The American Bahá’í/Volume 20/Issue 4/Text
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Kevin Locke elected to National Spiritual Assembly
The National Spiritual Assembly is pleased to announce that Kevin Locke, a Lakota Indian from Mobridge, South Dakota, is the newest member of the National Assembly following a by-election held in FebTuary.
Mr. Locke, who has resigned from the Auxiliary Board to accept membership on the Assembly, replaces Chester Kahn, who resigned for personal reasons after serving on the National Assembly for seven years.
Mr. Locke is well known in this country and abroad for his performances of traditional Lakota music and dance including cs spectacular hoop dance at which he excels.
Less well known is his ‘‘other’’ career as a school teacher and administrator who earned a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of South Dakota.
For the past four years Mr. Locke has
traveled to more than 30 countries, 48 states and six continents to help keep alive the musical and oral traditions of his people including the hoop dance, courting flute, and a narrative that includes Lakota sign language.
The U.S. State Department has sent him to Africa to take part in an American cultural program; European festivals, such as the Festival de Lille in France, have asked him to visit when their programs include
American culture. He has also performed in Spain, Australia and other countries
Mr. Locke has worked with five Canadian Indian tribes to develop educational policies and language curricula, has played the traditional flute and performed the hoop dance for an audience of 5,000 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and has made four recordings featuring the Lakota courting flute and narratives of his native culture.
‘The real treasury of man is his knowledge’—Bahá’u’lláh
American Baha’
Volume 20, No. 4
April 1989
More than 1,300 inspired by Mr. Hofman’s words
D.C. hosts 12th ‘Vision to Victory’ conference
By LAURA E. HILDRETH More than 1,300 Bahá’ís from 25 states and 15 countries gathered February 25-26 jin Alexandria, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C., for the 12th and final ‘‘Vision to Victory” conference called for by the
National Spiritual Assembly.
The spirit and energy generated at these meetings, which helped inaugurate a two-year period of sacrifice and action, is intended to empower the American Bahá’í community to win the goals of the Six Year Plan, moving the community ever closer to the longawaited advent of entry by troops into the Cause of God.
Gearing up for the weekend conference, the co-sponsoring Assemblies of Alexandria and Washington held a public meeting Friday evening at the Ramada InnAlexandria.
There, the gathering of more than 150 people including many non-Bahá’ís heard Judge James F. Nelson, vice-chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, speak on “The Promise of World Peace.”
The conference itself featured inspiring talks by a number of special guests including David Hofman, a retired member of the Universal House of Justice who was present at eight of the 12
“*Vision to Victory’’ conferences.
On stage, a backdrop depicted the buildings of the Arc as they will appear on Mount Carmel; but the drawings were not completely painted-in, which seemed to motivate the friends to consider ways in which they might help advance the plan to complete the Arc.
One of those ways is to contribute to the various Funds, and in this respect the friends outdid themselves, easily surpassing the conference goal of $95,000 and raising a grand total of more than $165,000.
Much of that was contributed Sunday morning following a soulstirring appeal by Jack McCants, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly, who told the friends, “‘If you can say, ‘I am the bearer of the Name of God in this Day,’ and mean it, you'll change your life before you walk out of this room today.
“There has never been a time in history,’’ said Mr. McCants, “that demanded of any genera
National Assembly notes decrease
in persecutions, urges more rights
According to the U.S. State Department’s 1988 report on the status of human rights in Iran, that country’s persecution of individual Bahá’ís has moderated considerably during the past year.
The report notes, however, that the Bahá’í community as a whole remains an oppressed minority in Iran, denied recognition Ea and denied the right to conduct organized
“The Aeecteai Bahá’í community,” the National Spiritual Assembly’s Office of External Affairs said in its response to the report, ‘‘welcomes our government’s continuing attention and concern for the rights of the Baha’fs, Iran’s largest religious minority.
“We hope that Congress and the administration will continue to make clear that improvements in Iran’s human rights practices, including its treatment of Bahá’ís and other religious minorities, will be an important consideration in any potential dialogue between the United States and Iran.
“‘We are pleased that no Iranian Bahá’ís have been executed in recent months, and that hundreds of Bahá’ís have now been released from Iranian prisons.
“But it is not enough to stop jailing, torturing and killing Bahá’ís on account of their religious beliefs.
“We hope we can look forward to the day when the Iranian Bahá’í community will be emancipated and granted the rights guaranteed by various international covenants to which Iran is a signatory: the right to select their leaders, to hold property, to operate religious schools, and to carry on the normal activities of a peaceful, law-abiding religious community.’’
h : Pictured are some of the more than 1,300 Bahá’ís from 25 states
tion what is demanded of you.””
His address placed the capstone on a conference that had begun the previous morning with a “Teaching Fair” featuring 27 displays of local teaching projects and a variety of other exhibits.
Three workshops were offered at the conference: ‘Entry by Troops’? (National Teaching Committee); ‘‘The Most Vital and Challenging Issue’’ (National Race Unity Committee); and a special teaching session in Persian.
Special features that helped make the gathering more enjoyable for everyone included simultaneous translations in Persian and in sign language for the hearing impaired.
The Saturday afternoon session was opened with an address on “The Vision’ by James Nelson who told his audience, “‘We need to identify and define our ‘vision,’ because without a clear vision of where we are going, we may wind up somewhere else.’”
Counselor Alan Smith, speaking next on ‘Entry By Troops,’’ said, ‘‘We are here today to begin the process of entry by troops.’’
To do that, he said, we must “move the message”’ of the Universal House of Justice ‘‘from the head to the heart.’”
The friends in the Caribbean, where he resides, said Mr. Smith, share that vision and long to see it become a reality.
j and 15 countries who attended the 12th ‘Vision to Victory’ confer Saturday evening, Judge Dorothy Nelson, the chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, introduced Mr. Hofman, saying, “Mr. Hofman thinks this is his last conference ...,””_ thus intimating that the Bahá’ís in America may have future opportunities to meet with the distinguished retired member of the House of Justice.
As he has at every conference, Mr. Hofman tactfully reminded the friends that it is indeed possible for the American community to forfeit its prescribed destiny, which is to lead the world to a more spiritual way of life.
He quoted ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, saying, ‘Will it be America, or will it be one of the countries of EuTope ...2””
“‘You must forgo the frenetic pursuit of material wealth and power,’’ he said. ‘‘More than half of your brothers and sisters are hungry, illiterate. You stockpile food while others starve.
“The dream is in your hands. Take the leadership. Make the biggest sacrifices you can; bring the dream to all of mankind.””
This is the critical moment in
ence February 25-26 dria, Virginia.
the history of our planet, he said, the time when God’s purpose for us is to come to fruition.
“The vital reason why these processes must synchronize,’’ said Mr. Hofman, “‘is to allow the Bahá’í community to lead mankind (spiritually) as it is destined to do.”
On Sunday morning, Counselor William Roberts spoke to the friends about their individual commitment to teaching, saying, “Let your hearts burn with the desire to serve His Name and proclaim His Cause.””
Mr. Roberts then called the newest members of the Bahá’í community, those who had declared since Riḍván 1988, to the stage, where each was given a rose corsage on behalf of the National Spiritual Assembly.
Presentations were made by local believers to describe various teaching activities under way in the Mid-Atlantic states, among them a presentation by the District Youth Committee announcing its plan called ‘Putting Words Into Action.””
Also touched on were activities
See CONFERENCE page 2
Interview with Mr. Hofman
David Hofman, a retired member of the Universal House of Justice, talks about his travels across the U.S. during the past several months and his participation in eight of the 12 ‘‘Vision to
Victory’’ conferences. Special pull-out section, pages 7-10.
�[Page 2]
2./ The American Bahá’í / April 1989
‘,.. approach your task with confidence that power of Covenant will assist you’
To the American Bahá’í community Sor the Feast of Baha Dear friends:
At the outset of the year, the National Spiritual Assembly initiated a process that it hoped would lead to large-scale growth in the American Bahá’í community and to significant increases in contributions to the National Fund and to the Arc. We established the four large-scale teaching projects, conducted the 12 Vision to Victory conferences, held the Bahá’í International Youth Conference, witnessed the launching of 208 separate teaching projects throughout the United States, and participated in several other major conferences to raise our appreciation of the Universal House of Justice’s charge to complete the Arc on Mount Carmel.
The time has now come to assess the results of these efforts. On the one hand, we are heartened by the success of the conferences which resulted in sacrificial giving to the Fund and an outpouring of energy and activity; on the other, we cannot help noting that this heightenéd spirit has not produced a noticeable change in the growth of the community. While many of us have been inspired by the conferences to cast aside our fears and to pursue the teaching work with unabated vigor, the progress remains slow. In light of the House of Justice’s assurance that new prospects for teaching the Cause at all levels of society have unfolded, we must ask ourselves: Why are we not growing? On what does our success depend?
In its Ridvan 1988 message, the Universal House of Justice explained that the success of the entire community depends on the initiative and resolute will of the individual to teach and to serve. It assures us that each individual can attain increasing measures of success in teaching if he will transform his inner life and become an example of the eternal principles proclaimed by Baha’u’ll4h.
Given this assurance, each believer may well ask: How has being a Bahá’í changed me? Do I truly believe, or do I just belong? Does my life reflect spiritual principles? Am I afraid of the changes inherent in the large-scale growth of the community? What is service to Baha’u’ll4h?
While pursuing our objectives with confidence, optimism and an unshakable resolve, we must never forget that our service is a spiritual one. Therefore, we encourage you to approach your task with confidence that the power of the Covenant will assist you in your efforts.
May God bless your endeavors and inspire your hearts to arise in His Cause with that degree of radiant faith and self-sacrifice that will draw to your aid the conquering hosts of the Supreme Concourse.
With loving greetings,
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States March 21, 1989
3 UNITING» WORLD
In December, more than 200,000 people had an opportunity to receive the Message of Bahá’u’lláh via the 1988 Greater Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Holiday Parade. More than 30 Bahá’ís from western Pennsylvania and New Jersey, in international costume, carried banners and signs depicting
the principles of the Faith and including quotations from Bahd’
u’lláh through downtown Pittsburgh. More than 100,000 people
lined the parade route while many
thousands more saw the event
broadcast live on the city’s most
popular television station. As the
Bahá’ís passed the reviewing
stand, the TV commentator said,
‘Bahá’ís work for world peace,
and that’s what the holiday spirit
is all about.’
National Center staff aids children’s RAMP
The Bahd’{ National Center continues to be involved with Chicago’s independent RAMP (Reading and Math Program) for socially disadvantaged children.
Bahá’ís regularly visit the RAMP to help tutor the children in a variety of subjects.
Recently, young Bahá’ís from across the country who were visiting Chicago cleaned the area around the RAMP headquarters and helped clean the future home for a computer donated to the RAMP by the Northern Trust Bank in Chicago.
Conference
from page 1
of area Bahá’í Clubs on college campuses, for example at Rutgers University where a class on “‘The Promise of World Peace’’ is offered to incoming freshmen.
A presentation entitled ‘Senior Citizens’ Teaching Stories’ presented marvelous examples of the heroic efforts being made by some of the more mature members of the Bahá’í community.
Also presented was a short video tape, ‘‘The Fourth Epoch Opens,’’ which was produced by the National Spiritual Assembly.
Classes for the more than 200 children at the conference were taught by local Bahá’ís, many of whom were youth.
A bookstore, set up by the Bahá’í Distribution Service, offered a wide range of Bahá’í literature and other materials. Sales totaled $23,000.
An article about the conference appeared February 24 in the Alexandria Gazette Packet. The headline read, ‘‘Bahá’í Faith spreads peace, brings conference to Alexandria.””
Attendance at the 12 “Vision to Victory’? conferences averaged more than 1,100; total funds contributed or pledged was more than $1,151,000, for an average per conference of almost $96,000.
Above: One of the newer Bahá’ís
at the Vision to Victory conference in Washington has a rose corsage pinned on by Auxiliary
Board member Tahereh Ahdieh. Below: Some of the children display their unity during an appearance onstage.
In California’s San Joaquin Valley Many Asian Bahá’í refugees are contacted
California’s San Joaquin Valley is buzzing with excitement after many Southeast Asian Bahá’í refugees were recently visited by representatives from the Bahd’{ National Center.
Many of these refugees had been in the United States for up to 10 years with little or no contact with their local Bahá’í communities.
In a whirlwind effort to help reintegrate these dear souls into the American Bahá’í mainstream, the coordinator and assistant coordinator of the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office (USBRO) traveled to 10 cities throughout Central California—Fresno, Porterville, Tulare, Yosemite, Mariposa, Merced, San Jose, Oakland, San Francisco and Stockton—from February 12-21.
Kent and Barbara Sellars, members of the Bahá’í community of Fresno who have been working closely with the Indochinese refugees, took a week off from their jobs to accompany them.
In Stockton, they were met by Mrs. Sarah Rosenthal, secretary of the local Spiritual Assembly.
The Bahá’í travelers had the pleasure of meeting Phouc Banh, who had been a member of the National Teaching Committee in Vietnam and is now an assistant to Auxiliary Board member Richard Groger.
Soon after arriving in the U.S. two years ago, Mr. Bahn placed an ad for 25 consecutive days in a local Vietnamese-language newspaper, as a result of which he located six Vietnamese Bahá’í families in San Jose.
A total of 56 adult Baha’fs and 82 Bahá’í children and youth from Southeast Asia (Hmong, Laotian, Khmer and Vietnamese) were visited on this trip.
The steadfastness and sincerity of these friends, after having un Pictured during a recent visit by Sriends from the Fresno area are two of the Laotian Bahá’í families in Stockton, California. Also vis dergone such tremendous hardships and having waited so long for contact with other Bahá’ís, was overpowering.
Most homes had a ‘‘Greatest Name’’ plaque and/or picture of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on the wall in a prominent place.
The parents were eager to have their children attend Bahá’í classes, and asked for more Bahá’í educational materials in their own languages. They also expressed a need to be visited regularly in their homes by Bahá’ís.
Although this was not a teach iting was Puran Stevens (back row third from right), director of the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office at the Bahá’í National Center.
ing project, there were four declarations, and many neighbors became interested in learning about the Faith.
The U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office is thrilled about the teaching opportunities that are opening up among the Southeast Asians.
We urge the friends throughout the country to identify and consort with Southeast Asian Baha’ is in their communities, as these newcomers are eager to become involved in Bahda’{ activities and can offer many talents and resources in the process.
the U.S.A.
The American Bahá’í (USPS 042-430) is published monthly by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States, 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, IL 60091. Postmaster: Send address changes o Management Information Systems, Bahd'( National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Executive editor: Jack Bowers. Associate editor: Laura E. Hildreth. The American Bahd’f welcomes news, letters and other items of interest from individuals and the various institutions of the Faith. Articles should be written clearly and concisely; color or black-and-white glossy photographs should be included whenever possible. Please address all materials to The Editor, ‘The American Bahá’í, Wilmette, IL 60091. Copyright © 1989 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World rights feserved. Printed in
ASSEMBLY DEVELOPMENT
Each month the National Spiritual Assembly receives many letters asking a variety of questions related to the functioning of local Spiritual Assemblies. Since the replies to these letters often contain information applicable to the functioning of Assemblies in general, the National Assembly has decided to print its responses to some of the more frequently asked questions in The American Bahá’í. Beginning with this issue, the questions and their answers will appear in a regular feature entitled “The Development of local Spiritual Assemblies. ’”
°
How might Assemblies or parents go about securing recognition of Holy Days for Bahá’í school children?
Generally speaking, all that is necessary is to write a letter to the Board of Education or similar authority asking for recognition. The Holy Days should be listed and a brief explanation included for each. Also, the letter should point out that these dates are the same each year; hence, they do not always fall on regularly scheduled school days.
The parents are usually asked to send a note in advance to the teacher or principal, and the children are expected to make up any lost work.
Along with the letter, it is also
sometimes helpful to include a pamphlet or two about the Faith. You might also mention that many school districts throughout the U.S. have granted permission for Bahá’í children to be excused from attending classes on our Holy Days. Are there any instances in which a believer can be deprived of his or her administrative rights without Sirst having been warned that their behavior is contrary to Bahá’í law?
Although general guidelines for dealing with cases involving violations of Bahá’í law have been established, there remains considerable flexibility in the investigative and decision-making process leading to the deprivation of one’s administrative rights.
When an Assembly becomes aware of a violation of Bahá’í law, it will typically try to counsel the individual concerned, making sure that he or she understands the requirements of Bahá’í law and the importance of observing those laws. If, after such counseling and warnings, the person continues to break the law, depending on the circumstances, the Assembly may take immediate action to recommend the removal of the person’s administrative rights.
In other cases, the National Spiritual Assembly can remove an individual’s administrative rights without any prior warning if it is ascertained that the person has committed a flagrant violation of Bahá’í or civil law (such as murder, theft, child abuse, tax evasion, duplicitous business practices, etc.).
