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Can a Faith be judged in terms of numbers

Yes, this is a very big question that needs to be posed to the Baha’i world today. Is the truthfulness of faith dependent on the number of followers it has, or it depends upon the truth and facts from its authentic books?

 

Today the Heterodox Baha'is hide their inflated numbers and mock those who adhere to other sects, like OBF, BUPC, Free Baha'is, Unitarian Baha'is, and others, without considering their own number fraud. They make fun of other sects because of their minority. This is really peculiar because, if the number of adherents is a reliable indicator of the veracity of a religion, then the Baha'i Faith as a whole (across all sects) has the least number of adherents compared to religions like Islam and Christianity, which have the greatest numbers.

 

The first Guardian of the Baha’i Faith Shoghi Effendi was asked if the faith can be judged on the basis of “Material Resources” or “Numerical Strength”. Let us examine his reply below:

 

Not by the material resources which the members of this infant community can now summon to their aid, nor by the numerical strength of its present supporters, nor by any direct tangible benefits its votaries can yet confer upon the multitude of the needy and the disconsolate among their countrymen should its potentialities be tested, or its worth determined. Nowhere but in the purity of its precepts, the sublimity of its standards, the integrity of its laws, the reasonableness of its claims, the comprehensiveness of its scope, the universality of its program, the flexibility of its institutions, the lives of its founders, the heroism of its martyrs, and the transforming power of its influence should the unprejudiced observer seek to obtain the true criterion that can enable him to fathom its mysteries or to estimate its virtue. (Shoghi Effendi, World Order of Baha’u’llah, p. 57, cited by one [Janice Franco] finding comfort in these words after joining a smaller group. “My Experiences Joining the Orthodox Baha’i Faith”)

 

Shoghi Effendi provided such a lovely explanation, but the Mainstream Baha'i Faith adherents remain steadfast in labelling adherents of other sects as covenant breakers without even considering their position or giving them an ear.

 

Another thing to consider is precisely who constitutes to be a covenant breaker; this is a topic we'll discuss in the posts that will follow. So stay tuned.

 

Conclusion:


To sum up, it is absolutely clear that number cannot be a factor to define the authenticity of a faith. It is important to be pondered upon the beliefs and teachings of that sect which bears enmity with other sects without having a valid justification for the same. Furthermore, it is crucial to consider who is a covenant breaker and who has the power to designate someone a covenant breaker and excommunicate them.

 

The Baha’i history at different points from the time of Bab till today has been subject to controversies and internal disputes which till date remains unresolved. Really strange to see a young faith with so many sects and unsolved internal conflicts.

 

In the posts that follow, we'll further ponder over the divisions in the Baha’i faith in more detail.

 

Keep reading, keep learning.

 

Allahu Abha

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