How are these Great Beings explained?

[Vinayaka]

So it sounds like a person's voting rights can be taken away. Then, the next thing would be to take their membership away? But, then what's after that? Does it jump right to being declared a "covenant breaker"?

It's confusing from the outside. The way the Baha'i's disagree on here (only in their answers to questions to outsiders, never directly to each other) you'd think some of them would be wrong enough to have their voting rights taken away. Seems to me they say far more 'off the official stuff' than Sen did. But then he was publishing a lot too, and theirs is just in dialogue with us.

 

[Dawnofhope]

Yes - that's my question - what would such an economy look like. I take your points about this being a long way off and the need to learn from past experiences in implementing it. With that in mind (and also allowing for the fact that neither of us are economists) - let's compare notes on the list of attributes you have suggested for such an economy. (I'll put my comments in blue).

Thank you for your reflective post. At least we are considering the same question here and of course the future can only be faintly imagined, but I feel that its important for Baha'is to have some idea of what the future would look like, even if it is very vague.

Hmmm! That's easier said than done - ask the EU! I would guess that global monetary union by itself probably couldn't work as a long-term strategy without global fiscal union - i.e. you would not only have to have a global bank that was responsible for things like setting interest rates, inflation targets and so on but also a global finance ministry that devised policy in order to boost economic growth and stimulate employment (for example). How that would work in a "globally-decentralized" economy I can't imagine. But if we take the European experiment as a test-case, how could we guard against (for example) setting interest rates so low that the economic boost given to the productivity of and exports from the industrialized valleys of Germany is not completely wiped out by the periodic bursting of credit bubbles in Ireland and Spain. Or vice versa of course. Presumably we will still have parts of the world that are better suited to industrial activities and others that lend themselves to agriculture - or tourism - I presume we'll still have tourism under a Baha'i economy? So will it really be just as cheap to finance the purchase or building of a house (for example) in the Bahamas, as it would be to do so in Highland Park, Detroit or a in tea-growing region of Vietnam?

Probably the best example we have is the United States of America. You have a single currency don't you? The population of USA is over 323 million. How long have you had a single currency? Many other nations also have the US dollar as their currency too. Its been a long hard road to forge USA into the nation it is today.

The European economy would be fascinating to study and I wish I had done economics at University. Europe is much more disparate than USA and so I imagine it will not be easy, but who would have imagined a common currency at the beginning of last century? Its only been 24 years since the Maastricht Treaty came into effect. The current population of the European Union is about 560 million. Of course that will take a massive hit with Brexit.

The general trend globally has been increasing economic interdependence don't you think?

At so critical an hour in the history of civilization it behooves the leaders of all the nations of the world, great and small, whether in the East or in the West, whether victors or vanquished, to give heed to the clarion call of Baha’u’llah and, thoroughly imbued with a sense of world solidarity, the sine qua non of loyalty to His Cause, arise manfully to carry out in its entirety the one remedial scheme He, the Divine Physician, has prescribed for an ailing humanity. Let them discard, once for all, every preconceived idea, every national prejudice, and give heed to the sublime counsel of Abdu’l-Baha, the authorized Expounder of His teachings. You can best serve your country, was Abdu’l-Baha’s rejoinder to a high official in the service of the federal government of the United States of America, who had questioned Him as to the best manner in which he could promote the interests of his government and people, if you strive, in your capacity as a citizen of the world, to assist in the eventual application of the principle of federalism underlying the government of your own country to the relationships now existing between the peoples and nations of the world. – Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Baha’u’llah, pp. 36-37.

Citizens, communities, nations, and governing institutions will be much more concerned for the well being of all.

That's nice! But how does "being concerned" translate into effective policy that guarantees the well-being of all whilst at the same time safeguarding individual economic liberty? Humanity has had "the Golden Rule" for millennia but it hasn't stopped millions from starving to death.

We have seen a marked growth in economic and international cooperation since WWII. Increasingly humanity does respond to global crises. Through better international governance and cooperation don't you think we could get better at it?

