Interpretation of Scripture has always in earlier religions been a most fertile source of schism. Bahá’u’lláh, in the Book of His Covenant, vested in His eldest son, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, full 285 powers for the interpretation of His Writings and for the direction of His Cause. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in His Will and Testament, appointed His eldest grandson, Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Faith and sole interpreter of the Writings. There is no priesthood within the Faith and no individual may claim special station or guidance; authority is vested in institutions created within the Bahá’à Scriptures.
By virtue of these unique provisions, the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh has been preserved from schism, from the depredations of unauthorized leadership, and above all from the infiltration of man-made doctrines and theories, which in the past have shattered the unity of religions. Pure and inviolate, the revealed Word of Bahá’u’lláh, with its authorized interpretation, remains throughout the Dispensation the uncorrupted and incorruptible source of spiritual life to men.
In 1968 the Universal House of Justice took action to provide for the future carrying out of the specific functions of protection and propagation vested in the Hands of the Cause, by the establishment of Continental Board of Counsellors. Each Board consists of a number of Counsellors appointed by the Universal House of Justice, and they work in close collaboration with the Hands of the Cause of God. The appointment and direction of Auxiliary Boards is now the duty of the Boards of Counsellors, and the activities of the Hands, of whom fourteen are still living, have been extended to be worldwide. In June 1973 the Universal House of Justice established in the Holy Land an International Teaching Centre and assigned it the activities of the Continental Board of Counsellors and as liaison between them and the Universal House of Justice.
The Guardian had written of future global teaching plans to be carried out under the direction of the Universal House of Justice, and the first of these, a Nine Year Plan, was launched in 1964. This was followed by a Five Year Plan terminating at Ridván 1979. At the present time, 1979, the Bahá’à Faith has been established in 172 independent states. There are Bahá’Ãs living in over 103,000 localities throughout the world; Bahá’à literature has been translated into over 650 languages; the sixth and seventh 286 Bahá’à Temples are being built in India and Samoa; land for 123 other Temples has been acquired; there are 125 National Spiritual Assemblies and 25,500 Local Spiritual Assemblies. Bahá’Ãs are now energetically pursuing a Seven Year Plan designed to further expand and consolidate the growth of the Faith throughout the world.
Most encouraging of all has been the response of the masses in such places as Africa, India, Southeast Asia and Latin America, where large numbers of the indigenous peoples have begun to enter the Cause, bringing about a new stage in the development of the administrative and social activities of the worldwide Bahá’à community.
2006-10-22 04:42:38
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answer #2
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answered by GypsyGr-ranny 4
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Ah, hpney, some people think its a sin to emntion the words whore house, or piano and play for that matter
2006-10-22 04:33:03
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answer #3
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answered by judy_r8 6
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I've never read that it was. But then, they didn't have pianos when the Bible was written, did they? You could play the psaltry, though.
2006-10-22 04:39:38
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answer #4
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answered by therealme 3
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I don't think so. But I do believe it is immoral to play the whore in a concert hall. ;-)
2006-10-22 04:44:02
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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