Shoghi:
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Table of Contents:
Acknowledgement
Translator’s Notes
Introduction
Foreword
Preface
The Principles Attributed to Bahā’u’llāh
This Book’s Approach in Analyzing Baha’i Principles
The First Approach: Staying Away From Prejudice
The Second Approach: Using Original Baha’i Sources
The Third Approach: The Uniformity of the Course of the Research in All Chapters
The Three Perspectives Used in this Study to Analyze the Baha’i Principles
1- Are These Principles Novel?
2-Did the Baha’i Leaders Act Upon These Principles?
3-Are These Principles Rational and Logical?
CHAPTER 1:The Independent Investigation of Truth, Unfettered by Superstition or Tradition
Introduction
First Perspective: Is Seeking the Truth and Setting Aside Imitations an Innovation of Baha’ism?
Second Perspective: Baha’ism and Investigating the Truth
1- How Baha’is View Reason and Knowledge
2- Investigating the Truth: Only for Non-Baha’is
3- How the Truth About Baha’ism is Investigated
a- Covenant Breakers and Enemies of the Faith
b- Unofficial Translations, Memoirs, Pilgrims’ Notes, and Unofficial Writings
c- Baha’i Scripture
4- If Investigating the Truth Means You Have to Question the Official Baha'is Stance on a Subject You Will Be Shunned
5- Distorting Baha’i scripture
6- Investigating the Truth or Proselytizing to Illiterate Masses That Have No Means of Investigating the Truth
7- How Baha’is Investigate the Truth From Childhood
8- Investigating the Truth a Crime for Israeli Citizens
Third Perspective: Is This Principle Correct from a Rational and Logical Perspective?
Let us Read and Ponder
1. Is the Principle of Investigating the Truth New?
2. What Is Bahā'u'llāh's First Principle?
3. Are Non-Baha'is Ignorant and without Reason?
4. Can the Recognition of God Be Obtained through Intellect?
5. Should We Investigate or Accept without Any Questions?
6. Investigating the Truth: Only for Non-Baha'is
7. Should Baha'is See and Hear or Become Blind and Death?
CHAPTER 2:The Oneness of Humanity
Introduction
First Perspective: Is the Oneness of Humanity a New Principle?
Second Perspective: Did the Founders of Baha’ism Believe in the Oneness of Humanity?
1- Black Africans are All Like Wild Savages and Land Dwelling Animals:
2-`Abdu’l-Bahā’s Opinion About Turks
3- Bahā’u’llāh’s Orders and Sayings About Non-Baha’is and Those Who Denied Him
a- Non-Baha'is Are like Dry Trees That Are Only Worthy of Fire
b- No Socializing Allowed with Non-Baha'is
c- Non-Baha'is Are Not Humans or Lack the Traits of Being Considered as Humans
d- Non-Baha’is Are Animals
e- Bahā’u’llāh Wishes Death on Non-Baha’is
g- Non-Baha'is Must Be Tormented
h- Non-Baha'is Are Bastards That Will Go to Hell
i- Non-Baha’is Are the Manifestation of Satan and Hell
j- Non-Baha'is Have No Knowledge or Reason
4- Bahā’u’llāh’s Attitude Towards his Brother and His Followers
5- Treatment of the Covenant Breakers
6- Treatment of Thieves
7- Why Have the Baha’is Created a New Calendar?
8- Defending All Oppressed People or Only the Baha’is
9- Israeli’s Deprived of the Great Grace of Becoming Baha’is
10- Two Examples of Bahā’u’llāh’s Attitude Towards non-Baha’is
Third Perspective: Is This Principle Correct From a Rational and Logical Perspective?
Let us Read and Ponder
1. Is the Principle of Oneness of Humanity Novel?
2. Are Black Africans Cows or Humans?
3. Are Africans All Uncivilized, Wild Savages, and without Common-Sense?
4. Do Turks Deserve Ridiculous Answers?
5. Is He a Turk?!
7. Good Tree and Bad Tree?
8. Socializing with Non-Baha'is!
9- Are Non-Baha'is Animals in the Presence of God?
