1995 U.S. National Baha'i Convention
Exported from Holy-Writings.com on 2026-06-21 - 1 clipping

As many of you will remember, during the most recent US National Bahá'í
Convention I posted coverage of the proceedings on Talisman. Subsequently,
after encouragement from several people, I sent a letter drawn from my Talisman
follow-up editorial to the National Spiritual Assembly. This morning I received
their replies, both appended below. -David Langness

 National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States 
Office of the
Secretary July 25, 1995

Dear Bahá'í Friend,

We have been asked to inform you that because your May 11, 1995 letter raises
questions of general interest to the community, the National Spiritual Assembly
has decided to publish the letter and the response in the American Bahá'í.

 With Loving Bahá'í Greetings,  Mrs. Janet Rubenstein  Office of the
Secretary

 National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States July 23,
1995

Dear Bahá'í Friend,

The National Spiritual Assembly appreciates your taking the time to share with
it your impressions of the 86th National Convention and your ideas for
stimulating the growth and development of the American Bahá'í community. At its
June meeting, the National Assembly discussed the points raised in your May 11,
1995 letter and offers the following responses for your consideration.

The National Assembly regrets that your experience as a visitor to the National
Convention did not leave you with the same "spiritual lift" that you have
experienced from other National Conventions. Most disappointing was that you
attribute this to "spin doctoring" done by the National Spiritual Assembly on
the May 19, 1994 letter of the Universal House of Justice, in order to make a
more favorable impression on the delegates and visitors.

You allege that the National Assembly has sought to avoid responsibility for
the May 19 letter of the Universal House of Justice by suggesting that the
letter was intended for others. Yet, the letter itself testifies that it was
written in direct response to questions raised by the National Spiritual
Assembly of the Supreme Body. As noted in the letter, the National Assembly
requested a meeting with the House of Justice to present its concerns about the
growth and development of the American Bahá'í community. The House of Justice
states that the meetings were, "a new fact of history," and that their
"...hearts were touched by the candour, courage, and sincerity with which your
members presented your concerns, as well as by the spirit of optimism you
displayed despite the overwhelming challenges and burdens which prompted your
request for a meeting with us."

Their response, the May 19 letter, while applicable in principle to Bahá'ís
everywhere, speaks specifically to the challenges facing the National Assembly
and the American Bahá'í community. Moreover, the entire structure of the
National Assembly's Annual Report, and of the National Convention itself, was
conspicuously altered in response to issues raised in the May 19 letter, as is
stated in the opening paragraph of the Annual Report.

The statements made at the Convention about the difficulties of administering
the affairs of the Bahá'í community and that no university for Bahá'í
administration exists, cannot be understood out of the context in which they
were presented. Likewise, the statements about the intended recipients of the
May 19 letter, which you heard "second-hand without attribution," cannot be
accepted as a sound indicative of the position of the National Spiritual
Assembly.

Since the National Assembly itself posed the questions and issues to the
Universal House of Justice addressed in the letter, it would be unreasonable to
conclude that the National Assembly would not ponder deeply and take action on
the answers that it received. Indeed, the May 19 letter's specific relevance to
the circumstances and conditions of the American Bahá'í community is precisely
what prompted the National Assembly to share it immediately with the friends.

You complain that, "for the most part, open and frank consultation did not
obtain during the Convention, because the Convention seemed structured to avoid
it." You cite as an example that the consultation on the May 19 letter was
"restricted" to the "closed Saturday morning post-balloting session only." The
Convention agenda was presented to the delegates and ratified at the first
session. Moreover, before the opening of the National Convention, the delegates
attended a day-long deepening on consultation, conducted by the Counselors. The
goal was the refinement of the delegates' consultative skills, and the
fostering of an environment at the National Convention in which delegates would
feel completely free to express their hopes, concerns and grievances. The
results of this kind of training, conducted for the last several years, were
noticeable in the frank inquiries from the delegates and the recommendations
and suggestions they offered. That this Convention was no different can be
observed on the highlights tape sent to every delegate for his/her
post-Convention report. Moreover, this year, in the light of the May 19 letter,
the National Assembly went to great lengths to survey the issues of concern to
the delegates before the Convention, to provide question and answer sheets on
troubling questions that circulate in the community but might not be raised on
the Convention floor, and to open a room in which delegates could review the
financial records of the National Assembly with the help of its Controller.

