign. As we perceive the situation, we have reached at this Convention the third of six stages in the progressive launching of that campaign, for which, like a military enterprise, we must carefully be drilled and armed.
The release of the Naw-Rúz message from the Supreme Institution sounded the bugle call; the initial discussions, involving two Hands of the Cause, all four Counsellors and the National Spiritual Assembly, constitute the rousing of the chief officers; the ‘National Convention, the display of the colors; the post-Convention Conferences, the diffusion of field orders; the anticipated joint meeting of the Continental Counsellors, National Assembly members, Auxiliary Board members, and National Teaching Committee members in May, the issuance of operation orders; and the St. Louis Conference, the complete call to arms—the mobilization of all detachments of the Army of Light toward the conquest of their assigned objectives.
Reflecting upon the illusory ease with which these preparations have cohered, the National Spiritual Assembly perceives an overwhelming outpouring of confirmations upon its plans. We do not know by what deserts we have been inspired to such prevenance as was evinced in our planning this year; nor do we understand the mysterious workings of these blessings; but we do testify to the incontrovertible potency of the divine prospects held before us by our beloved Guardian, when on the occasion of receiving the texts of our annual reports in 1940, he wrote:
As the administrative processes expand, as their operation steadily improves, as their necessity is more fully and strikingly deInonstrated, and their beneficent influence correspondingly grows more apparent and evident, so will the blessings, the strength and guidance bestowed by Him Who animates and directs these processes be more abundantly vouchsafed
to those who have been called upon to utilize
them, in this age, for the execution of Gods
Purpose and for the ultimate redemption of a
sore-stricken travailing humanity.
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY or THE BAHA’I’s OF THE UNITED STATES
[Page 5]
REVIEW
5
Instructions given on Five Year Plan
To: All Local Spiritual Assemblies Dear Bahá’í Friends:
We are glad indeed to inform you of the successful holding of the historic 65th Annual Convention, whose high spirit and soundness of purpose were immeasurably enhanced by the presence of the representative of The Universal House of Justice, the Hand of the Cause of God Paul E. Haney.
With Mr. Haney’s reading of the messages from the Supreme Institution at the Convention and with the mailing at Riḍván of copies of these messages to all Local Spiritual Assemblies, groups and District Teaching Committees, one important phase of the launching of the Five Year Plan in the American Bahá’í Community has been completed.
The urgency and orderliness with which we must execute the Plan prompt us to direct the following requests and comments to you:
1. If they are to be effective, those who execute the objectives of this enterprise must do so with knowledge; we, therefore, request you to organize occasions for the study of the Five Year Plan messages by the believers under your jurisdiction. The friends must be fully informed of the general and specific requirements of the Plan so that they will be ready to carry out the national programs to be announced at the forthcoming conference in St. Louis.
2. Since one of the preeminent goals assigned to our Community is supplying 120 pioneers for foreign lands, we ask that you constantly encourage and remind the friends to consider this vital objective and advise those who can respond immediately to contact the International Goals Committee at the National Bahá’í Center.
3. We are happy to inform you that the last month of the Bahá’í year brought us the largest contribution to the National Bahá’í Fund in any single Bahá’í’ month—$2ll,l69—and that, as a result, we have entered the new year without a deficit. Our boundless thanks go to the Assemblies and friends whose outpouring of contributions was an obvious response to the call of the National Spiritual Assembly for an increase of 30 percent in gifts to the Fund during the final months of the old year.
The -national budget for fiscal 1974-75 is
$2,600,000, every dollar of which is needed to fund ‘
the vastly expanded activities called for in the new Plan. May we, in view of the splendid achievement last month, expect each Local Spiritual Assembly to increase its contribution this year to the National Fund by 30 percent over last year? Since this would
ensure the success of the new budget, we lovingly request that you seriously consider doing so and that you also encourage thefriends to consider such an increase in their individual contributions.
Dear Friends, our preparation during the short period between now and the conference in St. Louis when the Plan will be fully launched in our Community will greatly influence the nature of our response to this third global enterprise. Let us, institutions and individuals alike, therefore not hesitate for one moment in acting on the three directives cited above so that a fitting foundation may be laid for the mounting of our five-year—long campaign. Above all, let each individual believer vigorously and ceaselessly teach according to his or her opportunities among the various strata of our society.