Similarly, in the case of the violation of Bahá’í marriage laws, if it is established that a Bahá’í was aware of the requirements of Bahá’í law but was married in knowing violation of those require See ASSEMBLIES page 16
At Atlanta’s Spelman College
Second Con
The second annual Bahá’í Conference ‘on Sexual Equality, cosponsored by the National Committee on Women and the Women’s Resource and Research Center at Spelman College in Atlanta, was held during Black History Month at the nation’s oldest black women’s college.
The theme was ‘‘Sexual Equality—Lines That Divide, Ties That Bind—Blacks/Whites, Women/ Men.”
About 250 people (100 more than a year ago) attended the conference, which began with warm welcomes from Dr. Johnetta Cole, president of Spelman College; Dr. Beverly Guy-Sheftall, director of the school’s Women’s Studies Center; and Farzaneh Guillebeaux, chairman of the Bahá’í National Committee on Women.
The keynote addresses were given by Dr. Wilma Ellis, director general of the Bahd’{ International Community, and Dr. Jane Faily, a psychologist and former member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada.
The Saturday evening program included a musical fireside by the singing group ‘“‘New Horizon,” a performance on racial and sexual equality by the Atlanta Bahá’í Youth Workshop, music by the Gilmer family from the Washington, D.C., area, and a grand finale of the song ‘‘We Are Family.”’ The spirit was high as members of the audience rose to hold hands while singing the final song.
Sunday morning’s session, which began with a thought-provoking talk by Dr. Faily, included a panel discussion entitled ‘‘The White Male System—Myth or
National Assembly Kellum Award to
TV hostess, activist
On February 26, the National Spiritual Assembly presented the fifth annual David Kellum Award to Merri Dee, host of the WGNTV show, ‘‘The Heart of Chicago.”
The presentation ceremony was held at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois.
The award, given annually during Black History Month, recognizes outstanding service to the African-American community by one who stands as a positive role model for young people.
It honors the memory of the late city editor of the Chicago Defender and director of the city’s Bud Billiken Day activities.
Ms. Dee acts as a spokesman for the Probation Challenge program which helps ex-offenders assume productive roles in society.
She was chairman of the 1986 and 1987 telethons to benefit the United Negro College Fund, and is active in other civic, groups including the Chicago Baseball Charities and the League of Black Women.
Previous recipients of the Kellum Award include:
1985, Mayor Harold Washington of Chicago and Dr. Margaret Burroughs; 1986, Illinois state Sen. Jesse White and Naomi Oden; 1987, Milton Bullock and TWIG; 1988, Michael Brownstein of RAMP (Reading and Math Program).
r - OE cea Among the speakers at the second Bahá’í Conference on Sexual Equality at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, were Wilma Ellis (left photo), director gen
Reality?’’ Auxiliary Board member Jack Guillebeaux served as
moderator.
During the entire conference a
The American Bahá’í / April 1989 / 3
display on sexual equality with in formation about the Faith was ex hibited in the student center. Children’s classes were taught
eral of the Bahá’í International Community, and Auxiliary Board member Jack Guillebeaux of Montgomery, Alabama. (Photos by Scot Corrie)
by both men and women. It was heartwarming to note the increased attendance and participation of men in this year’s conference.
More than 200 take part in 2nd Women’s Peace Conference
More than 200 Bahá’ís and guests took part January 21 in the second annual Women’s Peace Conference sponsored by the Bahá’í Club at Cal Poly-Pomona.
The conference theme was “Creative Responses: From Personal to Global.”
The keynote speaker was Eileen
Norman, a Bahá’í from San Diego County, whose topic was ‘‘Getting at the Root of Conflict.”” Such! groups as Beyond War, the Women’s Re-Entry Center, the Newman Club, Sane/Freeze, the Friends (Quakers) and others came together to share and to learn about one another’s views
on peace.
Among the Bahda’is presenting workshops were Richard Andre of Ontario, California, and Joseph Galata of Reno, Nevada.
Asa result, many of those at the conference expressed an interest in the Faith.
- | the tun of the century lies
just ahead. Some of the
most exciting and difficult challenges facing youth today indeed the entire planet .. are issues related to unity and mankind’s desperate search for lasting world peace
This July 12 - 15, the Baha’ Youth of Alaska are hosting a major international gathering, that will share the vision of peace revealed by Baha'u'llah and explore the standards for unity that constitute the very heart of the teachings of the Baha’ Faith.
Join us this summer, Immerse yourself in a joyful festival of spiritual discovery. Come feel the spirit of Alaska, it’s beauty and it’s cultural diversity. Together, we'll take another step toward global peace ..
“The Challenge Of Our Time”
The National Youth Committee of the Baha'ts of Alaska
THE-CHALLE
Sora ame Ss
Conference Registration Information
Conference registration begins evening July 12... Conference Program July 13 - 15, 1989
Air Transportation
Flight reservations must be made before May 15 to assure travel at the special group rates onference attendants. You must arrange for your own transportation as the
arranged fo Conference Coms
.e will not be coordinat
Special group rate reservation numbe
QUnited Airl Delta
- Tell assistant you are attending the Alaska Ba
Hotel and Registration Fees
Participants rooming together — copy form, fill out individually, return all forms together
Hot
Hotels are priced accor Please check the box bi
Hotel Charges: PER PERSON PER NIGHT (does not include meals)
(Deluxe Single $119.00 Regular Singh Regular 2 - Twii Q Regular 2 - Doul Q Regular 3 to room Regular 4 to room
Conference Registration F
OC CoAference fee. f6....-2 eee $50.00
INTERNATIONAL - Bahá’í +» YOUTH +» CONFERENCE July 12-15, 1989 * Anchorage, Alaska USA
! 13501 Brayton Drive Anchorage, Alaska 99516 USA
Call 1-800-521-4041 Group # 422QU all 1-800-221-1212. Ask for Special Meetings Desk
space is limited so please return completed re Payment in full for the room must accompany the regist voucher will be sent to you for use during the conference. to room quality and number of persons staying in each room ide the service you are requesting and calculate total fees.
x nights
xxx Kx
TOTAL cHaRces § Please make checks payable to Bah
.. global peace
Jc airline you are flying with
4 Youth Conference.
ration form as soon as possible. on form. A proof of payment
nights nights
PE
as = 90,00.
ional Fund
Telephone: 907/345-3740 Dialcom Email: 152:CNM064
�[Page 4]
4/ The American Bahá’í / April 1989
local election. DISTRICT
Alabama, Northern Alabama, S/Florida NW Arizona, Northern Arizona, Southern Arkansas
California, Central #1 California, Central #2 California, Northern #1 California, Northern #2 California, Southern #1 California, Southern #2 California, Souther #3 California, Southern #4 Colorado, Northeast
DelMarVa Florida, Central Florida, Northern Florida, Southeast-Central Florida, Southeast-North Florida, Southeast-South Florida, Southwest Georgia, Northeast Georgia, Northwest Georgia, Southem Idaho, N/Washington E Southern
Maryland/D.C. Massachusetts Michigan, Lower Minnesota, Norther Minnesota, Southern Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Navajo/Hopi
Nebraska
Nevada, Northern Nevada, Southern
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico, Northern New Mexico, S/Texas W New York, Eastern
New York, Long Island New York, New York City New York, Western North Carolina, Central North Carolina, Eastern North Carolina, Wester North Dakota
Ohio, Northern
Ohio, Southern Oklahoma, Eastern Oklahoma, Western Oregon, Eastern Oregon, Wester Pennsylvania, Eastern Pennsylvania, Western Rhode Island
South Carolina, All Districts South Dakota Tennessee, Eastern Tennessee, Western Texas, Central
Texas, Eastern #1 Texas, Eastern #2 Texas, Northcentral Texas, Southern
Utah
Vermont
Virginia, Northern Virginia, Southeast Virginia, Southwest Washington, Northwest Washington, Southwest West Virginia Wisconsin, N/Penn. Michigan Wisconsin, Southern Wyoming
CONTACT PERSON
Marjorie Waddell Sue Dixon Fereshtch Faustini
‘Shawn Hedayati
Michelle Ryland Cynthia Mills John Stevenson Norma Avegnon Helen Hope Susan Schifter Nancy McSherry Jacqueline Tobias Ellen Wheeler Andrew Moo Katherine Hurley Robert Reynolds Riaz Khadem
Jill Spence Barbara Krejei Cindy Cowman Ellen Frew
Susan Bruns Chris Kurianowicz Cathy Russell Christine Gustafson Michael Snyder ‘Sarah Lee
Davey Jones Mary Savignano Evander Gilmer Jamshid Ashourian Soheil Meshinchi Norman Ellig Joanne Burke Kathy or William McBride Jeanne Engle
Betty Bennett
Tina Kahn
Gary Weddel
Richard Bily
Ruth Harvey
Diane Richmond Kamran Ruintan
Sharon Ewing
Kim Heidarian
Nermin Ciragan Jacqueline Goldberg ‘Viola Wood
Ortha Wright
Bill Hunter
Golden Thorton
Alex Briber
Rosalin Thinglestad
Bill or Nancy Hooker Rose Wendel
Gail Bigler
Beth Dunn
Dianne Henrickson Lydia McCarter
Dale Ramsdell
Craig Parke
Edith Carpenter
Betsy Haynes
Lorraine Wright
Bettye Hobbs
Inez Jones.
Inma Gray
Rose-Marie Stevens ‘Andre'nea King
Pat Kiem Farhood Kisiri Nelson Valken-Le Duc Becky Steventon Berdina Jenkins
L. Byron Hopper Sorour Payman Frank Edwards-Hill Skye Leonhardi
Joni Costante ‘Thomas May Kamyar Sacian
Pam Wolfe
© RIDVAN TELEPHONE CONTACTS €
Below is a list of Ridvan telephone contacts. Immediately after Ridvan elections are held, each local Spiritual Assembly is reponsible for calling the District's contact person to report election results.
The contact person will need to know the name of the Spiritual Assembly, the name and phone number of the Assembly secretary or contact person and the number of people voting-in person and absentee-at the
‘TELEPHONE NUMBER
205/852-0787 or 851-5459 904/871-3669 602/837-3124 602/883-5543 501/758-4857 408/395-5351 or 395-5951 209/722-3100 916/989-2840 415/892-3377 213/829-9625 714/685-0943 805/772-2377 619/774-6996 303/939-9429 719/544-2697 303/464-5934 203/966-7028 302/764-0371 after 10 pm 407/299-1566 904/247-0885 30S/S66-4477 407/575-7961 305/665-4693 813/585-8719 404/722-8602 404/255-0250 912/386-2680 509/967-3509 208/365-6510 312/623-0240 312/842-0631 618/529-4945 317/675-6915 319/391-0548 316/343-3135, 606/263-1820 504/649-1507 207/782-1875 301/839-4832 617/848-0914 313/434-9647 218/678-2211 612/431-1674 601/544-4332 314/762-2818 406/782-8194 602/367-5126 ext. 8595 308/236-9661 702/273-2953 702/361-8846, 603/668-2291 201/676-3608 505/471-5333 915/581-9277 914/246-1288 516/621-5182 718/756-8498 716/924-3610. 704/634-1719 919/347-2570 704/697-7745, 701/852-4148 216/650-2094 513/372-1844 or 433-1120 918/227-0659 405/794-7723 503/475-6627 503/245-4385 April 21 717/293-1261 412/379-5625 401/461-7904 803/767-8755 605/856-4571 615/484-1977 901/847-2928 512/349-6428 817/962-3311 409/886-4853 806/359-6505 512/643-1705 801/298-4053 or 594-4581 802/767-3236 703/636-3359 or 722-3957 804/393-6558 703/783-9011 206/833-6843 206/456-6415 304/292-9590 414/869-2045, 414/332-0632 307/875-6409
J. Bai (center) of Inner Mongolia, one of the speakers during the recent Bahá’í-sponsored ‘Windows on the World’ cultural series in
Loveland, Colorado, is pictured with his hosts, Dell and Sharon Babbitt, and their grandson, Dillon John Sprague.
Loveland Assembly sponsors cultural ‘Windows on World’
The Spiritual Assembly of Loveland, Colorado, recently sponsored ‘‘Windows on the World,’’ a series of cultural presentations in which speakers from India, Sweden, China and Honduras shared information about their native countries.
The events were widely publicized through flyers and newspaper articles, which mentioned the Bahá’ís as sponsors.
Average attendance was 40 with about one-fourth of the audience composed of non-Bahá’ís.
When several of those who attended expressed a desire to learn
more about the Faith, a presentation about Israel including slides of a Bahá’í pilgrimage was given by Dan Fair.
The only other Baha’ speaker was Alejandro Melendez of Honduras.
The series ended with an international potluck dinner, which gave the Bahá’ís an opportunity to socialize with their new friends.
Follow-up activities are to include monthly firesides, video tapes of ‘the Green Light Expedition,”” and a sequel to the cultural series entitled ‘‘Windows on the World, Part I1.’"
Brit 196%
Please use name ‘Bahá’í Faith’
The Office of Public Information has noticed several recent newspaper articles, public announcements and telephone listings that used the term “‘Bahá’í World Faith’ to designate the Faith. The Office of Public Information requests that the believers make every effort to ensure that consistent terms are used with the public and that accurate information about the Faith is given.
The Universal House of Justice in 1967 provided guidelines on the use of the terms ‘‘Bahá’í Faith’’ and ‘‘Bahá’í World Faith.” The following excerpt from a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Great in was published in the National Bahá’í Review in January
“*,.. we realize there are occasions on which the use of the term ‘Bahá’í World Faith’ may be justified and useful. However, it is our hope that the friends will gradually lose the habit of using this term as widely as they do now. The designation ‘The Bahá’í Faith’ is more dignified and is preferable. Any adjective added to this name tends to a diminution of its stature and might be taken to mean there are other ‘Bahá’í Faiths’ ...”’
The Archives Committee of the Spiritual Assembly of Portsmouth, the oldest local Assembly in New Hampshire, recently held an open house for Bahá’ís in the seacoast area of Maine and New Hampshire. Many rare items were on display including the minutes of the first Assembly meeting on April 21, 1928, signed by its first secretary, Mrs. Jessie Crockett; copies of letters from the Guardian to the Assembly and to the Hand of the Cause of God Louis
a
Gregory who lived in Portsmouth
during his early years in the Faith;
and eight large books of press
clippings which told of activities
during a 60-year period. Among
the pictures displayed was one of
the home in Portsmouth where
Sarah Farmer stayed during her
illness and where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
visited her. Pictured (left to right)
are Archives Committee members
Donna Donnell, Ruth Price Silva,
Dorothea Morrell Reed and Burton W. Trafton Jr.
�[Page 5]
Treasurer’s Office develops new form
to Channel contributions into accounts
It isn’t generally known but only two staff members in the Office of the Treasurer are responsible for channeling a large number of contributions—checks and cash—each month into the proper accounts. Another 1,900 contributions per Bahd’{ month are processed by only one person through the Automatic Contribution System (ACS).
Given the level of staffing and the prospect of a rising level of contributions as more people enter the Cause, the Office of the Treasurer is constantly reviewing its procedures aid looking for faster and more efficient Ways of processing contributions.
To that end, a new Bahd’{ Fund Allocation Form will soon be introduced to enable your National Center staff to better keep up with the Processing of almost 5,000 separate contributions (on the average) per
ha’f month, In addition, special Bahd’{ gatherings such as the 12 “Vision to Victory’’ conferences generate hundreds of additional contributions to process per conference.
‘The new Allocation Form will become the primary document for entering data onto the computer and preparing receipts. Presently, this information is being manually ‘‘coded”’ by the Treasurer’s Office staff. With the new form, all of the necessary information will be provided by the contributor in a uniform, consistent manner—eliminating manual “‘coding,”’ reducing errors, and speeding processing.
Remember, when you, as the ‘‘drop”” in a vast ocean of believers take a few minutes to complete the new form, you are helping to save hun ‘eds Of man-hours of processing time, speeding the return of your receipt, and saving money for the Fund. More important, you are helping to create the Bahá’í world community that forms the “mighty sea” Whos onrushing waves are changing the very shape and condition of
ie World.
Before submitting your next contribution, please complete and detach the Allocation Form and enclose it in the return envelope. BAHAI FUND ALLOCATION FORM
Contributor (Please check only one.) O Individuals) ~OLsAor 0 Bahá’í Group
Bahai 1D # [Cer eae Ts] | OR : i :
LSA or Group ID # bs ear] a ]
Naess nweres Sener SUE TI wee
Thr tonal 1301 Grp Ne)
Number of contributors {If individuals) Total enclosed. Allocated as follows National Baha'i Fund Conunental Baha'i Fund Baht Imerational Fund-See Reverse Side Other (describe)
Other (describe)
Total contributions
Please make checks payable to “National Baha'i Fund.”
