Chapter 13
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"lowborn
Christian girl", "child-like members of some of these primitive races",
"[AFRICA] DARK SPIRITUALLY DECADENT CONTINENT", etc...
Statements reflecting various forms of prejudice found in passages 1 - 3; which conflict with passage 4.1 by Abdul-Baha and passage 4.2 by Shoghi Effendi himself.
1)
Faithless brother Hussein, already abased through dishonorable conduct
over period of years... recently further demeaned himself through
marriage under obscure circumstances with lowborn Christian girl in Europe.
-- Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of Faith, p. 78
2)
In one of your letters you mentioned some ... who have visited the
London Centre and their attitude: great patience must be used in
dealing with the child-like members of some of these primitive races.
They are innocent in heart and have certainly had a very bad example,
in many Christians, of a purely mercenary approach to religion, but if
their hearts and minds once become illumined with the Faith they could
make very fine believers.
-- Shoghi Effendi, The Unfolding Destiny of the British Baha'i Community, p. 212
3)
AUSPICIOUS RAYS GOD'S DAWNING REVELATION WHICH FIRST STRUCK CORNER VAST DARK SPIRITUALLY DECADENT CONTINENT
COURSE BAHÁ'U'LLÁH'S MINISTRY WHICH WARMED ILLUMINATED ITS NORTHERN
SOUTHERN FRINGES CONCLUDING YEARS HEROIC AGE FAITH MUST NOW PENETRATE
ITS HEART BRIGHTEN ITS JUNGLE FASTNESSES
ENVELOP IT WITH SPLENDOUR THEIR RADIANCE COURSE PRESENT SUCCEEDING
EPOCHS FORMATIVE AGE BAHÁ'Í DISPENSATION. CONFIDENT BRITISH BAHÁ'Í
COMMUNITY WILL ARISE BEFITTINGLY MEET CHALLENGE NOW CONFRONTING IT
ACHIEVE THREEFOLD PURPOSE PLAN. PRAYING ENERGETIC COLLABORATION
PROSECUTORS ABDU'L-BAHÁ'S DIVINE PLAN WITH COMMUNITY BELIEVERS
BELONGING NATION WHOSE DESTINY BEEN LINKED FORTUNES WORLD'S BACKWARD RACES
REINFORCED ASSISTANCE SISTER COMMUNITY CRADLE FAITH NATIONAL ELECTED
REPRESENTATIVES LEADING COMMUNITY AFRICAN CONTINENT MAY ENSURE SUCCESS
CRUSADE CONSTITUTING SPIRITUAL LANDMARK PROCESS AWAKENING AFRICAN
PEOPLES MARKING OPENING GLORIOUS CHAPTER EVOLUTION WORLD FAITH
BAHÁ'U'LLÁH SIGNALISING INITIAL PHASE UNFOLDMENT MISSION COMMUNITY HIS
FOLLOWERS BRITISH ISLES MIDST DOMINIONS COLONIES PROTECTORATES BRITISH
CROWN.
-- Shoghi Effendi, The Unfolding Destiny of the British Baha'i Community, p. 263
4.1)
Bahá'u'lláh has also taught that prejudices, whether religious, racial,
patriotic or political are destructive to the foundations of human
development. Prejudices of any kind are the destroyers of human
happiness and welfare. Until they are dispelled the advancement of the
world of humanity is not possible, yet racial, religious and national
bias are observed everywhere. For thousands of years the world of
humanity has been agitated and disturbed by prejudices. As long as it
prevails, warfare, animosity and hatred will continue. Therefore if we
seek to establish peace we must cast aside this obstacle, for otherwise
agreement and composure are not to be attained.
-- Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 240
4.2)
Of these spiritual prerequisites of success, which constitute the
bedrock on which the security of all teaching plans, Temple projects,
and financial schemes, must ultimately rest, the following stand out as
preeminent and vital, which the members of the American Bahá'í
community will do well to ponder. Upon the extent to which these basic
requirements are met, and the manner in which the American believers
fulfill them in their individual lives, administrative activities, and
social relationships, must depend the measure of the manifold blessings
which the All-Bountiful Possessor can vouchsafe to them all. These
requirements are none other than a high sense of moral rectitude in
their social and administrative activities, absolute chastity in their
individual lives, and complete freedom from prejudice in their dealings with peoples of a different race, class, creed, or color.
-- Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 21
5)
"Pupil of the eye"...
"O ye discerning ones!" Bahá'u'lláh has written, "Verily, the words
which have descended from the heaven of the Will of God are the source
of unity and harmony for the world. Close your eyes to racial
differences, and welcome all with the light of oneness." "We desire but
the good of the world and the happiness of the nations," He proclaims,
"...that all nations should become one in faith and all men as
brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men
should be strengthened; that diversity of religion should cease, and
differences of race be annulled." " Bahá'u'lláh hath said," writes
'Abdu'l-Bahá, "that the various races of humankind lend a composite
harmony and beauty of color to the whole. Let all associate, therefore,
in this great human garden even as flowers grow and blend together side
by side without discord or disagreement between them." " Bahá'u'lláh,"
'Abdu'l-Bahá moreover has said, "once compared the colored people to
the black pupil of the eye surrounded by the white. In this black pupil
is seen the reflection of that which is before it, and through it the
light of the spirit shineth forth."
-- Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 36
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