 

[Dawnofhope]

But what are the turnover stats? You obviously would know.

A young Persian woman (about 30 and an accountant) whom I know was elected for the first time. I wasn't at the National convention as its over a thousand miles away from where I live (our regions two delegates were a Samoan woman in her 30s and a young kiwi guy in his late 20s). Change is always seen as a positive. It means we have new input with fresh ideas and the opportunity to build capacity.

Our current local assembly has six women and three men. 3 are Pacific Islanders, 2 from Asia, 1 from Iran, 2 from Canada, and just 1 European New Zealander). So ethnically diverse and well represented with women.

 

[Dawnofhope]

Clearly this list is only there due to the early pioneers, encouraged by Effendi. {"But oh no, we don't proselytize.") There is no such list for Hindus, because we actually don't proselytize.

Here's the list for Hindus though.

Countries With The Largest Hindu Populations

The Baha'i list wasn't done by Baha'is. Perhaps it was put together by Hindus in India? A lot of New Zealand work gets outsourced to India for economic reasons.

 

[Vinayaka]

A young Persian woman (about 30 and an accountant) whom I know was elected for the first time. I wasn't at the National convention as its over a thousand miles away from where I live (our regions two delegates were a Samoan woman in her 30s and a young kiwi guy in his late 20s). Change is always seen as a positive. It means we have new input with fresh ideas and the opportunity to build capacity.

Our current local assembly has six women and three men. 3 are Pacific Islanders, 2 from Asia, 1 from Iran, 2 from Canada, and just 1 European New Zealander). So ethnically diverse and well represented with women.

The US national assembly has a very low turnover rate, with some people serving 30 years or more. (Can't remember where I read that, could be wrong) Last year all 9 incumbents got reelected. I was just curious about New Zealand is all. But I'll try to dig it up. I thought you'd know.

 

[Vinayaka]

Here's the list for Hindus though.

Countries With The Largest Hindu Populations

The Baha'i list wasn't done by Baha'is. Perhaps it was put together by Hindus in India? A lot of New Zealand work gets outsourced to India for economic reasons.

Yes. the cane slave diaspora spread Hinduism initially, and now it's just the nature of movement amongst people, and more likely skilled people. It doesn't matter to me who makes these lists, the more independent the better though. My comment was about why things spread. For Baha'i' it's clearly the evangelising spirit of your faith. Not saying ther's anything wrong with that.

 

[Dawnofhope]

Certainly there will be decades of built up resentment towards Iranian authorities. Many wars happen this way, because of century old feuds. Difficult, because of human instinctive nature, to forgive.

I don't hold resentment against Iranian authorities although no doubt would feel differently if any of my immediate family were murdered or imprisoned because of their religion.

Have the ruling Baha'i' been able to forgive the early covenant breakers?

Covenant breaking is very rare. There are two instances of Covenant breaking that I've heard of in New Zealand in the last 30 years.
Although Sen had his membership removed on the basis of 'an established pattern of behaviour and the statements he has published', we are free to associate with him and he is free to attend Baha'i holy day activities and other community activities other than feasts and Baha'i elections. I hold no resentment towards Sen.

 

[Dawnofhope]

My comment was about why things spread. For Baha'i' it's clearly the evangelising spirit of your faith. Not saying ther's anything wrong with that.

Pleased to hear that, and I am entirely comfortable if any other religion to a similar approach to the Baha'is with teaching and sharing. I think its great to have information freely available and a religion that suits one person will clearly not suit another. If people want to have no religion that's fine too, but it a good thing IMHO to have easy access to the available options.

 

[Dawnofhope]

The US national assembly has a very low turnover rate, with some people serving 30 years or more. (Can't remember where I read that, could be wrong) Last year all 9 incumbents got reelected. I was just curious about New Zealand is all. But I'll try to dig it up. I thought you'd know.

About 7 years ago another Baha'i friend on the NSA left for Australia. He had been the longest serving member at that time (13 years).

