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Unpublished letters from the
Universal House of Justice

Items in this index are letters from the Universal House of Justice to (mostly) individuals. While some may have appeared in print, they have not been distributed by the House as public documents. "Official" statements, such as Ridvan Messages, Plans, certain widely-distributed letters, and the Constitution, can be found at Documents from the Universal House of Justice. (Overlap exists; consult the "published" directory if you can't find what you're looking for here.)


Most of these letters were written in response to individuals' questions and, since the questioner may have asked more than one question, the letters sometimes address a variety of topics. To find specific information in this unorganizable set of letters, the reader may wish to use the above search engine. While most of these texts appear exactly as transmitted by the Baha'i World Center or a National Center, some have been entered manually and may contain errors—please notify if errors are found. Submission of other etext versions of letters would be appreciated; if the House has written to you and you'd like to share their response, please write to .

 Since these letters rarely have titles, they are organized here by file name. Only letters from the House addressing specific questions or topics are included here. Letters of support, progress in community goals and activities, and similar announcements are not included.

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    A

  1. a.bahas.bibles.html explains which translations of the Bible Abdu'l-Baha used. (See also king.james.bible.html, below.)

  2. academic.methodologies.html consists of two letters from an individual to the House on the relationship between "materialistic methodologies" and "doctrinal heresy" in the academic fields, followed by the House's detailed discussion of these issues.

  3. access.sources.html expresses one scholar's concern that the World Centre's copies of primary sources in Babi and Baha'i history are not available for study, followed by the House's response.

  4. administrative.order.html discusses "number of questions in relation to the functioning of the Baha'i Administrative Order.

  5. ahmad.mariner.html clarifies the published translations of the Tablet of Ahmad and the Tablet of the Holy Mariner.

  6. alcohol.html explains the prohibition on drinking alcohol and gives guidelines on how to approach and impose administrative sanctions on one using it flagrantly.

  7. alcoholics.anonymous.html is a short compilation of letters written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice concerning Baha'i participation in Alcoholics Anonymous.

  8. amnesty.interntl.html The Universal House of Justice explains why Baha'is may work with but should not hold membership in Amnesty International.

  9. apostle.paul.html is a response to an individual who asked whether there is any teaching in the Baha'i Faith that Paul was a "false teacher."

  10. aqdas.expulsion-cbs.html answers two questions: (1) the reference in the Aqdas (P42) to the possible end of the Guardianship, and (2) the authority of the Hands of the Cause to expel covenant-breakers.

  11. aqdas.laws.html, written Dec. 28 1999, announces to the Baha'i World that "all elements of the laws dealing with obligatory prayer and fasting are... now applicable."

    Three letters (now out-of-date) offer status reports on the progress of the Arc projects in Haifa, Israel:
  12.   arc.1987.html
  13.   arc.1991.html
  14.   arc.1994.html

  15. arius.html discusses Arius, an early Christian theologian who emphasized that Jesus Christ was subordinate to God the Father, a position which Abdu'l-Baha said destroyed the unity of the Church.

  16. ashchi.letter.html is a detailed letter to the House requesting permission to translate and publish Aqa Husayn Ashchi's narrative and their reply. (see also some notes on Ashchi and parts of the original of Ashchi's biography of Baha'u'llah.)

  17. aspects.teachings.html answers questions re: Authenticity of Statements; Mathnavi; Quranic quotations; Marriage Prayer; 'Sun' and 'Moon'; Hands of the Cause; Night of Power; Khatt-i-Badi; Sarcophagus for Baha'u'llah; International Baha'i Library Building; Lunar Calendar and Holy Days; Recipients of Section 17 of Tablets Revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas; University of Leiden Library; Chronology of Tablets to the Kings; Functions of the Research Department.

  18. authenticity.texts.html explains the status of texts of Abdu'l-Baha's talks, of letters from the Universal House of Justice versus its Secretariat, of letters from the Guardian, and of the books Baha'i World Faith and Foundations of World Unity.