With loving Bahá’í greetings, NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA‘I’s OF THE UNITED STATES
Work forbidden on Bahá’í’ Holy Days
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
From time to time questions have arisen about the application of the law of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas on the observance of Bahá’í' Holy Days. As you know, the recognition of Bahá’í' Holy Days in at least ninetyfive countries of the world is an important and highly significant objective of the Nine Year Plan, and is directly linked with the recognition of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh by the civil authorities as an independent religion enjoying its own rights and privileges.
The attainment of this objective will be facilitated and enhanced if the friends, motivated by their own realization of the importance of the laws of Bahá’u’lláh, are obedient to them. For the guidance of believers we repeat the instructions of the beloved Guardian:
“He wishes also to stress the fact that, according to our Bahá’í’ laws, work is forbidden
on our Nine Holy Days. Believers who have
independent businesses or shops should refrain
from working on these days. Those who are in
government employ should, on religious
grounds, make an effort to be excused from
work; all believers, whoever their employers,
should do likewise. lfthe government, or other
employers, refuse to grant them these days off,
they are not required to forfeit their employment, but they should make every effort to have
the independent status of their Faith recognized
and their right to hold their own religious Holy
Days acknowledged.” (From a letter written on
behalf of the Guardian to the American Na
[Page 6]
tional Spiritual Assembly, dated July 7, 1947,
BAHA’I’ NEWS, No. 198, page 3)
“This distinction between institutions that are under full or partial Bahaicontrol is of a fundamental importance. Institutions that are entirely managed by Bahá’í’s are, for reasons that are only too obvious, under the obligation of enforcing all the laws and ordinances of the Faith, especially those whose observance constitutes a matter of conscience. There is no reason, no justification whatever, that they should act otherwise . . . The point which should be always remembered is that the issue in question is essentially a matter of conscience, and as such is of a binding effect upon all believers.” (From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to the American National Spiritual Assembly, dated October 2, 1935, Bahá’í’ NEWS, No. 97, page 9) .
JUNE 1974
children excused, on religious grounds, from attending school on Bahá’í' Holy Days wherever possible. The Guardian has said:
“Regarding children: at fifteen a Bahá’í is of age as far as keeping the laws of the Aqdas is concemed-—-prayer, fasting, etc. But children under fifteen should certainly observe the Bahá’í’ Holy Days, and not go to school, if this can be arranged on these nine days." (From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian, dated October 25, 1947, to the American National Spiritual Assembly)
National Assemblies should give this subject their careful consideration, and should provide ways and means for bringing this matter to the attention of the believers under their jurisdiction so that, as a matter of conscience, the mass of believers will uphold these laws and observe them.
January 28, 1966
In addition, steps should be taken to have Bahá’í
With loving Bahá’í greetings, THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
Five Year Plan Pioneer Goals
AFRICA (E) Jamaica . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 EUROPE
(E) Botswana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 (F) French Antilles . . . . . . . . . .2 (F) Belgium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 ,.\
(F)(E) Cameroon Republic . . . . . .2 (E) Leeward and Virgin Isl. . . .2 (Gr) Greece . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
(F) Dahomey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 (S) Nicaragua . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 (N) Norway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
(F) Togo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 (S) Panama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 (P) Portugal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
(E) Ghana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 (S) Paraguay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 (F)(G)(I) Switzerland . . . . . . . . . .
(E) Lesotho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 (S) Peru . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 14
(F) Malagasy Republic ’ . . . . . . .2 (S) Puerto Rico . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
(E) Malawi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 (E) Trinidad and Tobago . . . . .2
(E) Rhodesia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 (S) Uruguay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 TOTALS .
