Baha'i News No

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Baha'i News No U. S. SUPPLEMENT Baha'i News No. 33 BAHA'I YEAR 117 NOVEMBER 1960 NSA Gives Facts on Present-Day Covenant-Breaking Dear Friends : no successor, that the body of the Hands had elected During the past several weeks, those who are active- nine of their number (in accordance with the Will and ly supporting the Covenant-breaker Charles Mason Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha-"the Hands of the Cause Remey, have deliberately sought to destroy the Cause of God must elect from their own number nine persons of Bahi'u'llah by attacking the institutions of His di- that shall at all times be occupied in the important vinely revealed administrative order. Using the tactics services in the work of the Guardian of the Cause of of the center of sedition, MirzQ M*ammad-'Ali, that God") to act in their behalf as the Custodians of the prime mover of mischief who endeavored to hurt Baha'i World Faith. The second was a letter dated 'Abdu'l-Baha by falsifying the Holy Text with his own December 2, 1957 and signed by the nine elected as interpolations, these present-day mischief makers Custodians, one of whom was Mason Remey, request- cloaking their true intentions by quoting page after ing on advice of the Guardian's lawyer that our Na- page of the Baha'i Writings have slandered the Hands tional Spiritual Assembly send a letter which would of the Cause of God, individually and collectively, and recognize the nine "as the supreme body in the Cause" are disobeying the admonitions of Baha'u'llah, 'Abdu'l- and stating "we pledge our full support, faith and al- Baha and Shoghi Effendi. legiance to the body of the Custodians of the Baha'i There is no need for the National Spiritual Assembly World Faith elected by the Hands of the Cause." of the Baha'is of the United States to establish the Recalling these documents, we were shocked to re- validity of Baha'u'llah's mission, 'Abdu'l-BahP's Will ceive Mr. Remey's Proclamation. Moreover, the tenor and Testament, or the institution of the Guardianship of his remarks about 'Amatu'l-Bahh R*iyyih Khanum so ably administered by Shoghi Effendi for thirty- in an accompanying letter seemed to indicate he six years. These are all self-evident. There are not two might be suffering from hallucinations. Obviously we sides to this question-there is the Cause of God and could not accept his preposterous claim. However, those who attack it. However, because the poison of keeping in mind his appointment as a Hand of the Covenant-breaking is virulent and spreads insidiously, Cause by the beloved Guardian, his long years of ap- the National Assembly wishes to help the friends with- parent devotion to the Cause, and his age, we deter- stand the enemies of the Cause by presenting the facts mined this situation was a matter to be resolved by concerning the so-called Mason Remey Proclamation the Chief Stewards, that body of which he was himself and his defection. a member, and we did not wish to place him in an Prior to the 1960 National Baha'i Convention, the Na- embarrassing light with the believers. We cabled Haifa tional Spiritual Assembly received two reports from assuring the Hands of our prayers and sympathy for individuals who had received Mason Remey's Procla- this tragic development. They in turn considered the mation. Not until two days before the Convention, did matter an "extraordinary evidence of emotional per- the National Assembly itself receive from Mason turbation" and requested we await statement from Remey his Proclamation and a covering letter in which Rhhiyyih Khanurn their special representative to the he stipulated the conditions under which the Conven- Convention which would be presented to us upon her tion was to receive him as the second Guardian, that arrival. is, send three representatives to Washington to escort During the pre-convention National Assembly meet- Mr. Remey to Wilmette. ing we were deluged with calls from believers who had In December of 1957, the National Spiritual Assembly received the Proclamation. Acting in acco~dancewith had received two documents from Haifa. One was a the Guardian's instructions to protect the believers we photostat of a document dated November 25, 1957 immediately telegraphed every local Assembly in the signed by all twenty-six Hands present, including United States-"Remey Proclamation unauthorized by Mason Remey, stating that the Guardian had appointed Hands in Haifa and repudiated by NSA stop Sad situa- NOVEMBER 1960 tion will be resolved by Chief Stewards." From that Order of Bahu'u'llah, p. 153.) moment on, the National Assembly considered Mr. To insinuate that the appointment of Mason Remey Remey's condition and station were in the hands of as President of the International Council was a the Chief Stewards. We also believed every well- "veiled" appointment to the Guardianship compar- grounded Baha'i would be undisturbed except for feel- able to 'Abdu'l-Baha's allusion to the Guardianship ings of regret that such a tragic development had over- ". know verily that this is a well-guarded secret . ." come Mr. Remey. (World Order of Baha'u'llah, p. 150), is preposterous. Some have criticized the National Assembly saying Though'kept as a "well-guarded secret," the Will and no consultation on the Proclamation was allowed at Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha specifically named Shoghi the National Convention. An unauthorized circular is Effendi as Guardian. No such straight-forward state- not properly the business of the National Convention ment, written