“A mother writes to the Universal House of Justice” September 30, 2013
11 March 2011
“To The Universal House of Justice
I am having trouble accepting the Baha’i teachings on homosexuality and
would appreciate further guidance. My son is gay which means that I am
forced to explore this issue in greater depth and the test has become
more real. I wrote a while ago about this issue to the National
Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’i’s of the United Kingdom. They sent me a
letter written by the Universal House of Justice dated October 1995 and
also a paper from the Baha’i International Community on the same
subject. Although this reading helped to clarify my vision to a certain
extent I still feel as though I am not fully able to understand or
condone the Baha’i stance on this subject. I know that God is
all-knowing and my knowledge is limited so out of humility I should just
accept what I do not understand as being true but I still feel
rebellious.
I find it very difficult to
accept that my son is damaging his soul by being true to his God given
nature. Would this only be true if he was a Baha’i and acting against
the teachings? Please can you help to clarify this for me? Although this
is his issue I am put into a situation that brings the conflict between
what I personally believe and what the faith tells me to believe into
greater clarity. I want him to find someone he can love and share his
life with. I find it hard to wish for him to be unhappy and celibate for
all of his life, for the sake of his soul, as would be the situation
expected of him if he was to become a Baha’i?
Is there any possibility that in
the future the Universal House of Justice would consider allowing same
sex marriage and thereby making the test of no sex before marriage equal
for all people regardless of sexuality? Or will gay people always be
made to feel as though they are on the edges of society and that their
actions are evil and blameworthy. However much Baha’is may say that they
do not judge other human beings there is a danger that the teachings on
this subject could cause guilt, repression and estrangement, especially
when a homosexual child is born within a Baha’i family that upholds
such principals.
I have full faith that a state
run on Baha’i principals as we envisage happening in the Golden age of
this dispensation would not enforce moral teachings and would leave each
individual with equal rights and freedom of speech as well as the
freedom to act according to the dictates of their own individual
conscience. Despite this what I fear is the psychological self hatred
and guilt that can torture a soul when the society around teaches that
they have a handicap that needs to be overcome. I struggle to understand
why homosexuality is seen as a problem rather than an aspect of self
that can be embraced and feel as though such an attitude is a step
backwards rather than forwards.
I understand that society has
lost its moral bearings and too much emphasis can be put on the sex
impulse but unlike drug addiction for example I believe that sexuality
is not a compulsion but an essential aspect of an individual’s identity.
I do hope that the Baha’i stance on this subject will be explored in
greater depth with experts in the field of psychology etc. so that it
can be justified and stand up to the scrutiny that will come its way as
the faith evolves and its teachings become integrated into the wider
society.
I understand that a soul will
progress spiritually if it is able to transcend its desires and this is
why Baha’u’llah has given this teaching to mankind. I also believe that
if an individual is so deeply moved by their love of Baha’u’llah that
they receive the inspiration and motivation to overcome their sexual
desires the greatness of the test will mean that they are a truly
special soul with great capacity. Not all souls however will be called
in such a way and the majority will be left with a feeling of self
hatred and that they are inherently deficient. I find it impossible to
condone such an attitude as I believe that every soul must learn self
love for what they are in entirely, without cutting off an essential
aspect of themselves. From this psychologically healthy attitude of
wholeness and true deep self acceptance may develop the power to move
closer in understanding of how a person’s actions can be brought in
harmony with the will of God.
Science continues to prove that
it is impossible to cure someone of homosexuality; public opinion in the
UK continues to move away from prejudice and intolerance in an
enlightening direction. By contrast we see countries like Uganda where
religion stirs up bigoted hatred and violence against homosexuals. I
became a Baha’i because I believe in independent investigation of the
truth, the balance of Science and religion and the illumination of
prejudice. The Baha’i stance however could be seen to bolster up the
bigoted counter progressive attitude we see in countries such as Uganda,
an attitude that leads to the cruel persecution of their homosexual
citizens. Would you be able to help to alleviate these fears or point me
in the direction of Baha’i literature that can serve as an antidote to
such religious extremism on this topic such as examples of Baha’is who
are actively working against this kind of cruel homophobia?
