> I remember reading a quotation by Shoghi Effendi or written on his behalf > stating that paying off one's debts comes before contributing to the Fund. > I cannot find it. Does anyone know of it? All the ones I have been able to > find are the following. Thank you, Loni Bramson
Dear Loni, I think this is what you are looking for: Our debts, however, should be considered as sacred and take precedence over any other thing (i.e., payment of debts comes before contributions to the Cause) for upon this principle does the foundation of our economic life rest. (To a Bah�'� family of Kenosha, through Ruhi Afnan, April 14, 1932.) (Shoghi Effendi, Extracts from the USBN) Here are some more: 842. Should Not Incur Debts for Purpose of Contributing to Fund "Even though Shoghi Effendi would urge every believer to sacrifice as much as possible for the sake of contributing towards the fund of the National Assembly, yet he would discourage the friends to incur debts for that purpose. We are asked to give what we have, not what we do not posses, especially if such an act causes suffering to others. In such matters we should use judgement and wisdom and take into our confidence other devoted Bah�'�s." (From letter written on behalf of the Guardian, dated May 4, 1932, to an individual believer: Bah�'� Funds and Contributions, p.4) (Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 250) I found another passage which you are probably not going to like: DEBTS Your Assembly should not deprive him of his voting rights . . . because he cannot, or will not, liquidate his debts. If once the precedent is established that a Bah�'� can be deprived of his voting rights on such grounds as these, you can see for yourself where it would lead. Letter written of behalf of Shoghi Effendi, dated June 20, 1954 (Compilations, NSA USA - Developing Distinctive Baha'i Communities) warmest, Susan ---------- You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://list.jccc.net/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=bahai-st news://list.jccc.net/bahai-st http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist (public) http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] (public)