or otherwise, was made by Shoghi particularly one which seeks to stop the World Csu- Effendi with refe~enceto Mason Remey. Furthermore, sade, and to instill confusion in the minds of believers. that provision of 'Abdu'l-Bahb's Will which states that The same critics have protested that -the National As- "the Hands of the Cause of God must elect from their sembly has prohibited "independent investigation of own number nine persons . and these . must truth." All of the Baha'i Writings are available to al! give their assent to the choice of the one whom the -which means truth is as available and evident as the Guardian of the Cause of God hath chosen as his suc- noon-day sun. It is presumed that every believer has cessor," serves now to protect us Erom this fraudulent investigated the Teachings of Bah6'u'llah and has claim. found them to be the truth. Upon declaration every To put forth that Mason Remey as the appointed believer pledges to obey and uphold the institutions President of the International Baha'i Council is identi- revealed by Baha'u'llhh and 'Abdu'l-Baha for the es- cal with the executive head of the potential Universal tablishment of world order. Among these obligations House of Justice and is therefore the Guardian, is false are-" . loyal and steadfast adherence to every reasoning. On that premise the International Baha'i clause of 'Abdu'l-Baha's sacred Will and Testament; Council during the first six years of its existence and close association with the spirit as well as the should have had Shoghi Effendi as its President, as he form of Baha'i administration throughout the world." was the Guardian. Mason Remey was its President and Concerning seditious material, let 'Abdu'l-Baha's words Shoghi Effendi was our Guardian, conclusively prov- speak: "What deviation can be more glaring than ing that the office of President of the Council is not spreading broadcast false and foolish reports touching synonymous with Guardianship of the Cause of God. the Temple of God's Testament! . What deviation can be more complete than falsely accusing the loved Purpose of International BahA'i Council ones of God! . 0 ye beloved of the Lord! Strive with all your heart to shield the Cause of God from the on- To understand the true purpose of the International slaught of the insincere, for souls such as these cause BahL'i Council we must recall the words of Shoghi the straight to become crooked and all benevolent Effendi setting forth its functions-(1) to "forge link efforts to produce contrary results . " (From the with authorities of newly emerged State," (2) to assist Will and Testament, pages 6, 7 and 22). the Guardian "to discharge responsibilities involved in erection of mighty superstructure of the Bib's Holy No Guardian Appointed by Shoghi Effendi Shrine," (3) "to conduct negotiations related to mat- ters of personal status with civil authorities." (Mes- The passing of the beloved Guardian and the realiza- sages to the Baha'i World, pp. 7-8.) The appointed tion that he had not and could not name his successor members of the Council, including Mr. Remey, were because there was none, combined to plunge the entire given individual tasks by the Guardian. At no time Baha'i world into grief and despair. Those misguided did they as a body initiate any action or activity. They souls who are now propagandizing the American BahL'i comprised a body of helpers which Shoghi Effendi had community perhaps have never recovered from the been considering since 1926 (see Baha'i Administra- shock. Nevertheless, this should not be used as the tion, p. 108, "International Secretariat"), but "held reason for attempting to perpetuate a fraud. There is in abeyance over two decades pending creation of no validity to the claim of Mason Remey and if such at- divinely-appointed administrative agencies designed tempts were to succeed, the whole future of the Cause by its Author for its effective prosecution." (Messages would be subverted.
Recommended publications
  • A Historical Coalition Between the Hands of the Cause and the Covenant-Breakers
    A Historical Coalition between the Hands of the Cause and the Covenant-Breakers Dear Friends, Baha’u’llah made it incumbent upon every believing Baha’i to prepare a will and testament (the most Holy Book, para 255) during his life time. And he followed his own command when he wrote a will and appointed an heir, so that his family and followers would not face any such difficulties after him. In the same way, Abdul-Baha considered it necessary to write a will during one’s life, having also written his own valuable Will and Testament, which includes his important edicts and recommendations. According to the most Holy Book, if a Baha’i dies and does not leave a will, all of his or her belongings and properties should be divided among the following seven groups: spouse, children, father, mother, brother(s), sister(s) and teacher. And according to the Kitab-i Aqdas, if any member of the above categories were deceased, his or her share will be inherited by the UHJ. Finally, according to that same Holy Book, all non-Baha’is, non-believers, Covenant-breakers, and those excommunicated from the Faith, are deprived from a Baha’i's estate. 1 Now, I would like to draw your attention to a very important event in the history of the Baha’i community. As you are well aware, the Beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, passed away in London in the summer of 1957. He journeyed to London in order to purchase necessary material to complete the archives buildings. There, he died having suffered from a previously-undiagnosed disease.
