It is commonly said among Baha'is that backbiting is the worst sin of all. This is based on the following:
In a Tablet to an American friend the Master wrote: `The worst human quality and the most great sin is backbiting, more especially when it emanates from the tongues of the believers of God.
(Multiple Authors: Lights of Guidance, Page: 88)
(Multiple Authors: Lights of Guidance, Page: 88)
Taken in an absolute sense, this passage would be good proof. But there are a number of other passages which say or imply that various other things are the worst sin. I found passages about eight different things a while ago, and I bet there are more. The above passage says the worst quality is backbiting, but the following says it is lying:
Consider that the worst of qualities and most odious of attributes, which is the foundation of all evil, is lying. No worse or more blameworthy quality than this can be imagined to exist; it is the destroyer of all human perfections and the cause of innumerable vices. There is no worse characteristic than this; it is the foundation of all evils.
(`Abdu'l-Baha: Some Answered Questions, Page: 215)
(`Abdu'l-Baha: Some Answered Questions, Page: 215)
I seriously doubt either are the worst sin. Could blasphemy against the Holy Spirit be the worst sin? The fact that it is the only sin that can't be forgiven would seem to suggest so. Even covenant-breakers can be forgiven.
Regards,
David
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