Special Instructions
If you would like any of the following ttles to appear on your receipt please check appropriate box
O Mr and Mrs, a Dr. and Mrs o Mr and Dr. g Dr. and Dr.
O Please send me information about the Automatic Contributions System.
Boulder Bahá’ís reach out to churches
Last year, the Bahá’ís of Boulder, Colorado, were asked to take part in events sponsored by the Boulder Council of Churches and Synagogues and to present a talk on the Faith to Council members.
On January 22, the BCCS accepted the Faith’s application for membership. At the same time,
the members voted to change its name to the Interfaith Council of Boulder.
As members, the Bahá’ís have an official position on the executive planning council, and will contribute articles each month for the Council’s newsletter.
Dr. Jim Turpin, a Bahá’í from Asheville, North Carolina, who spent seven years as a physician in Vietnam, was recently invited back by the present Communist government to train local health workers in the techniques of child survival.
Dr. Turpin, who founded the non-profit medical organization Project Concern after working with the poor in Mexico in 1959, gave up a family practice in San Diego in 1960 and went to Hong Kong to practice medicine.
While there he met a young doctor from New Zealand who told him about large numbers of starving children in Vietnam.
Within weeks, Dr. Turpin was on a plane to Saigon.
He and other American doctors and nurses stayed until 1972, when conditions became too dangerous and they were forced to leave.
“We left reluctantly,”? Dr. Turpin said in a front-page article last November 28 in The Asheville Citizen. ‘‘We had been secure because everyone knew we were non The American Bahá’í / April 1989 / 5
Bahá’í who was doctor in Vietnam returns to train workers in child survival techniques
political. We treated anyone who came in, no questions asked.”
Dr. Turpin, who is an occupational medicine consultant for several hospitals, learned last year that one of two hospitals established in Vietnam by Project Concern was still operating.
He also learned that the hospital was run by a villager who had trained under him in his Village Medical Assistance program in the ’60s.
“Tt was time to go back to Vietnam,”’ said Dr. Turpin, who became a Bahá’í in 1974 and has written two books about his experiences overseas, Vietnam Doctor and A Faraway Country.
“As bad as the situation was during the war, the Vietnamese government is willing to admit now that it’s worse. They’re willing to say they need our help.’’
Dr. Turpin’s goal is to train local workers in the latest *-ch niques in child survival incluuing ORT—oral rehydration therapy— which is used to treat children who are badly dehydrated.
DR. JIM TURPIN:
“We built up a lot of trust during seven years (in Vietnam),”’ he said. “They (the government) xnow we don’t spend government money and that we’re a non-political organization with a multiracial and international staff.”
Chicago exhibit helps proclaim Faith
The role of Afro-American churches in the country’s social, political and economic development was this year’s theme for Black History Month, celebrated each February through hundreds of activities in all parts of the country, many of which Bahá’ís join in or sponsor.
In Chicago, an exhibit honoring Black History Month was sponsored by the Federal Executive Board. It gave special attention to prominent national figures and also included contributions by black Americans to the Catholic Church, the growth and role of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and religious involvement in the struggle for civil rights.
The Bahá’í Office of Public Information was asked to contribute photographs and biographies of black Americans who were instrumental in the growth of the Faith and in the betterment of peoples.
This presented an opportunity to highlight the travels of attorney Louis Gregory, named posthumously a Hand of the Cause of God, who spent 30 years crisscrossing the Southern states and brought an entire generation of black Americans into the Faith; the influence of Howard University philosopher Alain Locke; the services of Amoz Gibson, a member of the Universal House of Justice, in the development of
Many Bahá’ís take part in
‘Peace Gate’ opens doors In Boston
In January, the Boston Society of Architects sponsored a peace activity at Boston Common for First Night 1989 which involved the creation of ‘‘peace gates’’ by various organizations.
The only peace gate actually produced was that of the Bahá’ís of Boston, which drew great attention from non-Bahá’ís.
Many contacts were made, and 150 copies of the peace statement were given to interested individuals.
Dr. Alain Locke, a philosopher who wrote for several Bahá’í publications including The Bahá’í World, was the first black American Rhodes scholar and a key figure in the Harlem renaissance of the 1920s.
blacks and Native Americans; the lengthy shadow cast in the arena of the arts by Robert Hayden, the first black consultant in poetry to the Library of Congress; the dedication of David Kellum, city editor of the Chicago Defender, to improve relations between the races; and the work over many years for women’s development by Dr. Elsie Austin, twice national
AA. Dr. Elsie Austin, a Trustee of the Huququ’lláh and former member of the National Spiritual Assembly, has worked for many years Sor the development of women.
president of Delta Sigma Theta and presently one of three Trustees of the Huququ’ll4h for North America.
Also in the exhibit were photos of the Bahá’í House of Worship, the Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute in South Carolina, and one of the early Bahá’í-sponsored race amity conferences, held in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1921.
HUQUQU’LLAH
“Tt is indeed a most excellent Favor, a boundless grace vouchsafed unto whosoever is privileged in this day to render service to the Cause of God and to offer the Right of God, for its goodly results and the fruits thereof will last as long as the kingdom of earth and heaven will endure. ”’—Bahd’u'llah
Payments for Huqtqu’ll4h should be made to ‘‘Bahá’í Huququ’ll4h Trust”’ and sent to one of the Trustees:
Dr. Elsie Austin P.O. Box 927 Silver Spring, MD 20910
Tel: 301-589-8481
Dr. Amin Banani
Santa Monica, CA 90402 Tel: 213-394-5449
Dr. Daryush Haghighi Rocky River, OH 44116 Tel: 216-333-1506
Inquiries regarding Huqtqu’llah should be referred to one of ihe Trustees or to:
Office of the Secretariat
Bahá’í Huqiqu’ll4h Trust
Rocky River, OH 44116
�[Page 6]
6/ The American Bahá’í / April 1989
an ee
The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has designated the weekend of June 2-4 as the third annual celebration of the Environmental Sabbath. June 5 is World Environment Day.
The purpose of the observance, according to Dr. Noel Brown, UNEP director, “‘is to promote awareness of and concern for the earth, which, evidence suggests, is in grave danger.
“The decline of the earth is basic to all the issues that we address in our various missions: hunger, homelessness, health and holocaust.”
More than 4,000 communities in North America celebrated the Environmental Sabbath in 1988. UNEP has tentative plans to hold a world conference on conservation and religion in 1992.
In June 1985 the Bahá’í International Community issued a statement to the World Commi. sion on Environment and Development.
In October 1987 the Bahá’í Faith became the sixth major religion to join the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
The WWF's Arts for Nature program, launched in October 1988 to help increase public awareness of nature conservation through the arts, was a collaborative effort of the Bahá’í International Community and the World Wide Fund in the United Kingdom.
A committee, on which the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly is represented, was created to promote the 1989 Environmental Sabbath, and has prepared a packet of information for community programs.
The packet includes relevant information about the status of the environment, quotations from the writings of various religions, and suggestions for activities.
This packet, plus the 1985 statement of the BIC and a subsequent Bahá’í statement on nature, is available from the U.S. Bahá’í UN Office. The materials are free, but there is a $3 charge to cover the cost of mailing.
Send requests and checks to: U.S. Bahá’í UN Office, 866 UN Plaza, Suite 120, New York, NY 10017 (phone 212-751-1282).
Bahá’ís co-sponsor dinner to mark UN Day
On December 11, the Spiritual Assembly of Nevada City (California) JD co-sponsored with the Empire Chapter of the United Nations Association a dinner honoring the 40th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
About 80 people including 10 Baha’ is attended the event, which included an address by Paul Allen, a Bahá’í from Burlingame, California, and songs by Eve Bessier, a Bahá’í from the Sacramento area.
The master of ceremonies was Paul Platner, chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Nevada City JD.
A number of those who attended said they had been enlightened by comments regarding the common concerns of the Bahá’ís and the UN Association.
INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS
EUROPE AMERICAS
ALASKA: International Youth Conference July 12 to 15, 1989 - Theme: "The Challenge of our Time - Global Peace"
Conference, June 1989.
ALASKA: "Northern Star Project", teaching and service - June 15 to July 11, 1989 and July 11 to August 12, 1989. a wel
a Sy BAHAMAS: Ongoing "Island of, SE res the Season” Project. : ° COSTA RICA: Peace Conference, June 1989. GRENADA: Mona Teaching Project - July 23 to August 5, 1989.
HAITI: Need for French-speaking traveling teachers.
HONDURAS: Ongoing teaching projects.
JAMAICA: Need for long-term, mature traveling teachers.
sé — L
AERICA
BOTSWANA: "STAR '89" Project, summer 1989.
. tWARD ISLANDS: Need for "Resident Teachers" who can stay from 1 to
6 months. '
< ‘ ‘ SENEGAL: Need traveling PANAMA: Extended Project Sites teaching s project - ongoing. teachers, especially youth.
ZIMBABWE: Baha'i PUERTO RICO: International Youth Deepening Institute, ongoing.
Conference - July 13 to 16, 1989.
For more information, contact:
Office of Pioneering,
SPAIN: International Youth Conference - Summer 1989.
ICELAND: "Skogar" Service/Forestry Project and Youth
IRELAND: Summer School - July 29 to August 1, 1989.
ASIA HONG KONG: Ongoing Mass
Teaching Project.
KOREA: Ongoing Mass Teaching Project.
SINGAPORE: Ongoing Mass Teaching Project - need 6 full-time teachers.
TAIWAN: Ongoing Mass Teaching Project - Muhájir Project.
AUSTRALASIA
EASTERN CAROLINE ISLANDS: Need deepened, knowledgeable, mature traveling teachers who can stay 1 to3 months.
Baha'i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (312) 869-9039
From the Don’t forget Houce Special Visit of Programs in
Worship May and July!
Bahá’í House of Worship Special Visit Program
Registration Form
Housing Rates per night at Evanston Holiday Inn (near public transportation to Wilmette) Single (1 person) . - $60.00 Double (2 persons)...... $60.00
We will make your reservations, however, you will handle all financial arrangements with the hotel.
There will be a $5.00 per person registration fee to help defray expenses of the program. Please make checks payable to the Bahá’í Services Fund.
Program desired: Regular Special Visit: May 25-28, 1989 Family Special Visit: June 29 - July 2
Name & Bahá’í ID#
Address
City State ZIP
Telephone(Area Code)
List additional names and Bahá’í ID#’s here: (Give ages of children) The May Special Visit will not be a family program. You will be responsible for your children.
Return to Special Visit Program: Bahá’í House of Worship Activities Office,
Wilmette, Illinois 60091
Bahá’í Clubs launch teaching efforts at Tuskegee, Auburn
Tuskegee (Alabama) University, visited on several occasions more than 30 years ago by the Hands of the Cause of God Louis Gregory and Dorothy Baker, was the site February 11 of a teaching event that included a Bahá’í booth at a large job exposition at the civic center; a peace panel discussion at the university; and performances at the expo and university by the Atlanta Bahá’í Youth Workshop.
The Youth Workshop also performed the previous day at Auburn University as part of the H. Borrah Kavelin Project sponsored by the Bahá’ís of Auburn.
Earlier that day, a peace panel, “Uniting for World Peace,”” was presented by the Baha’f Club at Auburn.
——————S——_ —____ L.A. Youth Workshop sparkles in Lakeport
As a part of “Vision ’89,”” the Los Angeles Bahá’í Youth Workshop performed February 17-18 at public events in Lakeport, California.
Included were performances February 17 at three high school assemblies in Lake County, an outdoor appearance the following day at the Main Street Mall in Lakeport, and an evening performance at the Lakeport High School gymnasium,
Need Spanish-speaking Traveling Teachers to visit your community? Contact: National Teaching Committee, Baha'i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Phone: (312) 869-9039.
�[Page 7]
Special PULL-OUT SECTION
The American Bahá’í / April 1989 / 7
An interview with David Hofman
The following interview with David Hofman, a retired member of the Universal House of Justice, was conducted March 10 at the Bahá’í National Center by Robert C. Henderson, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly.
. Robert C. Henderson: Mr. Hofman, thank you for consenting to this interview. First let me ask, you’ve now traveled throughout the American Bahá’í community; what are your dominant impressions?
David Hofman: First of tremendous vigor, enthusiasm, activity and the traditional American virtues of generosity, hospitality and open friendship,
I must admit that I was, on landing, astonished again at the huge space you’ ve got here. I immediately thought, well, there’s room to spread out in this country—and you do spread out. And I allied that in my own thinking, way back in November when I first arrived, with the ... probably the best known characteristic of American society, which, in Europe, is utter generosity.
I think you’re so richly endowed in this country; not only have you made yourselves rich in the material things of the world, but the endowment of God is here ... it is the land of milk and honey, overflowing with the bounties of God. And this generosity was seen particularly in the last war. (In the first war you didn’t become very popular. I remember that one too!)
But in the Second War you started off fairly unpopular, but as things went on, every family in England that had any kind
and in the fact that so far you haven’t produced a philosopher of the status of, say, Spinoza or Hobbes or Locke, because you haven’t had time yet to sit down and think. So that the Bahá’í community itself has not yet really evolved any great picture of the universe such as religion always provides to humanity.
RCH: That’s an interesting comment. Now 50 years have passed since the last time you visited the American Bahá’í community, and part of what I hear you saying is that although the community has grown, we have not necessarily deepened our understanding of the spiritual requirements of Bahd’{ life or reflected to any great degree on the vision of Shoghi Effendi.
Mr. Hofman: Well, Bob, I wouldn’t put it as black as that. I think it’s true, but more moderately. For instance I’ve been really uplifted, and have told the friends so in many of the communities, at many of the conferences I’ve been to, that within the American Bahá’í community I think you’ve solved the problem of color prejudice. Race prejudice. Particularly between black and white. I haven’t seen anything about it with Portuguese or Haitians or Thai people or others, but as I remember the community 50 years ago, there was a considerable amount of color prejudice within it.
Now I know that intermarriages, as they were called, took place. Of course there’s no such thing from the Bahd’{ point of view; intermarriage means different races, but we say there is only one. But in those days there was great discussion about it and
‘| think you’re so richly endowed in this country; not only have you made yourselves rich in the material things of the world, but the endowment of God is here... it is the land of milk and honey, overflowing with the
bounties of God.’
of relative or even acquaintance in the States received a parcel or two of food which was in short supply. In England the food was rationed the minute the war started, but before the war was over I don’t think there was a household in the United Kingdom, in the British Isles, which did not receive many parcels of food from completely unknown Americans. And _ this changed the picture.
I wrote in my book about George Townshend that Spam became the symbol of Anglo-American friendship. This was your native generosity being seen. It was not necessarily born from the huge size of your country, but it has certainly been sustained and fostered by it. So that was one of my first impressions.
Of course I’m most concerned about and interested in the American Bahá’í community, And here I have so many impressions I’m not quite sure what to say first.
You asked about my greatest impression. I think it is again one of vigor and energy, not always motivated, necessarily, by dedication or a vision of what the Cause of God needs. I think it is a natural thing in Americans. You seem to be more highly charged here than in other parts of the World, and if you’re going to do a good thing or a bad thing, you do it more than anyone else.
So much of the ‘‘being high’’ at these (Vision to Victory) conferences is in the nature of American energy and vigor. But I’m perfectly certain that it is being directed toward the purposes of the Cause.
The only reason the friends came to the conferences was because they were Bahá’í conferences. But allied with that, I feel there’s not sufficient attention to the personal requirements of Bahá’í life. After all, we are a religion. And the purpose of Bahá’u’lláh is to endow every single soul, not only with the capacity to know God and to know himself, but to serve the purposes of human life here and of God’s purpose here.
I don’t think Americans—not only in the Bahá’í community, but all Americans— really reflect enough. I think this is seen in the general character of the whole country,
a lot of different feelings, and there were the moderates and the way-out ‘“‘lefts’’ and everyone else, but it’s not a big deal anymore in the Bahá’í community. I think you've forgotten it. And that’s a wonderful victory.
On the other hand, I don’t think the American Bahá’í community generally has studied the messages of the Guardian adequately. So that when you speak of the spiritual requisites of the Bahá’í life, I think this inadequacy is reflected, among other things, in the fact that the incidence of divorce in the American nation as a whole and in the American Bahá’í community run neck-and-neck; sometimes one’s a bit more and sometimes the other’s a bit more, and that, I think, is a very dangerous situation.
You know, if people would study, really study the Guardian’s letters, not only his World Order letters that I am constantly referring to, but his later letters to the American Bahá’í community ... I’ve been searching out one this morning dated 1954, only three years before he died. He calls attention to the particular fact that the decline of family life, which is of course the result of the rising incidence of divorce, is a grave threat to your community. If I may say so, I believe the reason for this appalling situation is probably that local and National Assemblies for the past 50 years have been too casual, too easy, about dealing with applications for divorce.