(E) British Indian Ocean Terr. .2 (S) Venezuela . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 AFRICA . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
(E) Tanzania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 (E) Windward Isl . . . . . . . . . . .._2 AMERICAS . . . . . . . . . . .51
(E) Gambia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 1 ASIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
(E) Liberia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 AUSTRALASIA . . . . . . .. 4
(E) Sierra Leone . . . . . . . . . . . .2 ASIA A EUROPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 441
(F) Zaire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i (P)(C) Macau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 120
30 (E) India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
(K)(E) Korea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
AMERICAS (F) Laos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
(S) Argentina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 (F)(E) Lebanon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 KEY;
(S) Bolivia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 (E) Nepal . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 C Chinese (southern dialect) (P) Brazil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 (E) Philippine Isl. . . . . . . . . . . .2 speaking
(S) Chile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 (E) Taiwan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 D Dutch-speaking
(S) Colombia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 (E) Thailand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 E English-speaking
(S) Costa Rica . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 (E) Vietnam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .._4 F French-speaking
(S) Dominican Republic . . . . . .2 1 . G German—speaking
(S) Ecuador ‘ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Gr Greek-speaking
S Guatemala . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 l Italian-speaking
(E) Guyana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 AUSTRALASIA 2 K Korean-speaking
(D) Surinam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 (E) Carolme 151' ’ ’ ' ' ‘ ' ’ ’ ‘ ’ ' ' N Norwegian—speaking 2-\
(F) Haiti . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . .2 (E) Western Samoa ' ‘ ' ' ' ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ P Portuguese-speaking '
(S) Honduras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 S Spanish—speaking
[Page 7]
/“
REVIEW
B aha’ i marriage
For assistance of the Local Spiritual Assemblies as well as the individual believers who experience difficulties in obtaining the consent of parents of the couple wishing to be married according to the Bahá’í’ Law, we quote the following paragraphs from a letter to an individual believer from The Universal House of Justice:
Although a Bahá’í ceremony is required, it is not necessary that the parents consent to the ceremony; the only requirement is that they consent to the marriage. However, if consent be withheld because a Bahá’í ceremony is to be conducted, this must be accepted. The freedom of the parents in giving or refusing consent is unrestricted and unconditioned. They may refuse consent on any ground and they are responsible to God alone.
Although it is preferable to have the consent in writing, the fact that consent is given may be established in other ways. The necessary element is that the Spiritual Assembly responsible for certifying the marriage be satisfied that consent has in fact been given. For example, the Local Assembly could appoint one or more people who could testify that they heard the parents consent orally to the marriage.
Since there seems to be the impression in some quarters that when refusal to give consent to the marriage is based on racial prejudice, the law requiring parental consent may be waived, careful note should be taken of the statement that the parents “may refuse consent on any ground and that they are responsible to God alone.”
Bahá’ is who marry without providing verified parental consent are subject to deprivation of their Bahá’í administrative rights and privileges.
In Memoriam
Mr. Robert Akers Montgomery, WV Date unknown
Mr. Abraham Austin Elloree, SC Date unknown
Miss Mary Berry Darlington, SC 1973
Mr. James Flemings Alachua, FL Date unknown
Mrs. Alfrieda Forte Bremerton, WA 1973
Mrs. Ruth Gardner Tucson. AZ March II, 1974
Mr. Robert A. Gibson Riviera Beach, FL 1971
Mr. Eddie Glover Elloree, SC Date unknown
Mr. Johnny Glover Elloree, SC Date unknown
Mr. Jasper Earl Hardy Pocomoke City, MD August 1973
Mrs. Ethel Harris Logansport, IN January 26, 1974
Mr. Kenneth G. Hartman Ft. Wayne, IN April 26, 1974
Mr. Hue Haynes Phoenix, AZ April II, 1974
Mrs. Emma Hyter Madison, AL 1973
Mr. Jacob Jones Alachua, FL Date unknown
Mr. Dick Kirkham Tucson, AZ 1973
Mr. Robert Lee Killings Americus, GA 1972
Mrs. Hilda M. Laidlaw Del Mar, CA April 28, 1974
Mrs. Missouri Lawrence Elloree, SC Date unknown
Mr. Frank Leigh Cleveland, Ohio April 1974
Mr. George M. Lewis Beaumont, TX January 1974
Miss Pearline Louis Vienna. GA 1972
Mr. Lucien Seeley McComb Glenwood Landing, NY November 28, l97l
Mrs. Jessie Mc Neil Santa Cruz, CA Date unknown
Mattie McSwain Shellman, GA Date unknown
Mildred Mehl Huntington Sta, NY 1969 .