In the literature that the NSA
of the UK sent me on this subject I also read that “What a Baha’i cannot
logically do is to represent himself or herself as a faithful follower
of Baha’u’llah while denying or even attacking features of the Faith
which He Himself has made integral to its nature and purpose.” If this
is true then what should I do about the fact that if I am asked about my
attitude towards homosexuality I have to deny this feature of the Faith
and say that I do not believe it is wrong if expressed within a loving
and lasting relationship. Does this mean that I should stop being a
Baha’i or is it ok if I am clear that this is only my personal opinion? I
do not want to be rebellious but I have been unable so far to change my
opinion through the power of faith or will alone. I therefore request
that you pray for me to receive further enlightenment on this issue. I
would also greatly appreciate any further insights that you could give
me on this topic.
Warmest Baha’i Love
RR
13 May 2012
Dear Bahá’í Friend,
With regard to your email
message of 5 May 2012 enquiring about the status of your email letter of
11 March 2011, you may be assured that your letter has been received
and is under consideration. A reply will be sent in due course.
With loving Bahá’í greetings,
Office of Correspondence
Letter from the Universal House of Justice
22 April 2013
Transmitted by email
Dear Bahá’í Friend,
The Universal House of
Justice has received your email letters of 11 March 2011 and 5 May 2012
describing your struggle to reconcile the Bahá’í teachings with your own
views on homosexuality, which have evolved as you have reflected on
your relationship with your son. We have been asked to convey to you the
following and in so doing express our regret that, owing to the
pressure of work at the Bahá’í World Centre and the time necessary to
carefully consider the many facets of your heartfelt questions, our
reply has been so long delayed. The House of Justice appreciates the
candour with which you have expressed your concerns, and your earnest
desire to comprehend aspects of the teachings more fully is warmly
acknowledged.
The understanding about
human beings today is heavily influenced by materialistic assumptions.
Perspectives of social movements, leaders of thought, and the media are
shaped by them. Even the findings of science are interpreted according
to such prevalent cultural notions. It is not surprising, then, that
there are many ideas about human identity and behaviour in contemporary
society commonly accepted as truths that conflict with the Bahá’í
teachings. Yet, as Bahá’u’lláh asks every thoughtful soul, “Where shalt
thou secure the cord of thy faith and fasten the tie of thine
obedience?” His answer, revealed in innumerable passages, is, as you
know, unambiguous. “The All-Knowing Physician hath His finger on the
pulse of mankind.” “No man, however acute his perception,” He affirms,
“can ever hope to reach the heights which the wisdom and understanding
of the Divine Physician have attained.” And He counsels not to weigh
“the Book of God with such standards and sciences as are current amongst
you, for the Book itself is the unerring Balance established amongst
men”, and in “this most perfect Balance whatsoever the peoples and
kindreds of the earth possess must be weighed….” The Manifestation
institutes His laws and ordinances in accordance with His intrinsic
knowledge of human reality and His intended aims for individual and
collective transformation. From a Bahá’í perspective, then, it is the
teachings of the Manifestation of God that clarify the essential
elements of human identity.
In contrast to many
contemporary conceptions, the Bahá’í teachings maintain that a person
must rise above certain material aspects of human nature to develop and
manifest inherent spiritual qualities that characterize his or her true
self. The Sacred Texts contain laws and exhortations that, in many
instances, redirect or restrict behaviours that arise from impulses,
tendencies, and desires, whether inborn or acquired. Some of these are
physical, while others are emotional or psychological. Yet, whatever
their origin, it is through their regulation and control that the
higher, spiritual nature is able to predominate and flourish. Those who
are not Bahá’ís may have no cause to take into account such
considerations. A Bahá’í, however, cannot set aside the implications of
these teachings and must endeavour to respond to the best of his or her
ability, though it be little by little and day by day. In so doing, all
believers face challenges, although the specific type or extent of a
test may differ. They act with faith in Bahá’u’lláh’s declaration, “Know
assuredly that My commandments are the lamps of My loving providence
among My servants, and the keys of My mercy for My creatures”, and they
respond to His call, “Observe My commandments, for the love of My
beauty.”
