U.S. Supplement/Issue 88/Text

[Page 1]

Bahá’ís and Military Service

The policies governing the relationship of American Bahá’ís to military service are currently being reviewed. Pending publication of a more definitive explanation, the friends will be guided by the Guardian’s statement of principle and by certain repeated elaborations by the National Spiritual Assembly.

Shoghi EPfendi’s 1946 guiding words of principle are still in effect: “ . . . the Bahá’ís should continue to apply . . . for exemption from any military duties that necessitate the taking of life. There is no justification for any change of attitude on our part at the present time.”

It is obligatory, and not optional for all Bahá’ís in the United States to apply for non-combatant status when registering at the age of 18. By registering as a Bahá’í, there is opportunity for recognition of the Cause both at the Draft Board and among acquaintances. Instructions for youth may be obtained from the local or national assemblies. The Bahá’í statements on military service and on loyalty to government are supplied.

Since it is only through the Selective Service machinery of classification and induction that a noncombatant status can be assured, one who volunteers for service ordinarily forfeits his right to receive that status. Therefore, Bahá’ís should not voluntarily enlist in any branch of the Armed Forces which by definition is entirely a combatant Service.

A person who becomes a Bahá’í while in service, and who does not already have non-combatant status, has an obligation to his government to finish out his term of duty as he has honorably committed himself to do. However, it may be possible to obtain de facto non-combatant status by transferring to a selected duty which does not call for physical fighting; such transfer should be effected in such fashion as not to impair relationships with responsible superiors, and without there being any question of his willingness to serve his country without regard for personal safety, comfort, or type of service to which he may be assigned.

Each Bahá’í serviceman should request identification as a Bahá’í, not as a Protestant, Catholic or Jew. Since the Bahá’í Faith is recognized as a separate religion, and military authorities have permitted the Bahá’í star as a headstone symbol for those buried in military cemeteries, the designation “Bahá’í” can readily be gained.

In unusual or special cases where the above general principles do not appear to be applicable, or when specific information is required, please contact the National Bahá’í Office.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Beloved Hand of the Faith, Mr. Zikru’lláh Khádem will be the guest speaker at the 53rd Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, June 26, 1965 at the Evergreen Cabin, 126 Evergreen Place, West Englewood, New Jersey. Mr. Paul Pettit, of Baltimore, Bahá’í teacher and member of the National Spiritual Assembly will also speak. A unique teaching project will be featured and the friends who met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá are urged to be present for a photograph.

Although the friends gather together for the usual picnic, it should be remembered that above all it is a commemorative occasion. We warmly welcome Bahá’ís and their friends to share in a spiritual bounty, a Unity Feast in memory of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to Evergreen Place on June 29, 1912.

Summer Youth Projects Announced

The YOUTH PROJECTS COMMITTEE - EAST announces that there is still time for youth and adults to make the decision to participate in this summer’s youth teaching projects. Programs have been planned in north and south, on Indian Reservations, in large cities and in rural communities; a wide variety of challenging Bahá’í service awaits those who will seize the privilege.

The Davison Youth Training Session, June 13-21, will gather and train youth dedicated to winning victories for Bahá’u’lláh in this pivotal time in the nation’s history. Project volunteers will receive training for specific assignments. Youth determined to spend a summer in intense Bahá’í teaching, but unable to volunteer for an away-from-home project, will be assisted in developing a vigorous program of athome service to the Nine Year Plan.

The realization of the high potential of this summer’s effort to win major battles in the achievement of the Master’s Divine Plan depends upon the response of the Bahá’ís. Still needed are: youth volunteers, adult supervisors—with two weeks or more to give to project work, funds for scholarships to Davison, travel expenses, living expenses for away-from-home volunteers, and proclamation costs.

The reality, the bounty, and the triumph of every teaching plan exists in the hearts of those Bahá’ís who respond and serve." You are invited to share in this effort to assure the spiritual awakening of our nation.

Write: Mrs. Nancy Larson, Secretary

YOUT1—I PROJECTS COMMITTEE - EAST 237 Ashby Street, S.W. Atlanta, Georgia'30314

[Page 2]International Pow Wow

July 16, 17, and 18 are the dates for an International Pow Wow cooperatively sponsored by the WESTERN INDIAN RESERVE TEACHING COMMITTEE of CANADA and the AMERICAN INDIAN SERVICE COMMITTEE of the United States. Location will be Fort Qu’Appelle, near Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. The Bahá’í Group of Fort Qu’Appelle will be host.

For American Bahá’ís, Indian and non-Indian, this first International Pow Wow will offer an unique opportunity for sharing with others the teachings and spirit of their beloved Faith, for consultation with Canadian Indian teachers, and for enjoyment of festivities in an atmosphere of Bahá’í fellowship and love.

Announcements of the Pow Wow will be sent to Chiefs of many tribes both in the United States and Canada.

