Extracts From Letters Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice:
51: A very important element in the attainment of such equality is Baha"u"llah"s...
A very important element in the attainment of such equality is Baha"u"llah"s provision that boys and girls must follow essentially the same curriculum in schools.
(28 December 1980 to the National Spiritual a.s.sembly of New Zealand) [51]
52: The House of Justice regards the need to educate and guide women in their...
The House of Justice regards the need to educate and guide women in their primary responsibility as mothers as an excellent opportunity for organizing women"s activities. Your efforts should focus on helping them in their function as educators of the rising generation. Women should also be encouraged to attract their husbands and male members of their families to the Faith so that the Baha"i community will be representative of the society of which it forms a part. Gradually the spirit of unity and fellowship, as set forth in our teachings, will be reflected in the life of Baha"i families.
(29 February 1984 to the National Spiritual a.s.sembly of the Mariana Islands) [52]
III. APPLICATION OF THE PRINCIPLE OF EQUALITY TO FAMILY LIFE
Extracts From the Writings of Baha"u"llah:
53: Steadfastness in the Cause is mentioned in the Tablets and set forth by...
Steadfastness in the Cause is mentioned in the Tablets and set forth by the Pen of the Ancient of Days. Render thanks to the Beloved of the world that thou hast set thy heart on Him and art uttering His praise. Many a man hath in this day been deprived of making mention of the All-Sufficing Lord and of recognizing His truth; and many a woman hath fixed her gaze upon the Horizon of the Most High, and hath adorned herself with the garb of the love of the Desire of the world. This is G.o.d"s grace which He bestoweth upon whomsoever He pleaseth. By the Day-Star of ancient mysteries! The sweet-scented fragrance of every breath breathed in the love of G.o.d is wafted in the court of the presence of the Lord of Revelation. The reward of no good deed is or ever will be lost. Blessed art thou, doubly blessed art thou! Thou art reckoned amongst those handmaidens whose love for their kin hath not prevented them from attaining the sh.o.r.es of the Sea of Grace and Mercy. G.o.d willing, thou shalt rest eternally neath the shade of the favours of the All-Merciful and shalt be a.s.sured of His bounties. Engage in the praise of the True One and rejoice in His loving-kindness.
The world pa.s.seth away, and that which is everlasting is the love of G.o.d.
G.o.d willing, thou shalt circ.u.mambulate the True One in every world of His worlds and shalt be free from all else save Him....
(From a Tablet - translated from the Persian and Arabic) [53]
54: All should know, and in this regard attain the splendours of the sun of...
All should know, and in this regard attain the splendours of the sun of cert.i.tude, and be illumined thereby: Women and men have been and will always be equal in the sight of G.o.d. The Dawning-Place of the Light of G.o.d sheddeth its radiance upon all with the same effulgence. Verily G.o.d created women for men, and men for women. The most beloved of people before G.o.d are the most steadfast and those who have surpa.s.sed others in their love for G.o.d, exalted be His glory....
The friends of G.o.d must be adorned with the ornament of justice, equity, kindness and love. As they do not allow themselves to be the object of cruelty and transgression, in like manner they should not allow such tyranny to visit the handmaidens of G.o.d. He, verily, speaketh the truth and commandeth that which benefitteth His servants and handmaidens. He is the Protector of all in this world and the next.
(From a Tablet - translated from the Persian and Arabic) [54]
Extracts From the Writings and Utterances of "Abdu"l-Baha:
55: The Lord, peerless is He, hath made woman and man to abide with each other...
The Lord, peerless is He, hath made woman and man to abide with each other in the closest companionship, and to be even as a single soul. They are two helpmates, two intimate friends, who should be concerned about the welfare of each other.
If they live thus, they will pa.s.s through this world with perfect contentment, bliss, and peace of heart, and become the object of divine grace and favour in the Kingdom of heaven. But if they do other than this, they will live out their lives in great bitterness, longing at every moment for death, and will be shamefaced in the heavenly realm.
Strive, then, to abide, heart and soul, with each other as two doves in the nest, for this is to be blessed in both worlds.
("Selections from the Writings of "Abdu"l-Baha", sec. 92, p. 122) [55]
56: ...following the precepts of G.o.d and the holy Law, suckle your children from...
...following the precepts of G.o.d and the holy Law, suckle your children from their infancy with the milk of a universal education, and rear them so that from their earliest days, within their inmost heart, their very nature, a way of life will be firmly established that will conform to the divine Teachings in all things.
For mothers are the first educators, the first mentors; and truly it is the mothers who determine the happiness, the future greatness, the courteous ways and learning and judgement, the understanding and the faith of their little ones.
("Selections from the Writings of "Abdu"l-Baha", sec. 96, p. 126) [56]
57: ...it is enjoined upon the father and mother, as a duty, to strive with all...
...it is enjoined upon the father and mother, as a duty, to strive with all effort to train the daughter and the son, to nurse them from the breast of knowledge and to rear them in the bosom of sciences and arts.
Should they neglect this matter, they shall be held responsible and worthy of reproach in the presence of the stern Lord.
("Selections from the Writings of "Abdu"l-Baha", sec. 98, p. 127) [57]
58: O ye loving mothers, know ye that in G.o.d"s sight, the best of all ways to...