No sane Baha'i would want to be on the National Assembly because of the huge responsibility, but many would dutifully and sacrificially serve if elected.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

That's an excellent attachment thanks. Easy to read and very practical. I found myself in agreement about almost everything written. What are your thoughts about the gender specific roles as outlined:

Knowing the psychology of the man who tends to consider himself superior, the Buddha made a remarkable change and uplifted the status of a woman by a simple suggestion that a husband should honor and respect his wife. A husband should be faithful to his wife, which means that a husband should fulfill and maintain his marital obligations to his wife thus sustaining the confidence in the marital relationship in every sense of the word. The husband, being a bread-winner, would invariably stay away from home, hence he should entrust the domestic or household duties to the wife who should be considered as the keeper and the distributor of the property and the home economic-administrator. The provision of befitting ornaments to the wife should be symbolic of the husband's love, care and attention showered on the wife. This symbolic practice has been carried out from time immemorial in Buddhist communities. Unfortunately it is in danger of dying out because of the influence of modern civilization.

A Happy Married Life: A Buddhist Perspective

I don't care for how the author explained it; has some bias in it at the end. I liked how he says The Buddha uplifted the status of women. At one time, even, women couldn't be enlightened. I don't agree with the Indian view of marriage. But then, the suttas isn't a sacred scripture book and The Buddha is a human being. I guess it depends on the culture for me, feel all people can get married to whomever they want to commit themselves too. Don't know if back then other types of marriages (if there is such a thing) existed.

 

[Vinayaka]

I don't hold resentment against Iranian authorities although no doubt would feel differently if any of my immediate family were murdered or imprisoned because of their religion.

Yes that's where it gets tricky. I know all too well, because of my Sri Lankan friends. If you are forced to watch your mother and sister get raped, and your father hacked by axe, yeah, you might hold some resentment.

 

[Vinayaka]

Pleased to hear that, and I am entirely comfortable if any other religion to a similar approach to the Baha'is with teaching and sharing. I think its great to have information freely available and a religion that suits one person will clearly not suit another. If people want to have no religion that's fine too, but it a good thing IMHO to have easy access to the available options.

All you need is a computer. There s no longer a need for personal 'sharing'.

 

[oldbadger]

Ha ha Good evening on my Saturday to you now 7:15 pm

You upside down lot down there! Why can't you live the right way up like us sensible Brits?

A Baha'i would say look at what binds us, we are all like each other.

Regards Tony

Getting slightly more serious, one Bahai wrote on this thread about all those other folks, partying and getting drunk.

As a Deist I can assure you that Deists are so different from each other as to seem poles apart. Some declare themselves to be atheists, because of course, theism is all about Gods that are aware of humans and even care about them. Deists believe in God(s), but that are either not aware of or not interested in humans.

My God is an immensely Great Being, all of every thing and force that exists, and so on Earth the most obvious manifestation is Nature. And so my God is female, beautiful, wonderful and at the same time ruthless and terrible. I am content with Her desires and decisions, and feel much more close to trhe sparrows in our garden because of course they are as important in Nature's way as me.

 

[oldbadger]

Good morning

Sorry to hear that. It all sounds extremely difficult. Anticonvulsants such as sodium valproate (epilim) all carry a major risk of causing fetal abnormalities, especially in the first trimester. On the other hand your wife had severe epilepsy. It is being caught between a rock and a hard place, and would have been very difficult for the neurologist treating her.

The culture of medicine has changed enormously, and there is much more patient centeredness with an emphasis on having a collaborative relationship where we are providing medical advice to assist our patients make informed decisions about their health. Its the patients life and health. We're just providing professional advice (albeit based on extensive training and experience.)

Its good to have more understanding about what happened.

Thanks for all that.

In regards to the Baha'i community I'm sure it was a very different Baha'i community to what it is today. It was only in the 60s/70s that we had a significant number of Western Baha'is join the faith. I think many had no real idea of what the Baha'i faith was, and some of course left disillusioned like your friend. The culture in the Baha'i faith is different now but we are really still a very young community considering in many places we have only been established for a few decades.