No restrictions were placed on the discussion of the May 19 letter. The May 19
letter was the sole focus of consultation in the session after the delegates
voted for the National Spiritual Assembly. However, frequent reference to its
contents was made throughout the Convention. National Assembly members who
spoke during the discussion of the May 19 letter, did so in response to
questions posed by delegates. Toward the end of that session, the Convention
Chairman asked the delegates whether they wished to extend the discussion into
the afternoon session. The delegates voted not to do so.

Both the Counselors and the National Spiritual Assembly were deeply moved by
the candor of the delegates. Perhaps the restraint that you stated you sensed
in some of the delegates can be attributed, as one of the delegates said, to
their consciousness of the need to present their views in a manner that
reflects the spirit of the House of Justice's December 29, 1988 letter
concerning individual rights and freedoms in the World Order of Bahá'u'lláh.
The Supreme Body instructs us that, "content, volume, style, tact, wisdom,
timeliness are among the critical factors in determining the effects of speech
for good or evil. Consequently, the friends need ever to be conscious of the
significance of this activity which so distinguishes human beings from other
forms of life, and they must exercise it judiciously."

In the same letter, the Universal House of Justice further comments that the
principle of judicious use of language also applies to the written word. In
this context, we address your suggestion that The American Bahá'í become an
"objective newspaper" conducting "real journalism," with its own independent
board of Bahá'í professional journalists responsible for editorial
decision-making. It was never the intention of the National Assembly for the
American Bahá'í to serve as a "regular" newspaper. Though it is produced on
newsprint as a cost-saving measure, The American Bahá'í is a periodical for
publishing information on the policies and priorities of the Universal House of
Justice, the Counselors and the National Spiritual Assembly and its agencies.
In addition, it publishes news of the activities and opinions of the believers
in response to the goals of the community. All articles are edited and reviewed
following the publications review policies of the Universal House of Justice.

The National Spiritual Assembly will always require an organ for the
dissemination of institutional and community news.

To change The American Bahá'í into an "objective newspaper," not "simply a
house organ of the NSA" would not only deprive the National Assembly of a
necessary institutional publication, but would also ignore certain cautions of
the Supreme Body. You will recall that in its December 29, 1988 letter, after
stating that the Bahá'í community's emergence from obscurity does not mark its
attainment of maturity, the House of Justice asked:

 Has he [Shoghi Effendi] not advised us all that the subsequent stage
of oppression must precede the stages of its emancipation and its recognition
as a world religion? ... Those who are anxious to relax all restraint, who
invoke freedom of speech as the rationale for publishing every and any thing
concerning the Bahá'í community, who call for the immediate termination of the
practice of review now that the Faith has emerged from obscurity -- are they
not aware of these sobering prospects?

You asked that the National Spiritual Assembly decentralize and restructure
"with an increased emphasis on teaching and refocusing finances.
Decentralization is a major goal of the National Assembly. You may recall that
the plan for reorganization of the national administration and the
decentralization of several functions was first published in The American
Bahá'í in September 1992. Most aspects of that plan have been implemented.
However, financial restraints prevented the establishment of the Regional
Teaching and Administrative Committees which the National Assembly had
envisioned. In its letter of June 21, 1995, the National Spiritual Assembly
announced its intention to proceed with the decentralization plans. Assemblies
were invited to submit, by August 1, 1995, their suggestions, proposals and
comments about how regional committees might best serve the Bahá'í communities,
groups and isolated believers in their areas. Feedback from the Assemblies will
be analyzed by the National Spiritual Assembly's Decentralization Task Force,
discussed with the Continental Counselors and reported to District Conventions
for further comments from the friends.

Decentralization, however, will not reduce the National Budget. It will expand
the Bahá'í community's capacity better to manage the growth and development of
the community as a whole. Throughout its discussions of this subject, the
National Assembly has been mindful of Shoghi Effendi's admonition to strive for
balance in order to avoid the "evils of overcentralization" and the "perils of
utter decentralization with the consequent lapse of governing authority from
the hands of the National Representatives of the believers..."