  19. authorized.transls.html discusses the authorized translations of texts and details the policies regarding publication of new translations, both authoritative and provisional.

    B

  20. Bahá'í Archives: preserving and safeguarding the Sacred Texts includes estimated numbers of Tablets revealed, and numbers of Tablets archived at the Baha'i World Center; prepared by the Archives Office on behalf of the House. (offsite)

  21. beckwith.html responds to certain allegations Francis Beckwith makes in his booklet "Baha'i." See also Beckwith's Baha'i-Christian Dialogue: Some Key Issues Considered and a letter from a National Spiritual Assembly on the same topic.

  22. beckwith.daniel.prophecy.html addresses two questions: the fulfilment of the Biblical prophecy of Daniel concerning 1,335 days, and modifications made to Baha'u'llah and the New Era.

  23. biblical.passages.html responds to a question about whether certain passages from the Hebrew Bible can be taken as prophetic references to the Babi or Baha'i Faiths.

  24. blacks.in.US.html offers a few comments about "what public role might be played by the Baha'i Faith in America to ameliorate...the plight of African-American males."
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    C

  25. calamity.p-notes.html touches on the status of Pilgrims' Notes and then addresses in detail the nature of catastrophic events some Baha'is believe might occur around the turn of the millennium.

  26. c-breakers.and.remey.html features a letter from the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States regarding the importance of commitment to the covenant, a letter from the Universal House of Justice on covenant-breaking, and an article about "Mason Remey and Those Who Followed Him" prepared on its behalf.

  27. cbreakers.and.photos.html addresses two issues raised by the Willam Miller's book The Baha'i Faith: Its History and Teachings: the reading of books by covenant-breakers, and the viewing of photographs of Baha'u'llah. Contains a compilation on each of the issues.

  28. cbs.online.html explains what actions Baha'is need or need not take upon meeting Covenant Breakers in online "chat rooms."

  29. challenge.uhj.html answers two different questions raised on internet discussion lists: the first "whether or not the Universal House of Justice has the authority to make authoritative interpretations"; the second "whether anyone has the right to challenge the authority or actions of the Universal House of Justice."

  30. childhood.abuse.html offers brief guidance relating to recovery from sexual abuse.

  31. childhood.trauma.html provides some guidance for cases in which individuals suffered traumatic childhood experiences at the hands of disturbed parents.

  32. collection.texts.html presents revised numbers of the amount of "authenticated," "revised," and "transcribed" versions of the Sacred Texts catalogued by the Baha'i World Center.

  33. community.functioning.html addresses "Issues Concerning community functioning." Includes an attachment of "Extracts from Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi on Fostering the Evolution of Baha'i Communities."

  34. counselors.html elucidates "the nature of the Institution of the Continental Boards of Counselors and its relationship to the Institution of the Hands of the Cause."

  35. covenant.breakers.html explains that Baha'i scholars may, when needed, use books by Covenant Breakers.

    D

  36. dancing.feast.html explains that Baha'is may incorporate singing and dancing into the spiritual portions of the community devotional meetings.

  37. dancing.temple.html provides excerpts from letters of the House regarding dancing in the Haziratu'l-Quds, published in the Los Angeles Baha'i community newsletter The Journal, Volume 55, No. 11, February 1987.

  38. devotional.meetings.html discusses the structure and content of devotional gatherings; followed by a compilation "Selected Guidance concerning Devotional Gatherings."

  39. dialogue.new-delhi.html consists of a transcription of an address to an inter-religious gathering organised by the Roman Catholic Church in New Delhi, and a description of the event by the NSA of India.

  40. dinkird.zoroastrianism.html addresses a source on Zoroastrianism quoted in J. Ferraby's All Things Made New.

  41. dissidence.criticism.html addresses the issue of dissidence by Baha'is and Bahai scholars. Followed by "A Brief Compilation on Criticism: Extracts from letters written on behalf of the Guardian to individual believers."

