Kia Ora Ben, here is some guidance given by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United Kingdom.
Whilst this guidance is for the Baha'is in the U.K from their National Spiritual Assembly . you will note there is a section of the Letter from the Universal House of Justice on the matter. I hope this assists you. Arohanui Kathy Gilbert New Zealand 12 September 2000 Dearly loved friends, Mixed Sex Accommodation >From time to time Local Assemblies and individual Baha'is ask the National Assembly what the policy is on people of opposite sexes sharing accommodation. The National Spiritual Assembly would like to share with you recent guidance from the Universal House of Justice on this subject, which underscores the National Assembly's own policy. The Universal House of Justice writes: `With respect to Baha'is living in the same residence with a person of the opposite sex, such an arrangement would by no means be automatically considered unacceptable. It is not uncommon, for example, for a person to let out bed-sitting rooms in his or her house to students, vacationers, or others. Similarly, a man or woman may employ a housekeeper or servant of the other sex. What is considered proper in such arrangements varies from country to country. The laws and principles of our Faith, on the other hand, are meant to apply across all cultures, and what Baha'is would consider immoral is people who are not married living together as husband and wife, and indulging in sexual relations. `Beyond this, however, even if the relationship between a Baha'i man and woman is entirely innocent, it is vitally important that they should not live together in a way that would give the wrong impression. If there is any doubt about the perceived morality of a particular situation they should unhesitatingly avoid it and seek alternative arrangements in order to preserve the good name of the Faith. In following the standards of the Faith, the friends must be not only righteous, but also wise. Naivete can do great harm, especially in the present unstable condition of social morals in the world at large.' The National Spiritual Assembly's policy is: `With regard to mixed sex accommodation, in general, the National Spiritual Assembly understands the situation of people of opposite sexes who share accommodation for financial or other practical reasons. In these somewhat dangerous times, it is even sometimes advisable for a group of young women to share accommodation with young men as a protection against intruders and those who might threaten them, providing, of course, that they are clearly accommodated in separate bedrooms and there is no suggestion that there is a sexual relationship among them. `Each situation has to be treated on its own merits, case by case. The Local Assembly must be satisfied that there is no wrong-doing on the part of the parties or the appearance of this. If the situation is bringing the Faith into disrepute, then the Local Assembly must deal with it appropriately.' We hope this information will be of use to you. With loving greetings, National Spiritual Assembly Dr Wendi Momen, Assistant Secretary National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the UK 27 Rutland Gate, London, SW7 1PD, UK Tel: 020-7584 2566 Fax: 020-7584 9402 Home Tel: 01767 627626 ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Baha'i Studies" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, October 31, 2004 7:56 AM Subject: Re: Re: Cohabitation question [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote on 10/30/2004, 05:15:57 PM: > Dear Ben, > > Back in the seventies I know our NSA was adamant that we should not live > with > same-sex roomates even if there was nothing going on sexually. However, > I'm > under the impression things have lightened up sense then. In any case I > think > the fact that Baha'u'llah allows a maid to live in a man's household > without > being married could be presented as justification for sharing houses with > roomates of both sexes. > > warmest, Susan Do you have access to a copy of that message from the NSA? Also, what gives you the impression that things are lightening up a little? Have there been incidences that the NSA has dealt with more lightly than adamantly stating that you shouldn't room with someone from the opposite sex? I think my aunt and uncle are looking for official guidance rather than perceptions (not that I don't appreciate your perception [in fact, I do!]; I'm just looking for the latest guidance from the Administrative Order). Thanks, and I hope there's more where that came from, Ben Benjamin La Framboise The Constructive Expressions Classroom __________________________________________________ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe, send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, use subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Web - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe, send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, use subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Web - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]