10. Non-Baha'is Are Animals
11. Non-Baha'is Are Worthless Pebbles and Baha'is Are Precious Jewels
12. Does God's Grace Apply to All Humans?
13. Accompaniment or Banishment?
14. Kindness or Torment?
15. Kindness or Beating?
16. Should We Utter Rude Words?
17. Should Traitors Be given Refuge?
18. Should We Be Polite or Rude?
19. Should We Be Kind to Wolves?
20. Those Who Deny Bahā'u'llāh Are Bastards Who Will Go to Hell
21. Must We Be Kind towards Tyrants or Should We Punish Them?
22. Kindness towards the Opposition or Enmity?
23. How to Deal with the Unaware
24. Is Shunning Bad?
25. To Wish Death or Not to Wish Death?
26. Why Have All of Bahā'u'llāh's Descendants Been Shunned and Excommunicated?
27. Oneness of Humanity in the Baha'i Kingdom
28. All the Titles given to Non-Baha'is by Baha'i Leaders
A Summary and Conclusion of the Three Perspectives:
CHAPTER 3: Religion Must be the Source of Unity and Fellowship in the World
Introduction
First Perspective: Is the Principle “Religion Must be the Source of Unity and Fellowship in the World” New?
Second Perspective: Did the Founders of Baha’ism Act Upon These Principles?
1- Internal Disputes in the Bābī and Baha’i creeds
2- Wars During the Bāb’s Era
3- Conflicts During Bahā’u’llāh’s Era
4- Clashes After Bahā’u’llāh’s Death
5- Baha’i Attitude Toward Non-Baha’is
6- Bahā’u’llāh and Peace
Third Perspective: Is This Principle Correct From a Rational and Logical Perspective?
Let us Read and Ponder
1. Is the Principle "Religion Must Be the Source of Unity and Fellowship in the World" New?
2. Is Bābism a Religion?
3. Were the Bābī Wars Solely Defensive?
4. Is Baha'ism a Religion?
5. Is Baha'ism the Cause of Hatred and Having No Religion Is Better than Being a Baha'i?
6. Are Other Peoples' Beliefs Any of Our Business?
7. Befriending the Enemies or Being like Flame of Fire to Them?
8. Kindness or Violence?
9. Is Religion a Cause of Fellowship or Fear?
A Summary and Conclusion of the Three Perspectives:
CHAPTER 4: Religion Must Be in Conformity with Science and Reason
Introduction
First Perspective: Is the principle “Religion Must Be in Conformity with Science and Reason” New?
Second Perspective: Did Baha’is and Their Leaders Act Upon This Principle?
1- Baha’ism is the Criterion for the Validity of Reason and Science
2-Bāb’s Religious Orders That Contradict Reason and Common-Sense
a- Destroy Anything and Anyone non-Bābī
b- Books, Writings, and Teaching
c- Food and Medicine
d- Going on Journeys
e- Some Miscellaneous Laws
3-Bahā’u’llāh’s Statements That Are Against Science and Reason
a-The punishment for Arson
b-Nuclear Physics or Alchemy?!
c- Earth’s Age
d- Aliens
e- Pythagoras Lived in the days of Solomon!
f- Bahā’u’llāh’s Opinion About the Book of Bayān
g- Baha’u’llah is the Creator of Multiple Gods
4-`Abdu’l-Bahā’s Statements That Are Against Science and Reason
a- Spontaneous Generation
b- Convex and Concave Mirrors
c- Animal Breath
d- Male and Female
e- The Reason Humans Have Canine Teeth
f- Christopher Columbus Discovered America Using His Reason
g- The Pupil of the Eye is Black to Attract the Rays of the Sun
h- Death Occurs After Decomposition
i- Atoms are Indestructable
j- All Stars Are Inhabited by Animals That Have Souls and Move
k- Blessed Animals Don’t Have Patriotic Quarrels
l- The Sun is Stationary, Fixed, and Ever Occupies the Same Space
m- The Pupil of the Eye is the Source of Light
n- Deductive Reasoning
5-Shoghi’s Sayings That Contradict Science or Reason
6- The Bāb, Bahā’u’llāh, and `Abdu’l-Bahā’s Religious Knowledge
a- The Bab’s Religious Knowledge
b- Bahā’u’llāh’s Religious Knowledge
c- `Abdu’l-Bahā’s Religious Knowledge
7- The source of the Bāb, Bahā’u’llāh, and `Abdu’l-Bahā’s Knowledge
a- The Bāb’s Education
b- Bahā’u’llāh’s Education
c- `Abdu’l-Bahā’s Education
8- Reason Judges That One Must Practice What He Preaches
a- Prohibition of Kissing Hands
b- Where to Bury the Dead
c- Noah and the Flood: Symbolical or Reality
Third Perspective: Is This Principle Correct From a Rational and Logical Perspective?
