June 16. On this date in 1999, the International Teaching Centre wrote a letter elaborating on the April 7 letter from the Universal House of Justice titled "Issues Related to the Study of the Bahá’í Faith" which had noted "a campaign of internal opposition to the Teachings is currently being carried on through the use of the Internet, a communications system that now reaches virtually every part of the world.."

 

June 16. On this date in 1999, the International Teaching Centre wrote a letter elaborating on the April 7 letter from the Universal House of Justice titled "Issues Related to the Study of the Bahá’í Faith" (also here) which had noted "a campaign of internal opposition to the Teachings is currently being carried on through the use of the Internet, a communications system that now reaches virtually every part of the world.."

16 June 1999

Transmitted electronically

To all Continental Boards of Counsellors

Dearly loved Co-workers,

Further to our letter of 23 April 1999, we would like to draw your attention to a few themes in the letter of 7 April 1999 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to all National Spiritual Assemblies on the subject of internal opposition, which may warrant added reflection as you carry out your sacred responsibility of protecting the Cause of God. The letter from the House of Justice reaffirms the important role the Continental Counsellors play in being attentive to the spiritual health of the community and provides background information necessary to clarify the current situation for the friends and deepen their loyalty to the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh and His Covenant.

The opposition campaign on the Internet, it should be noted, is being promoted by only "a small number of Bahá'ís"; many friends engaged in these discussions are, in fact, devoted believers. As the letter of 7 April indicates, the approach of the House of Justice has been to show forbearance and to intervene only when it has been unavoidable. We would encourage the Counsellors to follow this example and, in the spirit of 'Abdu'l-Bahá and the Guardian, to show patience and compassion when relating to Bahá'ís who may have been adversely influenced by the Internet discussions. As part of the responsibility of "diffusing the divine fragrances," you and your Auxiliary Board members and their assistants will need to make every effort to attract the friends who are troubled or disaffected back to a loving and understanding Bahá'í community life. As you are well aware, to develop an adversarial relationship with any of the friends will only create an atmosphere of suspicion and mistrust that will pose far greater problems for the general community than the activities of a few misguided individuals. It is equally important for the Counsellors and their auxiliaries to foster a spirit of tolerance in the Bahá'í communities as members grow in their understanding of Bahá'u'lláh's Revelation. A spirit of free inquiry should be preserved so that the friends feel comfortable asking questions within Bahá'í gatherings, such as in deepening classes or at summer schools, without fear of disapproval or alienation.

Another significant theme that is raised in both the 7 April letter and the document on "Opposition to the Cause and its use of the Internet" is the potentially harmful effect that can result from continued exposure to discussions that attack the Administrative Order. Rather than a "serious exploration of Bahá'í themes," it is reported that in certain discussion groups on the Internet one encounters derogatory and defamatory remarks against Bahá'í institutions and its members. Counsellors may wish to advise believers engaged in these discussions to ponder earnestly the counsel from the Universal House of Justice that to continue dialogue with those who have shown a fixed antagonism to the Faith, and have demonstrated their imperviousness to any ideas other than their own, is usually fruitless and, for the Bahá'ís who take part, can be burdensome and even spiritually corrosive.

Our letter of 22 April 1998 stresses the vital role that Counsellors can play in strengthening the communities to resist internal opposition. This responsibility includes identifying promising young minds, encouraging their scholarship, and providing them with guidance in their study of the Writings. Parallel to this is the ever-present duty of the Counsellors and Board members to utilize evidences of opposition as opportunities for the friends to deepen their faith in the nature and power of the Covenant.

We encourage all the Boards of Counsellors to study the 7 April 1999 letter at their upcoming plenary meetings. The degree to which the issues discussed in the letter affect different national communities will, of course, vary. With this in mind, we leave it to your discretion whether you feel it would be beneficial, subsequent to your meeting, to arrange for a consultation on the letter with the National Spiritual Assemblies you serve and with the Auxiliary Board members. In all cases, we would encourage the Counsellors to become thoroughly familiar with the publication "Issues Related to the Study of the Bahá'í Faith" and utilize it in their training of Auxiliary Board members and their assistants.

We are confident that you will recognize in the current circumstances fresh opportunities for discharging your important responsibilities of promoting and edifying the souls of the believers. May Bahá'u'lláh bless and sustain you in your high endeavors.

With loving Bahá'í greetings,

The International Teaching Centre

cc: The Hands of the Cause of God