For those of us who are interested in discussing the Covenant and Administration of the Faith of Baha'u'llah, there are obviously a great many avenues along which the discussion can proceed. First of all, the many statements of Baha'u'llah, of the Master and of Shoghi Effendi that pertain to the topics obviously provide much food for thought, and we will want to use such statements as the focus of much that we want to address. Secondly, those who are Orthodox Baha'is will surely want to introduce statements that were made by Mason Remey and Joel B. Marangella. And it is clear that because of the direction that has been taken since 1957 by the Hands of the Cause appointed by Shoghi Effendi and subsequently by the sans-Guardian UHJ, we will want to look at what they have said and to compare and contrast such statements with what we find in the writings themselves. We will also want to examine statements that have been made by the believers under the sans-Guardian UHJ and by those within the Faith under the continuing Guardianship. There are clearly many, many questions that we can and should address. Indeed, postings that simply identify the critical and the not-so-critical questions to be addressed--minus the answers--are appropriate fare for this forum. What we are seeking to achieve by having this forum available is a free, frank, and loving exchange of information about the most crucial topic for these times, not just for Baha'is but for the world-at-large; for if, as Shoghi Effendi says in his "Dispensation," the Administrative Order "may be considered as the framework of the Will itself," and if the Administrative Order is to be looked upon as "the very pattern of the New World Order destined to embrace in the fullness of time the whole of mankind," then surely all people have a stake in how that Administrative Order evolves. Thus, the matters that are to be discussed here are matters of the utmost importance, and we hope that all who wish to participate in the exchanges that will occur here will give careful consideration both to the expressed views of others and to what they themselves present for others to read. It would be most beneficial if those who join in the discussion attempt to take on the requisites of "purity of motive, radiance of spirit, detachment from all else save God, attraction to His divine fragrance, humility and lowliness...patience and long-suffering in difficulties and servitude to His exalted Threshold" and practice the art of consultation as provided by 'Abdu'l-Baha in his instructions to Spiritual Assemblies: "The members thereof must take counsel together in such wise that no occasion for ill-feeling or discord may arise. This can be attained when every member expresses with absolute freedom his own opinion and setteth forth his argument. Should anyone oppose, he must on no account feel hurt, for not until matters are fully discussed can the right way be revealed. The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions." This forum is devoted to ascertaining the truths related to the Covenant and the Administrative Order of Baha'u'llah.
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