Information about the program, camping and other arrangements may be had by writing the

AMERICAN INDIAN SERVICE COMMITTEE Mr. John Cook, Coordinator for the International Pow Wow

6627 West Montebello, Apt. 5 Glendale, Arizona

Summer Teaching Opportunities On Indian Reservations

Bahá’í youth and adults who are available and eager for an experience in short term pioneer teaching on an Indian reservation during the summer months are invited to write immediately to the American Indian Service Committee. This Committee can furnish information regarding a number of activities being planned for July and August in a variety of locations. Those who write to offer their services should indicate the length of time they are available (a weekend, week, or number of weeks), their choice of location if any, and if they will have their own car for travel to the reservation.

Inquiries should be addressed to

Mrs. Nancy Phillips, Secretary 736 Encanto Drive, S.E. Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Notice

Please send in your reports of Race Unity Day observances promptly. The deadline for material for BAHA’I NEWS for August is June 20. Include, when possible, good photos in glossy print, clearly identified. The editors wish to prepare as complete and representative a report as possible of this very important special event for publication in the August issue. Address: Bahá’í NEWS EDITORIAL OFFICE 110 LINDEN AVENUE WILMET'rE, ILLINOIS 60091

JUNE ‘1965

World Congress Photograph Available

The picture that was on the World Congress record jacket is now available for framing. Copies have been made in black and white 12”x24” on heavy paper, and are without the lettering that is on the record jacket.

The attached caption is enclosed with each picture.

The Fulfillment of the Prophecy of Daniel

This remarkable picture records not only one of the greatest moments in religious history because of the fulfilment of the prophecy of Daniel, but also one of the most significant events in human history, for peoples from all over the world had come to celebrate the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth. The picture is a composite of five wide-angle lens photographs taken at about 5:45 p.m. on the opening day of the World Congress, Sunday, April 28, 1963, and shows the Royal Albert Hall in London filled to capacity with over 7000 Bahá’ís. Hand of the Cause Hasan Balyuzi, at the lectern under the dark soundreflecting panel, is quoting ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, “Oh! Bahá’ u’llah, what hast Thou done? Oh! Bahá’u’lláh, may my life be sacrificed for Thee. Oh! Bahá’u’lláh, may my soul be offered up for Thy sake.”

The picture is available through Bahá’í DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE DEPARTMENT, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette. Ill. 60091. Price to individuals, postpaid $.75.

Recognition of Bahá’í Holy Days

Four local spiritual assemblies have recently reported securing recognition of Bahá’í Holy Days in their school districts. These are: Salt Lake County, Utah; Winnetka, Illinois; El Cajon J.D., California and Broward County, Florida. The permission granted in Broward County included children of Bahá’í parents in Ft. Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Margate and Sea Ranch Lakes. This brings the total number of local spiritual assemblies which have secured such recognition to 151 in 38 states.

local Assemblies

Incorporated

Announcement of four more incorporations by local spiritual assemblies has been received during April. These are: Louisville, Kentucky, the first in that state; Sacramento M.C.D. California; Champaign, Illinois and Dumont, New Jersey. There are now 127 incorporated local spiritual assemblies in the United States.

U.S. Convention

Elects National Spiritual Assembly

With 170 of the 171 delegates voting, the annual convention of the Bahá’ís of the United States elected the National Spiritual Assembly for the year 122. Those elected in order of votes received were: Arthur Dahl, Dr. David Ruhe, Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, Charlotte Linfoot, Daniel Jordan, Dr. Sarah Pereira, Robert Quigley, Edna True and Paul Petit.

[Page 3]U.S. SUPPLEMENT

Marriage Law Passed in North Carolina

Legal recognition of Bahá’í marriage certificates, one of the Nine Year Plan goals to be achieved in each state of the United States, involves more than tacit acceptance by the authorities of the fact that Bahá’í marriage ceremonies may be legally performed with a local spiritual assembly officer acting in lieu of a clergyman. Ideally the explicit statement in the law of the State should give this recognition. The first state to achieve this was Massachusetts as reported in the U.S. SUPPLEMENT to BAHA’I NEWS for April 1965. Recognition has now been obtained in North Carolina and took only three weeks from the first official contact to the time the desired amendment was enacted into law. The law, providing that “marriages solemnized and witnessed by a local spiritual assembly of the Bahá’ís according to the usage of their religious community shall be valid” was passed in both houses of the State legislature and ratified as a result of the efforts of believers in Raleigh. It was given publicity in the New York Times and in local newspapers and led to an invitation to the Bahá’ís to give a talk on the Faith in a local church. Surely the guidance and the protection of Bahá’u’lláh was with the believers at each step leading to this victory.

Proclamation Campaign

in Meriden, Conn. Area

From March 26 to April 9, 1965 the Bahá’ís of Meriden, Conn. conducted a proclamation campaign with Winston Evans as the principal speaker. Three Friday evening meetings were held in Meriden, one on Sunday afternoon in Hartford and a Thursday evening meeting in New Haven.

An average of 50 attended each meeting and the New Haven and Hartford communities said that these were the best meetings held in their cities.