Mrs. Nikki Miller South Bend, IN March 7, 1974
Miss E. Palmquist Milwaukee, WI 1973
Mr. Jimmy Lee Postell Reynolds, GA Date unknown
Mrs. Bonnie Ramey Billings, MT April 27, 1974
Mrs. Gwyneth Schwenk Casper, WY April 9, 1974
Mr. Banes Scott Italy, TX March l9, 1974
Eugene Segundo Palm Desert, CA June 1973
Mr. Peter Stabs by Mistake Heart Butte, MT May 1, 1974
Mrs. Mary Stubbings Chico. CA Date unknown
Mr. Woodrow Tull Pocomoke City, MD December 1972
Mr. Blease Waiters Elloree, SC Date unknown
Mrs. Annie Whaley Elloree, SC Date unknown
Mrs. Mary B. Williams Batavia. IL March 14, 1974
Mrs. Lottie Wilson St. Petersburg, FL July 1973
Mr. Elmer Yellowhawk Poplar, MT April 28, 1974
Mr. William Edeward Harris Buena Park, CA March 26. 1974
[Page 8]
JUNE 1974
Alcohol forbidden in any form 0
“Under no circumstances should Baha’ is drink. It is so unambiguously forbidden in the Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, that there is no excuse for them even touching it in the form ofa toast, or in a burning plum pudding; in fact, in any way." (From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian by his Secretary to an individual believer, dated March 3, 1957.)
.“The Assemblies must be wise and gentle in dealing with such cases (i.e. Bahá’ís using alcoholic beverages), but at the same time must not tolerate a prolonged and flagrant disregard of the Bahá’í Teachings as regards alcohol.” (From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian by his Secretary to the Canadian National Spiritual Assembly, BAHA’I’ NEWS, June 1958.)
As to those believers who continue to drink, they should be lovingly exhorted, then firmly warned and eventually deprived of their voting rights. The number oftimes a person is exhorted and warned is a matter left to the discretion of each Local Spiritual Assembly, in consultation with the National Spritual Assembly. The policy you adopt should not be one
of removing the administrative rights of the believers in a bureaucratic and automatic way, as this would be unwise and unjust. Your Assembly as well as all Local Spiritual Assemblies should courageously and continously -remind the friends of their obligation in this respect, handle firmly all flagrant cases, and use such cases, in a way that by force of example, they exert their influence upon the other believers. It must be made clear to the Local Assemblies that they should be willing to cooperate with the believers affected by such drinking habits, when any such believer promises gradually and systematically to reduce his drinking with the objective in mind of entirely abandoning this habit.
We feel sure that your National Spiritual Assembly will, with wisdom, loving kindness and determination succeed in uprooting this evil from your ranks and bring about the spiritual upliftment and advancement of the believers under your area of jurisdiction.
THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE November 12, 1965
NATIONAL BAHA’l FUND
Meet challenge each 19 days
To: All Local Spiritual Assemblies and Bahá’í Groups
Dcur Bahá’í Friends:
With overwhelmingjoy the National Spiritual Assembly announces that the American Bahá’í’ Community has won two important victories for the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh: the deficit in the National Bahá’í Fund has been eliminated, and a record total of over $210,000 has been contributed in a single Bahá’í’ month. Supporting these thrilling victories, an all-time high of 592 Local Assemblies and 343 groups participated.
The National Spiritual Assembly is deeply gxmified by the wholehearted and loving response of the friends to the request for a 30% increase in
contributions. It is a convincing indication of what we can accomplish when we set clear goals and strive methodically to win them.
Our next pressing objective is the annual Fund goal of $2.6 million. A commitment by each Assembly, group and individual believer to increase contributions by 30% throughout the coming year will enable us to win this goal. Strengthened by our prayers and the unfailing assistance of Bahá’u’lláh, let us arise to meet the challenges of the Five Year Plan!
In loving Bahá’í service, NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA’I’s or THE UNITED STATES
Dorothy W. Nelson, Treasurer
