Bibliography 2: #BIB36091

Key	BIB36091
Reference type	Unpublished Work
Short title	Frozen in time : an analysis of how Shoghi Effendi’s infallible interpretation of the Baháʼí teachings has impacted contemporary Baháʼí attitudes towards homosexuality
Title of work	Frozen in time : an analysis of how Shoghi Effendi’s infallible interpretation of the Baháʼí teachings has impacted contemporary Baháʼí attitudes towards homosexuality
Author	Goodman, Felix
Year	2016
Place published	[United Kingdom]
Abstract	The Baháʼí faith prides itself on its progressive beliefs - such as the equality of men and women, the rejection of all forms of prejudice, and the unity of humankind. However, one lesser-known Baháʼí belief that does not appear to concur with those previously mentioned is the prohibition of homosexuality. This teaching stems from the 'Guardian' of the faith, Shoghi Effendi, who was the great-grandson of the religion’s central figure and prophet, Baháʼu'lláh. Upon the death of his grandfather, ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi was declared to be the sole interpreter of Baháʼu'lláh’s writings and teachings. One quotation from the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, the most Holy book in the Baháʼí faith, was interpreted by Shoghi Effendi as being Baháʼu'lláh’s condemnation of homosexuality. This has since been contested, as some claim that the passage was instead referring to pederasty. Shoghi Effendi was not intended to be the final Guardian of the faith - rather, he was meant to pass the guardianship on to a family member, so that the Guardian and the Universal House of Justice, the Baháʼí institutional body, could serve as the two pillars of the faith and advise on issues, with the Guardian advising on issues utilising their Interpretation of the texts, and the Universal House of Justice using the texts as a basis for answering questions that the texts did not initially address. As Shoghi Effendi passed away in 1957 without appointing an heir, his interpretations and translations of the Baháʼí texts have been frozen in time as the everlasting, true meanings of Baháʼu'lláh’s teachings.
Language	English
Keywords	HOMOSEXUALITY; INTERPRETATION; SHOGHI EFFENDI; CONTROVERSIAL
Pages	[42]
Institution	[University of Leeds]
File attachments	internal-pdf://1134049839/Frozen in Time.pdf

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