There has been no critical discussion of Ruhi books or study circles in any Baha’i periodicals - differences of opinion are not tolerated well by many Baha’is, who mistake the concept of unity with quashing all dissent. But there are deeper problems caused by the way that uncomfortable discussions on internet lists are handled and individual Baha’is reprimanded that has presumably scared most thinking Baha’is from speaking out critically about this or any community-related issue. As the Ruhi books are the most important and prevalent activity of Baha’i communities, this is all the more alarming.
But there are two objectionable issues that are major factors in the "Ruhi-problem" :
1) One is the very idea of a uniform system that is supposed to be used not only by each and every believer in the whole world, which in itself is objectionable.
What is even more dangerous is that each and every "seeker" in the whole wide world is supposed to fit in the narrow Ruhi-framework and be converted through it. We are asked to invite our friends and colleagues, regardless of their cultural, academic, social background to Ruhi Book 1! This is something that is never going to work. And it will do a lot of damage to the reputation of the Faith. It also fail to see how this fits in the statement of the House of Justice back in 1996 or so, speaking about a variety of Institute programs that need to be implemented, each serving different national and even regional needs.
This demand for uniformity has become coercive in the Baha’i community. I recall overhearing a conversation between two Baha’is in which one said that she did not like the Ruhi study circles and the other responded that such reservations meant that she had problems with the Covenant. Another Baha’i, in an e-mail conversation, wondered how one might offer criticisms of the Ruhi system without appearing to attack the Covenant.
2) The second issue is the way we "evaluate." There is no critical assessment that would allow for a modification and adaptation or, if necessary, substitution of study-materials. Evaluation, here, means only counting Baha’is and non-Baha’is participating in courses. If the number is higher than X we move on to another category. In other words, the content is not evaluated, only the implementation. The Ruhi-system is treated tantamount to a revelation from God. It is perfect and suitable, nothing to change about it: it just needs to be implemented. If it doesn’t work, it’s not the material that’s wrong. We were just too dumb to use it.
In the long run, I see two problems:
One is, the community will be split, a number of activities have already ceased, a number of friends have pulled back from activities, because of the perceived attitude "either you’re with Ruhi, or you’re not working with us". You can't even be supportive of the process and suggest changes. You will immediately be seen as "Anti-Ruhi" and having problem with covenant even if you have served a member of National spiritual Assembly or given your services as a counselor for number of years.
The other is, should Ruhi not prove to be such a success after all, frustration might spread in large parts of the community.
There are serious misunderstandings creeping in the minds of Baha’i Intellectuals who convey there ideas in hidden fearing from being excommunicated and branded as covenant breakers.
The problem is with those who attack the Writings of Baha'u'llah, Abdul-Baha and Shoghi Effendi and the Guidance of the Universal House of Justice.
ReplyDeleteWhat on earth do you think Ruhi is except the beloved Universal House of Justice complying fully with Baha'u'llah's exhortation that 'One hour's reflection is preferable to seventy years of pious worship'?? This quotation alone is full approval of Ruhi.
Then there is obedience to the Covenant which Baha'u'llah associates with Ruhi and what Ruhi encourages according to law 149 which says.....
“Recite ye the verses of God every morn and eventide. Whoso faileth to recite them hath not been faithful to the Covenant of God and His Testament, and whoso turneth away from these holy verses in this Day is of those who throughout eternity have turned away from God.”
Excerpt From: Bahá'u'lláh. “The Kitab-i-Aqdas.” Bahá’í eBooks Publications, 2011-12-17T13:03:10+00:00. iBooks.
Since studying Ruhi my WHOLE FAMILY now read the Words of God DAY AND NIGHT. We are now OBEDIENT TO THE COVENANT thanks to RUHI and the Universal House of Justice.
Our lives have more unity and we love each other more. We have less conflict in our lives and family THANKS TO RUHI. We teach the Faith more and better.
So here you guys are condemning Ruhi which basically is an assortment of the Writings of the Bab, Baha'u'llah, Abdul-Baha and so you are condemning Baha'u'llah, the Bab and Abdul-Baha and saying their Words are ineffective!!! I don't care if you put the Words of Baha'u'llah in any book or in a newspaper ad they are the Wird of God and EFECTIVE IF people's hearts are pure.
Ruhi centres around the Word of God. You attack Runi you attack what is within and that is the Words of Baha'u'llah.
Baha'u'llah only came for us all and doesn't deserve this. You should be thankful and be humble before God and stop attacking beautiful things like Ruhi which has brought universal spiritual education to millions who otherwise would have just watched TV or movies or played PlayStation games.
Consider that Ruhi has been set up to give a basic spiritual education to Baha'is and encourage us to read the Writings for ourself daily which it has achieved for us and is continuing to achieve and which Baha'u'llah describes as being 'faithful to the covenant of God'. We can only become true Baha'is be knowing God's Will which is contained in the Holy Books, Ruhi and elsewhere.
Not reading the Writings is seen as a major breach of the Baha'i Covenant by Baha'u'llah Himself Aqdas 149 so we are so fortunate that the beloved House of Justice has set this up for us but for those who don't want to do it they are free not to join in. But to attack Ruhi when it has changed my whole family's life you are not taking into account the good Ruhi is doing.
I've been through knocks and tests you wouldn't dream of and yet after being a Baha'i for many decades I still consider myself unworthy of this blessing.
Ruhi is the spiritual education of the masses. It's something we'll be doing until mass conversion or entry by troops begins then it will supplement entry by troops.
There will come a time when we will be called upon to answer many enquirers and it is that time that Ruhi seeks to prepare us for as well as having a basic system in place to educate and deepen the new believers.
There will come a time when the pendulum will swing back to religion and at that time all Baha'is will be thankful and see the wisdom of Ruhi. We don't say a foetus is useless just because it cannot function in the womb, Ruhi was meant to function as a tool for educating the masses when they come and is being gradually erected and put in place. Of course we are reaping benefits from it in our own lives but that is for passing on to others when the time comes.
I don't have a problem with Ruhi but I prefer to read just the quotes of the Holy Writ within those books and move on.
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