    E

  42. election.infallibility.uhj.html answers the three questions: "Why were steps taken to elect a Universal House of Justice with the foreknowledge that there would be no Guardian? Was the time ripe for such an action? Could not the International Baha'i Council have carried on the work?"

  43. english.and.translation.html discusses the nature of the Guardian's translations into English and clarifies that, though authoritative, his English writings do not make English a language of revelation.

  44. enrollments.growth.html discusses the "lack of significant numerical growth" in certain Western Baha'i communities, relates this to "the preceding decades of struggle, achievement and disappointment," and outlines future growth.

  45. equality.uhj.html responds to a Baha'i asking about questions of "Monogamy, Sexual Equality, Marital Equality, and the Supreme Tribunal" in her attempt "to understand the Baha'i concept of equality of the sexes in light of some Baha'i laws and history which 'appear' to undermine it."

  46. errors.godpassesby.html addresses the existence of errors in God Passes By.

  47. exemption.prayer.html discusses the exemption from obligatory prayer for the sick, specifically for the handicapped. Includes a compilation "Exemption from Obligatory Prayer."

    F

  48. feast.html: two letters discussing the composition, structure, and scheduling of Nineteen-Day Feasts.

  49. fundamental.verities.html explains the meaning of the phrase "fundamental verities of the Faith" in the writings of Shoghi Effendi.
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  50. gaia.html addresses the Gaia hypothesis, a concept which regards the entire planet as a living organism. Includes a "Compilation from the Writings of Baha'u'llah and the Writings and Utterances of 'Abdu'l-Baha on the subject of nature."

  51. god.sufficeth.html gives a short note on the original versions of the Bab's prayer "God Sufficeth..."

  52. goddess.feminine.html responds to a question about the existence of "ancient goddess religions" by addressing the role of the feminine in theology.

  53. guardian.uhj.comments.html, in discussing the House's infallibility without the Guardian, explains that the Guardian's chief function was interpretation and not legislation.

  54. guardian.uhj.function.html examines the timing of the election of the House, the lack of a will by or a successor to the Guardian, and the House's ability to function on its own.

    H

  55. handicapped.access.html briefly explains where handicapped access is and is not available at the Baha'i World Center.

  56. hands.html addresses the "authority of the Hands of the Cause to assume the direction of the Faith following Shoghi Effendi's passing" and issues of covenant-breaking of the time.

  57. haziratulquds.html is a collection of nine compilations prepared by the House as well as letters from the House, covering a wide variety of topics related to the Haziratu'l-Quds and the Mashriqu'l-Adhkars, their dependencies, and their uses.

  58. hollow.reed.html explains that the prayer "Oh, God, make me a hollow reed..." is neither by Abdu'l-Baha nor George Townshend, and its author is unknown.

  59. holy.day.observances.html discusses briefly whether or not Tablets of Visitation need to be recited on holy days, and whether participants need to face the Qiblih while one is being recited.

  60. holy.scriptures.html features a compilation on "What Writings constitute the Holy Scriptures of previous Dispensations."

  61. homosexuality.discussion.html discusses a variety of topics related to homosexuality, with an especial focus on whether the Baha'i writings teach that homosexuality is biologically based or is a "learned behaviour." Includes a lengthy compilation on homosexuality and other aspects of human sexuality.

  62. The lengthy homosexuality.uhj.html was published in The American Baha'i, November 23, 1995.

  63. homosexuality2.html states that the Guardian's interpretations of the Baha'i teachings on homosexuality are infallible, and then touches upon the biological "naturalness" of homosexuality.

  64. house.guardian.html explains in what way the Kitab-i-Aqdas anticipates the institution of the guardianship.

  65. humorist.html answers an individual's question as to whether Baha'u'llah ever refers to God as the "All-Humorous."

  66. huququllah.questions.html responds to 16 detailed questions about Huququ'llah submitted by a Baha'i attorney.

  67. huququllah.transactions.html consists of (1) a 5-point letter submitted by an attorney to the Universal House of Justice regarding details of Huququ'llah payment; (2) a response from the House; and (3) a Memorandum from the Research Dept. detailing, in table form, a "Hypothetical Example of Huququ'llah Transactions."