You see, Baha’u’llah abhors divorce. First of all, I think sufficient attention hasn’t been paid to Bahá’í marriage. It is different from marriage in the past—in Christianity, at any rate—which possibly had the highest spiritual perception of marriage of the previous civilizations. It was “till death do us part.””
Not so in the Bahá’í Faith. This is an eternal bond, for all eternity. ‘United until the end of time,”’ says the Bahá’í prayer. So this is one great difference that I think the Bahá’ís haven’t really reflected upon.
Secondly, although Baha’u’llah permits divorce, He abhors it, He detests it. There are no grounds for divorce in the Bahá’í Faith like there are in the social order of the
day. Some wife gives her husband a black eye and that’s grounds for divorce! Or if a husband squeezes the toothpaste out in a way she doesn’t like, that’s grounds for divorce. Well, there are no such things in the Bahá’í Faith. The only possible reason on which an Assembly, local or National, can approve an application for divorce is an irreconcilable apathy between the parties.
If that does not exist, the Assembly should not, according to my reading of the Bahá’í Faith, sanction the divorce. Even if that does exist, the first thing a local Assembly must do is treat this as a deadly serious matter, harmful to the community, harmful to the individuals, destructive of unity within the Faith. And they should, therefore, interview both parties separately, and together if possible, and do everything possible to bring about a reconciliation before setting a date for a year of patience.
If they can avoid doing that, they’ve done a great job. If they can’t do it, then they set the year of patience, but during that time they’ve got to strictly enforce the Bahá’í law which is that the two parties must separate, they may not live together, but all the forces of the community, the spiritual forces and the social and intellectual forces, should be brought to bear on healing that breach. And only then, when all that is done, and it does prove to be irreconcilable, should the divorce be granted.
Now I’ve been in many parts of the world, but chiefly from what I know has been going on in America in the past 25 years, through various minutes and reports and through pilgrims and others, well, as late as 10-15 years ago it was simply, ‘“‘Oh, they’ve applied for a divorce. All right, they’ll be divorced next year.’? And then they start looking for another partner before the year of patience is over. So I think this is a dangerous factor now in the life of the American Bahá’í community. I think it has taken the place of the old color prejudice.
RCH: You spoke about the over-all concern of the spiritual requirements of Bahá’í life, and divorce and family life were the first issues you commented on in some detail. Can you mention some others?
Mr. Hofman: You know, it’s true what you say, I’ve been running around the country whirling like a top. I’ve stayed with many delightful Bahd’{ friends who have offered hospitality, and have seen their home life. And everywhere our first sort of acquaintanceship is to sit down and say some prayers together.
I can’t really speak of the individual inattention to spiritual requisites. The American Bahd’{ community does, obviously, stand out in some respects way above the general depravity of the nation as a whole. You don’t see the American Bahá’í community suffering from alcoholism or drug abuse or sexual perversion—oh, there will always be individual cases. As soon as 10 people get together you’ve got sources of division, as well as sources of great unity. And there will inevitably be drop-outs and conflicts and other problems, but we’re all members of the human race. God puts up with us so we’ve got to put up with one another.
RCH: Still, I’ll tell you why I focus on this. This is a time when America as a whole is seeing the accelerating collapse of its social order. We’re seeing not only the rising incidence of divorce, we’re seeing new kinds of violence brought on by addiction to powerful drugs; we’re seeing especially violence against children; we’re seeing evidences of corruption in all our institutions which were not visible 30 years ago. In whatever area of society we look, there are evidences of the decline which Shoghi Effendi described in his letter to the United States. This condition places a special obligation on the shoulders of the Bahá’ís to spiritualize their lives. As you have moved around the country, I wonder if you have given some thought to the issue of how Ba
David Hofman addresses the ‘Vision to Vi
tory’ conference in Alexandria, Virginia.
ha’is strengthen themselves and spiritualize their lives to assume this responsibility that we were charged with by Shoghi Effendi.
Mr. Hofman: Yes, indeed I have in that way. All these dreadful evils you describe are in the nation as a whole. Bahá’ís are obviously not indulging in terrorism or violence, in arson or throwing bombs or any of the sorts of things that are rife in the whole American community. It seems to me that the Bahá’ís have to be known as having no share in any of these things, and I think that is generally so.
What I do think is that the only thing any Bahá’í community anywhere in the world can do today is to do what the Guardian said: become deeper and deeper in understanding and penetrating further and further into the real heart of the Message of Bahá’u’lláh. Why did He suffer the appalling treatment which the human race meted out to Him? Why did He put on the heavy chains, as the Master said? And I think that what the whole world Bahá’í community needs now, but particularly the Americans because they’ve got to take the lead, is to try to obtain this greater, universal, historical understanding of what the Cause of God is today.
The Guardian started ’way back—in 1931—even before that—trying to educate us in the differences between this Revelation and all those of the past. If you look at “The Goal of a New World Order,”’ he said it is not merely another Revelation in a succession of divine Revelations leading mankind onward. It’s far greater than that. It’s what I’ve been trying to tell the friends at these great conferences. Do you know in what age you are living?
It’s not just even the coming of age of the human race—that’s inevitably a greater crisis than before, but as I see it, this is the moment for the fruition of God’s plan for this planet. We are not only beginning a new era in human history, but a special era in human history, the era of maturity.
And I think this is where, particularly, the American Bahá’í community is apt to be heedless or neglectful of what this particular crisis is today ... the honor and the glory to which we Bahá’ís in this age are called; it is only we Bahá’ís who are called to do this job.
Great transitions in the past have taken place, for instance from the classical civilizations—Greek and Roman—to Christianity, and from its Dark Ages to the Renaissance brought about by the Revelation of Muhammad, It is such great changes as these—even greater—that were natural processes in the course of humanity’s growing up, to which the Guardian referred. But the maturity of mankind synchronizes not only with the Lesser Peace, but with the fruition
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8 / The American Bahá’í / April 1989
of God’s purpose for this planet. When it was thrown off the sun, or whatever happened, the Kingdom of God was implicit in that condensing gas, or whatever we were.
There will never again be a moment like this in the history of humanity. Five hundred thousand years at least the Era of Baha’u’ll4h will continue, yet there will never be another such crisis because this is the point of mankind’s maturity and growing up and fulfillment. So I believe this is one of the ways in which all Bahá’ís can get a bigger concept, a deeper concept and therefore a greater spiritualization of their instinctive actions every day.
It’s very difficult when you’re just going to depend on saying a prayer in the morning and another one here and another one there and then go to work all the time and deal with your kids, and the pipes are bursting or whatever it happens to be—all the ‘“‘slings and arrows of outrageous fortune’’ that Shakespeare speaks of—to have a constant spiritual perception of what is happening in the world and why we are here; how privileged we are! No matter what our circumstances, how great an honor and a privilege it is to be alive in this time.
I think you have a poet named Angela Morgan. She wrote a poem: “To be alive in such an age, to give to it, to live to it.’’ She caught on! It is quite difficult for us to have this constant minute-by-minute approach to life when we’re dealing with all the various problems. But I think this is part of what we can do.
RCH: This was an often repeated instruction of Shoghi Effendi. His letters in Citadel of Faith and others constantly call us back to our great destiny, the link between our destiny and the individual’s responsibility.
Mr. Hofman: That’s right, and I think this is where the American Bahá’í community is lacking. I think that you’ve been too heedless of the Guardian’s letters. I doubt if— oh, I’m not going into figures— but I don’t really know of any American Bahá’ís, more than three or four anyway, who constantly read the letters of Shoghi Effendi. Study them! Read them at night— instead of the ‘‘who-done-it,”” you know?
RCH: You’ve made the point wherever you’ve gone that it’s impossible to understand the Revelation of Baha’u’ll4h without understanding the writings of Shoghi Effendi, who was the appointed expounder and interpreter of the Word.
Mr. Hofman: I don’t think we’ll ever get a complete understanding, but we won’t have even a naive understanding of the Revelation of Bahd’u’ll4h if we don’t study the works of Shoghi Effendi. His title is “the Expounder.”’ The Master did not expound the Cause. He interpreted it and added to its Scripture. But Shoghi Effendi! You think of who he was, not only the permanent head of the Universal House of Justice, unelected, the head for life, the Sign of
David Hofman pauses to shake hands with a new young friend during the ‘Vision to
God on earth. He was not only the interpreter of the Word but the expounder of the Revelation.
He, together with the House of Justice, are the twin successors of the Prophet. No such thing has ever appeared in history before. So the Guardian, the individual who had all that guidance and that glory and that honor and authority—such as no other individual in history has ever had—spent his life trying to make us understand what he was trying to do, what was Baha’u’ll4h’s purpose. It’s not just to bring people back to a decent way of life, it’s to bring about the fruition of God’s eternal purpose.
I believe some of the friends were shocked when I said that Baha’u’ll4h did not invent world order. He didn’t. This was implicit in God’s purpose for this planet. Read all the holy books of the past. They all speak of the Day when they’ll beat their swords into plowshares and so forth and the primal oneness, as the Master called it, will be established. So that Baha’u’llah, Himself, you may see as God’s Presiding Officer, for this stage of human history when mankind makes this tremendous transition from youth to manhood. The greatest crisis in mankind’s life, in the life of mankind on this planet, now, we’re in it, we’re the ones who have got to do it.
RCH: The difficulty, as you alluded to earlier, is that we are few in number. It is difficult for us to maintain the vision of the spiritual destiny of this country, and our role as the leaders in a process that will lead the country to the fulfillment of its spiritual destiny, because the pipes break and our kids have needs and we have to work and we must do a variety of things during our daily lives which distract us from our spiritual obligations and responsibilities. So how do we focus ourselves? What would you suggest we do to strengthen our sense of capacity to fulfill this mission?
Mr. Hofman: I’m afraid I have a panacea for every weakness—study the works of Shoghi Effendi. I’ve heard this called my war cry. It is! ‘Study the works of Shoghi Effendi!”’ I believe that if any Bahá’í community as a whole will do this, it will become sharpened to a point where it can write the name of Baha’u’llah in capital letters across the map of its country. I believe it will happen to Americans particularly.
I was reading a letter from the Guardian this morning—I wanted to look it up particularly—dated July 1954. And he speaks of the awful perils facing America because of great evils which may have to be purged out of you by terror, by universal catastrophe, by physical dangers. But for instance, this revolutionary change in the organic structure of society he speaks about ... how many American Baha’ is really understand that their country is the upholder of worn-out traditions and ancient shibboleths such as national sovereignty? You see? Read that letter; it’s all in there,
A Victory’ conference in Alexandria, Virginia.
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‘There will never again be a moment like this in the history of humanity. Five hundred thousand years at least the Era of Baha’u’llah will continue, yet there will never be another such crisis because this Is the point of mankind’s maturity and growing up and fulfillment.’
the dangers facing America and the American Bahá’í community.
Let me recall that interview in Atlanta when we had that wonderful phone-in program. The interviewer kept on listing the wonderful things we have in the Bahá’í Faith. He loved them. Yet he said, ‘‘International government! Well, I’m a free-born American. I wonder what those other guys are going to do.’’
We Bahá’ís advocate a world government and have to consider such things as this. The Constitution of your country forbids religion to have any say in state affairs. According to the U.S. Constitution, religion is an independent matter for individuals, private and personal. The Kingdom of God on earth is a religious community.
Again, think of the attitudes to government. All of us, Europeans and Americans, we’ve come down through a tradition of rebellion. Europeans have won human rights and freedoms through centuries of opposition to tyrannical kings and priests. In England, we even cut off the head of one of our kings. You see what has been our tradition.
Your country was born in rebellion. So your attitude toward government generally is one of suspicion. A ‘‘What are these guys going to do to us now?”’ sort of thing. And this comes over into the Bahá’í community, believe me, throughout the world. Whereas the Bahá’í view of government is a cooperative undertaking.
What do you think this goal of the Six Year Plan is, the maturation of local and National Spiritual Assemblies? It means that all Bahá’í communities have got to understand that government in the Bahá’í world, that is, administration, is a cooperative undertaking, and I’ve been saying in the last few conferences I’ve been to that this goal is probably the hardest one of the Six Year Plan to achieve, but that it has to synchronize with the Lesser Peace.
And the main responsibility does not fall on the shoulders of the members of the local or National Spiritual Assemblies. It’s the duty of all of us—all Bahá’ís—because every single Bahá’í in the world today comes under the jurisdiction of some Assembly, either National or local. And they can’t do it themselves. They can only mature with the cooperation of the Bahd’{ community which they serve.
RCH: Now you’re saying that we should actively support our Spiritual Assemblies. Give them our assistance, comply with their decisions, recognize and acknowledge their authority.
Mr. Hofman: More than that, Bob, I think you’ve got to look upon them as a kind parent. I’ve heard Bahá’í government described in this way: the House of Justice is the kind father of humanity, the National Assembly the kind father of its national community, the local Assembly the kind father of its local community. Not only these things, but love your Assembly! Take your problems to it. All through his ministry, the Guardian asked the friends to take their problems to their local Assembly.
Since I’ve been in the States, I think at least a hundred people have asked me, “What should I do about this?’”” And my inevitable reply, having heard the problem, was ‘‘take it to your local Assembly.’’ Or a Board member, if you like, but take it to your local Assembly. Trust them. They will consult about it. If you don’t like their decision, you can either ignore it or appeal. But that’s how these Assemblies are going to mature. They are your friends. They are the fathers of the communities. They didn’t ask to be put there. If they had, they wouldn’t be there, would they?
RCH: True enough. Fostering the maturation of Spiritual Assemblies is one of the major goals of the Six Year Plan. You’ve given advice to the friends about going to the Assembly and helping it to mature.
What advice would you give to the members of those Assemblies?
Mr. Hofman: Well, first of all, in Baha’ Administration, which contains some of the earliest letters from the Guardian, there’s a whole page where the Master speaks about what are the first and most essential requirements for the local Assembly. I’d ask every member to study that and make a xerox copy and have it by his bedside and read it in the morning and in the evening.
The first requirement is complete love and unity among the members. This is essential for Bahá’í government. It’s an absolutely diametrically opposite view from ordinary governments in the world, democratic governments. For instance, in England we pay the loyal opposition to oppose the government—anything they say! You know, if the government says, ‘‘Well, we’ll have a holiday next week’’—‘‘Oh, no!’ They’ll oppose anything, you see. We pay them to do it. This is a ridiculous way of carrying on affairs.
We don’t have any such view in the Bahá’í world. Bahá’í government is cooperation based on the laws and principles of Baha’u’ll4h and the purpose of God for mankind, and the application of those laws and principles to society. So it is cooperative. This is an enormous transition for Western people to make, believe me. It’s a greater transition than changing from being a Roman Catholic to being a Bahá’í—much bigger!
RCH: It is a significant transition because it is in such sharp contrast to the norms of our society.
Mr. Hofman: Also giving up unfettered national sovereignty. You’ll be unpopular for this. Every nation has to cede a vast amount of its so-called sovereign rights, its national sovereignty, to an international authority. I’ve also been making the point in the conferences: you know, when we get to the Lesser Peace the friends are apt to think that this is it, everything is going to be lovely after that; but believe me, it’s going to be an appalling time when the Lesser Peace is established. Greater confusion than we’ve yet seen. Well, you think! The armies and navies and air forces of the world are going to be unemployed. The armament manufacturers are going to be broke. All the religions, seeing the influence that we are going to have, are going to be up against us. The priests are going to be out of work when we get going. It’s going to be a confusing time, dear friends. This is why our Assemblies have to be mature—why we ourselves have to be mature world citizens. This is our first personal obligation, you see, to be a world citizen first.
RCH: I’ve also heard you make an interesting point regarding the birth of the Lesser Peace, comparing it to the birth of a child who lacks spirit and suggesting that the obligation of Bahá’ís is to infuse that new life, that new creation with spirit.
Mr. Hofman: After the Lesser Peace is established, then we can begin to civilize mankind. This is why these three processes within the Faith have to synchronize with the approach of the Lesser Peace; so that when the Lesser Peace does come we shall carry sufficient weight, be of sufficient importance and known to be of sufficient importance in the world and known to have a wonderful vision of the future of human society so that the nations can then turn to us.
Many of you may have been at some of
these conferences. I’ve rather dramatized it.
I said supposing the nations do come and
establish the Lesser Peace, then they come
to the House of Justice and say, ‘All right,
now this model you’ve got, let’s have a look
at it.”” And the House of Justice has to say,
“Well, sorry, it’s not quite ready.’’ So this
is why, you see, this crisis is now so critical.
We can’t wait until tomorrow or next week.
We have to do it now. The synchronization
means all going together—the nations going
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to the Lesser Peace and the Bahá’ís going to these three great objectives the House of Justice has set before us. They’re all important. Otherwise we shan’t be ready when the Lesser Peace is established to take the tole that we have to take,
You mentioned the tiny numbers. This is true, but by that time we’re not going to be tiny, I hope. I’m sure we’re not going to be. Even the tiny community we are now, you know, is the leaven in the lump—leaven is powerful.