Clearly it was massively different. In many ways my wife's group was like a Universal Unitarian .... honest.
They were very big on the Bahai miracles.... I haven't heard a word about them in the last 30 years.

All I can say is that its a tough world in general practice seeing up to 25 patients a day, and anyone can come in with anything. Then again to become a vocationally registered GP requires at least 11 years training.

As I thought. I have been lucky this last four months because my GP's speciality is Respiratory Illnesses.

It would be interesting to know the implications for Baha'i institutions.

There will be bodies that are partially exempt from some aspects of the legislation, but every group and company needs to check it all out very carefully.

I became very acquainted with the mental health act in regards to involuntary assessment and treatment of patients which of course is a huge ethical area in its own right. Under what circumstances should civil liberties be removed if someone is so mentally disordered they present an immediate risk to themselves, others, or can not care for themselves.

Ah...... I became acquainted with various aspects of mental health, as a layman, because of my late wife's extraordinary mental disabilities. She was entered into a very special clinic adjacent to Guy's Hospital where extreme and unusual cases were observed. I say 'observed' because I came to believe that my wife could not be treated or made better in any way.
One doctor, psychotherapist who visited her for therapy did make a tremendous difference and my wife remained more or less stable between therapies. I think I know how he might have achieved that. He was later convicted and sentenced to 8 years imprisonment on 13 specimen charges (there were hundreds of victims) of patient rape. (Dr A.)

I think its important seekers understand what they are joining. As @Vinayaka highlighted, if someone wants to live a homosexual lifestyle find a religion that is more tolerant of that.

I don't think that people can choose their beliefs....... they just get shackled to them.

When this thread started, and Baha'is started talking about Hinduism, it quickly became apparent to our resident Hindu on this thread that none of us knew what we were talking about. When you start telling a member of any Faith group what they believe, they quickly detect the irony.

Maybe its better to ask questions?

The Baha'i faith has characteristics of a theocracy and I'm good with that, providing its understood that its an entirely different approach compared to Judaism, Catholicism, and Islam, and we have other aspects of governance incorporated such as democracy.

All though the laws of Moses were written to suit the situation long long ago, the 507 laws are fantastic. Every single one of them is written to make the Israelites more secure, stronger, more successful, more cohesed, and more community orientated. The poor-laws are just wonderful. I have ommitted the 96 sacrificial laws of course.

We all have prejudices and biases and we all need to spent much more time considering our own, and not so much others. Its a little like the log and speck Jesus talked about.

Hope you have a great day.

Indeed.

 

[InvestigateTruth]

I understand that you wish to use definitions based on Baha'i' writings. But I'm not a Baha'i' so I feel no need to follow that lead.
Fighting weapons without weapons? Do you mean how Gandhi did it? Let them kill you until their conscience kicks in?

Yes, I agree, that as the philosophy seems now with Baha'i; a Baha'i' theocracy would be very different than an Iranian Islamic theocracy. But we really wouldn't know until it happened. People's philosophy about minorities often has quite the shift once they're the ones in power. Too bad there wasn't a small country (like Israel is for the Jews) where that was the case, and we'd have a better idea if the Baha'i' could actually walk the walk of all their talk. Look at Islam ... those same Saudis or iranians who find themselves in a minority situation, like in Europe, are all about talking peace towards minorities.

Frankly, I'd have to see it to believe it, but that's unlikely to happen.

If the Baha'is follow the teachings of Baha'u'llah, then certainly a Baha'i majority world will be a very peaceful and just world. Unless the Baha'is at some point start acting opposite of teachings of Baha'ullah, I do not see any reason not to believe that a Baha'i world will be like a heaven on the earth. And if the Baha'is as a worldwide community start forgetting the message of Bahaullah and act the opposite of teachings of Baha'ullah, then I believe God will manifest again, and reminds the same message.