  68. husband.wife.html addresses the functionalist divisions of husband and wife in the Baha'i Writings by observing that the "relationship between men and women should be considered in the light of the general principle of equality between the sexes."
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    I

  69. inauthentic.tablets.html, published in the American Baha'i (September 1992), lists some of the more well-known prayers and tablets which are not or may not be authentic.

  70. indian.nations.html explains that American Indian nations are not fully sovereign and thus do not have their own National Spiritual Assemblies.

  71. infallibility.abdulbaha.html addresses questions about Abdu'l-Baha's infallibility, authority, and the extent to which his knowledge was historically contextualized.

  72. infallibility.guardian.html clarifies that, while the Guardian's infallibility applies to interpretation of revelation, it does not include historical and factual infallibility.

  73. infall.uhj.html briefly defines the distinction between the interpretive spheres of the Guardian versus the Universal House of Justice.

  74. internal.opposition.html, a cover letter to the compilation "Issues Related to the Study of the Bahá'í Faith" from April 7 1999, discusses the nature of opposition to the Faith from within academia, especially that conducted via the Internet. Followed by a letter from the International Teaching Center.

  75. internet.html covers matters of internet courtesy, discipline, and the need for Baha'is online to be a "spiritual leaven."

  76. internet.advice.html addresses a variety of concerns related to use of the internet.

  77. internet.newsgroups.html, two letters discussing the permissibility of Baha'is to support and participate in unmoderated newsgroup discussions on the internet.

  78. iran.deaths.uhj.html are two reports on the execution of two Baha'is in Iran in July, 1997, one from the Universal House of Justice and one from the National Spiritual Assembly of the U.S.

  79. iran.emmigrants.html, two letters from the UHJ and one from the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly addressing the issue of Baha'is who fled Iran following the 1979 revolution by denying their faith.

  80. iranian.expatriats.html is an open letter to Iranians living outside Iran discussing the state of the times and of their affairs (written in 1980, immediately after the Revolution).

  81. ishraqat.html explains some of the clues that could provide a date for the revelation of Baha'u'llah's "Tablet of Ishraqat." Preceded by a draft of Sen McGlinn's original query to which the House later replied.

  82. "Issues Related to the Study of the Bahá'í Faith" is prefaced by letter from the Universal House of Justice on some contemporary issues of Baha'i scholarship and internet activities. Both items published in Bahá'í Canada, May 1998 and June 1999 resp.

    J-K

  83. khatami.faq.html is a letter with questions and answers re a television address of Iranian President Khatami, given on CNN Wednesday, Jan 7, 1998.

  84. In king.james.bible.html the House explains that, while Shoghi Effendi recommended the use of this particular translation of the Bible over others, Baha'is are yet welcome to use any translation they wish. (See also a.bahas.bibles.html, above.)

  85. krishna.qayyum.html briefly addresses two distinct issues: the factuality of histories related about Krishna and the meaning of the term "qayyum" (on the latter, see also translation.subsisting.html, below).

    L

  86. law.html answers a number of questions concerning the violation of Baha'i and civil law and the removal of administrative rights.

  87. lawh.tibb.html discusses translations of Baha'u'llah's "Tablet of Medicine/Tablet to the Physician," and includes a partial provisional translation.

  88. laws.aqdas.html, first written in 1974 and circulated widely since, explains which laws of the Kitab-i-Aqdas are and are not currently binding upon Western believers.

  89. laypeople.scholars.html explains why, in the field of Baha'i academia, no distinction should be drawn between "laypeople" and "scholars."

  90. legislating.prayer.html contains a short paragraph from an unpublished letter of the Guardian concerning what aspects of obligatory prayer the House will one day legislate on.

  91. letters.quddus.dawnbreakers.html addresses five unrelated questions: Identity of the Letters of the Living; "List of Illustrations" in the Dawn-Breakers; Status of the Writings of Quddus; Naming of the Terraces; and The Bab's Tablets in the Dawn-Breakers.

