He fully appreciates the fact that the believers locally, in
different parts of the world, often feel that their political party is in many
ways striving to accomplish ideals akin to our Bahá’í aims—but the fact remains
that the only way for the Bahá’ís to preserve their international character,
their unity and integrity, is for them individually to sacrifice these desired
political affiliations for the universal good and protection of the Faith.
There is no political party in existence with whose platform we wholly agree,
and we must abstain from membership in such parties. Likewise people who join
the Faith must have the courage and conviction to leave their political
affiliations behind.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated December 19, 1947, written on behalf
of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; ‘Arohanui: Letter from Shoghi
Effendi to New Zealand’)
