In cases of tie votes for the ninth-least-populous vote (for example), a run-off election is held (unless one of the tied candidates is a member of a minority in the community and is deemed elected). In general, adult Baháʼís in good standing resident in the jurisdiction are both the electorate (either directly or through delegation) as well as the pool of potential members to serve on the body being elected. The members of these councils, themselves, have no individual authority. Over this period, Baháʼí institutions and inter-institutional collaboration became clearer, many finer points of Baháʼí law were explained, and the faith was spread to most of the globe. Great effort is spent on organizing elections to meet with the exacting standards set by Shoghi Effendi. The Bahá'í Administrative Order is the administrative system of the Bahá'í Faith. One of his greatest legacies to the development of the Baháʼí administrative system, however, was his will and testament, wherein he describes several new institutions. Character of Bahá’í Administration []. The Tablets of the Divine Plan stand out, however, and formed a great part of the early goal setting and planning processes of the nascent spiritual community. Bahá'í Community & Administrative System. The Baháʼí administration or Baháʼí administrative order is the administrative system of the Baháʼí Faith. [7], A key point of the process of administration is the practice of consultation. The Baháʼí administration has two distinct elements: the elected and appointed. The New World Order; The Foundation of the House of Justice; Duties of Elected Representatives; Election of Delegates; Letter of September 24, 1924. Should any one oppose, he must on no account feel hurt for not until matters are fully discussed can the right way be revealed. The Bahá’í administrative order has been described by the Guardian "not only as the nucleus but the very pattern of the New World Order." Letter regarding democracy, "Baha'i democratization," theocracy, authority, and the Bahá’í Administrative Order. By Ann Boyles. Sometimes several countries are grouped together into a single Assembly, for instance the Baltic States, or (originally) Canada and the United States. "Democratic Elections without Campaigns? Under its guidance, elected bodies, known as Local Spiritual Assemblies and National Spiritual Assemblies tend to the affairs of the Bahá’í community at their respective levels, exercising legislative, executive, and judicial authority. It has a full-time director.[12][13][14]. the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, the Tablets of the Divine Plan, the Tablet of Carmel and the Will and Testament of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá. This difference is highlighted in a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi concerning the future world government foretold by Bahá’u’lláh and outlined by Shoghi Effendi: If after discussion, a decision be carried unanimously, well and good; but if the Lord forbid, differences of opinion should arise, a majority of voices must prevail."[8][9]. As a result: Shoghi Effendi saw these (and other) aspects as essential to preserving the full rights and prerogatives of the electors, guarding them against manipulation. Baha'i Administrative Order. Learn More . The affairs of the Bahá’í community are administered through a system of institutions, each with its defined sphere of action. When duly constituted, however, and specifically when deciding matters as a body, these councils act as the heads of the community. from the chronology of Canada from the main catalogue. Baháʼís consider their electoral process to be a sacred act, essential to the health of the community. The Local House of Justice is elected by the believers in the local community. Firstly, as a Bahá’í who has given many decades of outstanding service in your community, you understand that the Bahá’í Administrative Order is an integral part of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh; it is a divinely conceived system which, as the Guardian explained in The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh, “incorporates within its structure certain elements which are to be found in each of the three … The Baha'i Administrative Order. Shoghi Effendi described the death of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá and the start of his own administration as the end of the "Heroic age" and the start of the "Formative" age of the Baháʼí Faith. The Source from which it derives its inspiration is no one less than Bahá’u’lláh Himself.” –Shoghi Effendi. The members of this Institution encourage action, foster individual initiative, and promote learning within the Bahá’í community as a whole, in addition to offering advice to Spiritual Assemblies. The book briefly discusses how assemblies are established, their station in the Baha'i community, qualifications for membership, … Bahá'í Community & Administrative System Justice, Unity & Peace. Baháʼís may, depending on circumstances, serve on multiple institutions. Their role is as flexible as their Auxiliary board member feels is appropriate. Menace of Social Chaos; Paramount Duty of Every Bahá’í; Letter of November 27, 1924. Under Shoghi Effendi, the Baháʼí Faith underwent its most dramatic shift in shape and process. • Host a community event in celebration of the administrative order. These assemblies are elected annually through locally elected delegates. Students may These assistants often meet with Local Spiritual Assemblies, speak at events, and are sought for advice by