32: To the general premise that women and men have equality in the
Faith,...
To the general premise that women and men have equality in the Faith,
this, as often explained by 'Abdu'l-Baha, is a fundamental principle
deriving from Baha'u'llah and therefore His mention of the "Men of
Justice" in the Kitab-i-Aqdas should be considered in light of that
principle....
(29 June 1976 to an individual believer) [32]
33: ...'Abdu'l-Baha asserts: "In this divine age the bounties of God
have...
...'Abdu'l-Baha asserts: "In this divine age the bounties of God have
encompassed the world of women. Equality of men and women, except in some
negligible instances, has been fully and categorically announced.
Distinctions have been utterly removed." That men and women differ from
one another in certain characteristics and functions is an inescapable
fact of nature; the important thing is that He regards such inequalities
as remain between the sexes as being "negligible".
(8 January 1981 to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States)
[33]
34: You are quite right in stating that men and women have basic and
distinct...
You are quite right in stating that men and women have basic and distinct
qualities. The solution provided in the teachings of Baha'u'llah is not,
as you correctly observe, for men to become women, and for women to become
men. 'Abdu'l-Baha gave us the key to the problem when He taught that the
qualities and functions of men and women "complement" each other. He
further elucidated this point when He said that the "new age" will be "an
age in which the masculine and feminine elements of civilization will be
more properly balanced."
(22 April 1981 to an individual believer) [34]
35: It may be helpful to stress ... that the Baha'i principle of the...
It may be helpful to stress ... that the Baha'i principle of the equality
of men and women is clearly stated in the teachings, and the fact that
there is diversity of function between them in certain areas does not
negate this principle.
(23 August 1984 to two believers) [35]