This Administrative Order is fundamentally different from anything that any Prophet has previously established, inasmuch as Bahá’u’lláh has Himself revealed its principles, established its institutions, appointed the person to interpret His Word and conferred the necessary authority on the … Based in the United States, this agency was created by the Universal House of Justice to assist the Counsellors and National Spiritual Assemblies in addressing issues related to the propagation and protection of the Bahá'í Faith on the Internet. Baháʼí elections use what is described as a three-stage councilor-republican system to determine electors. These seem to be evolving and assuming many growth and consolidation and educational functions of Local Spiritual Assemblies, allowing these local bodies to meet the more personal needs of their community members. These assistants often meet with Local Spiritual Assemblies, speak at events, and are sought for advice by individual community members. Members of National Spiritual Assemblies have served on Local Spiritual Assemblies, and assistants within the appointed institutions may serve on Local Spiritual Assemblies. This difference is highlighted in a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi concerning the future world government foretold by Baháʼu'lláh and outlined by Shoghi Effendi, stating "As regards the International Executive referred to by the Guardian in his "Goal of a New World Order", this statement refers by no means to the Baháʼí Commonwealth of the future, but simply to that world government which will herald the advent and lead to the final establishment of the World Order of Baháʼu'lláh. In 1968, the Universal House of Justice, in collaboration with the Hands of the Cause of God determined that only a Guardian of the Cause could appoint the Hands of the Cause, and decided to create the Continental Boards of Counsellors, to continue and assist in the work of the Hands. These members act as delegates in a manner similar to National Baháʼí elections. As the Administrative Order, which is the Harbinger of the World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, has been described by Shoghi Effendi as the "Child of the Covenant" (God Passes By 243), it is important that in any discussion of the various aspects of the World Order, and as an introduction to such a theme a study of the Bahá'í Covenant be made, however cursory this might be. He wrote many clarifying letters, giving instructions to various Spiritual Assemblies, inspiring the Baháʼí world. When, shortly after its ultimate election in 1963, this body examined the question of the succession of the Guardian it determined that there was no way to satisfy the provisions of the will and testament of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, and that, therefore, no successor to the Shoghi Effendi could be named. A Local Spiritual Assembly (LSA) represents a town, city, or county, and are elected annually by direct election. In 1973 the International Teaching Centre was established and the Hands were instructed to act as liaisons between the Counsellors appointed to it and the House of Justice. One hundred years after Baháʼu'lláh's death, the Baháʼís celebrated a "holy year", during which the fully authorized translation of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas (Most Holy Book) was published. The subject is described in some detail in the Bahá’í Administrative Order topic collection in the “ What Bahá’ís Believe ” area of this website. Just as the Administrative Order cannot rightly function without the believers trusting in its self-correcting nature, so history has shown that scholarship cannot flourish unless it is pursued in an atmosphere of freedom from intimidation and Again, no nominations occur, and each Local Spiritual Assembly member is directed to vote for those individuals who are resident in the region they feel are best suited to serve. . Shoghi Effendi described the death of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá and the start of his own administration as the end of the "Heroic age" and the start of the "Formative" age of the Baháʼí Faith. This compilation is an introduction to the institution of the Local Spiritual Assembly, the administrative body for the local Baha'i community. [7], A key point of the process of administration is the practice of consultation. The Baha'i Administrative Order The affairs of the Bahá’í community are administered through a system of institutions, each with its defined sphere of action. Abizadeh, Arash (2005). The text must be examined as a cohesive whole. The Baháʼí writings affirm that its decisions are "the source of all good and freed from all error". The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions. Under Shoghi Effendi, the Baháʼí Faith underwent its most dramatic shift in shape and process. The International Counsellors are nine individuals appointed to the International Teaching Centre, which is a body that directly assists the Universal House of Justice at the Baháʼí World Centre. Bahá'í Faith. Auxiliary board members appoint "assistants" that operate on their behalf at the grassroots level. Drawing upon the Bahá'í Writings, and nutritional knowledge, this booklet offers insights and assurances for those looking to fast for the first time, those who have fasted before but would like to be more prepared this year, and those who would like some passages and discussion questions for deepening their knowledge of the Fast. Baháʼí marriages became recognized in their own right in several regions and the Baháʼí Faith was recognized as an independent religion by many nations and religious courts, including Islamic religious courts in Egypt. When it was determined that no more "Hands" could be appointed, the Universal House of Justice formed the Institution of the Counsellors to fulfill their duties. The members at the local level are free to vote for any adult Bahaʼi(s) in the district or unit in good standing, keeping in mind the guidance from Shoghi Effendi that the individuals should, "combine the necessary qualities of unquestioned loyalty, of