individual community members. The appointed members act as individuals. Administrative system of the Baháʼí Faith, Learn how and when to remove these template messages, Learn how and when to remove this template message, texts from within a religion or faith system, Statistics on National Spiritual Assemblies, "Baháʼí Reference Library – God Passes By, Pages 197–220", "Baháʼí Reference Library – The World Order of Baháʼu'lláh, Pages 143–157", "Baháʼí Reference Library – Tablets of Baháʼu'lláh Revealed After the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Pages 83–97", "Baháʼí Reference Library – Tablets of Baháʼu'lláh Revealed After the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Pages 21–29", "Baháʼí Reference Library – Peace, Page 33", "Baháʼí Reference Library – The World Order of Baháʼu'lláh, Pages 64–67", Baha'i Administration: Selected Messages 1922–1932, Changing Reality: The Bahá'í Community and the Creation of a New Reality, "FOR BAHA'I FAITH, ELECTIONS ARE SPIRITUAL CAMPAIGNING FORBIDDEN IN VOTING FOR ADMINISTRATIVE BODY", "Association for Baha'i Studies » Archive » Baha'i Internet Agency Whitepapers", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Baháʼí_administration&oldid=1000926243, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles lacking reliable references from January 2021, Articles needing more viewpoints from January 2021, Articles with multiple maintenance issues, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2021, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. 3– 5). Voters are strongly encouraged to study and discuss, in abstract, the qualities named by Shoghi Effendi as being necessary in those elected to serve, without reference to individuals. The Baháʼí community began to incorporate more active service, socio-economic development efforts ballooned in number, and local and national communities became more focused on examining the needs of their wider non-Baháʼí communities, to see how the faith could aid them. Baha'i Publications Bookstore. •Make the mobile in “Bahá’u’lláh’s Gift to the World” (Brilliant Star MJ 91, pp. [citation needed]. The earliest days of the 21st century saw the Baháʼís begin to pare down their administrative structures, appoint fewer committees, and focus on very specific goals outlined by the Universal House of Justice – namely the creation of small grass-roots study groups, the creation of more neighbourhood-centric children's classes, and the increase in the spiritual character of the community through small devotional gatherings. to such other factors as age distribution, diversity, and gender."[16]. It is split into two parts, the elected and the appointed. During ʻAbdu'l-Bahá's life, he oversaw and encouraged the establishment of many elected local councils, calling them "Spiritual Assemblies". These members act as delegates in a manner similar to National Baháʼí elections. Bahá'í Faith. To these he commanded the obedience of the Baháʼís. Baháʼís should not seek to promote themselves as candidates. "Baha'is hold unique democratic elections.". The Bahá’í administrative order has been described by the Guardian "not only as the nucleus but the very pattern of the New World Order." Nominations and campaigning are prohibited. This page was last edited on 17 January 2021, at 11:28. The subject is described in some detail in the Bahá’í Administrative Order topic collection in the “ What Bahá’ís Believe ” area of this website. They are also free to voice any relevant concerns they have to the delegation and to the outgoing and incoming Assemblies. Members of the Auxiliary Boards appointed by the Counsellors who are elected to such an institution are asked to choose to serve either in their elected or appointed capacity, but not both. Regional Baháʼí Councils (RBC) have also been established in several larger national Baháʼí communities. Just as the Administrative Order cannot rightly function without the believers trusting in its self-correcting nature, so history has shown that scholarship cannot flourish unless it is pursued in an atmosphere of freedom from intimidation and The Baháʼí writings affirm that its decisions are "the source of all good and freed from all error". Administrative Order, Suggestions about changes in , by Universal House of Justice (1995).Ways in which Baha'is may make suggestions for change within the Baha'i administration, and the nature of internet discussions. Creating a constitution for itself that incorporated obedience to the body of Shoghi Effendi's writings, and to those of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá and Baháʼu'lláh, the Universal House of Justice assumed full authority over the affairs of the Baháʼí community. Clarifying Baháʼu'lláh's comments about his descendants and authority, he described the Institution of the Guardianship, which he saw as functioning in concert with the Universal House of Justice – one bearing responsibility for interpretation of scripture, the other as legislator of new law not covered by existing scripture. Baháʼí World News Service (2005/05/18). The affairs of the Bahá’í community are administered without clergy, through institutions, established by Bahá’u’lláh to foster universal participation and … However, beyond this there are several practical limitations. An institution of appointed individuals of proven capacity—the institution of the Counsellors—also functions under the guidance of the Universal House of Justice and exerts influence on the life of the Bahá’í community, from the grassroots to the international level. It has been