Passage in ADJ

[David Friedman]

Let him remember the example set by Abdu'l-Baha, and His constant admonition 
to shower such kindness upon the seeker, and exemplify to such a degree the 
spirit of the teachings he hopes to instill into him, that the recipient 
will be spontaneously impelled to identify himself with the Cause embodying 
such teachings.  Let him refrain, at the outset, from insisting on such laws 
and observances as might impose too severe a strain on the seeker's newly 
awakened faith, and endeavor to nurse him, patiently, tactfully, and yet 
determinedly, into full maturity, and aid him to proclaim his unqualified 
acceptance of whatever has been ordained by Baha'u'llah.  Let him, as soon 
as that stage has been attained, introduce him to the body of his 
fellow-believers, and seek, through constant fellowship and active 
participation in the local activities of his community, to enable him to 
contribute his share to the enrichment of its life, the furtherance of its 
tasks, the consolidations of its interests, and the coordination of its 
activities with those of its sister communities.
	(Shoghi Effendi:  The Advent of Divine Justice, Page: 52)

In New Zealand at least, this passage has often been referred to as a model 
for how we go about teaching, and has been used as a "proof text" for a 
method that isn't correct.  The part referred to as "Let him, as soon as 
that stage has been attained, introduce him to the body of his 
fellow-believers."  Following as it does from what is before, this appears 
to be saying "Don't invite non-Baha'is to Baha'i events."  If one did, that 
would be introducing the seeker to the body of believers, which is seen as a 
no no.  Certainly if this understanding is correct surely it would have been 
hypocritical for 'Abdu'l-Baha to have attended a Unity Feast, i.e., a 
meeting where the body of believers are present, and non-Baha'is could also 
attend?  Furthermore, it wouldn't speak much for the Universal House of 
Justice lately, given that inviting non-Baha'is to events in which the body 
of believers may be present is a focus of the Five Year Plan.  We would have 
to believe that the Universal House of Justice is not following Shoghi 
Effendi's advice, though aren't they infallible in regards to application of 
the law?  This passage would appear to suggest that we should not introduce 
people to the body of believers until they identify themselves with the 
Faith.  I think just about every non-Baha'i who is introduced to the 
believers for the first time does not identify themselves with the Faith.  
So how do we explain this passage?  I wrote to my NSA about this passage a 
few years ago, and they thought it would seem to be applying to a particular 
community at a particular time, and should not be taken as a model for 
teaching for all Baha'is at any time.  ADJ wasn't writen to all Baha'is.

Regards,
David
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