National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Canada.
Our beloved Guardian has instructed me to write you on his behalf and
bring to your attention a certain matter.
He has heard from a number of sources that some of the Canadian believers
have been deprived of their voting rights; and he feels that all National
Spiritual Assemblies should bear in mind that this is the heaviest
sanction we possess at present in the Faith, short of excommunication,
which lies within the powers of the Guardian alone; and is consequently a
very weighty weapon to wield.
He considers that under no circumstances should any Baha'i ever be
suspended from the voting list and deprived of his administrative
privileges for a matter which is not of the utmost gravity. By that he
means breaking of laws, such as the consent of parents to marriage etc.,
or acts of such an immoral character as to damage the good name of the
Faith.
He has informed, some years ago, the American National Spiritual Assembly
that, before anyone is deprived of their voting rights, they should be
consulted with and lovingly admonished at first, given repeated warnings
if they do not mend their immoral ways, or whatever other extremely
serious misdemeanor they are committing, and finally, after these repeated
warnings, be deprived of their voting rights.
He feels that a great many problems within the communities would be solved
if the believers would more constructively devote their attention to the
teaching work and carrying out the provisions of the Ten Year Plan as they
affect Canada. The leadership of your Assembly in these matters will no
doubt be of great help and inspiration to the friends; and he on his part
will reinforce you with his prayers.
With warm Baha'i love,
R. RABBANI.