 

[oldbadger]

It's confusing from the outside. The way the Baha'i's disagree on here (only in their answers to questions to outsiders, never directly to each other) you'd think some of them would be wrong enough to have their voting rights taken away. Seems to me they say far more 'off the official stuff' than Sen did. But then he was publishing a lot too, and theirs is just in dialogue with us.

Exactly so...............
I have noticed the differences in details about Bahai as well.

On another matter, I'm fairly sure that Bahais are commanded to obey the laws of the countries in which they live. Bahais often make mention of Iran and how ruthless this country is in obstructing, imprisoning and executing Bahais.

They have not only been deliberately displaying, teaching and expressing their Bahai Faith in a Shia Muslim country, but they have been deliberately disobeying the country's laws and committing Iranian criminal offences there.

It's just the other face of the coin.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

You will have to offer proof for this statement

but they have been deliberately disobeying the country's laws and committing Iranian criminal offences there.

All Baha'i's are Law abiding Citizens and the Iranians are the most outstanding, staunch and dedicated Baha'is there are.

So what law are they not following, is there a Law that says they are not allowed to be a Baha'i? That could not be followed, but Iran is a signatory to religous freedom.

Maybe you mean that it is the Iranian Government breaking their own laws in the persecution of the Baha'is, as that is what is happening.

Regards Tony

 

[Dawnofhope]

I don't like long posts with lots of quotations, as with many on this thread. However we are dealing with an extremely weighty and important topic here.

The Baha'is are very positive about many of the social, political, and religious developments over the last century or so. In contrast to some Christian denominations who fear one world governments and label organisations like the United Nations, the beast, the Baha'is are extremely positive about international organisations that promote social and economic integration despite their obvious flaws and limitations.

The Baha'i vision again:

“A world community in which all economic barriers will have been permanently demolished and the interdependence of capital and labour definitely recognized; in which the clamour of religious fanaticism and strife will have been forever stilled; in which the flame of racial animosity will have been finally extinguished; in which a single code of international law—the product of the considered judgement of the world’s federated representatives—shall have as its sanction the instant and coercive intervention of the combined forces of the federated units; and finally a world community in which the fury of a capricious and militant nationalism will have been transmuted into an abiding consciousness of world citizenship—such indeed, appears, in its broadest outline, the Order anticipated by Bahá’u’lláh, an Order that shall come to be regarded as the fairest fruit of a slowly maturing age.”

and

The implementation of these far-reaching measures was indicated by Bahá’u’lláh: “The time must come when the imperative necessity for the holding of a vast, an all-embracing assemblage of men will be universally realized. The rulers and kings of the earth must needs attend it, and, participating in its deliberations, must consider such ways and means as will lay the foundations of the world’s Great Peace amongst men.”

The Promise of World Peace—The Universal House of Justice

Individual and community initiatives for the betterment of all will be more valued and supported.

Which initiatives and how? I mean how will we decide which initiatives are "for the betterment of all" and how much more valued this or that initiative as opposed to that or the other initiative should be?

It will be for governments to decide, as they do now. Governments of the future will be better at it, and in contrast to the more extreme lassaiz faire free market policies where the business entrepreneurs will take care of everything both to do with economics and social welfare, they will be much more concerned and proactively engaged with meeting social need.

On the one hand, people of all nations proclaim not only their readiness but their longing for peace and harmony, for an end to the harrowing apprehensions tormenting their daily lives. On the other, uncritical assent is given to the proposition that human beings are incorrigibly selfish and aggressive and thus incapable of erecting a social system at once progressive and peaceful, dynamic and harmonious, a system giving free play to individual creativity and initiative but based on co-operation and reciprocity.

Resources will be more fairly distributed.

Agreed - but that's really just a glib description of socialism. The question is still how do you do that without impinging on our cherished liberties?

