t it is most important not
to stifle the development of Baha'i scholars by an attitude of censorship
or undue criticism. We believe that both the International Teaching Centre
and the Boards of Counsellors can render valuable services in this area by
encouraging budding scholars and by promoting within the Baha'i community
an atmosphere of tolerance for the views of others. At the same time the
fundamental core of the believers' faith should be strengthened by an
increasing awareness of the cardinal truth and vital importance of the
Covenant, and an ever-growing love for Baha'u'llah.

(10 February 1981 memorandum from the Universal House of Justice to the
International Teaching Centre) [77]

78: "There can be no doubt that the progress of the Cause from this
time..."

There can be no doubt that the progress of the Cause from this time onward
will be characterized by an ever-increasing relationship to the agencies,
activities, institutions and leading individuals of the non-Baha'i world.
We shall acquire greater stature at the United Nations, become better
known in the deliberations of governments, a familiar figure to the media,
a subject of interest to academics, and inevitably the envy of failing
establishments. Our preparation for and response to this situation must be
a continual deepening of our faith, an unwavering adherence to its
principles of abstention from partisan politics and freedom from
prejudices, and above all an increasing understanding of its fundamental
verities and relevance to the modern world.

(Ridvan 1984 to the Baha'is of the World) [78]

FOOTNOTES

1 'Ulama, from the Arabic 'alima, to know, may be translated learned
men, scientists, religious authorities.

2 Cf. "Tablets of Baha'u'llah Revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas", p.
26.

3 "The Challenge and Promise of Baha'i Scholarship", prepared by the
Research Department. As published in "The Baha'i World" (Haifa:
Baha'i World Centre, 1981), vol. XVII, pp. 195-196, this statement
was inadvertently attributed to the Universal House of Justice.

4 Ibid.

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A COMPILATON ON SCHOLARSHIP***

CREDITS

June 2006

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Joshua Hutchinson

A WORD FROM PROJECT GUTENBERG

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