While it can be a severe test to a Bahá'í to see fellow
believers violating Bahá'í laws or engaging in conduct inimical to the welfare
and best interests of the Faith, there is no fixed rule that a believer must
follow when such conduct comes to his notice. A great deal depends upon the
seriousness of the offence and upon the relationship which exists between him
and the offender.
If the misconduct is blatant and flagrant or threatens the
interests of the Faith the believer to whose attention it comes should
immediately report it to the Local Spiritual Assembly. Once it is in the hands
of the Assembly the believer's obligation is discharged and he should do no
more than pray for the offender and continue to show him friendship and
encouragement - unless, of course, the Spiritual Assembly asks him to take
specific action.
Sometimes, however, the matter does not seem grave enough to
warrant reporting to the Spiritual Assembly, in which case it may be best to
ignore it altogether. There are also other things that can be done by the
Bahá'í to whose notice such things come. For example he could foster friendly
relations with the individual concerned, tactfully drawing him into Bahá'í
activities in the hope that, as his knowledge of the teachings and awareness of
the Faith deepens, he will spontaneously improve his patterns of conduct. Or
perhaps the relationship is such that he can tactfully draw the offender's
attention to the teachings on the subject - but here he must be very careful
not to give him the impression of prying into a fellow-believer's private
affairs or of telling him what he must do, which would not only be wrong in
itself but might well produce the reverse of the desired reaction.
If a believer faced with knowledge of another Bahá'í's
misconduct is unsure what course to take, he can, of course always consult his
Local Spiritual Assembly for advice. If, for some reason, he is reluctant at
that stage to inform his Spiritual Assembly, he can consult an Auxiliary Board
member or Assistant.
Whatever steps are taken, it is vital that the believers
refrain from gossip and backbiting, for this can only harm the Faith, causing
perhaps more damage than would have been caused by the original offence.
(Written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, to an individual believer,
February 20, 1977; compilation ‘Removal of Administrative Rights,’ prepared by
the Research department of the Universal House of Justice)