RCH: You mentioned our need to expand. Earlier, you characterized the U.S. generally and the American Bahd’{ community in particular as vigorous, energetic. Why, in your view, are we not growing?
Mr. Hofman: As a Bahá’í community?
RCH: Yes, as a Bahá’í community. We are growing, but very slowly.
Mr. Hofman: Well, I’ll tell you, I question your statement, Robert. You haven’t been growing for the last few years, but I believe now with the emergence of the Fourth Epoch of the Formative Age there’s a new receptivity apparent throughout the world. Look at your last issue of The American Bahá’í, on the front page. There was a list of, generally, a world view of enrollments in the last two or three months. And they’re astounding. I’ve just had a letter from England. They said, ‘‘We haven’t got mass conversion yet, but we got 12 declarations last week in one town.’’ Well, that’s an intimation of a beginning. That cable from Bangladesh, you’ve seen it, I believe—5,000 new enrollments in the last three months and 108 local Spiritual Assemblies formed. But it went on to say that the NSA there sees no abatement of the recep
Now, of course, it’s got to be personalized and disciplined and sharpened to a
point where you take the lead. And this is
why I think there is so much opposition and
so much corruption in your society, generally because here all these dreadful battles
within humanity have got to be fought out
on this continent. On this continent you’ve
got to fight business corruption, sexual corruption, drug abuse, the whole lot. Chauvinism—everything has to be fought out
here on this continent—that’s your destiny.
We even see this in the rise of the Administrative Order. America is the cradle of the
Administrative Order for the same reason
that Persia was the place where Baha’u’llah
appeared. Never forget that. It’s because
the corruption in administration, in business, in social life is worse here than anywhere else in the world, that’s why it is the
cradle.
Also, don’t ever forget that America can lose its spiritual primacy; the Guardian indicated that. I’ve referred to it often in my talks to the friends and have quoted from his letters. Nobody thinks you’re going to, but unless you do arise it’s a possibility.
The point I wanted to share is this: that it’s only those people, Baha’ is really, who will identify with the whole destiny of the human race, which is the purpose of God Himself, who will have a great effect on people. In the United States you are preoccupied with luxury and the wonders and the jolly good time and the life of Reilly that your riches and your power enable you to have, and inevitably you have become, in the eyes of the rest of the world, selfish. That’s mostly envy because you’ve got it all and they haven’t, but not entirely so. Your great success in become in three or four
‘,..don’t ever forget that America can lose its spiritual primacy; the Guardian indicated that. I’ve referred to it often in my talks to the friends and have quoted from his letters. Nobody thinks you’re going to, but unless you do arise It’s a possibility.’
tivity that brought about that 5,000 and presumably they expect another 5,000 in the next three months.
I think part of the trouble may be that America has not, even yet, identified itself wholly with the rest of the world. Since you became an independent nation you have been fully occupied with your own affairs, even adopting the policy of staying out of entanglements with the old world. Your country has never been invaded or bombed, and the only war you have fought on your own territory was between yourselves.
The Guardian points out that only a whole-hearted integration with the rest of the world would give you that weight in the councils of the nations that will be necessary for you to discharge effectively the spiritual leadership expected of you. So your leaders and policy-makers have not been in the stream of those historians who in this century have recognized the inevitable trend to world order. Americans generally display no great enthusiasm for a world ‘‘super state’ with a world supernational government. In this respect you are working on stony ground.
And yet there is—though nearly forgotten—the American Dream, about which I am to speak in the House of Worship on Sunday. This is the dream of the brotherhood of man, and is the very stuff of America’s spiritual destiny. I don’t believe that destiny is a new thing that has just come with the Bahá’í Faith. To me, it’s an absolutely astounding fact that this whole continent, the Western world, was unknown to the rest of humanity until 500 years ago. Till yesterday morning, in other words. I don’t count those piratical landings of the Vikings—they didn’t enter the course of history.
But all the people on this continent had no knowledge of the rest of the world—the rise and fall of those great civilizations and the appearance of all the prophets of God. Both halves of the world (were) completely ignorant of each other until the time came when it was possible for a world society to emerge. And that was the destiny of America inherent in the act of creation, as I see it.
hundred years the richest and most powerful, most technically advanced nation in the world has inevitably made you think that the American way of life is the best. Well, friends, it’s not. You have to fight that out on this continent too.
I think this is all part of America’s destiny involved in leading the world spiritually—to bring about that revolution at the basis of human society of which the Guardian speaks. America’s destiny is the realization of the American Dream, which can only come about through the power of God. And it’s the American Bahá’ís who have to prove it and so lead the world.
RCH: Shoghi Effendi made a parallel observation about the experience of individual Bahá’í life and Bahá’í community life, saying that we have to purify our own lives, weed out our bad qualities in preparation for the time when we will be called upon to weed those very same qualities out of the lives of our fellow citizens.
Mr. Hofman: He went on to say that if you don’t weed them out of the lives of your fellow citizens, there’s no peace until you’ve done that. So you’ve quite a job.
RCH: That was the reference to Shoghi Effendi that you used—we are the lump that leavens the peoples of the world.
Mr. Hofman: You are called upon, friends, to rise to sainthood. That is what the call of Bahá’u’lláh is.
RCH: I think that this is a particularly difficult idea for individual Bahd’fs to grasp. We don’t think of ourselves as saints. We don’t think of ourselves as having the potential to be saints.
Mr. Hofman: Oh, you have the potential. You have the potential. Of course, sainthood is a relative term. Somewhere in our Scripture, I think from the Master, we have it that the good deeds of the faithful are the sins of those who have attained. Never forget that you are the spiritual descendants of the Dawn-breakers—the bearers of the Name of God in this Day—and you are assisted by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Himself with the power to lead all nations spiritually. Of course you can rise to that station, but it is a tough road. I believe you
can attain it by seeing the vision of who you are in comparison with past great eras of human society. ‘Do you know in what day your are living?’ ‘‘All the horizons of the world are luminous.” We don’t think enough of this, realize that this is a new cycle of human power. We were born into it, you see; we think that this is the natural way of events. But think of a hundred years ago, friends, or 150: no electricity, no airplanes (thank God), very little running water, children going down into mines, slavery. So it is a new era we are in. Never forget this. It’s so easy to think that this is how humanity has always lived, and it isn’t!
RCH: You also have said that we must pray with greater intensity, be ever mindful of our spiritual connection to Baha’u’ll4h so that we can be less distracted by the events of daily life and maintain a more consistent focus on our spiritual mission. It seems to me that these are essential prerequisites to achieving this standard of sainthood to which you refer.
Mr. Hofman: Well, inevitably yes. One of the great contributions of modern psychology to individual improvement is the theory of thinking positively. This is not very different from laying up treasures in heaven, or knowing those things which lead to honor and abasement and pursuing the acquisition of the former.
For example, instead of struggling with one’s self to stop telling lies, make truthfulness your heart’s desire. From Baha’u’llah Himself we know what are the desirable qualities—the honors and virtues of humanity—and we should make the attainment of these the goal of our individual lives. In this spiritual striving, our source of power is the prayers and teachings, immersing ourselves in the ocean of God's revelation.
I find it tremendously uplifting to think of some of the great heroes in the Cause. Not only the Dawn-breakers, who did marvelous and wonderful things. I often wonder—supposing now, today, there was an uprising and people came here with machine guns ready to shoot any of us who wouldn’t recant his Faith. You know? I suppose we think we would all stand up to it. But it’s a pretty hard thing! You’ re going to be killed right away unless you say, ‘I’m not a Bahá’í.’’ I hope I’d stand up to it. I hope I would. I wouldn’t mind dying, 1 must admit—that’s the last enemy—but if they started to do other things to you—pull you apart or shoot you out of a cannon or do some of the things they’ve done to Bahá’ís—the awful things they’ve done to people today, one could only pray.
RCH: This is part of the tragedy of the Bahá’í community in Iran. That it wasn’t just martyrdom, it was torture as well.
Mr. Hofman: Would we stand up to it? Well, thinking of things like this you also think of how appalling it would be if you failed, if you didn’t do it. So then you try to start to strengthen yourself right away so that you would stand up to it. And friends, we may have to face even harder things than being torn limb from limb. That only takes a few seconds, after all. The persecution of the mind and the social status and the undermining and the doubts and fears that are cast into a mind that is not absolutely 100 percent dedicated or is 100 percent Bahá’í—these are far worse. So more and more I’m sure we have to strengthen our own faith. This again we do by studying the works of Shoghi Effendi, and particularly the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. This marvelous document, the greater part of which has to do with the actual activities of the Covenant-breakers, inspires us to achieve firmness in the Covenant.
RCH: You’re really talking about the fundamentals of spiritual discipline.
Mr. Hofman: Yes! You get into bed at night, and you’re tired and worn out, and you think, Oh dear, I haven’t read my prayer this evening. Well, then, wake up and do it. Just a little thing like that will help us along.
RCH: Let me change the topic for a moment. You have taken part in eight of the 12 “Vision to Victory’’ conferences. I would be interested to hear your observations of
The American Bahá’í / April 1989 / 9
David Hofman speaks to the friends at the ‘Vision to Victory’ conference in Los Angeles.
the different conferences. You’ve mentioned many times that this is an enormous country. Perhaps you could reflect on some of the conferences and your perceptions of them and of the friends in those areas.
Mr. Hofman: I didn’t really notice a great deal of difference in the Bahá’ís except in Columbia, South Carolina. As soon as I got there I had the impression that the friends there really did what the Master said: they walked the mystical path with practical feet. They always wanted to see the result. And I think it’s not only Bahá’ís there, but it’s that part of the country where they do the same.
I gave a talk at the university one evening. There were two professors present and about 20 of their students and a whole bunch of Bahá’ís as well. But these professors asked several good questions. And at the end, one of them got up and said, “Well, have you got any set-up to put all this into practice?’’ That to me was typical; I haven’t seen such practicality in the other parts of the country.
Generally I must say I deplore much of the ... I hope I’m not going to offend anyone .. much of the so-called music that is put out in the Bahá’í world. Not only the standard, but, you know, the sacred word of Baha’u’llah, the Name of Bahá’u’lláh Himself, treated in the same way as “‘daughter Clementine”’ or ‘Casey working on the railrad.”’ This to me is not right. I feel the informality of the American people, which is a wonderful thing, and a good thing, but like everything else, if carried to excess it becomes discourteous, and even blasphemous in my view. I feel this, dear friends, I really do.
Just think: we’re not allowed to portray the Manifestation of God Himself in any works of art. This is an indication of how great, how holy a Being He is. And His Words are the Words of God. We don’t sing those, you know, in the same atmosphere as you do all the pop songs and everything else.
Throughout the history of civilization
they’ve had this problem. Handel, who,
after all, I suppose, wrote some of the most
sublime music in the Christian era, wrestled
with this problem, as did so many composers of uplifting and sublime music for
religious themes. But I do believe that we
could—if we would improve our musical
presentation, especially to the general
public, and this would have an effect. They
can go anywhere and hear the Beatles and
the rock and roll and whatever they want.
But it’s not very often that you can hear
religion put in a new form. I don’t think
that we’ve got to stick to the old benediction sort of thing, but at least we could
make our presentation more fit to Whom
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10 / The American Bahá’í / April 1989
we are talking about. .
RCH: Why don’t we take a few minutes to open the questioning up. Perhaps some of you (National Center staff were invited to attend the interview) have questions in response to statements Mr. Hofman has already made or perhaps he has not addressed a concern you would like to hear him speak to.
A woman: (First statement is inaudible.) What can a Baha’j do to spiritually attract the youth of today who are wandering in what they’re saying is “‘the beginning of the end”?
Mr. Hofman: When you say ‘“‘we,”’ I take it that you mean the whole American nation, not the Bahá’ís. I don’t think the Bahd’fs are declining at all. Well, my dear, it’s what the Master, the Guardian and the House of Justice have been saying as long as they’ve been in existence. We’ve got to first of all improve ourselves. We’re modern world citizens first of all. Deplore all these things. We cannot tolerate these things you’ve mentioned. We don’t indulge in them ourselves, we think they’re wrong, and we have wholly different standards. So if we’re going to talk to youth, we go and talk to them about these things and say, we don’t go sleeping around with anyone we like, we don’t believe in the permissive age. We think there’s a better life for mankind than this kind of thing that’s going on in the world today. All we can do is tell them God has sent His Messenger again. Tell them the basic facts.
I don’t know how else the Cause will ever progress except by telling people about the Cause of God and about Bahá’u’ll4h. It’s all we can do. Practice it ourselves and improve our Bahá’í communities. All these
us. He would have done it.
A mai was listening to your comments about the divorce rate and local Spiritual Assemblies taking stronger action in those regards, as well as your statement about taking more personal problems to the Assembly. And I was trying to listen to it through the ears of many Assemblies I know of who don’t have the resources. They don’t have skills and ability, and they suggest professional counseling. A lot of the time, Assemblies have to struggle even to get together when the membership moves out. Part of the concern I have, and I’m wondering: the friends, hearing that, may feel a little guilty that they aren’t doing more. The ones who are doing more already may end up feeling guilty or they’re trying to struggle just getting together as a local Spiritual Assembly.
Mr. Hofman: I think the answer to that is that the friends don’t really know what a local Spiritual Assembly is. This is worth studying. The members of the local and National Spiritual Assemblies could start studying it themselves, the wonderful statements the Master has made about it.
There’s a compilation on the local Assembly. ‘‘They are the potent sources of good and the benefits of God to mankind. Over them ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spreadeth His wings. What bounty is greater than this?”” And you say they don’t have any resources. They have all the resources of the Cause of God behind them.
A newly elected local Spiritual Assembly, if it would come together in the spirit of the Cause, has the resource of consultation which can solve all problems. Consultation is something that Bahá’ís have to learn. It’s a very difficult, new, complex, highly ma
‘Don’t worry about that larger world out there doing all these wrong
things. Don’t bother about the politicians. You bother about the Cause
and about ourselves and how we’re getting on and how many people
have | told about Baha’u’llah today.’
things can be done too. Again, it’s what Dr. Henderson has been saying: this has to be the main object and tenor of our lives. Be ready to set aside anything else—what the House of Justice called your ‘‘minor considerations.”’ Set aside anything to promote the Cause of God or to go out and tell someone else about the Cause of God. Anything at all.
A man: (Question is inaudible.)
Mr. Hofman: Don’t worry about that larger world out there doing all these wrong things. Don’t bother about the politicians. You bother about the Cause and about ourselves and how we’re getting on and how many people have I told about Bahd’u’ll4h today.
This is one of the points I stressed in my talks on the first goal set out in the Ridvan message on entry by troops. This will only come about, friends, when a lot more people know about the Cause. The number of people so far who know about the Cause of God in this world won’t bring about entry by troops. We have to tell troops more people, thousands more people. And I made the suggestion that the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker, the tramway conductor should be told. I said, ‘When the policeman gives you a ticket, give him a pamphlet.’’ Whoever it happens to be.
We should carry ... I advocate this ... carry small pamphlets around with us. You meet a hundred people a day, or 10 people, 20 people a day—I doubt if we give one percent of them, every day, the message. Well, this is what is going to bring about entry by troops: if you’ve got a pamphlet in your pocket and you can’t hold up somebody who has to catch a train and say, ‘Here, read this.”” They don’t want to spend time listening to your whole story. forever and ever. I think that’s one of the ways.
Another way I’ve been advocating is to be like Mullá Ḥusayn: Radiant. You think of him when he came out of that all-night session with the Bab. Remember what he said? ‘‘I felt as though if the whole world were to rise up and oppose me I would singly and alone defeat them.”’ We can all do that too. We have that same power behind
ture skill, or art. But when you know it, it’s a bounty. It’s a wonderful feeling to come out of a meeting which has been truly consultative in the Bahá’í way. This would solve all the problems of the Bahá’í community and of mankind itself. Consultation. We have to learn it. And the foundations of it and the rules of it are all set out in the Writings and in the Guardian’s letters.
RCH: The distinction you’re making is between the primary resource, which is the understanding of the spiritual character of the Institution and the power of the Covenant, and the secondary resources which are the tools of science and technology, which we can call to assist us as we channel that power to uplift the lives of individual friends and the community.
Mr. Hofman: Yes, but you know, Bob, you speak of the technical and the scientific resources too, but the spiritual resources in the Assembly are independent of those things. They can provide a source of love, assurance, a shelter for individuals who have problems, even to married couples who ‘can’t get on. They can provide that background of absolute, unshakable home. A love in which they can live. These are the resources at the disposal of a local Spiritual Assembly.
