`Abdu’l-Bahā says:

The followers of Moses (i.e. Jews) have
imitations (taqālīd), Zoroastrians have imitations, Christians have imitations, Buddhists have imitations, and every nation has imitations [and]
thinks that its imitations are correct and the imitations of others are invalid. For example, the followers of Moses believe that their imitations are
correct and the imitations of others are invalid. We want to find out which [imitations] are correct. [Obviously] not all imitations are correct. If we
stick to an imitation it will prevent us from correctly investigating other [religions] imitations. For example, a Jewish person cannot understand that
other [religions] are correct because he believes and sticks to the imitations of Judaism. Therefore, he must put aside the imitations and seek the truth and [think that] perhaps others might be right. Thus, until imitations are not put aside, the truth will not become manifest.^[1]

This is a prescription that has only been prescribed for non-Baha’is. How is it that the Jews, Christians, Muslims, and
followers of all other religions must put aside the words of their forefathers and seek the truth with open ears and eyes, but Baha’is should absolutely refrain from doing so? Baha’is have been forbidden by Bahā’u’llāh from hearing any sort of criticism from the opponents of their creed; even if they are
criticized using strong evidence and documents:

“Therefore, it is incumbent upon all the friends of God to shun any person in whom they perceive the emanation of hatred for the Glorious Beauty of Abhā, though he may quote all the Heavenly Utterances and cling to all the Books Utterances and cling to all the Books.” He continues—Glorious be His Name!—“Protect yourselves with utmost vigilance, lest you be entrapped in the snare of deception and fraud. This is the advice of the Pen of Destiny.”^[2]

Is it not possible that the critics are correct and Baha’is are wrong? Is listening to what these people have to say
not one of the necessities for seeking and investigating the truth? In fact, Baha’u’llah goes even further than this, making it clear that critics and opponents are not the only people that Baha’is must not listen to. He orders Baha’is not to listen to the words of those who have denied the authority of Bahā’u’llāh:

Say: Oh my people, do not listen to
the words the words of the polytheists about God and His manifestation. Fear a day everyone will be questioned before their High and Exalted Lord about what they have done.[3]

The word polytheist or mushrik in Baha’i scripture, as shown in the next chapter, refers to all those that have denied Bahā’u’llāh’s authority and refrained from becoming Baha’is. Bahā’u’llāh is telling his followers to not listen to these people. Is this how Baha’is are supposed to investigate the truth? By not listening to the words of those who have—for whatever reason—refrained from becoming Baha’is?