In March 1917 British forces advancing slowly up through Mesopotamia took Baghdad. In the Atlantic arena, the ruthless submarine attacks of the Germans against neutral American ships and an attempt to incite Mexico to act against the United States, pushed President Wilson to declare war on Germany on 6 April 1917, but it would be many months before the United States, unprepared for war, could make up for the loss of Russia in the East. By early August Austro-German forces were on the frontiers of Russia itself. In April the British forces struggling to take Gaza were defeated. This reversal led to General Allenby being appointed to take Gaza and lead an offensive into Palestine. This offensive was delayed by the need to withdraw most of his troops to fight in France but reinforcements were dispatched to him from India and Mesopotamia.

By September of 1917 General Allenby was ready to attack. Using the tactics of surprise and speed, he began to roll back the Turkish forces. Jamal Pasha was still in control of the northern pans of Palestine but Allenby pushed swiftly north. By 14 November the Turkish forces were driven apart and the port of Jaffa was taken. Allenby then wheeled his forces to the right for an advance inland towards Jerusalem and on 9 December took control of the Holy City. His advance further north was delayed while the necessary military preparations were made.

The ceaseless efforts of the Covenant-breakers to use the crisis of the war for their own ends continued unabated. So venomous were the reports they now fed to Jamal Pasha that the Turkish commander began threatening to crucify ‘Abdu’l-Baha and all His family on the slopes of Mount Carmel.

Major Tudor-Pole, the British believer whom 'Abdu'l-Baha had visited in Bristol during His Western journey, took part in the attack on Jerusalem but after it, in his own words:

... being temporarily incapacitated for active service, was transferred to Intelligence, first at Cairo and later at Ludd, Jaffa and Jerusalem ...

Meanwhile, the news reaching me concerning 'Abdu'l-Baha's imminent danger became more and more- alarming. I tried to arouse interest in the matter among those who were responsible for Intelligence Service activities ...

At this time chance brought me into touch with an officer whose social and political connexions in London were strong. Through his courtesy and interest I was enabled to get an urgent message through to the British Foreign Office.

At the same time. Major Tudor-Pole contacted Lady Blomfield in London. As she recounts:

In the spring of 1918, I was much startled and deeply disturbed by a telephone message: "Abdu’l-Baha in serious danger. Take immediate action.’ It came from an authoritative source. There was not a moment to be lost ...

I went at once to Lord Lamington. His sympathetic regard for ‘Abdu'l-Baha, his understanding of the ramifications and 'red tape’ necessary for ‘immediate action' were of priceless value ...

That very evening a cable was sent to General Allenby with these instructions, ‘Extend every protection and consideration to ’Abdu'l-Baha, His family and His friends, when the British march on Haifa.

Major Tudor-Pole continues:

This despatch passed through my hands in Cairo en route for Army Headquarters at Ludd ... and Intelligence was requested to make urgent enquiry. In due course this demand for information reached the Headquarters of Intelligence at the Savoy Hotel, Cairo, and ultimately (when enquiries elsewhere had proved fruitless) was passed to me for action. As a result, General Allenby was provided with lull particulars in regard to ‘Abdu'l-Baha ... and the history of the Movement of which He was the Master.

Allenby at once issued orders to the General Commanding Officer in command of the Haifa operations to the effect that immediately the town was entered, a British guard was to be posted at once around 'Abdu'l-Baha’s house, and a further guard was to be placed at the disposal of His family and followers. Means were found for making it known within the enemy lines that stern retribution would follow any attempt to cause death or injury to the great Persian Master or to any of His household ...

(Servant of the Glory - The Life of 'Abdu'l-Baha by Mary Perkins)

In recent times, the ongoing tragedies unfolding in Gaza and Lebanon have brought great suffering and sorrow to the global community. People of conscience around the world, regardless of religious affiliation, have raised their voices in opposition to the violence and the devastating impact on civilian lives. From the Free Baha'i perspective, we deeply feel the importance of upholding our shared humanity and expressing a firm, compassionate stance against oppression, violence, and injustice.

Yet, amidst these turbulent times, the silence of the official Baha'i institutions on the civilian suffering in Gaza and Lebanon has been unsettling. This silence contrasts with the teachings of Baha'u'llah, which emphasize universal love, compassion, and an unyielding dedication to justice. The absence of public statements from Baha'i institutions—along with a perceived focus on proselytization over active efforts to foster peace—raises questions about the alignment of the administrative Baha'i approach with the ethical foundation of the faith.

The recent statement from the Universal House of Justice (UHJ) underscores this concern. Rather than offering clear expressions of empathy or calls for immediate peace, the UHJ’s message appears focused on expanding Baha'i membership as the eventual solution to global conflict. While their vision of a future "Great Peace" may have noble intentions, we believe it is not an adequate response to the immediate crises affecting human lives today. Such a passive stance can easily be interpreted as indifference or even complicity in the face of suffering, further isolating the Baha'i community from the broader humanitarian response required at this time.

From our perspective within the Free Baha'i movement, we feel it is critical to affirm that Baha'u'llah’s message was never intended to be exclusionary or indifferent to the suffering of others. His teachings encourage active, compassionate engagement in the world to promote peace and alleviate suffering. This is why we, as Free Baha'is, choose to stand in solidarity with all those suffering in Gaza and Lebanon and join those who advocate for immediate humanitarian efforts and meaningful dialogues to resolve the conflicts peacefully.

To counteract the perception of silence or indifference, we propose that Baha'i communities should consider actively engaging with other humanitarian and interfaith organizations that promote peace, justice, and empathy. Building bridges with organizations from diverse backgrounds, including Muslim, Christian, Jewish, and secular NGOs, can foster mutual respect and understanding. Furthermore, it is essential for Baha'i leaders to clearly denounce violence, actively support humanitarian relief, and communicate compassionately with affected communities.

Addressing the impact of the Baha'i administration’s silence is not only a matter of restoring the faith's image but also of adhering to the true spirit of Baha'u'llah's teachings. We call on all religious leaders, including Baha'i institutions, to join in a unified message of peace and justice that transcends differences, focusing on our shared values as human beings.

In closing, the Free Baha'i community urges all people of faith to reflect deeply on how they can contribute meaningfully to a world where peace and justice prevail. Silence, in the face of human suffering, risks enabling oppression and injustice. Let us reaffirm our commitment to Baha'u'llah’s vision of universal peace by taking active steps to promote healing and reconciliation today.

Only through genuine compassion, tangible action, and unwavering support for justice can we hope to build a future that truly reflects the principles of the Baha'i faith and offers hope to the suffering communities in Gaza, Lebanon, and beyond.

Reference: Singapore Baha'i 

I saw a gif of the blessed blasphemy on this sub and want to see it again. But I am very high and can’t find it. Can someone please post the link?

Do Baha’is want Trump to win the election? Afterall, they believe women are not fit to govern. Their future world governing body bans women so they’d be pretty hypocritical to advocate for a female President. Also, the Faith’s stance is ultra homophobic so that ties in with MAGA right wing rhetoric.

In 1948 a fierce political upheaval erupted in the Holy Land. The State of Israel was founded, bringing an end to the British Mandate. War broke out between Arabs and Jews and a great many Arabs fled the country. During this period Shoghi Effendi remained in Haifa and, in the face of great dangers and severe difficulties, carried on his work as usual, including the building of the superstructure of the Shrine of the Bab. But the rest of the family, who were Covenant-breakers, allied themselves with the Arab community and fled the land. Among them were the family of Mirza Jalal Shahid, which included Ruha Khanum, the daughter of 'Abdu'l-Bahá; Tuba Khanum, another daughter of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, and her son Ruhi, his wife Zahra and his brother; three cousins of Dr Farid; and Nayyir Afnan, his wife Ruhangiz (sister of Shoghi Effendi) and their children. Others who fled to Lebanon were Badi'u'llah (next in command to the Arch-breaker of the Covenant) and his relatives, together with those Bahá'ís who were disloyal to Shoghi Effendi. As time went on these people, who were already cut off from the Holy Family by virtue of their association with the enemies of the Faith, integrated themselves into Islamic society.

(Adib Taherzadeh, The Child of the Covenant)

I'm joining a social group of Unitarian bahai. I saw that they have also a farsi page on Instagram. Are they also persecuted in Iran? Or are they deal with better because they don't follow UHJ?

If Baha’is had a most hated rival, someone that really gets under their skin, who would it be?

Baha'u'llah promised to unite the world for 100,000 years but couldn't unite his own family. His feud with his half-brother even spilled over into murder, prolonging their imprisonment and exile. Feuds in his 'holy family' persisted for multiple generations. How can Baha'is turn to such dysfunctional people for guidance in building a united world?

I know it’s been a few days since you’ve posted u/Akronitai, but after realizing you were talking about this post entitled “ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá asked Temple Emmanu-El (in typical passive aggressive Baha’i fashion, and with no regard for centuries of antisemitic persecution from Christians) “Why do you not say that Christ was the Word of God?“ I’ve been writing and rewriting this response. It was originally supposed to be a comment but got way too long, so pack for a journey 😅.

I’ve mentioned this before- in an admittedly jumbled yet entertaining form due to the chaos of the video game I was streaming my thoughts in, lol, but I investigated the Baha’i Faith when I was in college in 2010 as I was disillusioned by Catholic homophobia, sex scandals and plot holes in the Bible I found when I was eight, and it seemed like it was super progressive. After all, racial and gender equality were radical for the time period, as was acceptance of science and so-called “independent investigation of truth.” I was a bit vulnerable at that point too because I had just yelled at God in a parking lot while having mononucleosis, terrible sleep and diet and passive suicidal ideation over failing three of my classes, and was pretty sure I was about to be an atheist. Reading A Thief in the Night (even though I had thought it was a secular examination of the 1844 phenomenon) from a cute girl who took me to a friend’s house was the last chance I gave religion because this seemed promising. I did often enough that I thought “Friend of the Faith” was a point of pride, and I waited for a whole year after we started dating and two years after we met to kiss this girl out of respect.

I had fun at devotionals, ate delicious food at Naw-Ruz parties, and thrilled when a Blue Angel flew low over Green Acre, delighting Baha’i children. I also stand by my statement in the video that I never was alarmed by anyone’s personal conduct towards me. The small, mostly Persian community of all of 300 people accepted me, even after I ultimately did not convert to the Faith and became a secular humanist. Looking back, I never built a real, durable friendship with anyone either- even closer friends of my girlfriend who I saw along with their children- because the air always felt a little…dry.

However even now, 14 years later, it’s impossible to describe what exactly felt wrong moment-to-moment as I tend to remember feelings better than exact moments due to autism, and also don’t want to stoop to ad hominems even against abusers, just a straight presentation of facts that exposed said abusers. I’ve often compared it to the unease I felt watching Stepford Wives or reading Brave New World and the totalitarianism inherent in utopian visions such as the Baha’i World Commonwealth that makes me reject their existence in writing even at great personal cost was like a heavy, stifling blanket preventing me from getting to know anything about that person other than a neutral mask, a presentation, a show. There are specific times that stand out though.

Like “accidentally” assuming that my girlfriend and I were brother and sister and then nodding to my clarification to the contrary with fake looking smiles, as if rehearsed. Like dismissing the violence in the Bible as if they’d already figured out this centuries-long objection and it was so easy a caveman could do it. Like the Ruhi books having a creepy sterility (the closest thing I can compare it to is those annoying Jehovah’s Witnesses pamphlets showing way too happy people- similarly to this Baha’i one about marriage). That made me sure that if I had kids (which I was very unsure of at the time), I wanted to audit these things and pull them out if it got weird. Like an argument with a Baha’i who reported back on a leadership conference about homosexuality which made me wonder what planet he was on. Like the scolding phone call my girlfriend caught in 2015 from a friend of hers who admonished her about living together.

Like, as I would later read and you saw in that post, the son of their founding figure telling Jews “Whaddaya got to lose by converting?” 🤷🏻‍♂️ Reading that felt a little “I’m 14 and This is Deep,” like other Baha’i “predictions” that were of course vague and generalized, along with the flippant dismissal of politics and a condescending look at homosexuality (when fighting for my LGBTQ friends’ right to marry was my cause celebre and I was literally going to Washington DC to get involved in politics 😂) that caused me to finally reject it. Though I did gain a lot, I think, by learning about the history of the Baha’i Faith and therefore world history from a new angle, and some of the texts sounded really nice (I particularly liked the Tablet to America) there’s just a sense of smug self-assured superiority under the surface, like the zinc revealed after scratching the thin copper coating on a penny, that is hard to shake.

I didn’t really know what Baha’i-influenced passive-aggression was like, however, until I got married. Rather like the horror stories I’ve heard from people on the inside. I’ll first quote selectively from my final text messages:

To my ex-wife: Hey, so this is the last text I’ll ever send you. I thought I could try to be friends with you and get past the years of verbal abuse you laid against me, the evasions of any responsibility for anything that happened, your dividing me against my family (though they aren’t perfect either), your bare minimum support of my gender identity, and your emotional affairs with other women…

For context she had lost her job four times, barely passed the graduate school she took on while my stable job was keeping us afloat, condescended to me about the atomic bomb (that’s a whole OTHER story), needled me if I was too critical of a TV show she liked, repeatedly got frustrated with me if I couldn’t answer her questions in under a minute, “teased” me (her term for a particular kind of mean joke she got from her dad, a snobbish movie critic who had nothing nice to say about my writing because OF COURSE), literally said at her bridal shower that she was selfish and cunning, treated my coming out nonbinary like she was the one affected when I really needed her help, and had meltdowns until she got the cat I got as a therapy cat who she let lick her nipple which is animal abuse. Oh and she lied to me about her doubts about the wedding because her parents had a deposit so our entire foundation was built on quicksand. After I gave up on trying to fight for us after ELEVEN YEARS together, five of them married, I stayed legally married to her for another year and a half while she admitted she fucked at least one other woman, so she could have health insurance.

Baha’is blather on and on about the “fortress of marriage,” and that’s what she did- fired on anyone outside and kept me in. Meanwhile, I tried to care for our marriage like a living thing, and I had to be the one to put it down because she was just coasting off my belief in marriage, but it was mortally wounded by her insecurities and inability to handle conflict appropriately, either by getting angry or by shrinking away. From these characteristics one may correctly diagnose the problem with a Baha’i upbringing, but a complex web of factors like neurodivergence, lack of parental restraint and phone addiction (though who among us 😅) also played a role.

To her mom: Now that I’ve blocked your treacherous daughter once and for all, it’s your turn. Thank you not at all for deciding on how to cash checks without consulting me and pressuring me into signing a vow that I didn’t believe in for a cult that will amount to nothing. Goodbye forever!

Since I was nervous about getting a joint checking account (though we practically did as I handled the online payment of bills and assorted account management, did our taxes, etc.) she decided that checks written to Me+Ex should go only to Ex and I’d only get checks designated as for Me. It wasn’t embezzling though because my ex turned around and used that money to pay off my student loans and some credit card debt (then of course lorded it and her moving to Maryland over me like she was somehow better with money when she ended receiving thousands during her graduate school era that she blew on trips during the pandemic. She got annoyed at me about money constantly so we just stopped mentioning it and did whatever.)

I also hated that I was manipulated by my mother-in-law’s anxiety over my ex getting her voting rights taken away if we went through with a nonsensical compromise vow called “Verily we will all abide by the will of love.” (It’s also likely, since my then fiancée was inactive that they could’ve retaliated against her as an LSA member in her state.) I should’ve walked away right then and there and dared her to make a case out of it, but after the wedding I was taken out back and my integrity was Old Yeller’d by signing the official vow. I’ve written about an actually aggressive reaction to this before.

So after that essay LMAO 🤣, I think I’ve realized the final analogy that actually sums up my thoughts perfectly- 1984 and doublethink.

Theocracy is Democracy. Freedom is Slavery. Sexuality is Chastity. And on and on, as while it may vary on an individual level, the duplicity inherent in the Baha’i Faith infects everyone who touches it and continues to remain under the watchful eye 👁️ of the UHJ.

Dear Reddit Community of Ex Bahai,

My name is Windy Grendele and I am an academic at the University of Roehampton, London. With my colleague Savin, I am conducting a study to document the impact of mandated shunning in faith-based contexts.

We are looking for participants willing to share their experiences of leaving the Bahai Faith and its consequences. Participation is voluntary and your identity will be protected at all times!

PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR RESEARCH ON MANDATED SHUNNING 

Are you: 

• 18+.   

• A former member of a faith-based community or denomination known to practice mandated shunning such as, but not limited to, the Exclusive and Plymouth Brethren, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Scientology, Haredi Jews, Amish and Mennonites, and the Bahá'í Faith 

• An individual with direct experience of mandated shunning and who has been shunned at least 7 months before reading this announcement

• Proficient in spoken English

If you are interested in sharing your experiences or for more information, please get in touch with me at windy.grendele@roehampton.ac.uk or Savin at s.bapir-tardy@roehampton.ac.uk  You can also send me a private message on Reddit.

Please, feel free to pass this invitation on to other people who have experienced mandated shunning and who you think might be interested in participating in this research. 

Thanks so much for your support!

Windy

This is highly subjective and merely an observation, not a criticism. I watched a few devotionals from the European Bahai temple, and I don't know ... I find them boring as hell, somehow ... empty, the spark didn't catch me. Maybe I'm too spoilt (cultural Christian background) because I always 'have' to watch Christian services on TV with a friend, but I find the Bahai devotionals somehow ... bizarre. For example, there are no responsorial prayers in these services. Are Bahai really such a contemplative bunch? Are the internal meetings more lively or heart-warming than events for the general public?

THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

16 October 2024

To the Bahá’ís of the World Dearly loved Friends, We indicated in our Riḍván 2022 message our expectation that periodically more places will be identified where Houses of Worship are to be raised up. We are delighted that the national Temple in Papua New Guinea was recently inaugurated, and that progress is being made towards realization of the previously announced Temples in Bihar Sharif, India; Toronto, Canada; Kanchanpur, Nepal; and Mwinilunga, Zambia. With praise and gratitude to the Blessed Beauty, we joyfully announce that conditions make it possible for a further two national Mashriqu’l-Adhkárs to be erected, one in Brasília, Brazil, and the other in Lilongwe, Malawi, as well as a local Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in Batouri, Cameroon.

May the initiation of plans to build three additional Temples fill your hearts with joy and serve as a source of inspiration in your sustained efforts to advance everywhere the processes of community building and engagement with society.

[signed: The Universal House of Justice]

Hello,

a long while ago I had an online conflict with a passive-aggressive Bahai on a religious forum overrun by proselytizing Baha'is. I just thought that the individual in question was "odd" and didn't give any more thought to it. Now, recently, I came across a post in this subreddit mentioning "[the] typical passive aggressive Baha’i fashion" and therefore I would like to know how common passive-aggressive behaviour actually is in Baha'i communities and what could be possible reasons for this.

Just a curiosity, I know that I spoke a lot about this, what Is the position of non Haifa bahais about Palestine? Do they condemn the silence of UHJ? Thanks

Hi, I was bahai, now I'd like to join to a bayani community. I know there is one in Australia, but I had some problems with his master, and one other in Germany, where exactly? I was thinking to go to Famagosta to Subh I Azal' s shrine, but I scared to find some descendents of Subh I Azal but not a bayani community. Thanks

“The words of the House of Justice are boring and no one should care for it” “Spirituality and dedication to the faith has no bearing on one’s faith and loyalty to the covenant”

Those were the paraphrased words of the administration representative who "graced" our local feast this month. As it happened, this event also served as the venue for electing national delegates. As expected from the local assembly, it featured a red-carpet reception with the typical flattery one anticipates when an administration representative visits.

However, this administration representative revealed the core of their stance when she proudly declared that the faithful no longer care about what the UHJ has to say. Mimicking boredom and acknowledging the dull response to the UHJ's words, she confidently stated that the faithful no longer care for messages from the House and avoid discussing them because they find them boring. How nice!

The members of the administration are now openly acknowledging what the faithful have known for a long time. The words of the UHJ are plain and simply irrelevant, constituting a collection of high-sounding yet meaningless words.

Next came the bigger revelation. She declared, referring to the March 2007 message of the UHJ, that those who vote are considered faithful and loyal Baha’is. Think about it for a moment. Prayers? No. Fasting? No. Reading and deepening? No. Teaching? No. But what makes you a loyal and faithful Baha’i? Voting!

This was a blow to the generational Baha’is who have dedicated their lives and resources to the faith. Some of us devoted our entire lives to the cause, and others contributed their resources. But no! According to the administration, you are considered faithful if you participate in their electoral charade. Additionally, this administration representative urged all Baha'is to reconsider their choices if they have already voted for someone loyal to the administration.

At this point, I as a Free Baha’i would add my thought – Abdu’l Baha, a central figure in the faith, never participated in voting. Should we then question his loyalty and faithfulness?

Finally, it wouldn't surprise me if the die-hard Haifan Baha'is, those who've been fervently supporting the Administration, start questioning the Master or twist his words to match the stance of the UHJ or the Administration. It appears their aim is to sidestep independent truth-seeking, a fundamental aspect of Baha'i teachings. They rally behind the Administration, branding anyone who questions them as anti-faith or even a covenant breaker.

Thankfully, our allegiance remains unwaveringly aligned with the teachings of Baha'u'llah, and we won't back down no matter what. May Baha’u’llah bless us with the strength and courage to stay true to the path he has illuminated.

Reference : The Caravan, Volume 8, Edition 4

In my experience with the BF bandwidth of energy frequencies, you find a relatively broad subset, but the mainstream of these seems quite low-frequency; as in long dissipating wavelengths that exclude those necessary for high-level creativity. The main current pushes the capacity to engage these frequencies to the sidelines, and the aftermath of amnesia is a sedating complacency and bubbly and aimless mirth; it’s like a mediocre exchange with the spirit world

When I was a Baha'i, I heard Shoghi Effendi called "the beloved Guardian" so often that one might think that was his official title (which was "the Guardian of the Cause of God").

Eventually, I would learn:

1. He was extremely spoiled by his grandfather, Abdu'l-Baha.
2. He had a highly toxic personality.
3. The circumstances of his death made it clear he had failed to live up to the standards set for him by his grandfather.

I now think I was being gaslit and manipulated by what should have been seen as an outright lie. The so-called Guardian wasn't beloved, he was FEARED!

So do you think that they'll hold devotionals tomorrow to ask for world peace but still not mention Israel or Palestine?

One of the things Baha'is say about Covenant Breakers is that being a Covenant Breaker means you are truly an evil and twisted person, because Baha'u'llah made the line of succession ("The Covenant") very clear, and that it is simply impossible to misunderstand, so the only way a person could be a Covenant Breaker is by making a conscious decision to disobey Bahaullah. This is why Baha'is say Covenant Breakers are "not Baha'is", because if someone is a follower of Baha'u'llah, he wouldn't just disobey Baha'u'llah's crystal clear line of succession instructions.

After leaving the Baha'i Faith, do you still believe Baha'u'llah left clear instructions that clearly point to the UHJ?