  92. In living.la.html the Universal House of Justice permits Baha'is to live in Los Angeles (Shoghi Effendi advised Baha'is not to congregate in large cities but to disperse and "pioneer" for the sake of spreading the Faith.)
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    M

  93. mazandarani.html explores whether or not Fadil-i-Mazandarani was declared a Hand of the Cause of God.

  94. meaning.of.huruf.html succinctly defines some meanings of the term huruf ("letters") in Baha'i texts.

  95. meditation.html offers some observations about personal spirituality.

  96. mental.tests.html explains the meaning of the phrase "mental tests" in the writings of Abdu'l-Baha and of Shoghi Effendi.

  97. morality.html (possibly incomplete) explains the limits of legislating morality.

    N

  98. napoleon.victoria.html responds to an individual's skepticism that the remarks reportedly made by Napoleon and Queen Victoria upon receiving tablets from Baha'u'llah are authentic.

  99. new.religions.html answers questions re: New Religious Movements; Indian Letter of the Living; J.R.R. Tolkien; the Marriage Bond; Illumination of Baha'u'llah's Tablets.

  100. nsa.counsellors.html explains the different ranks of and interactive functioning of the Continental Board of Counsellors versus National Spiritual Assemblies.

    O

  101. oppression.of.children.html provides some explanation about the oppression of children at the hands of exploitative individuals and offers solace for those who have suffered such treatment.

  102. The concise orange.tree.myth.html refutes the myth of an immortal orange tree growing at the site of the former House of the Bab.

    P

  103. peace.activities.html encourages Baha'is to be actively involved in peace processes but urges Baha'is not to interfere excessively, since "Baha'i institutions will not be directly involved in...effecting the political unity of nations."

  104. permission.html officially gives permission for the unrestricted publication of the Sacred Writings and materials produced by World Centre Publications or the Baha'i International Community.

  105. persian.html addresses concerns of some Persian-speaking believers in Australia who felt deprived of participation Baha'i gatherings because of their inability to speak or understand English.

  106. persian.believers.html is an inspirational discussion of the history of the Baha'is in Iran, including exhortations for the education of Persian children and youth.

  107. personal.webpages.html states that Baha'is "desiring to establish personal homepages on the Internet as a means of promoting the Faith should not be discouraged from doing so."

  108. photo.bahaullah.html explains the source of a photo of Baha'u'llah publicly displayed on a non-Baha'i website, and whether or not action can be taken to have it removed.

  109. pilgrims.notes.html, explains that no policy other than the exercise of wisdom currently exists regarding the publishing of pilgrims' notes on the internet.

  110. pioneering.education.html helps youth decide whether to pioneer or continue with higher education.

  111. poets.html, offers guidance on Baha'i poetry through two compilations: one on "Guidance to Poets," and one on "Extracts from the Baha'i Writings on the Subject of Writers and Writing."

  112. power.elucidation.uhj.html provides "clarification about the qualitative difference between the Guardian's prerogative of interpretation and the power of elucidation of the Universal House of Justice."

  113. prayers.disabled.html inquires how a believer with physical disabilities might say the Long Obligatory Prayer, which requires genuflections.

  114. prayer.questions.html offers answers on (1) reciting prayers at meetings; (2) changing language gender; (3) repetition of Greatest Name; (4) raising hands.

  115. pronouns.etc.html answers five unrelated questions about Mirza Mihdi; use of the title "Holy Family"; capitalization of personal pronouns; and the Guardian's use of English in his translations.

  116. proselytizing.covenant.html addresses teaching vs. proselytization; applying Baha'i social teachings while yet avoiding becoming ensnared in prevailing cultural mores; and the uniqueness of the Baha'i covenant.

  117. provisional.translations.html, sent by the House to a number of NSAs, publishing trusts, and publishers, says that "favorable consideration has been given to allowing wider use of provisional translations..."