    [Show full text]
  • THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE of JUSTICE 18 February 2008
    THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE 18 February 2008 Transmitted by email The Friends in Iran Dear Bahá’í Friends, We have received a letter from a believer in Iran with questions about the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice. We appreciate that firmness in the Covenant is among the distinctive characteristics of the believers in that land, who are informed of the principles and essential facts pertaining to the succession of authority in the Cause. Nevertheless, none among them should hesitate to seek clarification of matters about which they have questions, for the enemies of the Faith are tireless in their attempts to sow seeds of confusion and doubt. Moreover, it is beneficial, in view of the beloved Master’s exhortations to us all to be ever- vigilant concerning matters of protection, for the friends to review the relevant essentials from time to time. We have therefore decided to provide you with the following comments. In this connection, you are also encouraged to reacquaint yourselves with the document “Mason Remey and Those Who Followed Him”, a statement prepared at our instruction by an ad hoc committee. A translation of the statement is enclosed. Questions concerning the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice can be resolved through careful study of the writings of Bahá’ulBahá'u'lláh, láh, ‘Abdul‘Abdu’l-Bahá -Bahá and Shoghi Effendi and the elucidations of the House of Justice, which, ‘Abdul‘Abdu’l-Bahá -Bahá states, will “deliberate upon all problems which have caused difference, questions that are obscure and matters that are not expressly recorded in the Book.
    [Show full text]
  • The Ministry of Shoghi Effendi
    The Ministry of Shoghi Effendi Will and Testament of `Abdu’l-Baha • He delineated the • `Abdu’l-Bahá revealed a authority of “twin Will and Testament in successor” institutions three parts, 1902 to 1910, • He further defined where He designated responsibilities of the Shoghi Effendi as His Hands of the Cause successor and elaborated on the election of the • `Abdu’l-Bahá almost Universal House of Justice never mentioned to anyone that Shoghi • We’ll look at some Effendi would succeed passages later Him; it was a well kept secret Shoghi Effendi Rabbani • Born March 1, 1897; eldest of 13 grandchildren of `Abdu’l-Bahá • Mother was `Abdu’l-Bahá’s oldest daughter (of 4) • `Abdu’l-Bahá insisted everyone address him with the term Effendi (Turkish for sir) • Education in home school in Akka (in the House of Abbud) first by a Persian man, then by an Italian governess Education • Then went to the College • He was devastated and des Freres in Haifa, a lost weight Jesuit private school • He very strongly disliked • Then went to a Jesuit the French high school, boarding school in Beirut though he learned fluent • Invited to go to America French there with `Abdu’l-Bahá, but he • Started his senior year at was turned back in Syrian Protestant College Naples on the claim his Preparatory School, Oct. eyes were diseased with 1912, when 15 years old trachoma • Graduated in early summer 1913 (age 16) Higher Education • Summer 1913: In Egypt • Bachelor of Arts degree with `Abdu’l-Bahá when he was 20 (the • Syrian Protestant graduating class had college, 1913-17 10!) • The college did relief • Graduate student at work and provided free SPC, fall 1917-summer medical care to Turkish 1918 soldiers, so it was • Sept.