Far more important than being able to summon up practical help—get Bill down the street a job—or something like that, which is important too. But this—being the kind father to people, this is the important part of Bahda’{ administration. And they’ll only do that when the children try to please the parents—love them and help them. Understand their delicate position. Consult them for the resolution of problems. Any problem at all, as the Master says, take it to the Assembly. It will make the Assembly itself grow and mature and acquire those other skills.
There are many skills that derive from and support spiritual attitudes to life such as judgment, such as timeliness, wisdom, all those things that Baha’u’ll4h speaks about which take time to acquire. Taking time is another thing that is important in the Bahá’í world. Everybody wants everything in
stantly today, you know. Instant growing
up, instant maturity, instant coffee—whatever it happens to be. But it takes time for
things to develop and grow and mature,
and for the acquisition of virtues—that
takes time too.
A woman: (Question is inaudible.)
Mr. Hofman: It’s exactly the same as you did with your child. And eventually the child that won’t learn not to put his finger on the stove will either get fed up with being burned or you’ll have to do something about it. Make him wear gloves or something ... whatever it happens to be.
An Assembly, let’s say a local Assembly, has a permanent trouble-maker in the community. There are communities where there are permanent trouble-makers ‘all over the world. That Assembly has to be patient, has to be kind, has to give good advice, has to show love and try to help him or her cure him or herself. If they don’t make progress, they’ve got to do something else.
Now I think most of the Assemblies in the world today think that the only sanction in the Bahá’í community is expulsion or removal of voting rights. Well, this is far from the truth, friends. Every local Assembly has many disciplinary actions it can impose upon a recalcitrant member of the community. It can forbid him to come to a Nineteen Day Feast, it can refuse to let him contribute to the Fund, it can refuse to let him represent the Cause in a talk or in teaching as a representative of the Faith. Many things which are less than the administrative expulsion. You see, that’s a very, very serious thing. It’s next to expulsion from the Cause—becoming a Covenant-breaker. You lose your voting rights, you’re recognized as a Bahá’í, but not in good standing ... you’re not a member of the community. These lesser sanctions are all at the disposal of the local Spiritual Assembly. Again, it’s chiefly loving advice, patience, and discipline, if necessary.
RCH: But the main thing I hear you saying is that the Assembly has to be more knowledgeable, has to be more understanding, has to exploit the pulsating power of the Covenant. The reason for being, the spiritual reality of its institution as the primary source of its power.
Mr. Hofman: That and of the purpose of each individual human life. After all, the parent has to educate all the children. Bring them up to know why they’re here, what is the purpose of life, why do they want an
Special PULL-OUT SECTION
education, why must they earn a living, why must they get a job, why must they go to school. Sometimes why they must do what their daddy tells them to do. This is the same with individuals.
RCH: I wondered ... we’re out of time. As we draw this session to a close, we’re at a point in the American Bahá’í community when a number of things are happening to us at the same time. We have the direction of the House of Justice which calls to our attention the heightened receptivity to the Cause at all levels of society. The House of Justice has initiated its efforts to complete the remaining buildings on the Arc, which has given us extraordinary financial responsibilities to contribute to the Fund, while at the same time we see the foundation for our security, in many ways the society itself, crumbling beneath our feet. We’re at a point where as the world around us continues to. decline, our responsibilities continue to expand dramatically. And I, and I am sure everyone else, would be interested in what you have to say about how we manage that transition. How do we navigate those difficult waters?
Mr. Hofman: I haven’t the faintest idea, Bob, except to keep going and never give up. That was one of the things my children remind me about now. I used to teach them that— never give up.
RCH: Never give up.
Mr. Hofman: NEVER give up.
RCH: This is what Churchill said to Hitler about why the bulldogs do not have long snouts ... so that they can bite and scratch and catch a breath without letting go. Bulldog tenacity. Well, we thank you very, very much for your time, Mr. Hofman, and for your very interesting comments.
Mr. Hofman: May | say, Bob, what a wonderful experience this has been for me. You talk about your thanks to me; it’s nothing compared to my thanks to your NSA for inviting me, It has been the most uplifting experience of my life except for the moment when I knew who Bahd’u’ll4h was. Through it I’ve done some of the things we’ve been talking about. I’ve come nearer to Bahd’u’ll4h through this travel around the United States and understanding some of the—seeing in reality some of the magnitude of the tremendous, titanic struggle, as the Guardian called it, that is going on in the world. So the gratitude is all on my side. I want to thank you very much.
Photo by Scot Corrie
�[Page 11]
The American Bahá’í / April 1989 / 11
Bahá’í-sponsored public meeting in Minneapolis draws nearly 800 to city’s American Indian Center
On January 28, between 700 and 800 people attended a’meeting sponsored by the Bahá’ís of Minneapolis, Minnesota, at the city’s American Indian Center.
Kevin Locke, a Bahá’í from South Dakota who was recently elected to the National Spiritual Assembly in a by-election, perSorms the traditional Lakota hoop dance for an audience of more
The meeting was an outgrowth
of a teaching campaign begun in
Minneapolis in August 1987 and
carried on by a number of Bahda’is
guided by the local Spiritual As
than 700 at a public meeting January 28 held at the American In
sponsored by the Bahá’ís in that
city.
Public Information reminder
dian Center in Minneapolis and
Whenever a news release is issued or an ad is placed in your local newspaper announcing a public meeting to be held in a residence, the Office of Public Information recommends that you do not list the address of the residence. In most cities and towns there could be the possibility of legal problems, since you are inviting the public to a residence that may not be zoned as a public meeting place. It is best to list a telephone number to call for information about the event. Then you can personally invite the in
dividual and provide the address.
sembly.
As a result of the ongoing efforts in specific target areas, bonds of fellowship have been woven with the residents.
In December, Auxiliary Board member Kevin Locke (who has since become a member of the National Spiritual Assembly in a byelection) was invited to Minneapolis to take part in a public meeting in the area of the teaching project.
The gymnasium at the Indian Center was rented, an ad was placed in its newspaper, flyers were distributed, and the Assembly encouraged the friends to pray for the success of the meeting, attendance at which far surpassed anyone’s expectations.
The program included a performance by a local drum group, a flute solo by Brian Crawford, and a presentation by Chief Eagle, a Bahá’í from South Dakota, in traditional dress with live birds.
Mr. Locke, who began by playing the flute, spoke of the oneness of humankind, the dreams and promises of peace from many cultures, and the importance of the Universal House of Justice’s peace statement.
He then held his audience spellbound as he performed the traditional Lakota hoop dance.
Many people stayed after the program to speak to the Bahá’ís. Friendships were begun, and many firesides were planned.
At least 175 copies of ‘The Promise of World Peace’’ were taken.
Study and Deepening for Adults, Youth, and Children
Individual Rights and Freedoms in the World Order of Baha'u'llah
SC $ To Be Announced
Guiding the Baha’i community, the Universal House of Justice, in a recent statement to the followers of Bahd'u'llah in the United States, calls ourattention tothe basic principles of our Faith, explains the meaning of rights and freedoms in a Baha’ context, and invites us to study the Baha teachings to gain a better understanding of the standards Baha'u'llah prescribes fora
mature society. U.S. BahA't Publishing Trust
Significance of Bahd'u'lláh's Revelation
$C $2.50
This bookis third in a series whose purpose is to draw the reader into a study of the profound concepts found in the Baha'i Revelation. Divided into chapters on The Day of God, the Station of Baha'u'llah, the Nature of the Baha’i Revelation, the Forces of the Revelation,
VISA/ ‘MasterCard
American Express / Check / Money Order
1-800-999-9019
A Basic Baha'i Dictionary
by
Wendi Momen
HC $25.00 SC $16.40 Provides a quick and easy way to find accurate information on many aspects of the Baha't Faith. A useful resource in the process of developing a deep understanding of the Faith, this book gives definitions of words, explanations of concepts, and an introduction to figures from Baha’ history. Includes a glossary of Persian and Arabic terms. Over 800 entries
and 200 illustrations. George Ronald Publishers
Response to His Call, A New Race of Men, and the Kingdom of God on Earth, this study guide can be used by individuals or groups, or as a resource for preparing firesides, public talks or seminar work
at Baha'i schools. National Teaching Committee U.S. Baha'i Publishing Trust
Basic Truths Series 2 What's Fair...
When Nothing Goes Right When I Pray
by Bambi Betts
Set of 3, SC $8.95
These second three booklets in a series of twelve are designed to help teach very young children some of the abstract concepts of the Faith, and provide basic vocabulary needed to begin the process of understanding. Each booklet is illustrated with line drawings suitable for coloring.
— lr
to Victory conference February 25-26 in Alexandria, Virginia. (Story, more photographs on pages I and 2)
Vicentee Ferguson, a member of the National Teaching Committee, presents a workshop on ‘Entry by Troops’ during the Vision
A Call is Raised for Traveling Teachers in the Four Project Sites
The success in expansion of the Faith in the four national teaching project sites has highlighted the need for traveling teachers to play a part in the second of the twin processes-of teaching—the work of consolidation. If you have the time and resources to travel to Atlanta, Chicago, San Jose, or Massachusetts to assist in this effort, please contanct the National Traveling Teaching Coordinator:
Mr. Sam Williams P.O. Box 971 Yadkinville, NC 27055 Phone: 919/679-2133
Notes from BPT / BDS
PERSONAL TEACHING, a deepening booklet scheduled for reprint by Baha’i Publications Canada, has been cancelled.
THE BAHA'I DISTRIBUTION SERVICE WILL BE CLOSED for annual inventory from April 24 to May 5. Please make note of this, and plan your orders accordingly.
Watch your mail for our May 1, 1989 updated Price List.
JOB OPENINGS: Editorial Assistant, Marketing Assistant, Customer Service Representative, and two youth year of service positions for Shipping/Receiving Clerk and General Administrative Assistant. If you feel you are qualified and are interested in any of the above positions, please contact the Department of Human Resources at the Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or by calling 1-312-869-9039.
George Ronald Publishers
Reprints Reprints Reprints : The Baha'i Faith / Thoughts: In Search of Nirvana: World Religious Education For Peace A New Perspective on Statistics and One World preheated Drug PA$ To Be Announced by Irene Taafaki by A M:Ghadirlan An article about the Baha't Faith $C$15.95 $C$8.95 reprinted from the Encyclopedia Bri-_ Softcover reprint of a sourcebook :
tannica now includes World Religious Statistics from the 1988 Britannica Book of the Year. Describes the background, history, literature, tenets, and organization of the Faith. Useful for introducing the Faith to
professional and academic people. U. S. Baha'i Publishing Trust
Completely revised, this book looks at research into drug abuse and shows how the teachings of the Baha’ Faith provide a systematic and realistic approach to preventionand control both for individu for moral and spiritual education with quotations from the world's sacred scriptures, instructive and entertaining stories, and questions to stimulate teachers and students.
Covers Honesty, Generosity, Kind- a ness, Gratitude, Respect, etc. als and communities. George Ronald Publishers George Ronald Publishers
Order through your Local Baha'i Distribution Representative, or send your order with payment to:
415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091
Baha" Distribution Service
Order now through the
�[Page 12]
12 / The American Bahá’í / April 1989
CLASSIFIEDS
Classified notices in The American Bahá’í are published free of charge as a service to the Bahá’í community. Because of this, notices are limited to items relating to the Faith; no personal or commercial messages can be accepted Sor publication. The opportunities referred to have not been approved by the National Spiritual Assembly; the friends should exercise their own judgment in responding to them.
.
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
THE DEPARTMENT of Human Resources at the Baha’ National Center is accepting applications for the following positions: Administrative Services—benefits administrator, Media Services manager, secretary (Department of Human Resources). Bahd’{ House of Worship—administrator. Bahá’í Publishing Trust—associate editor, customer service representative/receptionist, marketing assistant. NSA Properties Inc.—custodian specialist, maintenance coordinator (Bahá’í House of Worship), projects coordinator. Office of the Treasurer—accounts receivable/automatic contributions coordinator, assistant cashier. Those who are interested in any of these positions should apply to: Department of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-8699039.
EDUCATORS and school administrators: there are job openings in government or public schools for the 1989-90 school year in the heart of the Navajo Reservation. Pioneer to ‘‘another country” without leaving the U.S. Housing is provided near each school. For information and/or help, write to Bill Bright, Chinle, AZ 86503, or phone ese
PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)
THE OFFICE of Pioneering at the Bahá’í National Center has the following list of overseas jobs: Africa— The Gambia: program director for primary health care program. Africa: general manager-bookmakers. East Africa: avionics technician. Republic of Transkei: medical doctors. The Gambia: field office director. Kenya: director for rural program. Americas—Honduras: supervisor/general foreman for furniture-making operation. Uruguay: general manager for civil aviation company. Guyana: ob internist. St. Lucia: internal medicine and orthopedic surgeon. Grenada: surgeon, orthopedic surgeon, anesthesiologist. Asia—Malaysia: foundry technician, civil engineer, mechanical piping design engineer, mechanical supervisors (civil experience), mechanical supervisor (electrical experience), planning and study engineer. Taiwan: pathologist, medical equipment maintenance. Overseas: secretaries, Third World countries.
PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)
HOMEFRONT pioneers are needed in lovely Sedona, Arizona, a small town in the red rock country, one and one-half hours north of Phoenix and one-half hour south of Flagstaff. Help establish a Bahá’í community in one of the most beautiful places in the U.S., a haven for writers, artists, hikers, retirees, and those in the construction and restaurant-oriented services. For information, write to Suzanne
Klotz, Sedona, AZ 86336. STATE College, Pennsylvania,
needs homefront pioneers. Due to several transfers and deaths, we have lost ‘our Assembly after 19 years and are in danger of losing our incorporated status. Students can find many opportunities at nationally famous Penn State University. In addition, there are quite a few small industries, some wellknown, such as HRB Singer, MurataErie, C-Cor Electronics among others. The city of State College, not too far from the state capital, Harrisburg, has alovely shopping. district, movies, res A special project for Baha Youth
Project/89
alone.
Name
Adsress_
Sponsoring National Spiritual Assembly _
Date of Application _
Sponsored by The Office of Teaching and Consolidation ‘National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Alaska
13501 Brayton Drive Anchorage, Alaska 99516
Telephone 907] 345-3740
Northern Star Project/89
Alaska is embarking on a major campaign of service and teaching projects, the scope of which has not been tried here in over a decade. These projects involve a coordinated effort of all Alaskan Baha't offices and resources. All the pieces to the puzzle are in place except for one ...
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
We have urban and rural communities from the southern end of the Aleutian Island Chain to the northernmost villages in Alaska who are asking for youth volunteers. Alaskan Bahd’f youth are arising, but their numbers are quite small and the demands are greater than they can meet
We invite you to join us in responding to the Universal House of Justice's call for the Alaskan Baha’f community to“... ‘campaign for entry by troops.” Become a part of the Northern Star Project/89 service and teaching projects, June 15 - July 11 and/or July 17-- August 12, 1989, Return this form and we will send you a Questions and Answers booklet and a Project Registration Form.
organize a concerted
| Mone __ |
taurants and hotels, all within walking. distance of the campus. Weather conditions are moderate, and there are lovely farmlands and state forests nearby. For details about the university or employment, write to Bahá’í Assembly, P.O. Box 253, State College, PA 16804, Attn: Gail Alberini, secretary, or phone 814-231-1441.
BEAUTIFUL, sub-tropical Martin County, Florida, needs help to save its Assembly. Many employment opportunities; widow can share home with another woman. Write to K. Koehl, chairman,
Stuart, FL 34994,
DO YOU LIKE the idea of becoming a homefront pioneer in a small Midwestern town? Plattsburg, Missouri, a Victorian town of about 2,000 midway between St. Joseph and Kansas City, is the perfect place to start a business if you are an electrical and/or heating and air-conditioning contractor. We are the only two Bahá’ís in town, and find that the opportunities for teaching and service are endless. We have our own plumbing company and always have requests for electricians and furnace men. There are many lovely older homes in Plattsburg, AAA schools, and a true smalltown community spirit. Please contact Clay and Gretchen Schiefelbein,
Plattsburg, MO 64477, or phone 816-539-3473.
THE SPIRITUAL Assembly of Yarmouth, Maine, a lovely New England town on the ocean, is in jeopardy. Excellent schools, all types of jobs in Yarmouth and nearby Portland (11 minutes away by car). The Assembly will help you in any way it can, Write to Banu Komlosy, RRI,
Yarmouth, ME 04096, or phone 207-846-4984,
NINETEEN-year-old Assembly in the beautiful Los Gatos foothills of California, only 12 miles south of San Jose, 60 miles south of San Francisco, and 23 miles from the Bosch Bahd’{ School, needs four adult members by Ridvan. Many spiritual bounties! Prospective pioneers, please phone Vern Allie (408-353-1261) after 6 p.m. (Pacific time) or Dr. Harriet Allie (408244-7942) anytime for more information. Written correspondence may be directed to the Spiritual Assembly of Santa Clara County Southwest, P.O. Box 433, Los Gatos, CA 95031.