The Meaning of Science
The Meaning of Reason
Let us Read and Ponder
1. Is the Principle "Religion Must Be in Conformity with Science and Reason" New?
2. If Religion Contradicts Reason Which One Is Incorrect?
3. Is Science Good or Bad?
4. Is Bābism a True Religion: Books and Teaching
5. Is Bābism a True Religion: Destroy Anyone and Everything Non-Bābī
6. Is Bābism a True Religion: Food and Medicine
7. Is Bābism a True Religion: Guidelines for Going on Journeys
8. Is Bābism a True Religion: Some Miscellaneous Laws
9. Does the Quran Say Everything Is Living?
10. The Criterion for Being Knowledgeable and Reasonable in the Baha'i Creed?
11. Was the Tablet of Wisdom Revealed in Persian?
12. Is Shoghi Infallible?
13. Can Shoghi Fit the Role of Being the Authorized Interpreter of Baha'i Texts?
14. Are the Bāb's Words Divine Inspirations?
15. Bahā'u'llāh and Divine Knowledge: Referring to Books
16. Bahā'u'llāh and Divine Knowledge: Historical Facts
17. Bahā’u’llāh and Divine Knowledge: Citing Verses of the Quran
18. Bahā’u’llāh and Divine Knowledge: Revisions in the Divine Texts
19. Bahā'u'llāh and Adhering to the Customs of the Previous People
20. Bahā'u'llāh and Citing Shia Narrations
21. `Abdu’l-Bahā and Citing Verses of the Quran
22. The Bāb’s Education
23. Is It in Accordance with Reason to Prohibit Someone from Doing Something in the Past?
24. Had Bahā’u’llāh Associated with the Learned and the `Ulamā?
25. Is Quoting the Words of Others a Sign of Not Having Divine Knowledge?
26. Bahā’u’llāh’s Childhood: Happiness or Sorrow?
27. Kissing the Hand of Ones Murderer
28. When and Where to Bury the Dead
29. Does Bahā'u'llāh Intend to Abrogate the Book of Bayān?
30. Noah’s Flood: Symbolic or Reality?
31. Bahā’u’llāh and `Abdu’l-Bahā as Scientists
CHAPTER 5: The Removal of All Prejudice
Introduction
First Perspective: Is This Principle New?
Second Perspective: Did the Founders of Baha’ism Refrain From Prejudice?
1- The Bāb
2- Removal of Prejudice: Only for Non-Baha’is
3- Baha’i Attitude Toward Deniers
4- Baha'is Have No Prejudice but Non-Baha'is Are Bastards
5- Baha'is Have No Prejudice but Non-Baha'is Are Animals
6- Baha'is Are Jewels and Other People Worthless Rocks
7- Non-Baha’is Inherit Nothing from Baha’i Parents
8- Baha'is Have No Prejudice but All Non-Baha'is Are Ignorant and Unreasonable
9- Racial prejudice in Baha’i teachings
10- Sexual Prejudice
Third Perspective: Is This Principle Correct From a Rational and Logical Perspective?
Let us Read and Ponder
1. Removing All Prejudice or Prohibition of Meeting with Non-Baha'is
2. Having No Prejudice or Considering All Non-Baha'is Ignorant and Unreasonable?
3. Removing Prejudice or Claiming Each Baha'i worth More than a Million Non-Baha'is?
4. Removing Prejudice or Depriving Non-Baha'is from Their Share of Inheritance?
5. Removing All Prejudice or Calling Non-Baha'is Animals
6. Removing All Prejudice or Calling Non-Baha'is Bastards
7. Removing All Prejudice or Saying Non-Baha'is Are like Dry Wood That Are Only Worthy of Fire?
8. Removing Prejudice or Depriving of All Graces, Those Who View Non-Baha'is as Humans?
9. Removing Racial Prejudice or Calling All Black Africans Irrational Savages?
10. Having No Prejudice or Saying Turks Deserve Ridiculous Answers?
11. Having No Prejudice or Praising the Most Prejudice Based Religion to Ever Exist?
12. Removing All Prejudice or Discrimination between Men and Women?
CHAPTER 6: The Equalization of the Means of Livelihood for All Humanity
Introduction
First Perspective: Is the Equalization of the Means of Livelihood for All Humanity a New Principle?