    [Show full text]
  • Alain Locke Faith and Philosophy
    STUDIES IN THE BÁBÍ AND Bahá’í Religions Volume Eighteen Alain Locke Faith and Philosophy Studies in the Bábí and Bahá’í Religions (formerly Studies in Bábí and Bahá’í History) ANTHONY A. LEE, General Editor Studies in Bábí and Bahá’í History, Volume One, edited by Moojan Momen (1982). From Iran East and West, Volume Two, edited by Juan R. Cole and Moojan Momen (1984). In Iran, Volume Three, edited by Peter Smith (1986). Music, Devotions and Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, Volume Four, by R. Jackson Armstrong-Ingram (1987). Studies in Honor of the Late H. M. Balyuzi, Volume Five, edited by Moojan Momen (1989). Community Histories, Volume Six, edited by Richard Hollinger (1992). Symbol and Secret: Qur’an Commentary in Bahá’u’lláh’s Kitáb-i Íqán, Volume Seven, by Christopher Buck (1995). Revisioning the Sacred: New Perspectives on a Bahá’í Theology, Volume Eight, edited by Jack McLean (1997). Modernity and the Millennium: The Genesis of the Baha’i Faith in the Nineteenth-Century Middle East, distributed as Volume Nine, by Juan R. I. Cole, Columbia University Press (1999). Paradise and Paradigm: Key Symbols in Persian Christianity and the Bahá’í Faith, distributed as Volume Ten, by Christopher Buck, State University of New York Press (1999). Religion in Iran: From Zoroaster to Bahau’llah, distributed as Volume Eleven, by Alessandro Bausani, Bibliotheca Persica Press (2000). Evolution and Bahá’í Belief: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Response to Nineteenth-Century Darwinism, Volume Twelve, edited by Keven Brown (2001). Reason and Revelation, Volume Thirteen, edited by Seena Fazel and John Danesh (2002).
    [Show full text]
  • The Proofs for the Establisher of the Baha'i Faith
    The Proofs for the Establisher of the Baha'i Faith All of the religions have had an establisher. Adam had Enoch, Jesus had Paul, Moses had Joshua, and today Baha'u'llah's establisher is a modern day Joshua. The purpose of establishers is to establish the revelation of the Prophet into the world. This is why 2/3's of the New Testament is written by Paul, because he established Jesus' Revelation in the world by teaching it to the Gentiles. Another purpose for the establisher is the violation of the Covenant. You have just read the Covenant Fireside and are aware of what happened after the passing of Shoghi Effendi. It was in the plan of God all along to send the establisher to set things back on track and re-establish the Davidic Kingship into the Universal House of Justice. Just as the Manifestations are prophesied by name, address, date, and mission; in this Revelation the establisher is prophesied by the same golden criteria, which is the measuring rod to determine if a person has been sent by God or not. That is, the Promised One is prophesied by the name that He's going to come in, the address at which He's supposed to appear, the date that He's supposed to arrive, and what He's going to do when He gets here. These are the four factors you find on a calling card or a business card, and only one person in the world fulfills the criteria given in the Bible for the coming of the Promised One.
    [Show full text]
  • Religious and Social Life of Religious Minorities
    RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL LIFE OF RELIGIOUS MINORITIES A CASE STUDY OF BAHÁ’Í AND PARSI COMMUNITIES OF PAKISTAN Abdul Fareed 101-FU/PhD/F08 DEPARTMENT OF COMPARATIVE RELIGION FACULTY OF ISLAMIC STUDIES, INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY ISLAMABAD RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL LIFE OF RELIGIOUS MINORITIES A CASE STUDY OF BAHÁ’Í AND PARSI COMMUNITIES OF PAKISTAN A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Comparative Religion By Abdul Fareed Registration no. 101-FU/PhD/F08 Under the Supervision of Dr. Muhammad Imtiaz Zafar DEPARTMENT OF COMPARATIVE RELIGION FACULTY OF ISLAMIC STUDIES, INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY ISLAMABAD ١ذو القعدة ١٤١٦ من الهجرة /Submitted on: August17, 2015 C.E Statement of Undertaking I Abdul Fareed Reg. No. 101/FU/PHD/F-08 and student of Ph.D. Comparative Religion, Faculty of Islamic Studies, International Islamic University Islamabad do hereby solemnly declare that the thesis entitled ‘ Religious and Social Life of the Religious Minorities: A case Study of Bahá’í and Parsi Communities of Pakistan’ submitted by me in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ph.D. is my original work, except where otherwise acknowledge in the text, and has not been submitted or published earlier and so not in future, be submitted by me for any degree this University or institution. Abdul Fareed APPROVAL It is certified that Mr. Abdul Fareed s/o Abdul Raheem Reg.No.101-FU/PhD/F08 has successfully defended his thesis titled: Religious and Social Life of the Religious Minorities: A case Study of Bahá’í and Parsi Communities of Pakistan in viva-voce examination held in the Department of Comparative Religion, Faculty of Islamic Studies( Usuluddin) , International Islamic University, Islamabad.
