"As there is neither an International Police Force nor any immediate prospect of one coming into being, the Baha"is should continue to apply, under all circ.u.mstances, for exemption from any military duties that necessitate the taking of life. There is no justification for any change of att.i.tude on our part at the present time."
133: MORMONS (RELIGIOUS SECTS--a.s.sOCIATE WITH ALL--SHOW TOLERANCE AND FRIENDLINESS)
"The Baha"is should deal with the members of all religious sects, however, with the greatest tolerance and friendliness, and try to point out to them the significance of the Revelation of Baha"u"llah to the world in this Great Day. The Guardian would advise you to teach the Mormons, like everyone else, the Faith, when you find them receptive. They have many great principles and their teachings regarding charity, not drinking or smoking, etc., are quite similar to ours and should form a point of common interest."
134: MUNiRIH _KH_aNUM
"With regard to Munirih _Kh_anum"s account of her life, concerning which certain questions have been raised by one of the believers; what has been written by Munirih _Kh_anum herself in that account, and also the references to the subject made by Nabil in his Narrative should be taken as the accurate standard and not what has been reported in Dr. Esslemont"s book."
135: MUSIC
"Music, as one of the arts, is a natural cultural development, and the Guardian does not feel that there should be any cultivation of "Baha"i Music" any more than we are trying to develop a Baha"i school of painting or writing. The believers are free to paint, write or compose as their talents guide them. If music is written incorporating the Sacred Writings, the friends are free to make use of it, but it should never be considered a requirement at Baha"i meetings to have such music. The farther away the friends keep from any set forms, the better, for they must realize that the Cause is absolutely universal, and what might seem a beautiful addition to their mode of celebrating a Feast, etc., would perhaps fall on the ears of people of another country as unpleasant sounds--and vice versa. As long as they have music for its own sake it is all right, but they should not consider it "Baha"i Music"."
136: NATIONAL a.s.sEMBLIES (AUTHORITY OF)
"I wish to reaffirm in clear and categorical language, the principle already enunciated upholding the supreme authority of the National a.s.sembly in all matters that affect the interests of the Faith in that land. There can be no conflict of authority, no duality under any form or circ.u.mstances in any sphere of Baha"i jurisdiction whether local, national or international. The National a.s.sembly, however, although the sole interpreter of its Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, is directly and morally responsible if it allows any body or inst.i.tution within its jurisdiction to abuse its privileges or to decline in the exercise of its rights and privileges. It is the trusted guardian and the mainspring of the manifold activities and interests of every national community in the Baha"i world. It const.i.tutes the sole link that binds these communities to the International House of Justice, the supreme administrative body in the Dispensation of Baha"u"llah."
137: N.S.A. INVOLVEMENT (APPEALS PROHIBITED)
"Anything whatsoever affecting the interests of the Cause and in which the National a.s.sembly as a body is involved should, if regarded as unsatisfactory by Local a.s.semblies and individual believers, be immediately referred to the National a.s.sembly itself. Neither the general body of the believers, nor any Local a.s.sembly, nor even the delegates to the annual Convention, should be regarded as having any authority to entertain appeals against the decision of the National a.s.sembly. Should the matter be referred to the Guardian it will be his duty to consider it with the utmost care and to decide whether the issues involved justify him to consider it in person, or to leave it entirely to the discretion of the National a.s.sembly.
"This administrative principle which the Guardian is now restating and emphasizing is so clear, so comprehensive and simple that no misunderstanding as to its application, he feels, can possibly arise.
There are no exceptions whatever to this rule, and the Guardian would deprecate any attempt to elaborate or dwell any further upon this fundamental and clearly enunciated principle."
138: N.S.A."S JURISDICTION OVER COMMITTEES (AUTHORITY OF)
"The N.S.A."s final jurisdiction over both the National Teaching Committee and the Regional Teaching Committees is certainly indisputable, and is of the same nature and character as the authority to which it is ent.i.tled over all other national committees."
139: NEW a.s.sEMBLIES (FORMATION OF)
"Regarding the formation of Local a.s.semblies, the Guardian does not advise any departure from the principle that every civil community should have its own independent a.s.sembly."
140: NEW a.s.sEMBLIES (RESIDENCE QUALIFICATIONS)
"In connection with the formation of new a.s.semblies and the maintenance of their a.s.sembly status, the Guardian wishes to reaffirm the general principle that only those who reside within the city limits of any given locality have the right to either vote or be elected as member of the a.s.sembly, even though this may involve frequent dissolution of the a.s.sembly owing to insufficient number of members. It will, on the other hand, serve as a stimulus to those outside these limits to establish a group and eventually an a.s.sembly of their own. This principle should be closely adhered to, otherwise it will lead to confusion and overlapping."
141: NINE (NUMBER)
"The number nine, which in itself is the number of perfection, is considered by the Baha"is as sacred, because it is symbolic of the perfection of the Baha"i Revelation which const.i.tutes the ninth in the line of existing religions, the latest and fullest Revelation which mankind has ever known. The eighth is the religion of the Bab and the remaining seven are: Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and the religion of the Sabaeans. These religions are not the only true religions that have appeared in the world but are the only ones still existing. There have always been Divine Prophets and Messengers, to many of whom the Qur"an refers. But the only ones existing are those mentioned above."
"The Guardian feels that with intellectuals and students of religion the question of exactly which are the nine existing religions is controversial, and it would be better to avoid it. He does not want the friends to be rigid in these matters, but use their judgment and tact, sometimes one statement is exactly the right thing for one type of mind and the wrong thing for another.
"Strictly speaking the 5-pointed star is the symbol of our Faith, as used by the Bab and explained by Him. But the Guardian does not feel it is wise or necessary to complicate our explanations of the Temple by adding this."
"Nine is the highest digit, hence symbolizes comprehensiveness, culminations; also, the reason it is used in the Temple"s form is because 9 has exact numerical value of "Baha (in the numerology connected with the Arabic alphabet) and "Baha is the name of the Revealer of our Faith, Baha"u"llah. The 9-pointed star is not a part of the teachings of our Faith, but only used as an emblem representing "9". In telling people of the
9: RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD, THAT IS "EXISTING RELIGIONS, WE SHOULD NOT