Second Perspective: Did the Founders of the Baha’i Creed Follow the Goal of Equalization of the Means of Livelihood for All Humanity?
1- Confiscating the wealth of all non-Bābīs:
2- All kinds of outrageous fines for Bābīs
3- Loans with Interest and Usury
4- Outrageous fines for fornication and adultery
5- Excommunication and Shunning
6- Deceased’s living residence
7- Treatment of Thieves
Third Perspective: Is This Principle Correct From a Rational and Logical Perspective?
1- Inheritance
2- Tax
3- Huqūq Allah
4- Zakāt tax
Let us Read and Ponder
1. Is Equalizing the Means of Livelihood a New Principle?
2. Is Usury Good or Bad? Does `Abdu'l-Bahā Hate Bahā'u'llāh's Favors to the People?
3. Helping the Needy a Legal Obligation or Voluntary?
4. Equalization of Means of Livelihood or Paying Thousands of Tons of Gold to the UHJ?
5. Equalization of the Means of Livelihood or Depriving Some of Any Livelihood at All?
6. Must There Be Complete Equality between All People?
7. Has God Made Distinctions between People?
CHAPTER 7:Establishment of a Universal House of Justice and Supreme Tribunal
Introduction
1- Rulers and National Constitutions
2- Bahā'u'llāh's Orders and Writings
3- Universal House of Justice
4- Guardian of the Cause of God
First Perspective: Is a Universal Governing Organization and Tribunal a Novel Idea?
Second and Third Perspectives: Has This Pillar of the Baha'i Creed Been Implemented? Is It Logical and Are the Methods Proposed in It Applicable?
1-What Is Being Addressed: The Problems of the People or the Governments?
2- Baha'i Non-Interference in Political Matters.
3- Infallibility of the Universal House of Justice
4- Legitimacy of the Universal House of Justice Depends on the Existence of the Guardian of the Cause of God
Let us Read and Ponder
1. Is the Structure of the UHJ Novel?
2. Are the Decisions of the UHJ Free from Error?
3. Is It Possible to Separate the Guardian from the Universal House of Justice?
4. Are Baha'is Allowed to Participate in Political Matters?
5. Who Will Govern the Baha'i Kingdom?
6. Obeying the Government
7. Baha'i Prophecies Fulfilled?
CHAPTER 8:Universal Compulsory Education
Introduction
First Perspective: Is This Principle of Universal Compulsory Education Novel?
Second Perspective: Did the Founders of Baha’ism Implement the Principle of Universal Compulsory Education?
1- Baha’is and Compulsory Education
2- The Bābī Meaning of Education
3- Education and Nurturing Will Not Dispel Ignorance
4- The Outcome of the Education Baha’i Leaders Received
5- The Manners of Bahā’u’llāh and `Abdu’l-Bahā as Two Examples of Baha’i Education and Nurturing
6- Baha’is Must be Educated Only in Baha’i Schools
Third Perspective: Is This Principle Correct From a Rational and Logical Perspective?
Let us Read and Ponder
1. Is the Principle of Compulsory Universal Education New?
2. Is Education the Same for All or Dependent on Capacity?
3- Loving Laws That Promote Ignorance or Claiming That All People Must Be Educated?
4- Will Education Dispel Ignorance?
5. The Criterion for Being a True Prophet: Good Nurturing and Education of People
6. Are Baha'is Allowed to Attend Non-Baha'i Schools?
7. Must Foreign Languages Be Taught at Schools?
CHAPTER 9: A Universal Auxiliary Language
Introduction
First Perspective: Is the Principle of a Universal Auxiliary Language New?
Second Perspective: Did the Founders of Baha’ism Implement This Principle?
1- Baha'i Scripture and Official Documents Have Been Written in Three Languages
2- Why Would a Persian Prophet Communicate with Persians in Arabic?
3- Baha’is Have Been Ordered to Learn Multiple Languages!
4- The Baha’i Administration Has Failed in Implementing This Principle
5- Why Did the Universal House of Justice, in Contrast to `Abdu'l-Bahā's Orders and Advice, Disregard Esperanto
6- How Can Someone Who is Helpless in Learning Another Language but His Mother Tongue, Order Other People to Learn Many Languages?
a- Using non-Arabic characters and words in Arabic sentences
b- Using Meaningless Arabic Words and Phrases
7- Multiple Fallacies in Translations of Baha'i Texts That Are Propagated by the Baha'i Administration
8- Errors and Outright Distortions in Provisional Translations of Baha'i Texts
9- Why Didn't `Abdu'l-Bahā Speak English in England and French in Paris?
