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Old 10-10-2011, 01:42 PM   #1
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Baha'i Theologians: Quotes from THE COMPREHENSIVE DEEPENING PROGRAM

"One source of injustice throughout history has been the arbitrary and dictatorial use of power by individuals who have "accounted themselves as superior in knowledge." One of the most remarkable aspects of Baha'u'llah's divinely conceived Administrative Order is the distinction between the "learned" and the "rulers"--a distinction which will rid society of this source of injustice. The Universal House of Justice explains:
In a letter written on 14 March 1927 to the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Isanbul, the Guardian's Secretay explained, on his behalf, the principle in the Cause of action by majority vote. He pointed out how, in the past, it was certain individuals who "accounted themselves as superioor in knowledge and elevated in position" who caused division , and that it was those "who pretended to be the most distinguished of all" who "alwlays proved themselves to be the source of contention." "But praise be to God," he cotinued, "that the Pen of Glory has done away with the unyielding and dictatorial views of the learned and the wise, dismissed the assertions of individuals as an authoritative criterion, even though they were recognized as the most accomplished and learned among men and ordained that all matters be referrred to authorized centers and specified assemblies. Even so, no assembly has been invested with the absolute authority to deal with such general matters as affect the interests of nations. Nay rather, He has brought all the asemblies together under the shadow of one House of Justice, one divinely-appointed Center, so that there would be only one Center and all the rest integrated into a single body, revolving around one expressly-designated Pivot, thus making them all proof against schism and division."

"The existence of institutions of such exalted rank comprising individuals who play such a vital role, who yet have no legislative, administrative or judicial authority, and are entirely devoid of priestly functions or the right to make authoritative interpretations, is a feature of Baha'i administration unparalleled in the religions of the past. The newness and uniqueness of this concept make it difficult to grasp; only as the Baha'i Community grows and the believers are increasingly able to contemplate its administrative structure uninfluenced by concepts from past ages, will the vital inter-dependence of the "rulers" and "learned" in the Faith be properly understood, and the inestimable value of their interaction be fully recognized." " p. 149-150

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