the general characteristic of religion that organization marks the interruption of the true spiritual influence and serves to prevent the original impulse from being carried into the world. The energy that Bahá’ís devote to enhancement of institutional capacity, and the care with which they follow the evolution and development of administrative processes and structures, is not motivated simply by a wish to increase the efficiency with which the Bahá’í … At the local (city, town, county) level of administration, the nine-member Local Spiritual Assembly is elected by adult Baháʼís in that particular locality once a year during their Annual General Meeting on the First Day of the Ridvan Festival (the 13th day of the month of Glory, about 20 or 21 April). When, shortly after its ultimate election in 1963, this body examined the question of the succession of the Guardian it determined that there was no way to satisfy the provisions of the will and testament of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, and that, therefore, no successor to the Shoghi Effendi could be named. Members of the Universal House of Justice do not simultaneously serve on other elected bodies, though this may not be a formal policy. The Bahá’í Faith unfolds an Administrative Order that is in the revealed Writings of its Founder, Bahá’u’lláh. From the outset of his ministry, Shoghi Effendi dedicated energy to the development of the Administrative Order, bringing it into being in embryonic form and paving the way for the election of the Universal House of Justice. They advise Baháʼís at the international level and coordinate the efforts of the Continental Counsellors. The Bahá’í Administrative Order concerns the system of administration within the Bahá’í Faith rather than civil government. The formation of this International Executive, which corresponds to the executive head or board in present-day national governments, is but a step leading to the Baháʼí world government of the future, and hence should not be identified with either the institution of the Guardianship or that of the International House of Justice. The supreme governing institution of the Bahá’í Faith is the Universal House of Justice, situated in Haifa, Israel. Centers of Learning. When it was determined that no more "Hands" could be appointed, the Universal House of Justice formed the Institution of the Counsellors to fulfill their duties. Notes: Mirrored from bahai.org, where it is also available in PDF and Word formats. The Bahá’í administration or Bahá’í administrative order refers to the administrative system of the Bahá’í Faith. The Baha’is of the United States operate three year-round conference and retreat centers that offer a wide range of programming for adults, youth and children. That same year the Auxiliary Board members were authorized to name "assistants" to act on local levels. Our Inner Life; Dawn of a Brighter Day; Letter of November 24th, 1924. The Baha’i Administrative Order is organized into Houses of Justice of nine members each. Their function is loosely defined, though their duties are divided into the two general categories of protection and propagation of the Baháʼí Faith. While they have no authority to command or rule on matters, they are "the learned" and individuals and institutions are morally obliged to consider their opinions. Electors write the individual names of exactly nine eligible Baháʼís, without repeating. Rather, these were to be seen as activities which were open to the wider community, but would be characteristic of a Baháʼí's community life. Having no ordained, professional priesthood, Baháʼís operate through a type of non-partisan democratic self-government. These boundaries are subject to the discretion of the Universal House of Justice, and can obviously change, Canada and the USA now having their own individual National Assemblies. Within it, the Bahá’í International Community states, encouragement of diversity of opinion has important implications in the realms of both belief and action. Foremost, the Administrative Order is intended to serve as a channel through which the spirit of the Faith is to flow, embodying in its operation the kind of relationships that must come to bind together and sustain society as humanity moves towards collective maturity. Today the Universal House of Justice is the central governing body of the Administrative Order. administrative order for firesides using the various art activities from classes. A special gathering such as a Model Feast or a Unity Feast may be planned to include family and friends of all students. In 1968, the Universal House of Justice, in collaboration with the Hands of the Cause of God determined that only a Guardian of the Cause could appoint the Hands of the Cause, and decided to create the Continental Boards of Counsellors, to continue and assist in the work of the Hands. Shoghi Effendi worked throughout his life to establish the necessary secondary institutions that were required for the election of the Universal House of Justice, which was first elected in 1963. https://bahaiteachings.org › bahai-administrative-order-explained Administrative Order. The Bahá’í institutions, principles and processes of this Order are conceived not only as a means of administering the internal aspects of Bahá’í community life. He revealed principles that guide its operation, established its institutions, appointed ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as the sole interpreter of His Word, and conferred … The Baháʼí administration or Baháʼí administrative order is