Members of Baha'i faith in Iran face persecution

Imagine members of your family being killed because of their religious beliefs. How would you respond? I am sad to share that in today's day and age, similar situations still cause serious concerns in Iran.

[Alexander M Zoltai]

Excellently composed piece!

I've been following this case closely and your integration of multiple sources into a compact and well-written story is commendable!!

[Human]

Many are persicuted in Iran and threw out islamic
lands.

[Ross Campbell]

While we deplore the abuse and injustices of Iranian authorities towards Bahá'ís in that Nation, we consider that readers should be informed that The National Spiritual Assembly of Bahá'ís of the United States is acting with a similar attitude and plans towards Orthodox Bahá'ís in America as the attitude and plans of Iranian authorities towards Bahá'ís who live in that Nation. The National Spiritual Assembly of Bahá'ís of the United States is attempting to use U.S. Courts to force Orthodox Bahá'ís to stop practicing their Faith, stopping them from identifying themselves as Bahá'ís or using the name Bahá'í or the symbols of their Faith. The National Spiritual Assembly failed in its Court Action to deprive Orthodox Bahá'ís of their freedom of religion and now the National Spiritual Assembly filed an appeal to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals of Judge Amy J. St. Eve's decision in favor of the Orthodox Bahá'í Faith. Here is the link which leads to the details of the Court Action: http://www.truebahai.com/court_case.html

Evidently the goal/plan of the leadership of the large body of Bahá'ís concerning Orthodox Bahá'ís parallels the goal/plan of Islamic leaders in Iran towards Bahá'ís, namely to eradicate them, and the justification of the leadership of the large body of Bahá'ís for its actions against Orthodox Bahá'ís is identical, namely, that it considers Orthodox Bahá'ís to be apostates (heretical/Covenant-breakers).

[Reader]

The writings of the Baha'i Faith are very clear with respect to "Orthodox Baha'is". Although everyone should be free to follow his/her beliefs, I consider it unreasonable to call yourself a Baha'i, if you don't follow the Baha'i writings.

[beth]

Reader wrote:

The writings of the Baha'i Faith are very clear with respect to "Orthodox Baha'is". Although everyone should be free to follow his/her beliefs, I consider it unreasonable to call yourself a Baha'i, if you don't follow the Baha'i writings.

Reader:
Would you share those writings of the prophet founders, center of the covenant, or the guardians which "are very clear with respect to Orthodox Baha'is? Thank you, kindly.

[Reader]

Beth,

I think it would be best for you to call 1-800-22-Unite, and set up a time with a local Baha'i to discuss. That way, s/he would be able to answer your questions.

[crazy world]

tell obama to talk to iran and it'll all be good. obama can stop iran from making a nuclear bomb, i'm sure this is nothing to him.

[Will]

Ross Campbell is the public voice of the so-called "Orthodox Baha'is" - a tiny schismatic group of 40 people very active in posting negative comments against the 5 million member worlwide Baha'i community and its institutions. Mr. Campbell is well aware that the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States is not trying to deprive the "Orthodox Baha'is" of their right to believe as they wish, of their life, property, or any other civil right. Baha'is are bound to uphold these, even for someone who has been expelled from the Baha'i community.

The court case to which he refers is about the methodology of his organization in misusing identifying trademarks of the Baha'i Faith to make others believe that their organization represents the Baha'i Faith rather than the extremely small schismatic group for which he speaks.

The Baha'i Faith has a covenant that preserves the unity of the Baha'i Faith. It stems directly and explicitly from the Baha'i scriptures as revealed by Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha. It explicitly names those who are the Head of the Faith and the conditions under which succession occurs. The 9-member Universal House of Justice is the head of the worldwide Baha'i Faith. One who violates this covenant by attempting to set up a schismatic group and competing institutions is expelled. Mr. Campbell is one such person. One term used in Baha'i scriptures for such excommunicants is "covenant-breakers" or "violators of the covenant."

While Mr. Campbell attacks the Baha'i community for using the term "covenant-breaker," he fails to explain that his own organization has repeatedly attacked the members of the worldwide Baha'i community in the same terms that he claims to abhor. He also fails to note that his organization, while hating and opposing the Universal House of Justice, has set up a decoy site calling itself the "Official Website of the Universal House of Justice."

It should be repeated that the worldwide Baha'i Faith does not, nor would ever, seek the persecution of those who have been removed from membership in the Baha'i community for violation of the covenant. Baha'is have spiritual obligations regarding non-association with expelled individuals, but they are absolutely bound, by the teachings of their Faith, to accord those expelled from the Baha'i community the same civil and human rights that are due to all by their common humanity. Mr. Campbell well knows this.

[DonC]

More complete understanding about the issues of the Baha'i covenant can be found at: bahai-covenant.blogspot.com