VERMONT needs you! Urgently seeking individual or family ready to work in an established Bahá’í community. Need at least one adult to save our eight-year-old Assembly. Broad range of employment possible; unemployment rate less than two percent. Only two and one-half hours to Green Acre, only 19 hours to the House of Worship! Write to Diane Langley, secretary, Hartford, VT 05047, or phone 902-295-6916.
PERIODICALS
SPECIAL deal: Subscribe to Brilliant Star magazine for two years and save $4! A two-year subscription is only $20 for 12 wonderful issues (domestic only). Send check or money order for $20 to Subscriber Service, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.
HELP a Bahá’í school in the U.S. or overseas by offering a gift subscription to Brilliant Star magazine. We will match your donation with schools that need the magazine. Send $20 for two years (domestic) or $28 for two years (overseas) to Brilliant Star Connection, c/o Subscriber Service, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Thank you!
NATIONAL ARCHIVES
THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking, at the request of the Universal House of Justice, original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following individuals: Rouan Ella Carter (died in Los Angeles, 1964), William J. Cawthon, Chita Ca
ADMINISTRATOR (Bahá’í House of Worship Activities Office): This person should be experienced in managing or directing
an organization of volunteers. Establishes good relations with
outside agencies and civic groups, arranges and conducts tours
and programs, sponsors and hosts special events for the National
Spiritual Assembly. Must have effective public speaking skills,
general management abilities, and the capacity to interact with
dignitaries, public officials and the general public. Must be welldeepened in the Bahá’í Teachings. For information and/or an application, contact the Department of Human Resources, Bahá’í
National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 312-869-9039).
zares, Marilyn Chadwick, Millin Chafin, Gertrude M. Chamberlain, Isabel Chamberlain (died in Oakland, 1939). Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these letters from the Guardian is asked to contact the National Baha’ Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.
THE NATIONAL Baha’ Archives is seeking copies of the following books, in good or excellent condition: All Things Made New (cloth, 1960, 1963), The Chosen Highway (cloth, 1970, 1975), Christ and Bahá’u’lláh (paper, 1971, 1972), The Dawn-breakers (paper, 1970), The Promise of All Ages (cloth, 1961) and Religion for Mankind (paper, 1956). Anyone having copies they could donate is asked to send them to the National Bahd’{ Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.
CONFERENCES
1989 GREEN LAKE (Wisconsin) Conference in your plans? Don’ be there ... be a part of it! Consider sharing a life experience with a small group of children or youth: a talent, a point of view, a story, anything you think could make their Green Lake experience more memorable and enlightening. You choose the topic, the age group, the number of kids, and the time. For more information, please write (soon) to the Green Lake NonAdult Programming Task Force, c/o Kamran Mesbah,
Stoughton, WI 53589.
SCHOOLS
THE GREEN ACRE Baha'i School is seeking applications for summer positions including program assistant, recreation director, registrar, teachers for youth/children’s classes, cooks, kitchen helpers, librarian, housekeeping, maintenance, gardener and painter. Room and board are provided. Weekly stipends are available with a minimum of eight weeks’ commitment. Volunteers are encouraged to apply for shorter durations, Summer help is needed from the end of June ‘through the end of August. Those who are interested should contact the Green Acre Bahá’í School, 188 Main
St., Eliot, ME 03903 (phone 207-4397200).
CABIN counselors: where are you? The Bosch Bahá’í School wants to hear from those who were cabin counselors in any of the years since Junior Youth Week began in 1977. You are invited to a luncheon during Youth Week 1989, August 19-24. Please send your current address and other news about yourself to the Program Director, Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. And watch The American Bahá’í for registration information.
WORK/SERVICE at the Bosch Bahá’í School: workers for kitchenmaintenance, teachers of childrenyouth, and recreation director. Late June through August. Room and board and stipend. Send resumé to School Administrator, Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
WANTED
THE SPIRITUAL Assembly of Bend, Oregon, will observe its 10th anniversary at Ridvan, and would like to put together a scrapbook of stories and photos depicting the history of the Faith in Bend (and central Oregon). If you have any contributions of stories, photos or names of believers who have visited or lived in Bend, please write to the Bahá’ís of Bend, P.O. Box 6861, Bend, OR 97708.
THE NATIONAL Bahá’í AudioVisual Committee of Gabon needs a used VCR and television for that country’s Bahá’í National Center. A VHS system can be used, as almost all tapes come to Gabon from Canada. ‘To avoid paying a large customs fee, a receipt would be necessary proving that the machine was at least six months old. Donations should be sent to Mrs. Susan J. Allen, B.P. 920, Port Gentil, Gabon, Central Africa.
BAHA’t graphic artist, free-lancer living in Finland, would like to contact other Baha’ artists and writers. Interested both in new projects (fo stance, children’s books) as well as an exchange of ideas. Please reply to Susan Reed, 02600 Espoo, Finland.
Bahá’ís in Connecticut gave their
support last December to the annual Lou Rawls ‘Parade of Stars’
telethon which raised about $9.8
million for the United Negro College Fund. Pictured during the
telethon in Stamford are Bahá’ís
(standing left to right) Vivian Eison, Christine Kennedy, Shiva Ta
vana, Yolanda Benton and (seated
in center) Neil Chase. Other Bahá’ís who helped telethon organizers during the year included Deborah Wyrick, Charlene Bynum,
Azalee Fitchben, Pat Tomarelli,
Hilda Dudley and Carmel Avegnon.
�[Page 13]
The American Bahá’í / April 1989 / 13
LETTERS
“The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions.”’—‘Abdu’l-Bahá
The American Bahd’s welcomes letters to the editor on any topic of general interest. The purpose of the ‘letters’”’ column is to allow a free and ‘open exchange of ideas and opinions, never to denigrate another’s views or to attack anyone on a personal level. Opinions expressed in these columns are not necessarily those of the National Spiritual Assembly or the editors.
Letters should be as brief as possible (a 250-word maximum is suggested) and are subject to editing for length and style. Please address all letters to the Editor, The American Bahá’í, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.
Obeying ‘Supreme Body’
To the Editor:
I would like to share my thoughts and understanding about the station of the Universal House of Justice and the bounty of abiding by its bidding.
The Universal House of Justice is God’s greatest favor to mankind. This august body will guide, protect and promulgate the Cause of God until the next Manifestation.
Instant and immediate obedience to the directives of this supreme governing and legislative body is conducive to the promotion of the teachings of Baha’wllah and the source of inspiration and joy.
In this year’s Ridvan message we are given the privilege of following a few special steps toward the achievement of the goals of the Six Year Plan. Among them is one task which all lovers of the Blessed Beauty—young, old, educated or uneducated—are able to perform; that is, to present ‘The Promise of World Peace’’ to the peoples of the world.
For my husband and me, the presentation of the peace statement to friends, doctors, nurses, teachers, clerks and whoever else
may cross our paths has become the source of utter gladness in our lives.
The method is simple and sincere—simply to say that we havea beautiful message of hope and peace that we would like to present to you. Today the word peace is a magic word that immediately touches the heart of the recipient.
The ecstasy that this act generates in our hearts in beyond description. It can only be felt by personal experience.
Nura Ioas Orinda, California
‘Serious’ caption errors
To the Editor:
Please note that there are some serious errors in the captions to the illustrations that accompany the articles on the Babi and Bahá’í religions in the Macdonald Orbis Encyclopaedia of World Faiths (1987).
The articles were written by me, but the captions were added by the publisher and were not seen by me prior to publication.
Peter Smith Bangkok, Thailand
Law of Huququ’llah
To the Editor:
The great law of Huqiqu’ll4h means so much more than giving money. Like all the Bahá’í laws, it requires a change of lifestyle from the decadent norm in this society.
Just as paying taxes helps you decide on what to spend your money, paying Huququ’llah shows you how to manage your money.
As Bahá’ís we are expected to take inventory of our resources ‘once a year, decide what we need for ourselves ‘« live on, and pay to God 19 percent of the surplus.
I can’t imagine a fairer system. And to make it «ven better, we don’t have to pay twice on the same amount, even ‘hough it is a surplus.
If you are like me and most Americans, though, you don’t have surplus money. The reason we don’t have a surplus, most of us, is that we don’t take a yearly inventory of our needs.
We borrow, we buy on impulse,
we don’t budget, and we wonder where our money goes and how we can pay our bills.
Bahd’u’ll4h expects us to handle our affairs more responsibly than the norm.
If my understanding of Huqiqu’llah is correct, if this law is a spiritual solution to the world’s economic problems, then the beauty of the system rivals the plan for an auxiliary language or local houses of justice.
We are all expected to save money, not borrow. This is a simple solution that could easily bring stability to an economy in which, for example, 15 percent or less of the people are Bahá’í.
It will certainly bring stability to those of us who follow the law, save money, and give God His portion.
Kent Johnson Torrington, Connecticut
Giving peace statement
To the Editor:
I am writing hopefully to inspire all Bahá’í communities who have not yet presented the peace statement to their local governments and other organizations.
When we look at the date and realize that more than three years have passed since the Universal House of Justice released the peace statement, many people may think it’s too late to begin making formal presentations to important officials.
In terms of ordinary events, perhaps too much time has passed, but the release of ‘‘The Promise of World Peace’’ was no ordinary event! There is a power and a spirit behind this statement which breathes life into every attempt to share and present it.
The Baha’ community of Glendora recently completed its presentation of the statement to the heads of several local government agencies.
When we began our planning, there was some concern that we had ‘‘missed the boat,’’ since so much time had elapsed since the International Year of Peace.
The method we used to keep the importauce of the peace statement current was to make the following statement, or a variation thereof, during every presentation:
“Although the 1986 International Year of Peace has come and gone, the seeds planted by the world-embracing events of that year continue to grow and devel op.
“One of the greatest achievements of that year has been the recognition that the establishment of world peace is the concern not just of heads of state, but of provincial, state, county and local governments, as well as individuals from all walks of life.’”
During the presentations, we explained that Bahá’ís believe that peace really is achievable and that the peace statement provides insights into the causes of and remedy for world strife.
We also took the opportunity to share the latest statistics about presentations of the statement worldwide. To our delight, all of our presentations were warmly received.
We have found that rather than waning in impact as time passes, presentations of the peace statement have become more impressive with the passage of time.
People are becoming increasingly curious about the Bahá’í Faith, and are eager to receive the
same document that has been given to almost 200 heads of state and important government and religious leaders around the world.
Presentations of the peace statement provide opportunities to share basic tenets of the Faith in situations previously closed to spiritual discussion, to invite people to firesides, to create special public programs about peace, and to write articles for local newspapers.
Also, we have found that working together to plan and carry out presentations of the peace statement revitalizes the community and brings spiritual benefits to everyone involved.
Elaine Offstein Glendora, California
Bahá’ís ‘introduced’
The Bahá’ís of Bloomfield, New Jersey, recently completed the mailing of a letter introducing themselves and explaining basic principles of the Faith to more than 13,000 households in Bloomfield.
Included are an address and phone number which can be used to obtain more information.
Pictured are the 18 young U.S. citizens who are students at Cane
da’s Maxwell International Bahá’í School in Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia. Fifteen of the
Young Japanese student recounts ‘how | became a Bahá’í’
This article, ‘How I Became a Bahá’í,”” was written by Fusae Ekida, a young Bahá’í from Japan who now lives in Boston, Massachusetts,
.
I was scared, because of my lack of ability to speak English, to dial the telephone number my Bahá’í friend had given me before I left Japan. 7
But finally, a month after I artived in Boston, I decided to call Brian Aull. Even though I was still afraid of talking on the phone, I could not stand not being a Bahá’í any longer. The first night with the Bahá’ís in Cambridge was wonderful.
Two weeks later, at Marion Yazdi’s home in Wellesley, I declared my faith and signed my Bahá’í card. June 27, 1988, is my most important day. I will never forget it.
When I was a university student in Yamaguchi, Japan, I met a wonderful person (Michael Higgins) at our club where he was teaching Japanese to foreign students. He was one of our members and a professor at Yamaguchi
University.
I had a good relationship with his family and I often met foreign students at his house. They enjoyed spending time with his family because of their kindness and the family atmosphere.
His house was open to everyone at any time, so I used to visit twice a week. Whenever I visited him, his family welcomed me.
For the first month I knew Prof. Higgins, he did not mention the Bahá’í Faith. In fact, it was by accident that I heard about it.
One day I promised to visit his house, and when I arrived they had forgotten about my coming and were holding a fireside.
I took part in it, but tried to deny everything as strongly as I could. I was afraid of any kind of religion, the same as other Japanese.
In Japan, teaching a new religion is quite difficult. People want to follow the traditional way, and everyone is very conservative.
Moreover, they are sensitive about religion because of the second World War. (During the war,
the Japanese army took advantage of our traditional religion, Shinto. As a result, a great number of innocent people were killed, and many Japanese lost their lives for our Emperor.)
Although I believed in the existence of God, I hated any kind of religion.
And yet I could not stop visiting Prof. Higgins. Meanwhile, I tried to listen to him, since I felt strange denying the Bahá’í Faith before I had heard about it.
People’s honesty toward the Faith moved my heart. Besides, I thought, Bahd’u’ll4h might show me the best way.
When I was a child, my mother would take me to the temple to learn Buddhism. I liked the creed of Buddhism; however, I could not live within it because it is quite an old religion for only small communities.
Thus I started to believe in my own faith in my own mind. I was disappointed with any kind of religion; I felt I would never find my religion.
You can imagine how happy I
was when I heard about Bahá’u’lláh.
The more I heard about the Faith, the more I felt that I had to be Bahá’í. But despite my desire, I could not become a Bahá’í.
I was still concerned whether I had a strong faith. In addition, it took a long time for me to tell my mother how important the Bahá’í Faith was to me. When I left my home to come to the United States, she finally agreed with me.
I respect my teachers, Prof. Higgins and his family. I appreciate that they taught me the Faith by being the kind people they are.
Indeed, they never pushed me; they simply waited and trusted me.
Teaching the Faith is especially difficult in Japan, but it is a principle of the Bahá’í religion to teach by example. It is wonderful to be able to bring someone into our Faith by our mere existence.
Also, I really must thank the greater Boston Bahá’í communities from the bottom of my heart, and especially the Wellesley Bahá’í Group.—Fusae Ekida
youngsters are from nine of the continental United States while two were pioneering in South Africa and one in Tanzania,
Fusae Ekida is pictured last March
at Yamaguchi Women’s University in Japan after receiving her
B.A. degree in Japanese literature.
�[Page 14]
14 / The American Bahá’í / April 1989
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Santa Monica, CA. 90402 Rocky River, OH. 44116
Dr. Elsie Austin P.0. Box 927 Silver Spring, MD. 20910
“Sisoey & bets; 5!" ob oles “VISION TO VICTORY" CONFERENCES
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�[Page 15]
Literatura baha’i en
espaiiol disponible
En esta edicién del American Bahá’í, les presentamos la lista de libros en espafiol disponibles a través de el “‘Bahá’í Distribution Service’’ de los Estados Unidos. Bahá’u’lláh
Epistola al Hijo del Lobo, $4.95; Estudio de los Escritos Bahá’ís, $1.95; Kitab-i-[qan, $3. 95; Oraciones y Meditaciones, $4.: Palabras Ocultas, $1.50; Pasajes de los Escritos de Bahá’u’lláh, $8.50; Sinopsis y Codificacién Kitab-i-Aqdas, $1.75; Tablas de Baha’u’ll4h, $4.50. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Respuestas a Algunas Preguntas, $12.75; Sel./Escritos de ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, $10.95. Shoghi Effendi
Advenimiento de la Justicia Divina, $3.75; Dia Prometido Ha Llegado, $5.25; Dios Pasa, $6.50; Dispensacién de Bahd’u’ll4h, $2.95. Casa Universal de Justicia
Constitucién: Casa Universal de Justicia, $1; Promesa de Paz Mundial, $.75. Libros de Oraciones y Compilaciones
Flores de los Altares, $1.95; La Hoja Mas Sagrada, $6.50; Oraciones Bahá’ís, $1.95; Palabras de Dios, $.75; Poder de Asistencia Divina, $1; Recopilacién de Escritos, $3.50. Materiales Introductorios
Baha’u’llah y la Nueva Era, $4.95; Datos Basicos, $.10; Folleto de Ensefianza: La Fe Bahá’í, $1.50; Renovacién de la Civilizacion, $3.25. Otros
Cristo y Baha’u’ll4h, $2.95; Fortaleza para el Bienestar, $3.50; Prescripcién para Vivir, $5; El Rosedal, $1.
Para obtener cualquiera de estos libros por favor escriba al: Bahá’í Distribution Service, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091, © llame gratis al 1-800-999-9019.
La Casa Universal de Justicia, en su mensaje de Ridvan, ha emitido un llamado a cada creyente pocidual al campo de la ensefian ies Bahá’ís frecuentemente se preguntan que podemos hacer, como individuos, para el progreso de la Causa de Bahá’u’lláh.