the administrative system of the Baháʼí Faith. National and Local Spiritual Assemblies are seen as requiring deference and obedience, but can be overruled by a superior elected institution. Alaska). BIA is supervised by the International Teaching Centre. These seem to be evolving and assuming many growth and consolidation and educational functions of Local Spiritual Assemblies, allowing these local bodies to meet the more personal needs of their community members. The origins of this system—known as the Bahá’í Administrative Order—are found in the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh Himself. In addition, no input is provided to the delegates, either at the local or national levels, on whom to vote for in the national election. The essentiality of the Administrative Order is upheld by Bahá’í law as borne out in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, in which Bahá’u’lláh calls attention to "this wondrous System—the like of which mortal eyes have never witnessed. Though Baháʼu'lláh intimated, earlier, many of the policies that would form the basis of the Baháʼí administrative system, his Kitáb-i-Aqdas provides the most solid initial glimpse of this system: This House of Justice is described as being in concert with Baha'u'llah and the Aghsán, his descendants, but with the responsibility for creating and abrogating laws not explicitly revealed in the sacred scripture. . GOAL: TO UNDERSTAND THE SIGNIFICANCE AND DISTINCTION OF THE BAHÁ’Í INSTITUTIONS TOPIC: THE ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH 6 World Order of Bahá’u’lláh—Level Two Sample Activities ACTIVITY 1: GUARDIANS FOR ALL THAT DWELL ON EARTH SUGGESTED TIME FOR ACTIVITY: 30 MIN. It is split into two parts, the elected and the appointed. Over time, these concepts were clarified initially in Baháʼu'lláh's writings, and then in those of his eldest son and successor, ʻAbdu'l-Bahá. Materials Needed: • Copies of Resource Page 11 or copy and display the quotation on chart … Bahá'í community. The origins of this system—known as the Bahá’í Administrative Order—are found in the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh Himself. Seen as embryonic institutions, national and local Houses of Justice are currently given the temporary appellation of "Spiritual Assemblies"[11] and are expected, over time, to mature into fully functional Houses of Justice. The Baháʼís were encouraged not to see these "core activities" as simply Baháʼí activities. The supreme governing institution of the Baháʼí Faith is the Universal House of Justice, situated in Haifa, Israel. This governance system is called the "administrative order." Bahá'í Faith. The National House of Justice is elected by delegates at a national convention. The Administrative Order, which ever since ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá’s ascension has evolved and is taking shape under our very eyes in no fewer than forty countries of the world, may be considered as the framework of the Will itself, the inviolable stronghold wherein this new-born child is being nurtured and developed. The Baháʼí Administrative Order concerns the system of administration within the Baháʼí Faith rather than civil government. The Administrative Order of the Cause, though first established in America, copied as a model by other national Bahá’í communities, is not an American production, but is a universal system based on the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. [5], These statements praise the principles of kingship and consultation with the people as principles for civil government. While most of the above have been in place for decades or more, in recent years with the institution of the Baháʼí institute process a number of other possible positions have been named: Regional Institute Boards, Area Teaching Committees, Cluster Growth Facilitators, Cluster Institute Coordinators, Cluster Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Programme Coordinators, and Cluster Children's Class Coordinator being examples. The Universal House of Justice is the supreme governing body of the Baháʼí Faith. This period also saw the establishment of regional councils, who form a level of administrative action more specific than a National Spiritual Assembly, but broader than the civic locality, a boundary which almost always defines the jurisdictions of Local Spiritual Assembly. In the event of a tying vote for the last places, if one of these individuals is a member of a minority, this individual is automatically awarded the position. The members thereof must take counsel together in such wise that no occasion for ill-feeling or discord may arise. Again, no nominations occur, and each Local Spiritual Assembly member is directed to vote for those individuals who are resident in the region they feel are best suited to serve. Within it, the Bahá’í International Community states, encouragement of diversity of opinion has important implications in the realms of both belief and action. • Hold a Nineteen Day Feast entirely planned and executed by the learners. The Bahá ’ í ; Letter of November 27, 1924 Writings affirm that its are. Chaos ; Paramount Duty of every Bahá ’ u ’ lláh Himself. ” –Shoghi Effendi Democratic! At events, and currently sitting members of National Baha ' i elections. `` [ 16 ] elected is. Specifically when deciding matters as a cohesive whole and process Stories from the Bahá í... Clash of differing opinions traditional functions of community leadership and moral leadership are vested! 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