It may interest you that virtually all of the national agencies directly serve
key aspects of the teaching and community development functions; this is not
solely the work of the National Teaching Committee's Office. Decentralization
of some teaching and administrative functions will reduce the heavy burden on
the Bahá'í National Center and strengthen greatly the administrative foundation
of the national community.

Currently, the agencies of the national administration are understaffed and
under funded. Years of Fund deficits and repeated staff reductions have
resulted in extreme austerity, with most of the friends at the National Center
performing several functions at significant sacrifices to themselves and their
families.

You state the "many NSA members serve as full-time paid employees, and some
receive substantial perquisites." The reality is that three members of the
National Assembly are compensated for their services -- the Secretary-General,
the Assistant Secretary and the Secretary for External Affairs. The National
Assembly annually reviews their status and establishes their compensation based
on need, just as it does with other employees. There are no perquisites
included.

The average level of compensation for staff of the National Assembly is
$23,400, quite low considering the cost of living in Greater Chicagoland.

Moreover, despite an annual inflation rate in the Chicago area of 4%, the
National Center personnel have only received increases totaling 3% over the
last 14 years. A more detailed discussion of these and other questions can be
found in the materials distributed at the National Convention.

We are saddened that the subject of compensation of the friends who serve the
National Spiritual Assembly, at significant financial and professional
sacrifice, has become a point of conjecture and contention among some of the
believers.

The primary burden of the National Fund is properties, not staff, or the 3%
spent on travel and other expenses. Maintenance and repair of the
Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, the permanent schools and institutes, and the Bahá'í
National Center costs millions of dollars each year. These funds are almost
never available when needed and, therefore, must be borrowed. The accumulation
of funds borrowed over time for building repairs accounts for the deficit in
the National Fund. What you describe as "extraneous properties" are routinely
sold, with the exception of those of negligible value for which buyers are
difficult to find.

We hope that this information, and the detailed reports distributed at the
National Convention will dispel the concerns held by a few members of the
community.

The National Assembly agrees with your suggestion to create an "idea forum" to
tap the creative talent of the community. As we stated in the Annual Report,
the community regularly contributes volunteer services valued at over $4
million dollars per year. Among those volunteers are Bahá'ís with expert
knowledge and experience in a wide range of fields, who are regularly called
upon to help evaluate and refine the function of the National Center offices,
the Teaching Committee, the Treasury, Fund Development, the schools, the Bahá'í
Publishing Trust, the Bahá'í Home, the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, property repairs and
virtually all other functions.

In addition, social development efforts such as race unity, gender equality,
and community development depend on the enthusiastic participation of a large
number of believers. To help identify such human resources across the
community, the National Assembly is establishing an electronic talent
network.

Our Fund Development plans are described in detail in the National Convention
materials.

Citing the assessment of the National Spiritual Assembly that too few of the
friends are infected with a passion for teaching and, therefore, our progress
is slow, you recommend that the National Assembly "stop blaming the Bahá'ís"
and "take responsibility." The National Assembly's cares about the progress of
the teaching work arise from an analysis of the patterns of teaching and
proclamation in the community developed from the reports of the visits around
the community by members of the National Spiritual Assembly and the National
Teaching Committee, repeated surveys, and regular discussions with the
Counselors and the National Teaching Committee.

The purpose of that segment of the Annual Report was to remind the friends that
only the followers of Bahá'u'lláh have been given the "duty and privilege" of
teaching His Cause and to call their attention to the need to intensify their
teaching efforts and increasingly organize their activities around this
important work. As for the activities you suggest, these are within the
competence of Local Spiritual Assemblies to undertake.

We are in complete agreement with your suggestion to "take the Bahá'í teachings
outside." Greater involvement in the life of society is one of the major goals
of the Three Year Plan. As stated in the Annual Reports, the National Assembly
is pleased with the community's progress on two fronts in this regard. The
first is the Faith's leadership role in helping to shape national policy such
as the U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against
Women. The second is the national prominence the American Bahá'í community has
gained through its leadership in race unity. Bahá'í communities sponsored over
1200 race unity events last year, in conjunction with other organizations,
institutions and municipalities.

The pattern of practical application of Bahá'í principles has become one of the
brightest aspects of Bahá'í life in the United States. As the pattern continues
to grow, the teaching work will accelerate and the influence of Bahá'í thought
will become evident.

