As regards the statement of our own views and explanations
of the teachings: Shoghi Effendi believes that we should not restrict the
liberty of the individual to express his own views so long as he makes it clear
that these views are his own. In fact, such explanations are often helpful and
are conducive to a better understanding of the teachings. God has given man a
rational power to be used and not killed.
This does not, however, mean that the absolute authority
does not remain in the revealed Words. We should try and keep as near to the
authority as we can and show that we are faithful to it by quoting from the
Words of Baha’u’llah in establishing our points. To discard the authority of
the revealed Words is heretic and to suppress completely individual
interpretation of those Words is also bad. We should try to strike a happy
medium between these two extremes.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 18 June, 1932 written
on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; Baha’i News, no. 68,
November 1932)