Invitando a personas que conocemos a nuestras casas a una pldtica informal es a lo mejor la forma més simple para ensefiar, y aun mas, se nos ha dicho que es la més efectiva.
El amado Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, se refirié a las reuniones hogarefias como: ‘‘...e] mds poderoso y efectivo medio de en Comité de Ensefianza Hispano nombrado recientemente
Es con gran placer que el Comité Nacional de Ensefianza anuncia.el nombramiento del Comité de Ensefianza Hispano.
Los miembros del comité son: Armando Alzamora, Jorge Nossa (coordinador), José Orona, Kathy Sudrez-Penn (secretaria), y Manuela Villanueva.
Este comité es responsable por aumentar significativamente el numero de los creyentes hispanos Bahá’ís en los Estados Unidos.
Para comunicarse con este comité, por favor escriba al: Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, o llame al 312-869-9039.
sefianza ... porque en ella pueden contestarse a preguntas personales y el estudiante encuentra con mas abundancia el espiritu de la Fe.’”
Tan importante es este tipo de ensefianza que es considerada la responsabilidad de cada individuo bahd’{ tener una reunién hogarefia en su casa cada diecinueve dias. Y es as{ como Jorge y su familia piensan.
Jorge y su familia empezaron a tener reuniones hogarefias desde hace seis afios, pero no fue hasta que recientemente su familia consulté sobre la importancia de las reuniones hogarefias efectivas.
No importa si llueve, truene, relampaque 0 caiga mucha nive, todos los sdbados Jorge y su familia tienen reuniones hogarefias en su casa.
Jorge dice que hasta los nifios son bienvenidos a su casa. ‘‘Todos los baha’fs lo saben que tenemos reuniones hogarefias todos los s4bados, aunque nosotros no estemos en la casa.
“En este caso siempre hacemos arreglos para que otro Bahá’í se ocupe de la reunién hogarefia. Lo importante es que las reuniones hogarefias est4n establecidos y no fallan.””
Y no solamente la constancia en tener las reuniones hogarefias es lo importante para Jorge y su familia, sino la calidad de las mismas.
La familia de Jorge prepara una gran cena para los invitados.
de 1990.
Fecha extendida tarjeta baha
En su reunién del pasado agosto de 1988, la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional voté para extender la fecha de la actual tarjeta de membresia Bahá’í del 31 de octubre de 1988, al 31 de octubre
Por lo tanto, la unica identificacién baha’i valida en los Estados Unidos es la roja con la fecha de expiracién del 31 de octubre de 1988. Cualquier tarjeta emitida a nuevos creyentes 0 a aquellos que han pedido una tarjeta de reemplazo se les enviard una nota indicdndoles el cambio en la fecha de expiracién.
Hoy... Ahora es el momento de transformar la PALABRA en ACCION
sus puertas 0 la Juventud del mundo.
Traduceién: Hobré troduccién al inglés.
nifios en las solas de conferencia.
Loto, sede de lo Conferencla Baha'i de Juventud 1989, se encuentra localizada a s6lo 30 minutos de Son Juan, copital de Puerto Rico. € Centro Vacacional Unién Independlente Auténtica, udkado onexo a la ployo, cuenta con omplios foclidades las cuales en conjunto fortolecen el desorrollo fisico y espiritual del ser humano, Puerto Alco abre
Costo: 135.00 délares por persona. Incluye hospedaje, comidos, Matriculo y materiales de conferencia.
Registro: Favor enviar seccién de registro y pogo antes del 21 de abril de 1989. Espacio limitado. Todo cheque debe ser dirigido a: Conferencia Internacional de Juventud 1989. Todo pago debe ser efectuado en délares.
Uegada: Favor de plonificar su llegada pore el dia 13 de Juto, Paro arreglos especiales favor comunicarse con el Comi6 de Conferencia Internacional. Favor enviar toda Informa‘dn de llegada/vuelo con la mayor brevedad posible.
INifios: No habré actividades para nifios y no se aceptarén,
CONFERENCIA INTERNACIONAL BAHA'I DE JUVENTUD 1989
Loiza, Puerto Rico 13-16 Julio
Conference Fees: 135.00 dollars per person. This includes registration, room and board, all material to be provided at the conference.
Translation: All conference will be held in Spanish with ‘simultaneous translation into english.
FORMULARIO DE REGISTRO - REGISTRATION FORM
Loto, seat of the 1989 Boho'l Int'l Youth Conference Is locoted ot 30 minutes distance from Son Juan; copltal of Puerto Rico. The conference site, located next to the beach, provides the necessary foclities for physkol & spiritual development of human kind. Puerto Rico opens its doors to the youth of the world.
Registration: Please send the registration form (below) and payment before April 21, 1989. Our spaces are limited. All checks payable to: Conferencio Internacional de Juventud 89. Please send all poyments in U.S. currency.
Arrival: Please plon your arrival for July 13th. For spectol ‘arrangements please contact the committee. Please send all Information regarding arrival as soon as possible.
Children: No children will be allowed In conference. (Child ’s Not avaliable).
ee NOMBRE/ NAIVE = SELOISEX [DANECCION/ ROORESS. Deseo portkipar en viojes de ensafionze despuds de conferenda,
| wous the to ove! teach after the conference
Conferencia Int’! Bahá’í de Juventud ’89 ©
Hoto Rey, PR 00919 © Tel. 809-781-6958
The American Bahá’í / April 1989 / 15
Reuniones hogarenas: poderosas y efectivas
Durante la cena los amigos se Ilegan a conocer y se sienten mds cémodos en el hogar.
“Yo pienso que los invitados deben sentirse cémodos y que no sean una carga al anfitrién.””
Luego de la cena comienza la
platica, la cual es breve, pero con un buen contenido para que las personas se Ileven un mensaje espiritual con ellos.
As{ son las reuniones de Jorge, las cuales cada semana més de 25 personas asisten.
Pictured (left to right) are the coordinators of the San Gabriel Valley (California) Bahá’í Women’s Support Group, Nancy Johnson and Sara Jackson, and Group member Iliana Moody. The support group, which has been active Sor more than a year and is open
to all women, Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í, meets on a monthly basis to provide an opportunity for women to broaden their knowledge and receive guidance in a variety of areas of interest to women of all backgrounds. (Photo by Marvin Sanders)
Berklee Bahá’í Club has no Bahá’í members
A rather unique Bahda’i Club has been formed at Boston’s Berklee School of Music; not a single club member is a Bahá’í.
About a dozen students, some
of whom are quite active, are involved. The club, guided by two faculty members who are Bahá’ís, meets regularly, and its meetings usually are firesides.
IN MEMORIAM
Catherine Andreasen Los Angeles, CA February 16, 1989 George Bassette Chicago, IL
December 29, 1988 Ronald Burning Breast Mission, SD
Frances W. Keith Los Angeles, CA January 15, 1989 Frederick Klayer Sierra Madre, CA January 3, 1989
Rufus Little Thunder Parmelee, SD
Santos Salinas McAllen, TX December 1988
James Stone Gallup, NM February 8, 1989 Peter Taken Alive Cherry Creek, SD
Date Unknown Date Unknown December 1988 Phyllis Easterling Richard Lotstein Donna Taylor Dallas, TX Temple City, CA ‘Swaziland
March 29, 1988 January 1989 December 24, 1988 Rick M. Erby Lonnie Lee Mack Lou Vena Wells Sacramento, CA North, SC Burbank, CA
February 8, 1989 Melton Flagler
Date Unknown Clinton Manchman
January 28, 1989 Renee Hopper Welsh
Kingstree, SC Acworth, GA El Salvador October 16, 1988 Date Unknown August 3, 1988 Melvin Frank John C. McNiel Arleen Wiley Manvel, ND Dallas, TX Greenville, SC November 17, 1988 July 12, 1988 January 14, 1989 Henry Grantham Agnes Mitchell Leola Williams Moncks Corner, SC Evanston, IL Beaufort, SC Date Unknown December 1988 February 14, 1989 Adele Gray Donna Munson Major Williams Tuskegee, AL Mundelein, IL Longs, SC November 22, 1986 January 5, 1985 January 1989 Izalia Harper Charles Novak Michael Williams Chicago, IL Crete, NE Shiloh, OH February 11, 1989 February 5, 1989 February 14, 1989 Pink Hendrick Rebecca Platts Elmer Wriedt Swannanoa, NC Moncks Corner, SC Davenport, IA 1988 Date Unknown November 1, 1988 Aria Mae Jackson Letha Roundtree Kia Xiong Burbank, CA Temple, TX Stockton, CA February 15, 1989 November 4, 1988 January 1988 J.T. Johnson Grace Running Bear _Ellanora Zipfel Pendleton, SC Parmelee, SD Bradenton, FL 1987 December 1988 January 17, 1989 Lily Jones
Beaufort, SC
�[Page 16]
16 / The American Bahá’í / April 1989
Assembly
from page 3
ments, he or she is subject to the deprivation of administrative rights.
Unlike the present legal system in the U.S., there are not any hard and fast rules of investigation, admissibility of evidence, due process, etc., that Bahá’í institutions must follow in every instance before deciding to recommend the removal of an individual’s administrative rights. In any case, it should be kept in mind that the objectives of Bahá’í Assemblies in this respect are primarily to uphold the laws and standards of the Faith, to help individuals to be aware of and to obey those laws, and to protect the reputation and progress of the Faith.
Since many Bahá’ís are not aware of all aspects of Bahá’í law or do not understand the importance of obedience to Bahá’í law, Bahá’í institutions counsel individuals before taking action to remove their rights, making sure that they understand the requirements of Bahá’í law, reminding them of the necessity of obeying
those laws, and warning them of the consequences should they fail to do so.
As noted above, however, there are cases in which no warning need be issued and action to remove the individual’s voting rights can be taken immediately. Of course, no action to remove an individual’s rights is taken without the thorough review and approval of the National Spiritual Assembly.
Nevertheless, a fundamental
principle of Bahá’í administration is the right to appeal the decisions of local and National Assemblies. If it can be shown that a decision was made in error (because, for example, the information available to the Assembly was incomplete or erroneous), it may be overturned upon appeal. Is it appropriate for local Spiritual Assemblies to share their community membership lists with one another?
It is left to the discretion of the Assemblies involved as to whether they wish to share their membership lists with each other or with other institutions of the Faith. (Of course, the lists should be used only to conduct official Bahá’í business.) The lists should not,
I MOVING? TELL US YOUR NEW ADDRESS
To avoid unnecessary delays in receiving your copy of The American Bahá’í, send your new address and your mailing label to MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, TL 60091, as soon as you know where you are going to move and what your new address will be.
This form may be used for one person or your entre family. Please be sure to lst FULL NAMES AND ID. NUMBERS for
all individuals, ages 15 years or older, who | will be affected by this change.
IDF
Title
Full name—Please DO NOT use nicknames
Title Full name
Title Full name
Title Full name
B—NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS:
C—NEW MAIL ADDRESS:
House/Space #, Street or Description
P.O. Box or other Mailing Address
City
D—NEW COMMUNITY:
State Zip City
State Zip
Name of new Baha'i community
however, be given to individual
Bahá’ís outside of each community without the prior consent of each community member, as the names and addresses of the Bahá’ís are considered confidential.
Our Sacred Obligation National Baha’ Fund Wilmette, IL 60091
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
May 5-7: Conference on equality of the sexes with a special focus on Hispanics and American Indians, Clarion Four Seasons Hotel, 2500 Carlisle, Albuquerque, NM 87110 (phone 505-8883311). Sponsored by the National Committee on Women. Registration: $5. Hotel rooms should be arranged directly with the hotel. For more information, write to Steven Gonzales, secretary,
East Lansing, MI 48823, or phone 517351-1415 (home) or 517-699-1312 (business).
May 5-7: Classes on ‘The Three Charters of the Bahá’í Faith’’ (Tablet of Carmel, Tablets of the Divine Plan, Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá) conducted by Robert Stockman. Green Acre Bahá’í School, Eliot, Maine.
May 19-21: ‘Winging Toward Equality,”’ an in-depth adult program to explore cultural/personal attitudes and stereotypes ingrained in behavioral patterns between men and women. Facilitators: Leonard Smith, Phyllis Ring. Green Acre Bahd’{ School. For information, write to the Registrar, Green Acre Bahá’í School, 188 Main St., Eliot, ME 03903, or phone 207-439-0019.
May 20: First Music and Art Festival, Native American Bahá’í Institute, Houck, Arizona.
May 26-29: Bosch Bahá’í School, Weekend for Couples, facilitated by Dan Popov and Linda Kavelin Popov. Group consultation and exercises on Nurturing Equality; Deepening Communication in Marriage; An Open Forum for Hidden Agendas; and Balancing Family Priorities for Couples’ Time Management. Session begins with registration at 6 p.m. Friday, ends after lunch on Monday. To register, send a $50 deposit for each couple to Registrar, Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. For more information, phone 805-933-1253.
June 9-11: Bahá’í Justice Society conference, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. Theme: ‘‘Economic Justice: Bridging the Gap Between Rich and Poor.’’ Confirmed speakers: Judge James Nelson, Dr. Gregory Dahl. Participants may come early or stay after the conference to take part in the Dawnbreaker Teaching and Consolidation Campaign. For information, contact Uda Miller, registrar, 404-250-0721.
June 15-18: Conference on equality of the sexes, Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (phone 408423-3387). Sponsored by the National Committee on Women. For more information, write to Steven Gonzales, secretary,
East Lansing, MI 48823, or phone 517-3511415 (home) or 517-699-1312 (business).
June 29-30: Peace Conference, University for Peace, Costa Rica. Theme: ‘‘Seeking the True Meaning of Peace.”’ For information, please contact the conference director, Dr. Abelardo Brenes, University for Peace, P.O. Box 199-1250, Escazu, Costa Rica.
July 28-August 1: Spiritual Elders Gathering, Fort Qu’appelle, Sasketchewan, Canada. For information, write to the Native American Bahá’í Institute, P.O. Box 167, Houck, AZ 86506.
September 15-17: Association for Bahá’í Studies, 14th annual Conference, Irvine (California) Hilton and Towers. Theme: ‘‘The Equality of Women and Men.” For information, write to the Association for Bahá’í Studies, 34 Copernicus St., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada KIN 7K4, or phone 613-233-1903.
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We receive extra copies because:
‘we do not have the same last name. We do not want extra copies, so please cancel the copy for the person(s) whose name(s) and I.D. aumber(s) are listed above.
BAHA’i NATIONAL CENTER
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the last names and addresses on our address labels do not match exactly. We have listed above the full names of all family members as they should appear on the national records, their 1D. numbers, and the corrections so that we will receive only one copy.
Area Code Number
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| I I I I | I | | I | | | | | | ! I F—WORK TELEPHONE NUMBERS: I | I | I | | I I I I I | I ! | I | | 4d
Moving date
Please indicate in the right-hand space whose work numbers these are,
Name
Name
Our household receives only one copy of The American Baha'i. I wish to receive my own copy as well, and have listed my name ber and address above so that I may be put on the mailing list to receive my own copy.
i Ellis is naoprod:s as ‘Woman of Conscience’
Dr. Wilma Ellis, administrator general of the Bahá’í International Community, was one of several honorees when the National Council of Women held its annual Woman of Conscience award dinner February 16 at United Nations headquarters in New York. a
The event, attended by more than 200 guests, also celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Uniyersal Declaration of Human Rights. The honorary chairman was Mrs. Desmond Tutu, wife of the Nobel laureate.
Winner of the 1988 Woman of Conscience Award was Margaret C. Snyder, director for the past 10 years of UNIFEM, the UN Development Fund for Women.
Dr. Ellis was one of three other women, all of whom belong to membership organizations of the National Council of Women, who were honored as Women of Conscience for outstanding achievement in their respective fields.
Dr. Ellis, a featured speaker at the dinner, urged NCW members to ‘look past current particularisms and focus your conscious concern on the challenges of this
Dr. right), administrator general of the Bahá’í International Community, chats with Mrs. Desmond Tutu, wife of the Nobel laureate, during the annual meeting Feb day.” Noting that many social problems demand solutions, she challenged women to ‘‘learn peace”’ so that they can ‘teach peace.’’ “Our job,”’ she said, “‘is to carry on the fine tradition of women like Mary McLeod Bethune and Eleanor Roosevelt, women who worked for peace and de
Wilma Ellis (second from
a. ruary 16 in New York City of the U.S. National Council of Women. At the left is Merrinelle Sullivan, president of the NCW; in the foreground is Mpho Tutu.
manded equality.””
The Bahá’í National Committee on Women was one of five cosponsors of the event, and Mary S. Power, representative of the Bahá’í International Community to the UN and a member of the executive committee of the NCW, served as program coordinator for the dinner. �
