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ISSUES CONCERNING COMMUNITY FUNCTIONING
Prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice
February 1993
A number of questions have recently been raised about how to assist malfunctioning local Baha'i communities, specifically those communities that have difficulty in responding to the needs and problems of their members, whose Spiritual Assemblies are unable to reach decisions, are unwilling to entertain frank and open consultation and which fail to acknowledge the existence of problems within the community. As a contribution to the development of such communities, we offer the following comments.
1. Facilitating Change within the Baha'i Community
1.1 The Nature of Change
Before addressing the issue of the kinds of steps that might be taken to bring about change within the Baha'i community, it is useful to consider the Baha'i perspective on the nature of change. Shoghi Effendi, in letters written on his behalf, underlines the evolutionary nature of the growth and development of Baha'i communities. He characterizes the inevitable difficulties associated with the immaturity of both individual believers and institutions as "growing pains" which, he confidently affirms, will eventually be overcome, because of the perfection of the system introduced by Baha'u'llah. We cite, below, a selection of extracts from these letters:
You have complained of the unsatisfactory conditions prevailing in the ... Baha'i Community; the Guardian is well aware of the situation of the Cause there, but is confident that whatever the nature of the obstacles that confront the Faith they will be eventually overcome. You should, under no circumstances, feel discouraged, and allow such difficulties, even though they may have resulted from the misconduct, or the lack of capacity and vision of certain members of the Community, to make you waver in your faith and basic loyalty to the Cause. Surely, the believers, no matter how qualified they may be, whether as teachers or administrators, and however high their intellectual and spiritual merits, should never be looked upon as a standard whereby to evaluate and measure the divine authority and mission of the Faith. It is to the Teachings themselves, and to the lives of the Founders of the Cause that the believers should look for their guidance and inspiration, and only by keeping strictly to such a true attitude can they hope to establish their loyalty to Baha'u'llah upon an enduring and unassailable basis. You should take heart, therefore, and with unrelaxing vigilance and unremitting effort endeavour to play your full share in the gradual unfoldment of this Divine World Order.
(23 August 1939 to an individual believer)
The friends must be patient with each other and must realize that the Cause is still in its infancy and its institutions are not yet functioning perfectly. The greater the patience, the loving understanding and the forbearance the believers show towards each other and their shortcomings, the greater will be the progress of the whole Baha'i Community at large.
--Community Functioning, Page 2
The Guardian feels that, through attracting new souls, the Cause will outgrow its present limitations and function more efficiently. (27 February 1943 to an individual believer)
He was very sorry to learn of the inharmony amongst the friends there; and he feels that the only wise course of action is for all the believers to devote themselves to teaching the Faith and co-operating with their National Body.
Often these trials and tests which all Baha'i communities inevitably pass through seem terrible, at the moment, but in retrospect we understand that they were due to the frailty of human nature, to misunderstandings, and to the growing pains which every Baha'i community must experience.
(25 November 1956 to an individual believer)
It is very unfortunate that some of the believers do not seem to grasp the fact that the administrative order, the Local and National Assemblies, are the pattern for the future, however inadequate they may sometimes seem. We must obey and support these bodies, for this is the Baha'i law. Until we learn to do this we cannot make real progress....
The Baha'is are far from perfect, as individuals or when they serve on elected bodies, but the system of Baha'u'llah is perfect and gradually the believers will mature and the system will work better....
(1 November 1950 to an individual believer)
1.2 Fostering Change
With regard to the means of fostering change within a Baha'i community, we attach a compilation of extracts from letters written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi. While these extracts do not deal specifically with strategies for assisting communities that are chronically malfunctioning, they do provide useful guidance concerning actions that can be taken to bring about change within Baha'i communities. Before considering these approaches, it is useful to reflect on the fact that the implementation of any approach must be guided by the exercise of wisdom and patience, and the avoidance of an adversarial attitude in relation to the Assembly and the Baha'i community. In "Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah",+F1 p. 343, Baha'u'llah counsels the believers to avoid two extremes of behaviour in relation to the Faith. He states:
In this Day, We can neither approve the conduct of the fearful that seeketh to dissemble his faith, nor sanction the behaviour of the avowed believer that clamorously asserteth his allegiance to this Cause. Both should observe the dictates of wisdom, and strive diligently to serve the best interests of the Faith.
Note His emphasis on observing "the dictates of wisdom" and striving "to serve the best interests of the Faith".
___________________
F1. (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1983)
--Community Functioning, Page 3
Based on the attached extracts, there appear to be a number of actions which individual believers can take to foster the next steps in the evolution of the Baha'i community. These include:
1.2.1 Individual Example
Shoghi Effendi, in a letter dated 30 September 1949 written on his behalf to an individual believer, states that "the first and best way" to remedy the malfunctioning of a Baha'i community is for the individual to "do what is right". See extract [1].
In addition to deepening, teaching and service to the Faith, the beloved Guardian stresses the importance of, and the benefits that derive from, such qualities as persistence, self-sacrifice, patience and loving forgiveness. See extracts [2] and [3].
1.2.2 Assisting the Local Spiritual Assembly
Shoghi Effendi indicates that individual believers can foster the development of the Local Spiritual Assembly by such means as participating in its election, supporting and upholding its decisions and turning towards it for the resolution of problems. See extracts [4] - [7].
1.2.3 Recommendations to Institutions
Individual believers have "the right to openly express their criticism of any Assembly action or policy", and to offer suggestions and recommendations for the improvement of the local community, provided the criticisms and suggestions are offered in a constructive way and the authority of the Assembly is not undermined. See extracts [8] and [9].
The Universal House of Justice, in a letter dated 3 August 1982 written on its behalf to an individual believer, provided the following guidance concerning the manner in which individual views should be offered within the Baha'i community:
It is important to note, however, that individuals who wish to present their views should do so in a way compatible with the Baha'i spirit of consultation. It sometimes happens that a believer insists on expounding his views at Baha'i meetings, and frequently disrupts such gatherings, and may even display such behaviour in the presence of non-Baha'is. If he stubbornly persists in this conduct, despite exhortations and warnings given to him by the proper Baha'i institutions, he will somehow have to be prevented from taking the law into his own hands and jeopardizing Baha'i interests. When differences such as these arise, it is important that frank and loving consultation between the person concerned and the Local Spiritual Assembly, and if need be the National Spiritual Assembly, should take place, or perhaps the institution of the Counsellors could help resolve the problem.
--Community Functioning, Page 4
1.2.4 Consultation with Auxiliary Board Members
The Auxiliary Board members and their assistants are charged with stimulating the grassroots of the Baha'i community and with encouraging and assisting the maturation of Local Spiritual Assemblies. An individual believer or a Local Spiritual Assembly might profitably seek the advice of the Board members for ideas about how to resolve the specific difficulties that exist in a community.
1.2.5 Appeal to the National Spiritual Assembly
Individual believers have the right to appeal a decision of the Local Spiritual Assembly to the National Assembly. See "The Constitution of the Universal House of Justice", +F2 pp. 14-15, for details of the appeal process. The decision as to whether to exercise this right rests with the individual. The following extract from a letter dated 12 September 1988 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice pertains to this subject:
As you know, you are free to request the Assembly to reconsider its decision. However, you may wish to weigh this course of action against the reaction it could produce, and which may cause you further stress. In some cases, it is preferable if one accepts humbly the view of the Assembly in a spirit of sacrifice, and without further dispute. Then, any wrong decision will eventually be set right. When the believers act submissively and in a spirit of self-effacement it attracts the good pleasure of God, which in itself serves as a consolation to their hearts.
2. Consultation and the Expression of Feelings
The view has been put forth that the open expression of feelings and the honest expression of ideas are fundamental to productive Baha'i consultation, and, further, that the Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) 12-Step programme can make an important contribution to honest and open communication. In this regard, guidance was sought concerning the expression of feelings in the course of consultation.
While there may well be similarities between elements of the process of consultation and the 12-Step programme, they differ in their overall goals. The intent of the open expression by the individual as practiced in A.A. is, by and large, to effect a healing and a release from the habit of drinking. Consultation, on the other hand, has as its object "the investigation of truth".
The distinction between the purpose of consultation and therapeutic endeavours is made explicit in the following extracts from letters written by or on behalf of the Universal House of Justice:
It should be borne in mind that all consultation is aimed at arriving at a solution to a problem and is quite different from the
___________________
F2. (Haifa: Baha'i World Centre, 1972)
--Community Functioning, Page 5
sort of group baring of the soul that is popular in some circles these days and which borders on the kind of confession that is forbidden in the Faith.
(From a letter dated 19 March 1973 from the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly, published in "Consultation: A Compilation" (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1980), p. 22)
In regard to your question about the fifth step in the "A.A. 12-Step Programme", we have been asked to share with you the following extract from a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice on 26 August 1986 to an individual believer:
...there is no objection to Baha'is being members of Alcoholics Anonymous, which is an association that does a great deal of good in assisting alcoholics to overcome their lamentable condition. The sharing of experience which the members undertake does not conflict with the Baha'i prohibition on the confession of sins; it is more in the nature of the therapeutic relationship between a patient and a psychiatrist.
(From a letter dated 5 November 1987 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)
The honest expression of feelings in general communication requires both wisdom and moderation. In "Gleanings", Baha'u'llah counsels the believers thus:
They who are the people of God have no ambition except to revive the world, to ennoble its life, and regenerate its peoples. Truthfulness and goodwill have, at all times, marked their relations with all men.... (pp. 270-71)
Beware lest ye contend with any one, nay, strive to make him aware of the truth with kindly manner and most convincing exhortation.... (p. 279)
Whatsoever passeth beyond the limits of moderation will cease to exert a beneficial influence.... (p. 216)
And Shoghi Effendi, in a letter dated 5 July 1947 written on his behalf, the following statement about the importance of "balance in all things":
One might liken Baha'u'llah's teachings to a sphere; there are points poles apart, and in between the thoughts and doctrines that unite them.
We believe in balance in all things; we believe in moderation in all things we must not be too emotional, nor cut and dried and lacking in feeling, we must not be so liberal as to cease to preserve the character and unity of our Baha'i system, nor fanatical and dogmatic.
Concerning the open expression of feelings during consultation, clearly the expression of feelings and the emotional tone of the interaction make an
--Community Functioning, Page 6
important contribution to the consultative process. In one of His talks, 'Abdu'l-Baha describes "love and fellowship' as the "foundation" of "true consultation". He states:
...true consultation is spiritual conference in the attitude and atmosphere of love. Members must love each other in the spirit of fellowship in order that good results may be forthcoming. Love and fellowship are the foundation.
("The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Baha during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912" (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1982), pp. 72-73)
The Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha that are cited in "Baha'i Administration: Selected Messages 1922-1932",3 pp. 20-23, provide helpful guidance concerning the expression of feelings during consultation. For example:
'Abdu'l-Baha calls upon the members of a Spiritual Assembly to unite such that their "thoughts", "views", and "feelings may become as one reality, manifesting the spirit of union throughout the world...." (pp. 20-21)
The Master advises the members to "take counsel together in such wise that no occasion for ill-feeling or discord may arise". He affirms that:
This can be attained when every member expresseth with absolute freedom his own opinion and setteth forth his argument. Should any one oppose, he must on no account feel hurt for not until matters are fully discussed can the right way be revealed. The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions.... (p. 21)
It is important to note that truth emerges after the "clash" of carefully articulated views (which may well be expressed with enthusiasm and vigour), not from the clash of feelings. A clash of feelings is likely to obscure the truth, while a difference of opinion facilitates the discovery of truth.
'Abdu'l-Baha provides the following advice concerning the manner in which views should be expressed in the course of consultation. It is suggested that this guidance could also pertain to the expression of feelings:
They must then proceed with the utmost devotion, courtesy, dignity, care and moderation to express their views. They must in every matter search out the truth and not insist upon their own opinion, for stubbornness and persistence in one's views will lead ultimately to discord and wrangling and the truth will remain hidden.... (p. 22)
For additional statements from the Writings which could be pertinent to the subject of the expression of feelings in the consultative process, reference could be made to "Consultation: A Compilation".
___________________
F3. (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1980)
[End of Memorandum]
--------------------------------
Extracts from Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi on
Fostering the Development of Baha'i Communities
1. Individual Example
You must not make the great mistake of judging our Faith by one community which obviously needs to study and obey the Baha'i teachings. Human frailties and peculiarities can be a great test. But the only way, or perhaps I should say the first and best way, to remedy such situations, is to oneself do what is right. One soul can be the cause of the spiritual illumination of a continent. Now that you have seen, and remedied, a great fault in your own life, now that you see more clearly what is lacking in your own community, there is nothing to prevent you from arising and showing such an example, such a love and spirit of service, as to enkindle the hearts of your fellow Baha'is.
He urges you to study deeply the teachings, teach others, study with those Baha'is who are anxious to do so, the deeper teachings of our Faith, and through example, effort and prayer, bring about a change.
(30 September 1949 to an individual believer) [1]
The remedy to Assembly inharmony cannot be in the resignation or abstinence of any of its members. It must learn, in spite of disturbing elements, to continue to function as a whole, otherwise the whole system would become discredited through the introduction of exceptions to the rule.
The believers, loving the Cause above all else and putting its interests first, must be ready to bear the hardships entailed, of whatever nature they may be. Only through such persistence and self-sacrifice can we ever hope to preserve on the one hand our divine institutions intact, and on the other force ourselves to become nobler, better instruments to serve this glorious Faith.
(20 November 1941 to an individual believer) [2]
Regarding your question about the need for greater unity among the friends there is no doubt that this is so, and the Guardian feels that one of the chief instruments for promoting it is to teach the Baha'is themselves, in classes and through precepts, that love of God, and consequently of men, is the essential foundation of every religion, our own included. A greater degree of love will produce a greater unity, because it enables people to bear with each other, to be patient and forgiving.
(7 July 1944 to an individual believer, quoted in "Baha'i News", no. 173, February 1945, p. 3) [3]
2. Assisting the Local Spiritual Assembly
Meantime we must do all we can to strengthen and support the Local and National Assemblies by exercising great care in the elections, so as to secure the return of the wisest and most suitable members, then by loyal cooperation and obedience, If we disapprove of their decisions we must be careful to avoid discussing such matters with other believers who have no authority to put them right. We must put our views frankly before the Assembly itself and only in the case of not getting a satisfactory reply appeal to the National Assembly, if it is a question of the conduct of the Local Assembly, and to Shoghi Effendi if the National Assembly is concerned.
(4 March 1925 to an individual believer) [4]
--Community Functioning, Page 2 (Extracts)
The situation in ..., about which the National Spiritual Assembly has already written him in detail, has very much grieved and afflicted his heart, as he is convinced that nothing short of complete unity among the friends, whether in their individual or collective labours, particularly in these days of administrative organization and development in the Cause, can ensure the steady progress of the Faith in that centre. There is no task more urgently necessary than the assurance of perfect harmony and fellowship among the friends, especially between the Local Assemblies and individual believers. The Local Assemblies should inspire confidence in the individual believers, and these in their turn should express their readiness to fully abide by the decisions and directions of the Local Assembly. The two must learn to cooperate, and to realize that only through such a co-operation can the institutions of the Cause effectively and permanently function. While obedience to the Local Assembly should be unqualified and whole-hearted, yet that body should enforce its decisions in such a way as to avoid giving the impression that it is animated by dictatorial motives. The spirit of the Cause is one of mutual co-operation, and not that of a dictatorship.
The believers should have confidence in the directions and orders of their Assembly, even though they may not be convinced of their justice or right. Once the Assembly, through a majority vote of its members, comes to a decision the friends should readily obey it. Specially those dissenting members within the Assembly whose opinion is contrary to that of the majority of their fellow-members should set a good example before the community by sacrificing their personal views for the sake of obeying the principle of majority vote that underlies the functioning of all Baha'i Assemblies.
(28 October 1935 to an individual believer) [5]
The Assemblies have been established to administer the affairs of the Cause with authority. The believers have the right to vote for whoever they please. If they do not like their Assembly's acts, they must, for the sake of the unity of the Faith, abide by its decisions. The individual has the right to make suggestions, to protest, but he has no rights over the Assembly; his force is his vote. If one of the friends is dissatisfied over the local situation he should nevertheless co-operate with his Spiritual Assembly and do all he can to help it. He can pray for it, he can show through his own deeds a noble Baha'i example. The system is perfect, but if the instruments are imperfect we must still uphold the system, knowing God will watch over and protect His Cause, and that such conditions are only temporary and will pass away as the Cause grows and the Baha'is mature. i
He urges you not to lose heart, and never to stop serving the Faith. No matter what the attitude of others may be, it cannot exonerate you from showing the right attitude; your duty is to God, and you should rest assured in the end He will solve all these problems.
(14 November 1948 to an individual believer) [6]
Over and over, in going through the correspondence he received from your Assembly, he was struck by the fact that the friends acted so unadministratively. Instead of taking up their accusations and problems and unhappy feelings with their Local Assembly, or the National Assembly, they referred to individuals or individual members of the Assembly, or they refused
--Community Functioning, Page 3 (Extracts)
to meet with the Assembly. The first thing a believer should do is to turn to an Assembly--that is why we have Assemblies! He feels this trouble would never have arisen if the Baha'is utilized their Assemblies as they should. One of the healing remedies Baha'u'llah has given to a sick world is the Assembly (which in future will become a House of Justice); its members have very sacred and heavy responsibilities, its power to steer the Community, to protect and assist its members is likewise very great.
(30 June 1949 to a National Spiritual Assembly) [7]
3. Recommendations to Institutions
Now with reference to your last dear letter in which you had asked whether the believers have the right to openly express their criticism of any Assembly action or policy: it is not only the right, but the vital responsibility of every loyal and intelligent member of the Community to offer fully and frankly, but with due respect and consideration to the authority of the Assembly, any suggestion, recommendation or criticism he conscientiously feels he should in order to improve and remedy certain existing conditions or trends in his local Community, and it is the duty of the Assembly also to give careful consideration to any such views submitted to them by any one of the believers. The best occasion chosen for this purpose is the Nineteen Day Feast, which, besides its social and spiritual aspects, fulfils various administrative needs and requirements of the Community, chief among them being the need for open and constructive criticism and deliberation regarding the state of affairs within the local Baha'i Community.
But again it should be stressed that all criticisms and discussions of a negative character which may result in undermining the authority of the Assembly as a body should be strictly avoided. For otherwise the order of the Cause itself will be endangered, and confusion and discord will reign in the Community.
(13 December 1939 to an individual believer) [8]
Regarding the matter of Mrs. ... and the inharmony that seems to exist among certain of the friends in ...: when Baha'is permit the dark forces of the world to enter into their own relationships within the Faith they gravely jeopardize its progress; it is the paramount duty of the believers, the Local Assemblies, and particularly the National Spiritual Assembly to foster harmony, understanding and love amongst the friends. All should be ready and willing to set aside every personal sense of grievance--justified or unjustified--for the good of the Cause, because the people will never embrace it until they see in its community life mirrored what is so conspicuously lacking in the world: love and unity.
The Baha'is are fully entitled to address criticisms to their Assemblies; they can freely air their views about policies or individual members of elected bodies to the Assembly, Local or National, but then they must wholeheartedly accept the advice or decision of the Assembly, according to the principles already laid down for such matters in Baha'i administration.
(13 May 1945 to a National Spiritual Assembly) [9]
Prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice
February 1993
A number of questions have recently been raised about how to assist malfunctioning local Baha'i communities, specifically those communities that have difficulty in responding to the needs and problems of their members, whose Spiritual Assemblies are unable to reach decisions, are unwilling to entertain frank and open consultation and which fail to acknowledge the existence of problems within the community. As a contribution to the development of such communities, we offer the following comments.
1. Facilitating Change within the Baha'i Community
1.1 The Nature of Change
Before addressing the issue of the kinds of steps that might be taken to bring about change within the Baha'i community, it is useful to consider the Baha'i perspective on the nature of change. Shoghi Effendi, in letters written on his behalf, underlines the evolutionary nature of the growth and development of Baha'i communities. He characterizes the inevitable difficulties associated with the immaturity of both individual believers and institutions as "growing pains" which, he confidently affirms, will eventually be overcome, because of the perfection of the system introduced by Baha'u'llah. We cite, below, a selection of extracts from these letters:
You have complained of the unsatisfactory conditions prevailing in the ... Baha'i Community; the Guardian is well aware of the situation of the Cause there, but is confident that whatever the nature of the obstacles that confront the Faith they will be eventually overcome. You should, under no circumstances, feel discouraged, and allow such difficulties, even though they may have resulted from the misconduct, or the lack of capacity and vision of certain members of the Community, to make you waver in your faith and basic loyalty to the Cause. Surely, the believers, no matter how qualified they may be, whether as teachers or administrators, and however high their intellectual and spiritual merits, should never be looked upon as a standard whereby to evaluate and measure the divine authority and mission of the Faith. It is to the Teachings themselves, and to the lives of the Founders of the Cause that the believers should look for their guidance and inspiration, and only by keeping strictly to such a true attitude can they hope to establish their loyalty to Baha'u'llah upon an enduring and unassailable basis. You should take heart, therefore, and with unrelaxing vigilance and unremitting effort endeavour to play your full share in the gradual unfoldment of this Divine World Order.
(23 August 1939 to an individual believer)
The friends must be patient with each other and must realize that the Cause is still in its infancy and its institutions are not yet functioning perfectly. The greater the patience, the loving understanding and the forbearance the believers show towards each other and their shortcomings, the greater will be the progress of the whole Baha'i Community at large.
--Community Functioning, Page 2
The Guardian feels that, through attracting new souls, the Cause will outgrow its present limitations and function more efficiently. (27 February 1943 to an individual believer)
He was very sorry to learn of the inharmony amongst the friends there; and he feels that the only wise course of action is for all the believers to devote themselves to teaching the Faith and co-operating with their National Body.
Often these trials and tests which all Baha'i communities inevitably pass through seem terrible, at the moment, but in retrospect we understand that they were due to the frailty of human nature, to misunderstandings, and to the growing pains which every Baha'i community must experience.
(25 November 1956 to an individual believer)
It is very unfortunate that some of the believers do not seem to grasp the fact that the administrative order, the Local and National Assemblies, are the pattern for the future, however inadequate they may sometimes seem. We must obey and support these bodies, for this is the Baha'i law. Until we learn to do this we cannot make real progress....
The Baha'is are far from perfect, as individuals or when they serve on elected bodies, but the system of Baha'u'llah is perfect and gradually the believers will mature and the system will work better....
(1 November 1950 to an individual believer)
1.2 Fostering Change
With regard to the means of fostering change within a Baha'i community, we attach a compilation of extracts from letters written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi. While these extracts do not deal specifically with strategies for assisting communities that are chronically malfunctioning, they do provide useful guidance concerning actions that can be taken to bring about change within Baha'i communities. Before considering these approaches, it is useful to reflect on the fact that the implementation of any approach must be guided by the exercise of wisdom and patience, and the avoidance of an adversarial attitude in relation to the Assembly and the Baha'i community. In "Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah",+F1 p. 343, Baha'u'llah counsels the believers to avoid two extremes of behaviour in relation to the Faith. He states:
In this Day, We can neither approve the conduct of the fearful that seeketh to dissemble his faith, nor sanction the behaviour of the avowed believer that clamorously asserteth his allegiance to this Cause. Both should observe the dictates of wisdom, and strive diligently to serve the best interests of the Faith.
Note His emphasis on observing "the dictates of wisdom" and striving "to serve the best interests of the Faith".
___________________
F1. (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1983)
--Community Functioning, Page 3
Based on the attached extracts, there appear to be a number of actions which individual believers can take to foster the next steps in the evolution of the Baha'i community. These include:
1.2.1 Individual Example
Shoghi Effendi, in a letter dated 30 September 1949 written on his behalf to an individual believer, states that "the first and best way" to remedy the malfunctioning of a Baha'i community is for the individual to "do what is right". See extract [1].
In addition to deepening, teaching and service to the Faith, the beloved Guardian stresses the importance of, and the benefits that derive from, such qualities as persistence, self-sacrifice, patience and loving forgiveness. See extracts [2] and [3].
1.2.2 Assisting the Local Spiritual Assembly
Shoghi Effendi indicates that individual believers can foster the development of the Local Spiritual Assembly by such means as participating in its election, supporting and upholding its decisions and turning towards it for the resolution of problems. See extracts [4] - [7].
1.2.3 Recommendations to Institutions
Individual believers have "the right to openly express their criticism of any Assembly action or policy", and to offer suggestions and recommendations for the improvement of the local community, provided the criticisms and suggestions are offered in a constructive way and the authority of the Assembly is not undermined. See extracts [8] and [9].
The Universal House of Justice, in a letter dated 3 August 1982 written on its behalf to an individual believer, provided the following guidance concerning the manner in which individual views should be offered within the Baha'i community:
It is important to note, however, that individuals who wish to present their views should do so in a way compatible with the Baha'i spirit of consultation. It sometimes happens that a believer insists on expounding his views at Baha'i meetings, and frequently disrupts such gatherings, and may even display such behaviour in the presence of non-Baha'is. If he stubbornly persists in this conduct, despite exhortations and warnings given to him by the proper Baha'i institutions, he will somehow have to be prevented from taking the law into his own hands and jeopardizing Baha'i interests. When differences such as these arise, it is important that frank and loving consultation between the person concerned and the Local Spiritual Assembly, and if need be the National Spiritual Assembly, should take place, or perhaps the institution of the Counsellors could help resolve the problem.
--Community Functioning, Page 4
1.2.4 Consultation with Auxiliary Board Members
The Auxiliary Board members and their assistants are charged with stimulating the grassroots of the Baha'i community and with encouraging and assisting the maturation of Local Spiritual Assemblies. An individual believer or a Local Spiritual Assembly might profitably seek the advice of the Board members for ideas about how to resolve the specific difficulties that exist in a community.
1.2.5 Appeal to the National Spiritual Assembly
Individual believers have the right to appeal a decision of the Local Spiritual Assembly to the National Assembly. See "The Constitution of the Universal House of Justice", +F2 pp. 14-15, for details of the appeal process. The decision as to whether to exercise this right rests with the individual. The following extract from a letter dated 12 September 1988 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice pertains to this subject:
As you know, you are free to request the Assembly to reconsider its decision. However, you may wish to weigh this course of action against the reaction it could produce, and which may cause you further stress. In some cases, it is preferable if one accepts humbly the view of the Assembly in a spirit of sacrifice, and without further dispute. Then, any wrong decision will eventually be set right. When the believers act submissively and in a spirit of self-effacement it attracts the good pleasure of God, which in itself serves as a consolation to their hearts.
2. Consultation and the Expression of Feelings
The view has been put forth that the open expression of feelings and the honest expression of ideas are fundamental to productive Baha'i consultation, and, further, that the Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) 12-Step programme can make an important contribution to honest and open communication. In this regard, guidance was sought concerning the expression of feelings in the course of consultation.
While there may well be similarities between elements of the process of consultation and the 12-Step programme, they differ in their overall goals. The intent of the open expression by the individual as practiced in A.A. is, by and large, to effect a healing and a release from the habit of drinking. Consultation, on the other hand, has as its object "the investigation of truth".
The distinction between the purpose of consultation and therapeutic endeavours is made explicit in the following extracts from letters written by or on behalf of the Universal House of Justice:
It should be borne in mind that all consultation is aimed at arriving at a solution to a problem and is quite different from the
___________________
F2. (Haifa: Baha'i World Centre, 1972)
--Community Functioning, Page 5
sort of group baring of the soul that is popular in some circles these days and which borders on the kind of confession that is forbidden in the Faith.
(From a letter dated 19 March 1973 from the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly, published in "Consultation: A Compilation" (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1980), p. 22)
In regard to your question about the fifth step in the "A.A. 12-Step Programme", we have been asked to share with you the following extract from a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice on 26 August 1986 to an individual believer:
...there is no objection to Baha'is being members of Alcoholics Anonymous, which is an association that does a great deal of good in assisting alcoholics to overcome their lamentable condition. The sharing of experience which the members undertake does not conflict with the Baha'i prohibition on the confession of sins; it is more in the nature of the therapeutic relationship between a patient and a psychiatrist.
(From a letter dated 5 November 1987 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)
The honest expression of feelings in general communication requires both wisdom and moderation. In "Gleanings", Baha'u'llah counsels the believers thus:
They who are the people of God have no ambition except to revive the world, to ennoble its life, and regenerate its peoples. Truthfulness and goodwill have, at all times, marked their relations with all men.... (pp. 270-71)
Beware lest ye contend with any one, nay, strive to make him aware of the truth with kindly manner and most convincing exhortation.... (p. 279)
Whatsoever passeth beyond the limits of moderation will cease to exert a beneficial influence.... (p. 216)
And Shoghi Effendi, in a letter dated 5 July 1947 written on his behalf, the following statement about the importance of "balance in all things":
One might liken Baha'u'llah's teachings to a sphere; there are points poles apart, and in between the thoughts and doctrines that unite them.
We believe in balance in all things; we believe in moderation in all things we must not be too emotional, nor cut and dried and lacking in feeling, we must not be so liberal as to cease to preserve the character and unity of our Baha'i system, nor fanatical and dogmatic.
Concerning the open expression of feelings during consultation, clearly the expression of feelings and the emotional tone of the interaction make an
--Community Functioning, Page 6
important contribution to the consultative process. In one of His talks, 'Abdu'l-Baha describes "love and fellowship' as the "foundation" of "true consultation". He states:
...true consultation is spiritual conference in the attitude and atmosphere of love. Members must love each other in the spirit of fellowship in order that good results may be forthcoming. Love and fellowship are the foundation.
("The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Baha during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912" (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1982), pp. 72-73)
The Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha that are cited in "Baha'i Administration: Selected Messages 1922-1932",3 pp. 20-23, provide helpful guidance concerning the expression of feelings during consultation. For example:
'Abdu'l-Baha calls upon the members of a Spiritual Assembly to unite such that their "thoughts", "views", and "feelings may become as one reality, manifesting the spirit of union throughout the world...." (pp. 20-21)
The Master advises the members to "take counsel together in such wise that no occasion for ill-feeling or discord may arise". He affirms that:
This can be attained when every member expresseth with absolute freedom his own opinion and setteth forth his argument. Should any one oppose, he must on no account feel hurt for not until matters are fully discussed can the right way be revealed. The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions.... (p. 21)
It is important to note that truth emerges after the "clash" of carefully articulated views (which may well be expressed with enthusiasm and vigour), not from the clash of feelings. A clash of feelings is likely to obscure the truth, while a difference of opinion facilitates the discovery of truth.
'Abdu'l-Baha provides the following advice concerning the manner in which views should be expressed in the course of consultation. It is suggested that this guidance could also pertain to the expression of feelings:
They must then proceed with the utmost devotion, courtesy, dignity, care and moderation to express their views. They must in every matter search out the truth and not insist upon their own opinion, for stubbornness and persistence in one's views will lead ultimately to discord and wrangling and the truth will remain hidden.... (p. 22)
For additional statements from the Writings which could be pertinent to the subject of the expression of feelings in the consultative process, reference could be made to "Consultation: A Compilation".
___________________
F3. (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1980)
[End of Memorandum]
--------------------------------
Extracts from Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi on
Fostering the Development of Baha'i Communities
1. Individual Example
You must not make the great mistake of judging our Faith by one community which obviously needs to study and obey the Baha'i teachings. Human frailties and peculiarities can be a great test. But the only way, or perhaps I should say the first and best way, to remedy such situations, is to oneself do what is right. One soul can be the cause of the spiritual illumination of a continent. Now that you have seen, and remedied, a great fault in your own life, now that you see more clearly what is lacking in your own community, there is nothing to prevent you from arising and showing such an example, such a love and spirit of service, as to enkindle the hearts of your fellow Baha'is.
He urges you to study deeply the teachings, teach others, study with those Baha'is who are anxious to do so, the deeper teachings of our Faith, and through example, effort and prayer, bring about a change.
(30 September 1949 to an individual believer) [1]
The remedy to Assembly inharmony cannot be in the resignation or abstinence of any of its members. It must learn, in spite of disturbing elements, to continue to function as a whole, otherwise the whole system would become discredited through the introduction of exceptions to the rule.
The believers, loving the Cause above all else and putting its interests first, must be ready to bear the hardships entailed, of whatever nature they may be. Only through such persistence and self-sacrifice can we ever hope to preserve on the one hand our divine institutions intact, and on the other force ourselves to become nobler, better instruments to serve this glorious Faith.
(20 November 1941 to an individual believer) [2]
Regarding your question about the need for greater unity among the friends there is no doubt that this is so, and the Guardian feels that one of the chief instruments for promoting it is to teach the Baha'is themselves, in classes and through precepts, that love of God, and consequently of men, is the essential foundation of every religion, our own included. A greater degree of love will produce a greater unity, because it enables people to bear with each other, to be patient and forgiving.
(7 July 1944 to an individual believer, quoted in "Baha'i News", no. 173, February 1945, p. 3) [3]
2. Assisting the Local Spiritual Assembly
Meantime we must do all we can to strengthen and support the Local and National Assemblies by exercising great care in the elections, so as to secure the return of the wisest and most suitable members, then by loyal cooperation and obedience, If we disapprove of their decisions we must be careful to avoid discussing such matters with other believers who have no authority to put them right. We must put our views frankly before the Assembly itself and only in the case of not getting a satisfactory reply appeal to the National Assembly, if it is a question of the conduct of the Local Assembly, and to Shoghi Effendi if the National Assembly is concerned.
(4 March 1925 to an individual believer) [4]
--Community Functioning, Page 2 (Extracts)
The situation in ..., about which the National Spiritual Assembly has already written him in detail, has very much grieved and afflicted his heart, as he is convinced that nothing short of complete unity among the friends, whether in their individual or collective labours, particularly in these days of administrative organization and development in the Cause, can ensure the steady progress of the Faith in that centre. There is no task more urgently necessary than the assurance of perfect harmony and fellowship among the friends, especially between the Local Assemblies and individual believers. The Local Assemblies should inspire confidence in the individual believers, and these in their turn should express their readiness to fully abide by the decisions and directions of the Local Assembly. The two must learn to cooperate, and to realize that only through such a co-operation can the institutions of the Cause effectively and permanently function. While obedience to the Local Assembly should be unqualified and whole-hearted, yet that body should enforce its decisions in such a way as to avoid giving the impression that it is animated by dictatorial motives. The spirit of the Cause is one of mutual co-operation, and not that of a dictatorship.
The believers should have confidence in the directions and orders of their Assembly, even though they may not be convinced of their justice or right. Once the Assembly, through a majority vote of its members, comes to a decision the friends should readily obey it. Specially those dissenting members within the Assembly whose opinion is contrary to that of the majority of their fellow-members should set a good example before the community by sacrificing their personal views for the sake of obeying the principle of majority vote that underlies the functioning of all Baha'i Assemblies.
(28 October 1935 to an individual believer) [5]
The Assemblies have been established to administer the affairs of the Cause with authority. The believers have the right to vote for whoever they please. If they do not like their Assembly's acts, they must, for the sake of the unity of the Faith, abide by its decisions. The individual has the right to make suggestions, to protest, but he has no rights over the Assembly; his force is his vote. If one of the friends is dissatisfied over the local situation he should nevertheless co-operate with his Spiritual Assembly and do all he can to help it. He can pray for it, he can show through his own deeds a noble Baha'i example. The system is perfect, but if the instruments are imperfect we must still uphold the system, knowing God will watch over and protect His Cause, and that such conditions are only temporary and will pass away as the Cause grows and the Baha'is mature. i
He urges you not to lose heart, and never to stop serving the Faith. No matter what the attitude of others may be, it cannot exonerate you from showing the right attitude; your duty is to God, and you should rest assured in the end He will solve all these problems.
(14 November 1948 to an individual believer) [6]
Over and over, in going through the correspondence he received from your Assembly, he was struck by the fact that the friends acted so unadministratively. Instead of taking up their accusations and problems and unhappy feelings with their Local Assembly, or the National Assembly, they referred to individuals or individual members of the Assembly, or they refused
--Community Functioning, Page 3 (Extracts)
to meet with the Assembly. The first thing a believer should do is to turn to an Assembly--that is why we have Assemblies! He feels this trouble would never have arisen if the Baha'is utilized their Assemblies as they should. One of the healing remedies Baha'u'llah has given to a sick world is the Assembly (which in future will become a House of Justice); its members have very sacred and heavy responsibilities, its power to steer the Community, to protect and assist its members is likewise very great.
(30 June 1949 to a National Spiritual Assembly) [7]
3. Recommendations to Institutions
Now with reference to your last dear letter in which you had asked whether the believers have the right to openly express their criticism of any Assembly action or policy: it is not only the right, but the vital responsibility of every loyal and intelligent member of the Community to offer fully and frankly, but with due respect and consideration to the authority of the Assembly, any suggestion, recommendation or criticism he conscientiously feels he should in order to improve and remedy certain existing conditions or trends in his local Community, and it is the duty of the Assembly also to give careful consideration to any such views submitted to them by any one of the believers. The best occasion chosen for this purpose is the Nineteen Day Feast, which, besides its social and spiritual aspects, fulfils various administrative needs and requirements of the Community, chief among them being the need for open and constructive criticism and deliberation regarding the state of affairs within the local Baha'i Community.
But again it should be stressed that all criticisms and discussions of a negative character which may result in undermining the authority of the Assembly as a body should be strictly avoided. For otherwise the order of the Cause itself will be endangered, and confusion and discord will reign in the Community.
(13 December 1939 to an individual believer) [8]
Regarding the matter of Mrs. ... and the inharmony that seems to exist among certain of the friends in ...: when Baha'is permit the dark forces of the world to enter into their own relationships within the Faith they gravely jeopardize its progress; it is the paramount duty of the believers, the Local Assemblies, and particularly the National Spiritual Assembly to foster harmony, understanding and love amongst the friends. All should be ready and willing to set aside every personal sense of grievance--justified or unjustified--for the good of the Cause, because the people will never embrace it until they see in its community life mirrored what is so conspicuously lacking in the world: love and unity.
The Baha'is are fully entitled to address criticisms to their Assemblies; they can freely air their views about policies or individual members of elected bodies to the Assembly, Local or National, but then they must wholeheartedly accept the advice or decision of the Assembly, according to the principles already laid down for such matters in Baha'i administration.
(13 May 1945 to a National Spiritual Assembly) [9]
EL FUNCIONAMIENTO DE LA COMUNIDAD
Selección de las Escrituras Bahá'ís
Preparada por el Departamento de Investigación
de la Casa Universal de Justicia
Febrero de 1993
Título Inglés: Issues Concerning Community Functioning
INTRODUCCIÓN
La Casa Universal de Justicia ha pedido al Departamento de Investigación que prepare algunas directrices con vistas al desarrollo de comunidades bahá'ís características. Ahora, la Casa de Justicia les hace llegar un ejemplar de este documento titulado Algunas cuestiones en relación con el funcionamiento de la comunidad, al que se adjuntan pasajes de cartas escritas en nombre de Shoghi Effendi sobre el fomento de la evolución de las comunidades bahá'ís. El cimiento de la administración bahá'í es la comunidad y la salud de la comunidad depende de que su Asamblea Espiritual Local funcione adecuadamente.
Se deja a su criterio la decisión sobre la manera de estimular a las Asambleas Espirituales Locales a utilizar este material, que podría ser una poderosa herramienta para preparar al cada vez mayor número de bahá'ís ante los retos del Plan de Tres Años que se diseñará a partir del entusiasmo y el ardor generado por el espíritu del Año Santo.
La Casa de Justicia ora en los Santuarios Sagrados para que la Bendita Belleza ayude a los amigos a profundizar en su comprensión de los puntos básicos de Su Fe y a consolidar los cimientos de sus instituciones.
ALGUNAS CUESTIONES EN RELACIÓN CON EL FUNCIONAMIENTO DE LA COMUNIDAD
Memorándum preparado por el Departamento de Investigación de la Casa Universal de Justicia
Recientemente se han planteado algunas preguntas sobre la manera de ayudar a las comunidades locales bahá'ís que están funcionando incorrectamente y, específicamente, a aquellas comunidades que tienen dificultades para responder a las necesidades y problemas de sus miembros, comunidades cuyas Asambleas Espirituales son incapaces de llegar a una decisión, no están dispuestos a mantener una consulta franca y abierta y se equivocan al no reconocer la existencia de problemas dentro de la comunidad. Como aportación al desarrollo de este tipo de comunidades, ofrecemos los siguientes comentarios.
1. FACILITANDO EL CAMBIO DENTRO DE LA COMUNIDAD BAHÁ'Í
1.1 La naturaleza del cambio
Antes de analizar la cuestión del tipo de pasos que se podrían dar para provocar cambios en la comunidad bahá'í, resulta útil examinar la perspectiva bahá'í sobre la naturaleza del cambio. Shoghi Effendi subraya en cartas escritas en su nombre la naturaleza evolutiva del crecimiento y desarrollo de las comunidades bahá'ís. Define las inevitables dificultades asociadas a la inmadurez tanto de los creyentes como de las instituciones como "los dolores del crecimiento" que, afirma Shoghi Effendi con confianza, se superarán con el tiempo debido a la perfección del sistema expuesto por Bahá'u'lláh. A continuación, citamos una selección de fragmentos de estas cartas:
Se ha quejado Vd. de las poco satisfactorias condiciones que imperan en la comunidad bahá'í de...; el Guardián conoce bien la situación de la Causa allí, pero confía en que, cualquiera que sea la naturaleza de los obstáculos que se oponen a la Fe, con el tiempo se superarán. Usted no debe sentirse desalentado bajo ninguna circunstancia, ni permitir que esas dificultades le hagan flaquear en su Fe y en su lealtad esencial a la Causa, incluso aunque pudieran venir provocadas por el mal comportamiento o la falta de capacidad y de visión de determinados miembros de la comunidad. Con toda seguridad, a los creyentes, independientemente de lo mucho o poco cualificados que puedan estar, ya sea como profesores o como administradores, y de lo grandes que sean sus virtudes intelectuales y espirituales, no se les debe considerar como un patrón por el cual se evalúe y se mida la autoridad divina y la misión de la Fe. En las Enseñanzas mismas y en las vidas de los Fundadores de la Causa es donde los creyentes deben buscar orientación e inspiración, y solamente manteniendo estrictamente una actitud tan auténtica pueden ellos tener la esperanza de construir su lealtad a Bahá'u'lláh sobre una base duradera e inexpugnable. Por tanto, debe usted recobrar su ánimo y esforzarse por desempeñar al completo su papel en el gradual desenvolvimiento de este Divino Orden Mundial, sin relajar la vigilancia y con un esfuerzo que no disminuya.
Carta a un creyente con fecha 23 de Agosto de 1939.
Los amigos tienen que ser pacientes unos con otros y tienen que darse cuenta de que la Causa todavía se encuentra en su infancia y sus instituciones aún no funcionan a la perfección. Cuanto más grande sea la paciencia, la comprensión afectuosa y la tolerancia que los creyentes muestren los unos hacia los otros y hacia sus defectos, tanto mayor será el progreso de toda la comunidad bahá'í en general.
El Guardián considera que, mediante la atracción de nuevas almas, la Causa dejará atrás sus limitaciones actuales y funcionará más eficazmente.
Carta a un creyente con fecha 27 de Febrero de 1943.
A él le entristeció mucho tener conocimiento de la falta de armonía entre los amigos de allí, y estima que el único modo sabio de actuar es que todos los creyentes se dediquen a enseñar la Fe y a cooperar con su Institución nacional.
Con frecuencia, estas pruebas y aflicciones por las que inevitablemente pasan todas las comunidades bahá'ís parecen terribles en ese momento, pero mirando retrospectivamente comprendemos que fueron debidas a la debilidad de la naturaleza humana, a malentendidos y a los dolores del crecimiento que toda comunidad bahá'í tiene que experimentar.
Carta a un creyente con fecha 25 de Noviembre de 1956.
Es muy de lamentar que algunos creyentes no parecen captar el hecho de que el orden administrativo, las Asambleas Locales y Nacionales, son el modelo para el futuro, por muy deficientes que a veces puedan parecer. Tenemos que OBEDECER y APOYAR a estas instituciones, porque esta es la ley bahá'í. Mientras no aprendamos a hacer esto, no podremos hacer ningún progreso real.
Los bahá'ís están lejos de ser perfectos, como personas individuales o cuando sirven en instituciones elegidas, pero el sistema de Bahá'u'lláh es perfecto, y gradualmente los creyentes madurarán y el sistema funcionará mejor.
Carta a un creyente, con fecha 1 de Noviembre de 1950.
1.2 Promoviendo el cambio
En relación con los medios para promover el cambio dentro de una comunidad bahá'í, adjuntamos una compilación de fragmentos de cartas escritas en nombre de Shoghi Effendi. Aunque estas citas no tratan específicamente sobre las estrategias para ayudar a las comunidades cuyo mal funcionamiento es crónico, sí que proporcionan orientaciones útiles en relación con las acciones que se pueden emprender para provocar cambios dentro de las comunidades bahá'ís. Antes de examinar estos planteamientos, resulta útil reflexionar sobre el hecho de que la puesta en práctica de CUALQUIER planteamiento tiene que estar dirigida por la práctica de la sabiduría y la paciencia, y por la evitación de actitudes hostiles en relación con la Asamblea y la comunidad bahá'í. En Pasajes de los Escritos1, Bahá'u'lláh aconseja a los creyentes evitar dos comportamientos extremos respecto a la Fe. Él afirma:
En este Día, no podemos ni aprobar la conducta del temeroso que trata de disimular su fe, ni ratificar el comportamiento del creyente declarado que clamorosamente sostiene su lealtad a esta Causa. Ambos deberían observar los dictados de la sabiduría y luchar diligentemente por servir a los mejores intereses de la Fe.
Obsérvese el énfasis que pone en la observación de "los dictados de la sabiduría" y en el esfuerzo por "servir a los mejores intereses de la Fe".
Basándonos en las citas de la compilación adjunta, parece que hay un cierto número de acciones que los creyentes pueden emprender para facilitar los próximos pasos de la evolución de la comunidad bahá'í. Entre ellos se encuentran:
1.2.1. El ejemplo individual
Shoghi Effendi afirma en una carta escrita en su nombre a un creyente con fecha 30 de Septiembre de 1949 que "la primera y mejor manera" de remediar el mal funcionamiento de una comunidad bahá'í es que el individuo "haga lo correcto". Véase la cita [1] de la compilación adjunta.
Además de la profundización, la enseñanza y el servicio a la Fe, el amado Guardián destaca la importancia y beneficios que se derivan de cualidades tales como la perseverancia, el sacrificio de uno mismo, la paciencia y el perdón amoroso . Véanse las citas [2] y [3].
1.2.2. Ayudar a la Asamblea Espiritual Local
Shoghi Effendi indica que los creyentes pueden favorecer el desarrollo de la Asamblea Espiritual Local a través de actividades tales como la participación en su elección, el apoyo y la defensa de sus decisiones y el recurso a ella para resolver problemas. Véanse las citas [4-7].
1.2.3. Recomendaciones a las instituciones
Los creyentes tienen "derecho a expresar abiertamente sus críticas de cualquier acción o política de la Asamblea", y a hacer sugerencias y recomendaciones para el desarrollo de la comunidad local, con tal de que las críticas y sugerencias se hagan de manera constructiva y no se vea socavada la autoridad de la Asamblea. Véanse las citas [8] y [9].
En una carta escrita en su nombre a un creyente con fecha 3 de Agosto de 1982, la Casa Universal de Justicia dio las siguientes orientaciones en relación con la manera en que han de expresarse las opiniones personales dentro de la comunidad bahá'í:
No obstante, es importante advertir que las personas que deseen exponer sus opiniones deben hacerlo de un modo que sea compatible con el espíritu bahá'í de la consulta. En ocasiones, sucede que un creyente insiste en exponer sus opiniones en reuniones bahá'ís y, con frecuencia, interrumpe esas reuniones, llegando incluso a exhibir tal comportamiento en presencia de no bahá'ís. Si persiste tercamente en esta conducta a pesar de las admoniciones y avisos que se le den por parte de las instituciones bahá'ís correspondientes, de alguna manera habrá que impedirle que sea él quien dicte las reglas y ponga en peligro los intereses bahá'ís. Cuando surjan diferencias como éstas, es importante que haya una consulta franca y amorosa entre la persona afectada y la Asamblea Espiritual Local y, si es necesario, con la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, o quizás la institución de los Consejeros podría ayudar a resolver el problema.
1.2.4. Consulta con los miembros del Cuerpo Auxiliar
Los miembros del Cuerpo Auxiliar y sus asistentes están encargados de estimular las bases de la comunidad bahá'í y de alentar y ayudar a la maduración de las Asambleas Espirituales Locales. Un creyente o una Asamblea Espiritual Local puede pedir consejo, y sacar provecho del mismo, a los miembros del Cuerpo Auxiliar en busca de ideas sobre cómo resolver las dificultades concretas que existen en una comunidad.
1.2.5. Recurso ante la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional
Los creyentes tienen derecho a recurrir una decisión de la Asamblea Espiritual Local ante la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional2. La decisión de si ejercer este derecho o no le corresponde al individuo. El siguiente pasaje de una carta escrita en nombre de la Casa Universal de Justicia con fecha 12 de Septiembre de 1988 tiene relación con este tema:
Como sabe, usted es libre de solicitar a la Asamblea que reconsidere su decisión. No obstante, puede que desee sopesar este modo de actuar a la vista de la reacción que podría provocar y que puede acarrearle nuevas tensiones. En algunos casos, es preferible aceptar humildemente el parecer de la Asamblea con espíritu de sacrificio y sin nuevas disputas adicionales. Además, cualquier decisión equivocada se corregirá con el tiempo. Cuando los creyentes actúan sumisamente y con espíritu de humildad, esto atrae el agrado de Dios, lo cual por sí solo actúa de consuelo para sus corazones.
2. LA CONSULTA Y LA EXPRESIÓN DE LOS SENTIMIENTOS
Ya ha sido expuesto que la expresión abierta de los sentimientos y la exposición franca de las ideas son fundamentales para lograr una consulta bahá'í productiva y, aún más, que el "Programa de los 12 pasos" de Alcohólicos Anónimos puede constituir una importante aportación para lograr una comunicación franca y abierta. A este respecto, se ha buscado orientación en relación con la expresión de los sentimientos durante la consulta.
Al tiempo que muy bien puede haber similitudes entre algunos elementos del proceso de la consulta y el "Programa de los 12 pasos", ambos difieren en sus objetivos generales. El propósito de la expresión abierta por la persona tal y como se practica en Alcohólicos Anónimos es, en general, llevar a cabo una curación y una liberación del hábito de la bebida. La consulta, sin embargo, tiene por objeto "la investigación de la verdad."
La distinción entre el propósito de la consulta y los esfuerzos terapéuticos queda clara en los siguientes pasajes de cartas escritas por la Casa Universal de Justicia o en su nombre:
Debe tenerse en cuenta que toda consulta aspira a llegar a dar una solución a un problema y es bastante diferente de la especie de desnudamiento del alma en grupo que en estos
tiempos se ha hecho popular en ciertos círculos, y que raya en el tipo de confesión que está prohibida en la Fe.
De una carta de la Casa Universal de Justicia a una Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, con fecha 19 de Marzo de 1973, publicada en La Consulta, EBILA, Buenos Aires, 1986, pág. 60.
Respecto a su pregunta sobre el quinto paso del "Programa de los 12 pasos" de Alcohólicos Anónimos, se nos ha pedido que le hagamos llegar el siguiente pasaje de una carta escrita a un creyente en nombre de la Casa Universal de Justicia el 26 de Agosto de 1986: "...no hay nada que objetar a que los bahá'ís sean miembros de Alcohólicos Anónimos, que es una asociación que hace mucho bien ayudando a los alcohólicos a sobreponerse a su lamentable situación. La puesta en común de experiencias que llevan a cabo los miembros no entra en conflicto con la prohibición bahá'í de confesar los pecados; su carácter es más bien el de la relación terapéutica entre un paciente y un psiquiatra".
De una carta escrita en nombre de la Casa Universal de
Justicia a un creyente, con fecha 5 de Noviembre de 1987.
La expresión franca de los sentimientos en la comunicación normal exige al mismo tiempo sabiduría y moderación. En Pasajes... Bahá'u'lláh aconseja a los creyentes:
Aquellos que son del pueblo de Dios no tienen otra ambición salvo revivir al mundo, ennoblecer su vida y regenerar a sus pueblos. La veracidad y buena voluntad han fijado, en todo tiempo, sus relaciones con todos los hombres.3
Cuidaos, no sea que contendáis con alguien; más aún, esforzaos por hacerle consciente de la verdad de manera bondadosa y con muy convincente exhortación.4
Todo lo que traspase los límites de la moderación cesará de ejercer influencia beneficiosa.5
Y Shoghi Effendi, en una carta escrita en su nombre con fecha 5 de Julio de 1947 hace la siguiente afirmación sobre la importancia del "EQUILIBRIO en todas las cosas":
Se podrían comparar las enseñanzas de Bahá'u'lláh con una esfera: hay puntos que son opuestos y, en medio, se encuentran las ideas y las doctrinas que los unen.
Creemos en el EQUILIBRIO en todas las cosas; creemos en la moderación en todas las cosas; no podemos ser demasiado emotivos, ni tenerlo todo preparado de antemano, ni estar faltos de sentimientos; no podemos ser tan liberales como para dejar de preservar el carácter y la unidad de nuestro sistema bahá'í, y tampoco podemos ser fanáticos ni dogmáticos.
Por lo que se refiere a la expresión abierta de los sentimientos durante la consulta, la expresión de los sentimientos y el tono emocional de la interacción constituyen una importante aportación al proceso consultivo. En una de Sus charlas, 'Abdu'l-Bahá describe al "amor y la camaradería" como "la base" de la "consulta auténtica". Él afirma:
...la verdadera consulta es un diálogo espiritual en una atmósfera y actitud de amor. Los componentes tienen que amarse unos a otros en el espíritu de camaradería para que se produzcan buenos resultados. El amor y la camaradería son la base.
La Promulgación de la Paz Universal,
Ebila, Buenos Aires, 1991, pág. 83.
Las tablas de 'Abdu'l-Bahá que se citan en Bahá'í Administration: Selected Messages 1922-19326, págs. 20-23, facilitan orientaciones provechosas en relación con la expresión de los sentimientos durante la consulta. Por ejemplo:
- 'Abdu'l-Bahá llama a los miembros de la Asamblea Espiritual a que se unan para que sus "pensamientos", sus "pareceres" y sus "sentimientos" se conviertan en una sola realidad que manifieste el espíritu de unión por todo el mundo..." (págs. 20-21)
- El Maestro aconseja a los miembros que "busquen consejo juntos de tal manera que no pueda haber oportunidad de que surjan rencores o discordias". Él afirma que:
Esto se puede lograr cuando cada miembro expresa su opinión con absoluta libertad y expone sus argumentos. Si alguien se opone, en modo alguno debe sentirse herido, porque el camino correcto no puede ser revelado hasta que los asuntos sean totalmente debatidos. La brillante chispa de la verdad solamente salta después del choque de las opiniones discrepantes... (pág. 21).
Es importante advertir que la verdad surge después del "choque" de pareceres cuidadosamente formulados (que muy bien pueden expresarse con entusiasmo y energía), no del choque de sentimientos. El choque de sentimientos probablemente oscurecerá la verdad, en tanto que la diferencia de opinión facilita el descubrimiento de la verdad.
- 'Abdu'l-Bahá da el siguiente consejo respecto a la manera en que deben expresarse las opiniones en el curso de la consulta. Se sugiere que esta orientación también podría tener relación con la expresión de los sentimientos:
Luego ellos tienen que proceder a expresar sus opiniones con la mayor devoción, cortesía, dignidad, cuidado y moderación. Deben buscar la verdad en cada asunto y no insistir en su propia opinión, ya que la terquedad y la persistencia en el propio parecer conducirán, en último término, a la discordia y la disputa, y la verdad permanecerá oculta.7
Se pueden encontrar más declaraciones tomadas de los Escritos que podrían tener relación con el tema de la expresión de los sentimientos en el proceso consultivo, en La consulta: una compilación.
PASAJES DE CARTAS ESCRITAS EN NOMBRE DE SHOGHI EFFENDI SOBRE LA PROMOCIÓN
DEL DESARROLLO DE LAS COMUNIDADES BAHÁ'ÍS
I. EJEMPLO INDIVIDUAL
[1] Usted no puede cometer el gran error de juzgar nuestra Fe a partir de una comunidad que evidentemente necesita estudiar y obedecer las enseñanzas bahá'ís. Las debilidades y extravagancias humanas pueden ser una gran prueba. Pero la única manera, o quizás debería decir la primera y mejor manera, de remediar tales situaciones es que uno mismo haga la correcto. Un alma puede ser causa de la iluminación espiritual de un continente. Ahora que Vd. ha visto una gran falta en su propia vida y le ha puesto remedio, ahora que ve más claramente lo que le falta a su propia comunidad, no hay nada que le impida levantarse para dar un ejemplo y mostrar un amor y un espíritu de servicio tales que enciendan los corazones de sus compañeros bahá'ís.
Él le insta a estudiar las enseñanzas en profundidad, a enseñar a los demás, a estudiar con aquellos bahá'ís que deseen hacerlo, las enseñanzas más profundas de nuestra Fe y a provocar un cambio a través del ejemplo, el esfuerzo y la oración.
Carta a un creyente, de fecha 30 de Septiembre de 1949.
[2] El remedio para la falta de armonía en la Asamblea no puede estar en la resignación o la abstinencia de ninguno de sus miembros. Ésta tiene que aprender a seguir funcionando como un todo, a pesar de los elementos perturbadores; de otro modo, todo el sistema quedaría desacreditado por la introducción de excepciones a la regla.
Los creyentes, que aman a la Causa por encima de todo lo demás y anteponen los intereses de la misma, tienen que estar dispuestos a soportar las penalidades que ello implique, cualquiera que sea su naturaleza. Solamente mediante una perseverancia y un autosacrificio tales podemos esperar por un lado mantener nuestras instituciones divinas intactas y, por otro, obligarnos a nosotros mismos a hacernos más nobles, mejores instrumentos para servir a esta gloriosa Fe.
Carta a un creyente, de fecha 20 de Noviembre de 1941.
[3] Respecto a su pregunta sobre la necesidad de una mayor unidad entre los amigos, no hay duda de que esto es así, y el Guardián considera que uno de los principales instrumentos para fomentarla es enseñar a los propios bahá'ís, en clases y mediante preceptos, que el amor a Dios y, por consiguiente, a los hombres, es el cimiento fundamental de toda religión, incluida la nuestra. Un mayor grado de amor producirá mayor unidad, porque permite que las personas sean indulgentes unas con otras, pacientes y misericordiosas.