Likewise, the National Spiritual Assembly agrees that there is the need for
activities that would enrich the spiritual life of the believers. The Bahá'í
Writings repeatedly stress the importance of the friends' obedience to the laws
of God and application of the teachings and principles to their daily lives as
the true means to becoming more spiritual. When the friends study deeply and
put into practice the Sacred Scriptures their spiritual lives cannot help but
be enriched. Also recommended for such study are the compilations entitled,
Trustworthiness, Spiritual Foundations: Prayer, Meditation, and the Devotional
Attitude, the Bahá'í Life and The Importance of Deepening our Knowledge and
Understanding of the Faith.

'Abdu'l-Bahá reminds us that the Nineteen Day Feast provides the means for
helping the individual believer and the community attain a more spiritual life.
In time, the friends will come to appreciate the significance of the Feast more
fully.

 As to the Nineteen Day Feast, it rejoiceth mind and heart. If this
Feast be held in the proper fashion, the friends will, once in nineteen days,
find themselves spiritually restored, and endued with a power that is not of
this world.

The Master also encouraged the friends to conduct "spiritual meetings" of
prayer and music.

As you noted, the study of mysticism represents a fertile field for spiritual
growth. In a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to a Local Spiritual
Assembly, the following statement is made about mysticism:

  ...The Guardian feels ... should study more deeply the teachings,
and meditate on what he studies. We liken God to the Sun, which gives us all
our life. So the Spirit of God reaches us through the Souls of the
manifestations. We must learn to commune with Their Souls, and this is what the
Martyrs seemed to have done, and what brought them to such ecstasy of joy that
life became nothing. This is the true mysticism, and the secret, inner meaning
of life which humanity has at present, drifted so far from.

At the end of your letter you indicate that you are offering your comments with
"love, obedience and respect." The National Spiritual Assembly finds it
difficult, however, to reconcile this with the words you have chosen to use in
your letter and with its overall tone. You have implied that the National
Spiritual Assembly has deliberately misled the friends to serve its own
purpose, has acted improperly and has lost the trust of the American Bahá'í
community. To allege that the National Assembly would employ the political
device of "spin doctoring" information that it presents to the believers is
unconscionable and contrary to the spirit and form of Bahá'í Administration.
Turning again to the National Assembly's Annual Report, you will note that it
follows the guidance of the Universal House of Justice in the May 19 letter:

 Do as Shoghi Effendi advised you: 'Banishing every vestige of
secrecy, of undue reticence, of dictatorial aloofness, from their midst, they
[the National Spiritual Assembly] should radiantly and abundantly unfold to the
eyes of the delegates, by whom they are elected, their plans, their hopes, and
their cares. They should familiarize the delegates with the various matters
that will have to be considered in the current year, and calmly and
conscientiously study and weigh the opinions and judgement of the
delegates.'

The aspersions that were cast on the integrity of the National Spiritual
Assembly and its members by a slanderous mailing that had been distributed
throughout the community, created an atmosphere of distrust that even made a
few believers withhold contributions from the National Fund. To dispel their
doubts, the National assembly made available to the delegates its financial
records and made an effort to answer any questions that the delegates may have
had while setting before them the "plans, hopes and cares" of the National
Assembly for the final year of the Three Year Plan.

In the conclusion of the May 19 letter, the Universal House of Justice offers
the National Spiritual Assembly and the American Bahá'í community assurance and
encouragement that we can meet the increasingly difficult challenges we face
with "undiminished hope and confidence."

  The divine promises to your community are certain; the blessings of
Bahá'u'lláh are assured as you strive to fulfill His purpose. The wings of the
beloved Master remain spread over you that you may succeed in discharging the
tasks He has especially entrusted to your care. And our love ever surrounds you
and your cherished community, growing stronger at every moment. Step forward
then to meet the requirements of the hour with undiminished hope and
confidence.

The National Spiritual Assembly appreciates the seriousness of your issues and
hopes that its remarks will allay your concerns.

You are in our prayers and in our hearts.

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States (signed)
Robert C. Henderson
-- 1995 U.S. National Baha'i Convention (Used by permission of the curator)