    [Show full text]
  • The Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh Unit 2 the Guardian of the Faith
    The Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh Unit 2 The Guardian of the Faith PRE - PUBLICATION EDITION MATERIAL IN DEVELOPMENT VERSION 1.1.1.PP 22 June 2012 Ruhi Institute Copyright © 2009 by the Ruhi Foundation, Colombia All rights reserved. Version 1.1.1.PP June 2012 Ruhi Institute Apartado Postal: 402032 Cali, Colombia Tel: 57 2 828-2599 Email: [email protected] Web site: www.ruhi.org Transcribed into eBook & PDF by Ramin Marghi Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................... 4 SECTION 1.................................................................................................................................................. 6 SECTION 2.................................................................................................................................................. 7 SECTION 3.................................................................................................................................................. 8 SECTION 4................................................................................................................................................ 10 SECTION 5................................................................................................................................................ 12 SECTION 6................................................................................................................................................ 15 SECTION 7...............................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • MASON REMEY and THOSE WHO FOLLOWED HIM Revised January 2008
    MASON REMEY AND THOSE WHO FOLLOWED HIM Revised January 2008 INTRODUCTION In addition to explaining the nature and dangers of violation of the Covenant, Shoghi Effendi several times reviewed briefly the fates of individuals and groups who had surrendered to this worst of human failings. To reflect on the consequences experienced by those who seek to undermine the unity of the Cause, he said, helps believers to appreciate more deeply the protecting power of Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant. In the perspective of more than four decades that have passed since Charles Mason Remey’s violation of the Covenant, it is instructive to review the consequences to those who followed him down this barren path. I COVENANT-BREAKING The Nature of Covenant-breaking What is Covenant-breaking? In a letter to an individual dated 23 March 1975, the Universal House of Justice wrote: When a person declares his acceptance of Bahá’u’lláh as a Manifestation of God he becomes a party to the Covenant and accepts the totality of His Revelation. If he then turns round and attacks Bahá’u’lláh or the Central Institution of the Faith he violates the Covenant. If this happens every effort is made to help that person to see the illogicality and error of his actions, but if he persists he must, in accordance with the instructions of Bahá’u’lláh Himself, be shunned as a Covenant-breaker.1 The personal failings that lead people to violate the Covenant to which they know they have committed themselves have been described by the Guardian as “the blind hatred, the unbounded presumption, the incredible folly, the abject perfidy, the vaulting ambition”2 which, in varying degrees, afflict the persons concerned.
    [Show full text]
  • Mashriqu'l-Adhkár
    Mashriqu’l-Adhkár (Arabic: "Dawning Place of the Praise of God") Term used primarily to refer to a Bahá’í House of Worship, also known as a Temple, and its surrounding dependencies. ARTICLE OUTLINE: THE INSTITUTION OF THE MASHRIQU’L-ADHKÁR The Institution of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár Concept Purpose Concept Form The term Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is used in the writings Symbolism of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and Shoghi Effendi to Houses of Worship around the World refer to a gathering of Bahá’ís worshiping and Ashgabat (Ashkhabad, ‘Ishqábád) praising God through use of sacred scripture, Chicago especially at dawn; to a building dedicated to such Kampala worship; to the complex of buildings surrounding a Sydney Frankfurt am Main central House of Worship that Bahá’u’lláh ordained Panama City to be at the heart of every Bahá’í community and Apia that is to include educational and humanitarian New Delhi service institutions open to people of all religions; Santiago and to the central House of Worship, or Temple, Future Plans itself. Only Bahá’ís may contribute funds to the ARTICLE RESOURCES: building and operation of a Mashriqu’l-Adhkár. As is generally the case with Bahá’í institutions, the Notes development of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár as an Other Sources and Related Reading institution is both gradual and evolutionary. In His book of laws, the Kitáb-i-Aqdas (Most Holy Book), Bahá’u’lláh describes the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár as a building erected in a city or village for the worship of God.1 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, whose ministry spanned the period 1892–1921, encouraged the Bahá’ís to establish Mashriqu’l-Adhkárs in every "hamlet and city";2 if this were not possible due to severe persecution, He advised, the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár could even be "underground."3 Many Bahá’í communities in Iran and in the Transcaspian Territory in Russia designated ordinary houses in their localities as Mashriqu’l-Adhkárs (See: ‘Alavíyyih Khánum, and ‘Alí Ján, Mullá).
