We showed Baha’i orders regarding non-Baha’is and covenant-breakers in the previous chapter. Was there even a speck of unity and fellowship in those words? Why is it that `Abdu’l-Bahā insists that his father caused unity and fellowship while all facts show the contrary:

We consider Bahā’u’llāh to be the highest mentor of the human world. At a time that the darkness of division had overwhelmed the East and the nations of the East were in utter enmity and hatred, the religions were in utter avoidance with each other and thought of each other as impure and were always busy with war and quarrels, it was as this time that Bahā’u’llāh rose like the sun from the Eastern horizon. He invited all to kindness and socialization and commenced on advising and nurturing them, and guided [people] from all nations and faiths. He healed the different nations and faiths and made them reach utter unity and harmony, such that when you enter their communities you wouldn’t know which is an Israelite and which a Muslim.^[1]

What do Baha’is really believe in: interacting with followers of other faiths with kindness and affection^[2] or refraining from having any relations with non-Baha’is?^[3]

How is it that the same Baha’is that declare in their proselytization materials that the religion of every person is a personal matter, and our duty is to be kind to everyone, regardless of their religion or creed^[4] have their Prophet declare that:

Know that God has forbidden his friends from meeting with the polytheists (deniers of Baha’ism) and hypocrites.^[5]

How is it that Bahā’u’llāh orders his followers to be kind to all in one place, but in another orders them to seek distance from non-Baha’is and to be certain torment for them:

And you, oh friends of God, be clouds of grace for those who believe in God and his signs, and be certain torment for those who do not believe in God and are polytheists (deniers of Baha’ism).^[6]

Why does Bahā’u’llāh—who claims religion must be a source of unity and fellowship—openly incite hatred in non-Baha’is’ hearts:

We did not want to meet you except to complete God’s proof upon you and those who are around you so that the fire of hatred would dwell in your chest and the chest of those who do not believe in the Lord of the Lords.[7]

And finally, why do Baha’is treat covenant breakers in such a harsh manner?

[1] `Abdu’l-Bahā, Khaṭābāt (Tehran), vol. 2, p. 54

[2] “Consort with all religions with amity and concord,” Bahā’u’llāh, Aqdas (n.p.: Baha’i World Centre, 1992), p. 72.

[3] “We must avoid deniers in all affairs and must not become fond of them or sit and converse with them even for a moment, for by God the [effect of] evil individuals on pure individuals is like fire on dry wood and heat on cold snow,” `Abd al-Ḥamīd Ishrāq Khāwarī, Mā’idiy-i āsimānī, vol. 8, pp. 39.

[4] “Why should we say this [person] is a follower of Moses and that [person] a follower of Jesus, this [person] is a follower of Mohammad, and that [person] is a follower of Buddha? This is none of our business. God has created everyone and it is our duty to be kind to all. Belief related issues are God’s business and he will give rewards and punishments on the Day of Judgment.  God has not made us in charge of them,” `Abdu’l-Bahā, Khaṭābāt (Tehran), vol. 2, pp. 284–285.

[5] `Abd al-Ḥamīd Ishrāq Khāwarī, Mā’idiy-i āsimānī, vol. 4, p. 280.

[6] Bahā’u’llāh, Majmū`iy-i alwāḥ-i mubārak-ih, p. 216.

[7] Bahā’u’llāh, Āthār-i Qalam-i A`lā, vol. 1, no. 97, p. 339.