Excellent publicity totalling 383 inches in the Meriden newspapers has led to the request by the paper in that city to do a feature article on the Faith soon. The recent meeting sponsored jointly by the Bahá’ís and the N.A.A.C.P. in Meriden in recognition of Negro History Week attracted an audience of over 100 inquirers.

Bahá’í Affiliations to be Mentioned

in Obituary Notices

The Manatee County, Florida, Local Spiritual Assembly has made a recommendation which is heartily approved by the National Spiritual Assembly. It is that in obituary notices or other newspaper articles reporting the death of Bahá’ís special mention be made to the individual’s aifiliation with the Faith. Families of Bahá’ís are urged to keep this recommendation in mind.

A Means for Aiding the National Fund

From time to time it is suggested that if only one copy of Bahá’í Naws were sent to Bahá’í couples or families, the result would be reduction in costs and therefore an aid to the National Bahá’í Fund. The N.S.A. welcomes this action by Bahá’í couples and families provided all members have access to their copies and will not at some later date request back issues to complete their personal files. Friends desiring to act on this suggestion should let the N.S.A. know which member of the family is to receive the NEWS and which other members of the family will be served by the one copy.

Intercalary Day Party Aids Temple Fund

The social committee of the Milwaukee, Wisconsin Bahá’ís sponsored an Intercalary Day party with the approval of the local Spiritual Assembly. Only Bahá’ís could purchase tickets or make contributions.

There were approximately eighty guests in all, twenty of whom were not Bahá’ís. After all the expenses were paid there was $400.00 clear to be donated to the Charlotte Amalie Temple Fund.

Great emphasis was placed on the festiveness of the occasion everyone being encouraged to wear costumes, and some providing skits suited to the costumes. Contributions were made by all of the Milwaukee area communities and groups to make this a very happy and successful occasion.

In Memoriam

Miss Elizabeth Holbrook Portland, Maine December 27, 1964

Mrs. Loretha B. Berryhill Fort Bragg, Calif. April 16, 1965

Miss Blanche Maria Patterson Crawfordsville, Indiana February 25, 1965

Christian Boetticher Sebastopol, Calif. March 11, 1965

Charles J. Rott Sioux Falls, South Dakota March 12, 1965

Ward Calhoun Green Bay, Wisconsin March 2, 1965

Mrs. Elizabeth Darrefi Rahns, Penna. April 17, 1965

Gus Sand Muskegon, Michigan About February 15, 1965

Mrs. Harriet L. Smith Marysville, Wash. March 17, 1965

Mrs. Margaret Ellis New Orleans, Louisiana March 22, 1965

Frank Vlahovic San Jose, Calif. April 4. 1965

Mrs. May L. Hatch Rockville, Indiana April 14, 1965

Mrs. Ruby Weeden Quincy, Illinois March 18, 1965

[Page 4]JUNE 1965

Bahá’í Marriages

In accordance with Shoghi Effendi’s instructions, the U.S. SUPPLEMENT reports only those marriages which are carried out by local assemblies authorized by civil law to perform such

ceremonies.

Marriages which embody Bahá’í ceremonies not legally recognized under state law are not

published.

New York. N.Y.: Miss Pouran Dokht Vargha to Ardeshir Vahidi on February 21. 1965

Oklahoma City, Okla.: Miss Simin Partovi to Behzad Rohani on January 30. 1965

Seattle, Wash.: Miss Laurel A. Bonson to Frank J. Modrak, Jr. on January 7, 1965

Ann Arbor. Michigan: Miss Yvonne Teressa Taylor to Robert Wallace Bogan on March 6, 1965

Las Vegas, Nevada: Mrs. Patricia A. Hall to Frederick Albert Scofield on March 20, 1965

Teaneck. New Jersey: Miss Evans Flickinger to Dr. Iraj Moderai on February 18. 1965

Los Angeles. Calif: Mrs. Inez B. Ford Brant to Roy J, Hicks on February 28. 1965

Riverside. Calif; Mrs. Deana Tate to Clarence Ray Abbott on March 14. 1965

San Diego, Calif; Miss Daisy L. Lester to William Wing on February 21. 1965

San Francisco, Calif; Mrs. Lois Stockton to Carroll L. Wright on March 21, 1965

Wilmette. Illinois: Miss Hazel D. Skiles to Hans I. Magnusson

on February 27. 1965

NATIONAL BAHA'| FUND Monthly Income: 1964-1965

Thousand

160 140 l20'—‘

100 80-1

hdonthly Budget

64.5 60 *1

40-1

20*

8 o

MAY JUNE JULY

AUG

SEPT NOV

DEC

JAN

FEB MAR

APR

.Regular contributions -_Special contributions & Miscellaneous

Local Assemblies Confribufing Each Monfh

350

300 ‘

250

E

1%

MAY JUNE JU LY

AUG

SEPT

OCT.

NOV

DEC

JAN

FEB MAR

APR