  118. publishing.html, a "Memorandum on Baha'i Publishing," provides the most current directives on Baha'i publishing and review.
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    Q

  119. quest.election.uhj.html answers the questions "Why were steps taken to elect a Universal House of Justice with the foreknowledge that there would be no Guardian? Was the time ripe for such an action? Could not the International Baha'i Council have carried on the work?"

    R

  120. radiation.html explains "a reported directive by the Universal House of Justice that teachers travel to an island that was uninhabitable because of radiation."

  121. research-dept.alam.html answers two questions: (1) what is the function of the Research Department, and (2) gives etymology of the three terms "world of exemplars," "'álam," and "barzakh."

  122. reg.councils.intro.html discusses the nature and functioning of the administrative bodies known as Regional Baha'i Councils.

  123. reg.councils.policies.html "outlines the various policies governing the formation and functioning of Regional Baha'i Councils." ((see also uhj.to.reg.councils.html).

  124. reg.councils.us.html announces the historic event of the founding of a new administrative level in the United States, the "Baha'i Councils."

  125. reproduction.html, responds to a question seeking information about genetic engineering with the observation that the Writings make no mention of genetics; a compilation on Reproduction and Other Biological Subjects is included instead.

  126. resurrection.html offers some explanations of the Resurrection and return of Jesus as taught by the Baha'i Faith.

  127. resurrection.bible.html discusses "information on Baha'i concepts related to the Resurrection of Christ." Includes two compilations, one of "Extracts Concerning the Resurrection" and another of "Extracts on the Old and New Testaments".

  128. ritual.abuse.html discusses some matters of psychology and healing relating to recovery from certain forms of childhood abuse. Followed by a compilation entitled "Psychology and Knowledge of Self."
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    S

  129. sabeans.etc.html answers questions about: African-based religion in the Americas, visionary appearances of the Virgin Mary, UFOs, alien abductions, and genetic engineering

  130. salmani.letters.html, two letters to a Baha'i publisher and an individual regarding the 1982 publication of My Memories of Baha'u'llah, an autobiography of Baha'u'llah's barber, Ustad Salmani (see bahai-library.com/books/memories).

  131. sanctions.html, which also has the title "Application of Baha'i Law," discusses proper ways of dealing administratively with the breaking of Baha'i law and proper punishments therefor.

  132. scholar.html provides information on Baha'i scholarship to "devise ways to foster the development of Baha'i scholarship along lines that are in accordance with Baha'i standards and values.

  133. scholars.internet.html consists of a letter to the House requesting guidance concerning a possible "atmosphere of distrust" among some academics, followed by the House's response which "set[s] the problem in the context of the current intellectual and spiritual crisis afflicting society at large."

  134. scholarship.cambridge.html, addressed to the participants in a conference on scholarship at Cambridge in 1978, discusses issues such as the harmony of science and religion, faith and reason, spiritual scholarship, and the institution of review.

  135. schools.html answers questions about schools owned by or run by Baha'is--are they always considered "Baha'i" schools, and does the word "Baha'i" always appear in their title?

  136. science.religion.html provides a compilation entitled "Selected Extracts on Science and Technology" followed by a brief list of references to books and articles by Baha'is on the subject.

  137. se.prayers.html explains why the Guardian's prayers are not translated into English.

  138. self.defense.html discusses whether Baha'is may practice self-defense in times of danger, and whether American Baha'is should purchase firearms.

  139. servants.html discusses whether or not the servants of the Bab and Baha'u'llah were slaves, and provides a list of relevant sources.

  140. sin-covering.gaze.html gives a possible source for a story of Christ told by Abdu'l-Baha about encountering a dead dog and commenting on the beauty of its teeth; i.e., having a "sin-covering gaze."

  141. socrates.html discusses the historical facts known about Socrates and "highlight[s] some of the difficulties inherent in endeavouring to unravel the historical Socrates." Includes a compilation on Socrates.

  142. spiritual.growth.html summarizes six "Essential Requisites for Our Spiritual Growth."

  143. stem.cells.html states that there is nothing in the Writings related to this research or the therapies it might cure; for now, individuals are free to come to their own conclusions.