You have suggested that
homosexuals could be made to feel as though they are “on the edges of
society” and “inherently deficient”, which would drive them away from
the Faith. Such an outcome would be antithetical to the Bahá’í
teachings. It may be reassuring to you to know that Shoghi Effendi has
stated, in letters written on his behalf, that a Bahá’í who has a
homosexual orientation must strive daily to come closer to the Bahá’í
standard and, in this process, should be treated with tolerance and
receive help, advice, and sympathy; he also acknowledges that such an
inclination can be “a great burden to a conscientious soul” and states
that those concerned should “adhere to their Faith, and not withdraw
from active service, because of the tests they experience” since, “in
one way or another, we are all tested; and this must strengthen us, not
weaken us.” Whatever the particular challenge he or she may face,
through the recognition of Bahá’u’lláh and steadfast effort to abide by
His teachings and to serve humanity, every believer can have a rich and
rewarding Bahá’í life.
Although they affirm their
conviction that Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings reflect God’s purpose for
humankind in this Day, Bahá’ís do not seek to impose their values on
others. They do not pass judgement on others on the basis of their own
moral standards and can never presume to know the standing of any soul
in the eyes of God. Rather, the friends are enjoined to show forth
unconditional love, to engage in fellowship with all, and to be
forbearing, concerned with their own shortcomings and not those of
others. They are to have a sin-covering eye, focusing on good qualities
and ignoring the bad, and they must eschew backbiting and gossip. As the
Bahá’í community continues to grow and develop, increasing its
involvement with the wider society, such characteristics will become
more pronounced and a hallmark of Bahá’í culture. Given this, to regard
those with a homosexual orientation with prejudice or disdain, the House
of Justice has repeatedly emphasized, would be entirely against the
spirit of the Faith. In response to your question about the position a
Bahá’í would take in relation to supporting the human rights of
homosexuals, we have enclosed a copy of a letter dated 27 October 2010
written on behalf of the House of Justice to an individual believer that
discusses this topic, and it is hoped the guidance contained therein
will allay any concern you may have.
As to the possibility of
same-sex marriage within the Faith, according to the teachings, Bahá’í
marriage is a union between a man and a woman. This is set forth in the
Writings and is not susceptible to change by the House of Justice.
You have also asked how you
should deal with the conflict you face in being a Bahá’í while
struggling to appreciate certain aspects of the teachings, and you
wonder whether you should withdraw from the Faith or simply acknowledge
that on this point you have a different view. It can be helpful to
consider that, on occasion, a believer may discover that a personal
understanding differs to some degree from the teachings. How can it be
otherwise, when our conceptions are forged in a social milieu that
Bahá’u’lláh has come to radically transform? “An exact and thorough
comprehension of so vast a system, so sublime a revelation, so sacred a
trust,” Shoghi Effendi reminds us, “is for obvious reasons beyond the
reach and ken of our finite minds.” A sensible approach is simply to
recognize that the human mind is both finite and fallible and that
acquiring spiritual insight and greater understanding is a gradual and
ever-unfolding process that requires time, continued study, reflection
on action, and consultation with others. This perspective is quite
different, however, from contending with or attempting to change
explicit provisions of the Faith. Humility is required, rather than an
insistence that one’s personal views at any given time are correct.
Thus, there is no reason why you should feel a need to withdraw from the
Bahá’í community. Rather you are encouraged to keep an open mind and
acknowledge, like every other Bahá’í, that there are elements of the
Revelation that you are striving to understand more fully. This does not
prevent you from showing forth unconditional love and support for your
son.
You are assured of the
loving prayers of the House of Justice at the Sacred Threshold that you
and your son may be the recipients of heavenly blessings and bestowals.
With loving Bahá’í greetings,
Department of the Secretariat
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