Baptism

Talks[edit]

Some Answered Questions - Chapters 19-20

The unwarranted practice of baptism has been rigidly suppressed by the Pen of Bahá'u'lláh[edit]

"We should also bear in mind that the distinguishing character of the Bahá'í Revelation does not solely consist in the completeness and unquestionable validity of the Dispensation which the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh and `Abdu'l-Bahá have established. Its excellence lies also in the fact that those elements which in past Dispensations have, without the least authority from their Founders, been a source of corruption and of incalculable harm to the Faith of God, have been strictly excluded by the clear text of Bahá'u'lláh's writings. Those unwarranted practices, in connection with the sacrament of baptism, of communion, of confession of sins, of asceticism, of priestly domination, of elaborate ceremonials, of holy war and of polygamy, have one and all been rigidly suppressed by the Pen of Bahá'u'lláh; whilst the rigidity and rigor of certain observances, such as fasting, which are necessary to the devotional life of the individual, have been considerably abated."

(Shoghi Effendi, World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 22)

From Lights of Guidance[edit]

(Should be further subcategorized)

Spiritual Baptism of Children[edit]

"Thou hast asked regarding the naming of children: When thou wishest to name a babe, prepare a meeting therefore; chant the verses and communes, and supplicate and implore the Threshold of Oneness and beg the attainment of guidance for the babe and wish confirmated firmness and constancy; then give the name and enjoy beverage and sweet-meat. This is spiritual baptism."

('Abdu'l-Bahá: Tablets of Abdu'l-Bahá, Vol. I, pp. 149-150, in Lights of Guidance, no. 462)

Baptism of Child[edit]

"We have your letter of September 14th inquiring about the baptism of a child where one of the partners to the marriage is a Christian and the other is a Bahá'í.

"Obviously, if both parties are Bahá'ís they cannot baptize their child, however, in the case of a non-Bahá'í spouse insisting upon the baptism of the children, we said in a letter to the National Assembly of Spain on 18 February 1965:

'The Bahá'í parent may attend the ceremony with the understanding that he will not undertake any commitment or vow which is contrary to the principles of his Faith.'"

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, September 21, 1966, in Lights of Guidance, no. 463)

Bahá'í Parent May Attend Baptismal Ceremony, but Cannot Make Any Commitment or Vow[edit]

"In reply to your letter of 5 September 1984 saying that a ... believer will soon marry a member of the Roman Catholic Church and asking whether it is permissible for their children to be baptized, the Universal House of Justice has instructed us to convey its guidance.

"Children of such a union may be baptized if the Christian parent so wishes; from the Bahá'í point of view the baptism has no effect. It must be emphasized, however, that the Bahá'í parent, while perfectly free to attend the baptismal ceremony, should not undertake any commitment or vow contrary to Bahá'í law and should not surrender her parental right to impart the Bahá'í teachings to her child."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Switzerland, September 20, 1984, in Lights of Guidance, no. 466)

To-dos for this page[edit]

Incorporate Chapters 19-20 of Some Answered Questions