|
If we consider what determines the attitude and the actions of a Baha'i we must start with a concept that people do not like to hear of nowadays: obedience. After the way this word has been misused it is no wonder that it is no longer much valued. Obedience implies authority, and what kind of authority is acknowledged today when everything is being questioned? And yet, religion is unthinkable without obligations and obedience. Religion is the "encounter with the sacred", the purely absolute: "The essence of religion is to testify unto that which the Lord hath revealed, and follow that which He hath ordained in His mighty Book." (Bwf) The word which the manifestation proclaims is the Word of God. Thus the divine messenger speaks with the highest degree of authority. This authority must be carefully examined. If it is accepted, then all that the manifestation says and does is "absolute wisdom, and is in accordance with reality. If some people do not understand the hidden secret of one of His commands and actions, they ought not to oppose it, for the universal Manifestation does what He wishes." (Saq) Baha'u'llah says quite clearly, "Whenever My laws appear like the sun in the heaven of Mine utterance, they must be faithfully obeyed by all, though My decree be such as to cause the heaven of every religion to be cleft asunder. He doth what He pleaseth. He chooseth; and none may question His choice. Whatsoever He, the Well-Beloved, ordaineth, the same is, verily, beloved... Well is it with him that hath turned thereunto, and apprehended the meaning of His decisive decree." (Gl) (33:2) "A partial acceptance of the revelation of Baha'u'llah is not possible because from the moment parts of His message are rejected, Baha'u'llah is put on the level of a fallible human being.. Shoghi Effendi's secretary wrote on his behalf: (34:1) Allegiance to the Faith cannot be partial and half-hearted. Either we should accept the Cause without any qualification whatever, or cease calling ourselves Baha'is. The new believers should be made to realized that it is not sufficient for them to accept some aspects of the teachings and reject those which cannot suit their mentality in order to become fully recognized and active followers of the Faith.."
(34:2)
|