    [Show full text]
  • IN the LIGHT of the RISING SUN Memoirs of a Bahá’Í Pioneer to Japan
    An expanded, annotated version of IN THE LIGHT OF THE RISING SUN Memoirs of a Bahá’í Pioneer to Japan by Barbara R. Sims E-book In the Light of the Rising Sun: Memoirs of a Baháʼí Pioneer to Japan reviewed and approved by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís of Japan (Approved July 2020) © 2019 Sheridan A. Sims All rights reserved Barbara R. Sims, Tokyo Baháʼí Center, 1961 cover of the original book Contents (page numbers are PDF) Foreword 5 Preface 7 Mary Elizabeth Steuben Burland 8 Father’s side 14 Bahá’í life Stateside 16 Following the sun 23 Early years of the Bahá’í Faith in Japan 26 Arrival and impressions 29 Tokyo L.S.A. 45 Nikko Conference 55 North East Asia 58 The International Convention and the 1960s 64 1970s, ’80s and ’90s 70 “If you want to preserve something, publish it” 77 (Re)search 82 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s prayer for the Japanese 85 Ichi Kamichika 95 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s tablets to Japan 87 Takeo Hasegawa 95 Kenzo Torikai 88 The Rev. Nobuichiro Imaoka 96 Saichiro Fujita’s relatives 91 Daisetz and Beatrice Suzuki 97 Kanichi Yamamoto’s relatives 92 Hong Kong and Macau 98 Kikutaro Fukuta’s sons 93 The Archives 101 Vasily Eroshenko 94 Some extraordinary Bahá’ís who visited Japan 102 ‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum 104 Collis Featherstone 135 Tarazullah Samandari 119 Other Hands of the Cause 136 Agnes Alexander 121 Univ. House of Justice members 137 Rahmatullah Muhajir 125 Yankee Leong 140 Enoch Olinga 132 The Katirais, Moghbels, and Momtazis 142 Abul-Qasim Faizi 133 Final chapter 142 Photographs 146 Appendix: 1968 International Convention photos 164 Notes 184 Foreword This PDF document is an expanded and annotated version of In the Light of the Rising Sun, a memoir by long-time Baháʼí pioneer to Japan, Barbara R.
    [Show full text]
  • Joel Bray Marangella
    JOEL BRAY MARANGELLA Third Guardian of the Bahá’í World Faith On 21 September 1964, Charles Mason Remey, the Second Guardian of the Bahá’í World Faith, announced the creation of the second International Bahá’í Council and appointed Joel Bray Marangella its President. The significance of this appointment was certainly realized by the Bahá’ís under the guardianship as Shoghi Effendi had used this same instrumentality in making his appointment of his successor by naming Mason Remey President of the first International Bahá’í Council (the embryonic UniVersal House of Justice). Early History ‐ Joel Bray Marangella was born on 22 September 1918 in Lynn, Massachusetts, in the United States of America. His father, Phillip Amalfi Marangella, came from a large Italian family who had immigrated to the United States when he was a boy of about four years of age. As a young man he became dissatisfied with the religious faith of his parents and undertook an extensive search for the Truth. One day he happened upon a book in the New York City public library written against the Bahá’í Faith. This caused him to become interested in finding out the truth about the Faith. His subsequent investigations led to his acceptance of the Faith while Joel was still a baby. Joel’s mother, born Edith Brooks Guthrie, came from a completely different background, being a Virginian by birth and raised in the Protestant faith. Even before she met Phillip Marangella she, too, had begun to search elsewhere for a faith that would satisfy her needs and her investigation of the Baha’I Faith led to her becoming a Bahá’í with him.
    [Show full text]
  • The Universal House of Justice 9 March 1965 the National Spiritual
    The Universal House of Justice 9 March 1965 The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Netherlands Dear Bahá’í Friends, We are glad that you have brought to our attention the questions perplexing some of the believers. It is much better for these questions to be put freely and openly than to have them, unexpressed, burdening the hearts of devoted believers. Once one grasps certain basic principles of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh such uncertainties are easily dispelled. This is not to say that the Cause of God contains no mysteries. Mysteries there are indeed, but they are not of a kind to shake one’s faith once the essential tenets of the Cause and the indisputable facts of any situation are clearly understood. The questions put by the various believers fall into three groups. The first group centers upon the following queries: Why were steps taken to elect a Universal House of Justice with the foreknowledge that there would be no Guardian? Was the time ripe for such an action? Could not the International Bahá’í Council have carried on the work? At the time of our beloved Shoghi Effendi’s death it was evident, from the circumstances and from the explicit requirements of the Holy Texts, that it had been impossible for him to appoint a successor in accordance with the provisions of the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá. This situation, in which the Guardian died without being able to appoint a successor, presented an obscure question not covered by the explicit Holy Text, and had to be referred to the Universal House of Justice.
    [Show full text]