Carta a un creyente, de fecha 7 de Julio de 1944,
citada en "Bahá'í News", nº 173, Febrero 1945, pág. 3.
II. AYUDA A LA ASAMBLEA ESPIRITUAL LOCAL
[4] Mientras tanto, tenemos que hacer todo lo que podamos para fortalecer y apoyar a las Asambleas Locales y Nacionales, teniendo gran cuidado en las elecciones, de forma que se asegure la elección de los miembros más sabios e idóneos y, posteriormente, mediante la cooperación leal y la obediencia. Si no aprobamos sus decisiones, tenemos que tener cuidado para evitar hablar de esas cuestiones con otros creyentes que no tienen autoridad para corregirlas. Tenemos que exponer francamente nuestras opiniones ante la propia Asamblea y, solamente en caso de no obtener una respuesta satisfactoria, debemos recurrir a la Asamblea Nacional, si se trata de la conducta de la Asamblea Local, y a Shoghi Effendi, si afecta a la Asamblea Nacional.
Carta a un creyente, de fecha 4 de Marzo de 1925.
[5] La situación en..., sobre la cual ya le ha escrito detalladamente la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, ha entristecido y afligido mucho su corazón, ya que él está convencido de que nada salvo la completa unidad entre los amigos, tanto en sus esfuerzos individuales como colectivos, particularmente en estos tiempos de organización administrativa y desarrollo de la Causa, puede asegurar el progreso continuo de la Causa en ese centro. No hay tarea que se necesite con más urgencia que la de garantizar una armonía y una camaradería perfectas entre los amigos, especialmente entre las Asambleas Locales y los creyentes individuales. Las Asambleas Locales deben inspirar confianza a los creyentes, y éstos, a su vez, deben manifestar su disposición a cumplir totalmente las decisiones y las instrucciones de la Asamblea Local. Ambos tienen que aprender a cooperar y a darse cuenta de que sólo mediante una cooperación de este tipo pueden las instituciones de la Causa funcionar eficaz y permanentemente. Al tiempo que la obediencia a la Asamblea Local debe ser incondicional y entusiasta; con todo, esa institución debe hacer cumplir sus decisiones de tal manera que se evite dar la impresión de que está animada por motivos dictatoriales. El espíritu de la Causa es el de la cooperación mutua, no el de la dictadura.
Los creyentes deben tener confianza en las instrucciones y las órdenes de su Asamblea, incluso aunque puedan no estar convencidos de su justicia o su rectitud. Una vez que la Asamblea llega a una decisión por mayoría de votos de sus miembros, los amigos deben obedecerla prestamente. Especialmente, aquellos miembros de la Asamblea que disientan y cuya opinión sea contraria a la de la mayoría de sus compañeros deben dar ejemplo a la comunidad, sacrificando sus puntos de vista personales a la obediencia al principio de la mayoría de votos, que es la base del funcionamiento de todas las Asambleas bahá'ís.
Carta a un creyente, de fecha 2 de Octubre de 1935.
[6] Las Asambleas se han creado para administrar los asuntos de la Causa con autoridad. Los creyentes tienen derecho a votar por quien deseen. Si no les gusta la actuación de su Asamblea, por el bien de la unidad de la Fe, tienen que respetar sus decisiones. La persona tiene derecho a hacer sugerencias, a protestar, pero no tiene derechos respecto a la Asamblea; su fuerza es su voto. Si uno de los amigos no está satisfecho con la situación de su localidad, no obstante debe cooperar con su Asamblea Espiritual y hacer todo lo que pueda por ayudarle. Puede orar por ella, puede dar un noble ejemplo bahá'í mediante sus propios actos. El sistema es perfecto, pero incluso si los instrumentos son imperfectos, a pesar de todo tenemos que defender el sistema sabiendo que Dios velará por su Causa y la protegerá, y que estas situaciones son temporales y desaparecerán a medida que la Causa crezca y los bahá'ís maduren.
Él le insta a no descorazonarse y a no dejar de servir nunca a la Fe. No importa cuál sea la actitud de los demás; ello no puede eximirle de mostrar la actitud correcta; su deber es para con Dios, y usted debe tener la seguridad de que al final Él resolverá todos estos problemas.
Carta a un creyente, de fecha 14 de Noviembre de 1948.
[7] Al repasar la correspondencia que ha recibido de su Asamblea, una y otra vez le ha llamado la atención el hecho de que los amigos actuaran de forma tan poco administrativa. En lugar de plantear sus acusaciones, problemas y sentimientos contrariados ante la Asamblea Local o la Asamblea Nacional, recurrieron a personas individuales o miembros aislados de la Asamblea, o se negaron a reunirse con la Asamblea. Lo primero que debe hacer un creyente es recurrir a una Asamblea, ¡para eso tenemos las Asambleas! Él estima que nunca habría surgido este problema si los bahá'ís utilizaran sus Asambleas como debieran. Uno de los remedios curativos que Bahá'u'lláh ha dado a un mundo enfermo es la Asamblea (que en el futuro se convertirá en Casa de Justicia); sus miembros tienen responsabilidades muy sagradas y graves; de igual modo, su poder para dirigir a la comunidad, para proteger y ayudar a sus miembros, es muy grande.
Carta a una Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, con fecha 30 de Junio de 1949.
III. RECOMENDACIONES A LAS INSTITUCIONES
[8] Ahora, en relación con su apreciada última carta, en la que preguntaba si los creyentes tienen derecho a expresar abiertamente sus críticas de cualquier acción o política de la Asamblea: no sólo es un derecho, sino una responsabilidad vital de todo miembro leal e inteligente de la comunidad el exponer completa y francamente, pero con el debido respeto y consideración hacia la autoridad de la Asamblea, cualquier sugerencia, recomendación o crítica que él estime en conciencia que debe hacer para mejorar y remediar determinadas situaciones o tendencias existentes en su comunidad local, y también es deber de la Asamblea analizar cuidadosamente cualesquiera opiniones que cualquiera de los creyentes presente ante ella. El mejor momento que se puede elegir para este fin es la Fiesta de Diecinueve Días que, aparte de sus aspectos sociales y espirituales, satisface diversas necesidades y exigencias administrativas de la comunidad, siendo fundamental entre ellas la necesidad de que exista una crítica y un debate abiertos y constructivos en torno al estado de cosas en la comunidad local bahá'í.
Pero, una vez más, debe hacerse hincapié en que se deben evitar estrictamente todas las críticas y debates de carácter negativo que pudieran tener como consecuencia la socavación de la autoridad de la Asamblea como institución. Porque, de otro modo, peligrará el propio orden de la Causa y la confusión y la discordia reinarán en la comunidad.
Carta a un creyente, con fecha 13 de Diciembre de 1939.
[9] Respecto a la cuestión de la Sra.... y la falta de armonía que parece existir entre determinados amigos de....: cuando los bahá'ís permiten que las fuerzas oscuras del mundo entren en sus propias relaciones dentro de la Fe, ponen en grave peligro su progreso; es deber primordial de los creyentes, de las Asambleas Locales y, particularmente, de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, fomentar la armonía, dejar a una lado todo sentimiento personal de agravio (justificado o injustificado) por el bien de la Causa, porque la gente nunca la abrazará mientras no vea reflejado en su vida comunitaria lo que tan evidentemente falta en el mundo: amor y unidad.
Los bahá'ís tienen todo el derecho a dirigir críticas a sus Asambleas; pueden dar a conocer libremente a la Asamblea, Local o Nacional, sus opiniones sobre las políticas o los miembros de las instituciones elegidas, pero a continuación tienen que aceptar incondicionalmente las instrucciones o la decisión de la Asamblea, de acuerdo con los principios ya establecidos en la administración bahá'í en relación con estas cuestiones.
Carta a una Asamblea Espiritual Nacional,
con fecha 13 de Mayo de 1945.
Notas:
1 Pasajes de los Escritos de Bahá'u'lláh, CLXIII, Buenos Aires, EBILA, 1978, (3ª ed. rev.), págs. 228-229.
2 Para conocer más detalles sobre el procedimiento del recurso véase La Constitu-ción de la Casa Universal de Justicia, EBILA, Buenos Aires, 1975, págs. 17-18. (Edición original en inglés: Haifa, Bahá'í World Centre, 1972).
3 Pasajes de los Escritos de Bahá'u'lláh, CXXVI, Buenos Aires, EBILA, 1978 (3ª ed. rev.), pág. 180.
4 Ibid., pág. 185.
5 Ibid., pág. 143.
6 Bahá'í Publishing Trust, Wilmette, 1980.
7 Selección de los Escritos de 'Abdu'l Bahá, EBILA, Buenos Aires, 1987, pág. 89.
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