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I would like to present some thoughts I have on this thread. First the
thread is title Unity of nations but seem to be more concern with
infallibility.The two are not as directly link as some people believe.
That the Universal House of Justice and the writings of the Guardian do
present the Unity of nations, Lesser Peace, Most Great Peace in a clear
and precise manor does not reflect on the Infallibility of the UHJ or
the Guardian. Infallibility has nothing to do with clarity of vision of
future events. Due to the free will of the actors involved, leaders and
nations, and the usual chance and circumstances of the world how these
event will unfold can not be more that uncertain. It is the
interpretation of the Guardian and 'Abdu'.l-Baha of the writings of
Baha'u'llah makes clear the uncertainty of these events. The
interpretation of the writings is infallible even though its
significance is vague.
With the Universal House of Justice, it is the (I am tempted to put the
next word in caps)decisions that is infallible and that means in respect
to the interests of the Baha'i Faith has a whole it will guide it on the
best course in these uncertain times. Its advise it may offer to those
working toward the lesser peace though very good , may be outside the
interests of the faith and not infallible. Two other areas that people
may feel that infallibility applies is judgment and knowledge. To my
thinking, judgment is more concern with the interpretation of the
Guardian and falls within that sphere. Certainly the House quotes
heavily on the writings of the Guardian when it in its letters present
its views. Knowledge of the facts play only a minor role in the
decision of the House. In a game theory type approach it need only
present the best strategy for the faith regardless of what the
situation may be. and it can change its decision as new
information comes to light. In fallibility will come into play as
institutions and people respond to the policies of the House of Justice
I think just a certain critical mass of nations who are dedicated
to the cause of peace is needed. That Spain or Mali is part of that
group of nations is not so important, but The United States must be. We
stand to close I believe to events leading to the lesser peace. In the
future, I believe historians will point back and indicate which events
were the turning points leading to the lesser peace.
Paul McKibben
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