This is pivotal to a more peaceful and prosperous global community IMHO. Some socialist principles are entirely consistent with the spirit of the new age and Baha'i teachings. However:

'The inordinate disparity between rich and poor, a source of acute suffering, keeps the world in a state of instability, virtually on the brink of war. Few societies have dealt effectively with this situation. The solution calls for the combined application of spiritual, moral and practical approaches. A fresh look at the problem is required, entailing consultation with experts from a wide spectrum of disciplines, devoid of economic and ideological polemics, and involving the people directly affected in the decisions that must urgently be made. It is an issue that is bound up not only with the necessity for eliminating extremes of wealth and poverty but also with those spiritual verities the understanding of which can produce a new universal attitude. Fostering such an attitude is itself a major part of the solution.'

The Promise of World Peace—The Universal House of Justice

We will have a progressive tax system.

Nothing new here.

Flat Tax or Graduated Tax?

No, it is a well established economic principle to assist managing the inordinate disparity between wealth and poverty.

The significance of this Baha'i Teaching, is not that it is something new, but in keeping with the spirit of the age. Many Baha'i Teachings that would have seemed fringe a century ago, are now mainstream now.

There will be higher levels of profit sharing.

Higher than? What is the target here? 100%?

Profit sharing has becoming increasingly utilised by businesses as it results in a more motivated workforce, and a more humane working environment, where everyone feels much more engaged and part of the team.

Also, every factory that has ten thousand shares will give two thousand shares of these ten thousand to its employees and will write the shares in their names, so that they may have them, and the rest will belong to the capitalists. Then at the end of the month or year whatever they may earn after the expenses and wages are paid, according to the number of shares, should be divided among both.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Foundations of World Unity, p. 43)

Profit Sharing

It should be emphasised again that Baha'u'llah did not bring an economic system, and this will develop organically over time.

Bahá’u’lláh did not bring a complete system of economics to the world. Profit sharing is recommended as a solution to one form of economic problems. There is nothing in the teachings against some kind of capitalism; its present form, though, would require adjustments to be made.

Bahá'í Reference Library - Directives from the Guardian, Pages 20-21

There will be a more cohesive and fair welfare system.

Yep - I doubt there has been a Presidential Candidate or political party leader in the last half century that hasn't promised that - but it means diametrically opposite things when the promise comes from the right than it does when it comes from left or even center.

Once again mainstream Baha'i ideology and keeping with the spirit of the age. Politicians here don't always have the best reputation for walking the talk. How about in your country?

The time has come when those who preach the dogmas of materialism, whether of the east or the west, whether of capitalism or socialism, must give account of the moral stewardship they have presumed to exercise. Where is the “new world” promised by these ideologies? Where is the international peace to whose ideals they proclaim their devotion? Where are the breakthroughs into new realms of cultural achievement produced by the aggrandizement of this race, of that nation or of a particular class? Why is the vast majority of the world’s peoples sinking ever deeper into hunger and wretchedness when wealth on a scale undreamed of by the Pharaohs, the Caesars, or even the imperialist powers of the nineteenth century is at the disposal of the present arbiters of human affairs?

 

[Dawnofhope]

Education and the requirement to contribute to the community through work will be universal.

Education yes - and I agree with that it should be a fundamental human expectation (I dislike the word "rights" but I do think it is only fair that each child should reasonably expect to receive education sufficient to be able to fulfill their responsibility to "contribute" and to have a reasonable chance of making sense of their place in the cosmos). The work thing would need a tighter definition IMO. Is getting paid to "clip the ticket" of every financial transaction that I (and everyone else) makes really "work" that contributes to the community? But with a world bank and a world finance ministry in control, I suppose there would have to be a veritable army of financial transaction "ticket clippers" - looks like the City of London will survive the onset of the Baha'i World Government after all.

