July 10. On this date in 1980, the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Iowa City wrote "regarding how to respond to Jews who question 'Abdu'l Baha and Bahá'u'lláh's recorded statements that the Jews crucified Christ."
OF THE
BAHÁ'ÍS OF IOWA CITY
P.O. BOX 2012, IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240
July 10, 1980
Dear _,
The Assembly thanks you for coming to us with your question regarding how (?) to respond to Jews who question 'Abdu'l Baha and Bahá'u'lláh's recorded (?) statements that the Jews crucified Christ. We would like to capsulize our (?) consultation on this issue for your reference.
1) We, in 1980, do not really know of any historical authority who truly knows what the power dynamics were at the time of Christ. Just as the Bab was killed by order of the Shah (a political ruler) at the urging of the Muslem clergy, this may have been the situation in Christ's time.
2) It is fruitless to argue with people about our beliefs. Argument only causes anger and closes the ears further. It is especially useless to say "This is true because Bahá'u'lláh said it it true." If something it is true historically, it is true of itself, not because Bahá'u'lláh said it. We Bahá'ís know that if Bahá'u'lláh said it is true, then we can believe that He truly knew what was correct. However, this is not a criterion of truth for one who does not accept the authority of Bahá'u'lláh.
3) The Assembly feels that it is inflammatory and unjust for a person to accuse the Bahá'ís of anti-Semitism. This attitude is totally opposite of the Bahá'í spirit of acceptance of all major religions and of all races and peoples and its striving for unity and harmony between all religions.
The Assembly will ask the National Assembly for any clarifying materials they may have on these statements by the Founders of our Faith. We hope that you will continue to search until you become confirmed and at ease on this issue. We offer our continued prayers and assistance.
(signed)
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