Q: Should I Tell My Bahá'í Friends That I am Studying the Orthodox Faith?Ans: Of course, that is entirely up to you. However, you should be aware that just as soon as the heterodox organization finds out that you are reading Orthodox Bahá'í material, the organization will put pressure upon you to stop reading it and to affirm your faith in and obedience to the heterodox organization. Don't make the mistake of believing that your Bahá'í friends will keep the matter confidential. They will not. They will notify an institution of the heterodox organization. You will most likely receive a call from an Auxiliary Board Member who will question you. The ABM will act like he or she is looking out for your own "spiritual health." In fact, the ABM is gathering facts to determine whether or not you should be declared a covenant-breaker for "the good of the entire community." Don't believe you will have a fair hearing or that your "Universal House of Justice" will carefully deliberate about whether or not you are a covenant breaker. They won't. If the ABM does not like your answers, it is likely that your community will be informed that you have a spiritual disease and must be shunned. The ABM will contact your spouse and insist that he or she leave you, together with your kids, and if your family refuses to do so they will be shunned also. You may not have heard about it but this has happened a number of times to others just like you. It will happen to you also. Why do this to yourself? While you are reading the material and before you have made up your mind, the last thing you need is to have this kind of pressure used against you. It may force you to make a decision before you are ready. Why not just quietly read the materials and refrain from telling anybody until you are ready to make a decision?
6 comments:
Dear Friend,
You are exactly right I am a Baha'i from Lucknow, I had some contact with Orthodox Baha'is therefore been expelled from the community.
Please let ame me know how to join Orthodox Baha'i Community?
I think honesty is always the best policy. There is no fear in matters pertaining to God. One should calmly investigate and one can reject or accept based on a sincere search and praying for guidance. But, one should be prepared for whatever the consequences are of our actions and realize that God is sufficient unto us.
Dear Friends,
I agree with Janice for the most part. Since I have never been part of the Haifa group I have no clue as to the pressure or abuse those individuals suffer because they choose to investigate the continuing Guardianship and so must sympathize with and can only imagine the nature of a test that would risk the loss of my family and friends. I could not imagine or condone holding that kind of evil power over anyone.
Sincerely,
Janet
Hello,nice post thanks for sharing?. I just joined and I am going to catch up by reading for a while. I hope I can join in soon.
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