The cause of universal education, which has already enlisted in its service an army of dedicated people from every faith and nation, deserves the utmost support that the governments of the world can lend it. For ignorance is indisputably the principal reason for the decline and fall of peoples and the perpetuation of prejudice. No nation can achieve success unless education is accorded all its citizens. Lack of resources limits the ability of many nations to fulfil this necessity, imposing a certain ordering of priorities. The decision-making agencies involved would do well to consider giving first priority to the education of women and girls, since it is through educated mothers that the benefits of knowledge can be most effectively and rapidly diffused throughout society. In keeping with the requirements of the times, consideration should also be given to teaching the concept of world citizenship as part of the standard education of every child.

The Promise of World Peace—The Universal House of Justice

Those involved in government will be more sensitive to the needs of the community and much more connected to their fellow citizen, their hopes their aspirations.

Like Donald Trump and Teresa May?

Hmm, yeah. Is this as good as it gets? Pretty depressing if it is.

Are these lofty words relevant and do these politicians meet the standards?

Concerning the proceedings for this world gathering, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the son of Bahá’u’lláh and authorized interpreter of his teachings, offered these insights: “They must make the Cause of Peace the object of general consultation, and seek by every means in their power to establish a Union of the nations of the world. They must conclude a binding treaty and establish a covenant, the provisions of which shall be sound, inviolable and definite. They must proclaim it to all the world and obtain for it the sanction of all the human race. This supreme and noble undertaking—the real source of the peace and well-being of all the world—should be regarded as sacred by all that dwell on earth. All the forces of humanity must be mobilized to ensure the stability and permanence of this Most Great Covenant. In this all-embracing Pact the limits and frontiers of each and every nation should be clearly fixed, the principles underlying the relations of governments towards one another definitely laid down, and all international agreements and obligations ascertained. In like manner, the size of the armaments of every government should be strictly limited, for if the preparations for war and the military forces of any nation should be allowed to increase, they will arouse the suspicion of others. The fundamental principle underlying this solemn Pact should be so fixed that if any government later violate any one of its provisions, all the governments on earth should arise to reduce it to utter submission, nay the human race as a whole should resolve, with every power at its disposal, to destroy that government. Should this greatest of all remedies be applied to the sick body of the world, it will assuredly recover from its ills and will remain eternally safe and secure.”

The most capable people (including moral capacity) will be elected to power.

Like Donald Trump and Teresa May (or the Dalai Lama)?

Lol. Electioneering is banned in Baha'i elections. Self-aggrandizement is seen as a negative, not a positive.

There would be both decentralisation of resources and more cohesive international governing bodies. The roles and functions of National governments would alter and may be diminished as a result.

Yikes! That sounds like the antithesis of "cohesive" to me - that sounds like EU bureaucracy on a global scale. That sounds like the very strategy that tore asunder the unity (if there ever was unity) of the "Union".

I was thinking more of unbridled nationalism:


Unbridled nationalism, as distinguished from a sane and legitimate patriotism, must give way to a wider loyalty, to the love of humanity as a whole. Bahá’u’lláh’s statement is: “The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.” The concept of world citizenship is a direct result of the contraction of the world into a single neighbourhood through scientific advances and of the indisputable interdependence of nations. Love of all the world’s peoples does not exclude love of one’s country. The advantage of the part in a world society is best served by promoting the advantage of the whole. Current international activities in various fields which nurture mutual affection and a sense of solidarity among peoples need greatly to be increased.

 

[CG Didymus]

Or possibly because five or more members voted for my expulsion, for two or more different reasons. Not every UHJ decision is made in consultation : in some cases a document prepared by the secretariat is circulated to gain at least five signatures from members. In that case, nobody would know what the reasoning was of the five or more members who decided to approve the letter -- not even the UHJ collectively would know that. Even if they regretted that no clear reason was given, there would be nothing they could do about it.

Likewise, if the decision was made in consultation, the reasonings of the individual members could be diverse, although in that case the members at the time would hear what the other members' reasoning was.

This is generally the case, with all UHJ decisions - whatever you may hear about "why" a decision was made must be taken with a grain of salt.

So are decisions made by the UHJ infallible or only meant to be taken as if they are infallible?