selfless devotion, of a well-trained mind, of recognized ability and mature experience..." The delegates elected at the local level have two principal duties to carry out at the national convention – to elect the National Spiritual Assembly and to make recommendations to that body on issues relevant to it. The affairs of the Bahá’í community are administered without clergy, through institutions, established by Bahá’u’lláh to foster universal participation and … It was ʻAbdu'l-Bahá who clarified the differing roles of Supreme/Universal (global) vs. the local Houses of Justice. The formation of this International Executive, which corresponds to the executive head or board in present-day national governments, is but a step leading to the Baháʼí world government of the future, and hence should not be identified with either the institution of the Guardianship or that of the International House of Justice. Acting in their respective roles, the institutions of the Counsellors and the Spiritual Assemblies share responsibility for the protection and propagation of the Bahá’í Faith. Members are chosen by the electorate based on Shoghi Effendi's stated criteria consisting of five qualities: The Universal House of Justice further clarified that the elector, having determined those who meet these qualifications, should give "due consideration. Our Inner Life; Dawn of a Brighter Day; Letter of November 24th, 1924. [10] The highest appointed authority is the Institution of the Guardianship, which is a hereditary authority and has the exclusive "right of the interpretation of the Holy Writ solely conferred upon him." The Bahá’í Administrative Order concerns the system of administration within the Bahá’í Faith rather than civil government. Members of the Auxiliary Boards appointed by the Counsellors who are elected to such an institution are asked to choose to serve either in their elected or appointed capacity, but not both. The Baha’is of the United States operate three year-round conference and retreat centers that offer a wide range of programming for adults, youth and children. Voters are urged not to consult with each other about the suitability of individuals. In general, adult Baháʼís in good standing resident in the jurisdiction are both the electorate (either directly or through delegation) as well as the pool of potential members to serve on the body being elected. The Bahá’í administration or Bahá’í administrative order refers to the administrative system of the Bahá’í Faith. 50 It is the designated instrument for the realization of the Bahá’í teachings. [5], These statements praise the principles of kingship and consultation with the people as principles for civil government. The Baha’i’ Administrative Order answers that question by being founded on such respect and love. The Baháʼí community began to incorporate more active service, socio-economic development efforts ballooned in number, and local and national communities became more focused on examining the needs of their wider non-Baháʼí communities, to see how the faith could aid them. Clarifying Baháʼu'lláh's comments about his descendants and authority, he described the Institution of the Guardianship, which he saw as functioning in concert with the Universal House of Justice – one bearing responsibility for interpretation of scripture, the other as legislator of new law not covered by existing scripture. Foremost, the Administrative Order is intended to serve as a channel through which the spirit of the Faith is to flow, embodying in its operation the kind of relationships that must come to bind together and sustain society as humanity moves towards collective maturity. • Hold a Nineteen Day Feast entirely planned and executed by the learners. That same year the Auxiliary Board members were authorized to name "assistants" to act on local levels. In a process parallel to the one at the local level, the delegates to the national convention are free to vote for the nine individuals who they feel will best carry out the duties of the National Spiritual Assembly. The supreme governing institution of the Baháʼí Faith is the Universal House of Justice, situated in Haifa, Israel. Great effort is spent on organizing elections to meet with the exacting standards set by Shoghi Effendi. To these he commanded the obedience of the Baháʼís. Through a series of plans, the Universal House of Justice refocused the Baháʼí community on community development, and systematization of best-practices, hoping to reduce the "boom and bust" cycles of community growth encountered in the previous century. The Tablets of the Divine Plan stand out, however, and formed a great part of the early goal setting and planning processes of the nascent spiritual community. They advise Baháʼís at the international level and coordinate the efforts of the Continental Counsellors. It is viewed as both a system for conducting the affairs of the Bahá'í Faith itself and as a promising model that can be easily adopted by other institutions of administration and governance. The supreme governing institution of the Baháʼí Faith is the Universal House of Justice, situated in Haifa, Israel. established criteria for the appointment of future Guardians. • Host a community event in celebration of the administrative order. The functions of this branch were originally carried out by the Hands of the Cause of God appointed by Baháʼu'lláh, ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, and Shoghi Effendi. They will sometimes have a very localized mandate, such as to focus on youth in a particular city, or they can be appointed broadly. Bahá'í Faith. Within it, the Bahá’í International Community states, encouragement of diversity of opinion has important implications in the realms of both belief and action. He revealed principles that guide its operation, established its institutions, appointed ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as the sole interpreter of His Word, and conferred authority on the Universal House of Justice. A Vision of Peace Stories from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 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