10- Wrong Data Given to English Speaking Audience
Third Perspective: Is This Principle Correct From a Rational and Logical Perspective?
Let us Read and Ponder
1. How Many Languages Must One Learn Other than His Mother's Tongue?
2. The Meaning of “Putting Great Effort to Limit the Languages of the World to One”
3. Is Learning Foreign Languages a Waste of Time?
4. Why Reveal Arabic Verses for a Persian Audience?
CHAPTER 10: The Equality of Men and Women
Introduction
First Perspective: Were the Baha’is the first group to promote women’s rights? Had no creed, religion, or group expressed such beliefs before them?
Second Perspective: Do Baha’is Truly Believe That Men and Women Are Equal? Do Their Actions Support Their Words?
1- Bahā'u'llāh and `Abdu'l-Bahā's Opinion about Women:
2-Women and Inheritance
3-Women’s Dowry
4- Polygamy
5-Membership in the Universal House of Justice
6-Station of Guardianship
7- Baha’i pilgrimage (hajj)
8- Upbringing of Children
10- Boys Are Branches Girls Are Leaves
11- Dowry and Virginity
12- Women Must Obey Men
Third Perspective: Is This Principle Correct From a Rational and Logical Perspective?
Let us Read and Ponder
1. Are Men and Women Equal or Do They Have Distinctions?
2. Can the Human World Fly with Unequal Wings?
3. Are Male and Female Plants and Animals Equal or Do They Have Distinctions?
`Abdu’l-Bahā: Female is important and stronger, look at the palm tree, look at the mare, look at the lioness.
4. Must We Tell Women That They Are Weaker and Inferior?
5. Men and Women Are Equal in All Ranks, but Women Lack Capacity and Competency!
6. Is There Distinction between Men and Women in the View of God?
7. Men and Women Have Equal Rights but Women Have No Share Their Father's Living Residence
8. Men and Women Must Have Equal Rights but Women Have a Smaller Share of Inheritance
9. Men and Women Have Equal Rights except Sometimes Where Women Have No Rights at All.
10. Polygamy, Yes or No?
11. `Abdu’l-Bahā and Justice in Polygamy
12. Did `Abdu'l-Bahā Say Men Can Only Have One Wife?
13. Equality of Rights or Having No Right to Be a Member of the Universal House of Justice?
14. Equality of Rights or Distinction between Villagers and City-Dwellers?
15. Is God's Grace for All?
`Abdu’l-Bahā: We are all divine sheep and God has made no distinction between us. God has made no distinction in any grace or mercy.
16. Why Did Bahā'u'llāh Have Three Wives?
CHAPTER 11: Establishment of Universal Peace
Introduction
First Perspective: Is the Hope for Establishing Universal Peace Novel?
Second Perspective: Were Baha’i Leaders Peaceful and Against Violence?
1- Āghā Asad-Allah Kāshī
2-Murders in Iraq
Third Perspective: Is it Rational and Logical to Always be at Peace and Never Show violent Acts?
Let us Read and Ponder
1. Are Aggression and Abuse Forbidden?
2. Universal Peace or Tormenting Bahā'u'llāh's Enemies?
3. Should We Defend Ourselves If We Are Attacked?
4. Weapons and Wars Are Prohibited or Not?
5. Is Aggression Forbidden?
6. Did Baha'ism Put an End to All Disputes and Fights?
7. Can a Conquering Lands Be Praiseworthy?
8. When Will Universal Peace Be Established?
9. Words of Wisdom:
CHAPTER 12: The World of Humanity is in the Need of the Breath of the Holy Spirit
Introduction
First Perspective: Is the Principle “the World of Humanity is in the Need of the Breath of the Holy Spirit” New?
Second and Third: Perspectives
How Did the Founders of Baha’ism Act Towards This Teaching, and is This Teaching Reasonable?
Let us Read and Ponder
1. Are Religions Renewed?
2. When Will a New Prophet Appear?
3. Start and End of the Baha'i Cycle?
4. Are visions of the prophets real?
Epilogue
Bibliography
Non-Baha’i sources
Baha’i sources
Bābī sources
