Diet in public discussions
Not to shun (forbid?) the eating of meat[edit]
"Say: O concourse of priests and monks! Eat ye of that which God hath made lawful unto you and do not shun meat. God hath, as a token of His grace, granted you leave to partake thereof save during a brief period. He, verily, is the Mighty, the Beneficent. Forsake all that ye possess and hold fast unto that which God hath purposed. This is that which profiteth you, if ye be of them that comprehend."
Simple Vegeterian Diet Preferable to Eating Meat, but a Very Controversial Question[edit]
"In regard to the question as to whether people ought to kill animals for food or not, there is no explicit statement in the Baha'i Sacred Scriptures (as far as I know) in favour or against it. It is certain, however, that if man can live on a purely vegetarian diet and thus avoid killing animals, it would be much preferable. This is, however, a very controversial question and the Baha'is are free to express their views on it."
- (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, July 9, 1931; in Lights of Guidance, no. 1010)
Need for Moderation and Courtesy in Expressing Opinions on diet and whether to Refuse or Request Specific Foods[edit]
"In matters of diet, as in medicine, the Universal House of Justice feels that the believers should be aware that a huge body of scientific knowledge has been accumulated as a guide to our habits and practices. Here too, as in all other things, the believers should be conscious of the two principles of moderation and courtesy in the way they express their opinions and in deciding whether they should refuse food offered to them or request special foods."
- "There are, of course, instances where a believer would be fully justified in abstaining from or eating only certain foods for some medical reason, but this is a different matter and would be understood by any reasonable person."
- (24 January 1977, written by the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer; in compilation on Health, Healing, and Nutrition, no. 84)
See also[edit]
- Tact in communicating teachings and laws
- Communicating the need for the Fast
- Sequence of teaching (as far as not burdening souls, Baha'is or otherwise, beyond more than they are willing to bear)
- Diet