  144. subud.html contains a letter from an individual asking whether a person may be allowed to be a member of both the Baha'i Faith and the "spiritual brotherhood and sisterhood of Subud," followed by the House's response.

  145. suggestions.html discusses, among other things, the ways in which Baha'is may make suggestions for change within the Baha'i administration.

    T

  146. takfir.html responds to a letter from an individual asking about the Muslim practice of takfir, declaring someone an unbeliever, and whether this is practiced in the Baha'i Faith.

  147. teaching.israelis.html states that the prohibition of Baha'is from teaching the Baha'i Faith to Israelis extends to internet discussions.

  148. theocracy.html addresses the issue of theocracy in relation to the Baha'i model of government.

  149. training.institutes.html discusses the importance of studying the Writings in group training institutes, rather than through independent study; however, both methods are encouraged.

  150. translation.html is a collection of letters from the House and the Guardian on policies regarding translation, provisional translations, and publication. Includes a compilation from the Research Dept. and a policy statement from the House.

  151. translation.and.review.html addresses a questioner's two unrelated queries: one on whether certain scholars were authorized as translators, and the other clarifying that the institution of review is not being abrogated at this time.

  152. translation.subsisting.html addresses two disparate topics: the translation style adopted by the Guardian and other considerations related to literary style and the sacred writings, and the meaning of the term "self-subsisting" (on the latter, see also krishna.qayyum.html, above).

    U

  153. uhj.to.reg.councils.html consists of greetings and advice to the newly-formed United States' Regional Baha'i Councils, followed by the Councils' vow of firmness (see also reg.councils.intro.html and reg.councils.policies.html).

  154. umumi.html clarifies that 'Abdu'l-Baha, in a tablet to Corinne True, indeed refers to the Universal House of Justice when affirming that membership is confined to men only. Includes a portion of Corinne True's original query to 'Abdu'l-Baha.
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    V

  155. vbirth.ency.admin.html A letter to and response from the House on the random issues of the Baha'i stance on the Virgin Birth of Christ, the spirituality of administrating, the spiritual destiny of the American Baha'i community, and the status of the Short Encyclopedia of the Baha'i Faith.

  156. violence.women.html, known as the "Violence and sexual abuse of women and children" letter, explains the nature and treatment of all forms of violent oppression against the weak.

    W

  157. white.men.html discusses the use of the phrase "white Baha'i men" in an anti-racism project in North Carolina.

  158. wills.inheritance.html answers five questions about the writing of Baha'i wills. Following it are two enclosures, one listing which laws are not at present binding upon the friends in the western world, and the other a compilation of "Extracts from Four Tablets by Abdu'l-Baha Concerning the Question of Inheritance."

  159. wives.bahaullah.html details the names and birth/death dates of Baha'u'llah's wives and briefly addresses the issue of polygamy.

  160. women.only.meetings.html clarifies that it is acceptable and perhaps even sometimes necessary for Baha'is to hold gender-segregated meetings.

  161. women.uhj.html responds to, and refutes, a paper presented at a Baha'i Studies conference which raised the possibility that women could one day be eligible for membership on the Universal House of Justice.

    X-Y

    Five letters addressed to Baha'i Youth were scanned from a booklet distributed at a National Youth Conference in Dallas, 1995:
  162.   youth1.html describes three fields of service open to young Baha'is: improving their personal character, teaching the Faith to others, and preparing for their later years through education.
  163.   youth2.html, "To the European Baha'i Youth Conference in Innsbruck," addresses the challenges facing European Baha'i Youth.
  164.   youth3.html, "The Duty of the Youth," offers guidance for the International Youth Year of 1985.
  165.   youth4.html offers words of inspiration for the International Youth Year of 1985.
  166.   youth5.html, a brief telex, consoles Baha'i youth in light of the 1983 martyrdoms of young Baha'is in Iran.

    Z

  167. The brief zoroaster.date.html clarifies the dates and bio information Baha'i texts give for the prophet Zoroaster.

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