How to Choose Your Baháʼí Branch: A Guide for Newbies

 If you have recently joined the mainstream Baháʼí Faith, you may have many questions and doubts about your new religion. You may wonder what makes it different from other religions, what are its core teachings and practices, and how it relates to the world today. You may also be curious about the history and leadership of the Baháʼí Faith, and how it has evolved over time.

 

One of the most important things that you should know is that there is another branch of the Baháʼí Faith that claims to be the true and authentic continuation of the original teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, the Founder of the Baháʼí Faith, and Abdu’l-Bahá, His appointed interpreter and successor. This branch is called the Orthodox Baháʼí Faith, and it has a different understanding of the role and authority of the Guardianship, which is the institution that was established by Abdu’l-Bahá to guide and protect the Baháʼí community after His passing.

 

Who are the Orthodox Baha’is?

 

The Orthodox Baháʼís believe that Shoghi Effendi, who was appointed by Abdu’l-Bahá as the first Guardian of the Baháʼí Faith, did not die without appointing his successor, as the mainstream Baháʼís claim. Rather, they believe that he appointed Charles Mason Remey as the second Guardian in 1951, and that Remey later appointed Joel Marangella as the third Guardian in 1967. The Orthodox Baháʼís also believe that Nosrat’u’llah Bahremand is the current and fourth Guardian of the Baháʼí Faith.

 

The Orthodox Baháʼís maintain that the Guardianship is an essential and permanent feature of the Baháʼí administrative order, and that without it, the Baháʼí Faith would lose its divine guidance and protection. They also assert that the Universal House of Justice, which is the elected legislative body of the Baháʼí Faith, cannot function without a living Guardian as its head and member. Therefore, they reject the legitimacy and authority of the Universal House of Justice that was established by the mainstream Baháʼís in 1963.

 

The Orthodox Baháʼís invite you to investigate their claims and compare them with the original writings of Bahá’u’lláh and Abdu’l-Bahá. They believe that by doing so, you will discover that they are upholding the true Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh, which is His testament and will for His followers. They also believe that by joining them, you will be part of a small but faithful community that strives to promote the unity and harmony of humanity, as envisioned by Bahá’u’lláh.

 

If you are interested in learning more about the Orthodox Baháʼí Faith, you can visit the websites - www.orthodoxbahai.com / www.bahai-guardian.com

 

Thank you for reading this blog post. I hope it has been informative and helpful for you. May God bless you on your spiritual journey.

Love and Regards,

Vigna Singh