Interracial marriage

Approval of inter-racial marriage[edit]

Bahá'ís approve of inter-racial unions[edit]

"He thinks you did well to marry, and he is glad you married an American Indian. We Bahá'ís approve of inter-racial unions, and you should do all you can to make your marriage a success and make your husband happy."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, December 31, 1950, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1803)

`Abdu'l-Bahá Himself united in Bahá'í marriage a colored and a white believer and could not do more[edit]

"The Bahá'ís should welcome the Negroes to their homes, make every effort to teach them, associate with them, even marry them if they want to. We must remember that `Abdu'l-Bahá Himself united in Bahá'í marriage a colored and a white believer. He could not do more."

(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 5/27/57 in To Move the World, p. 294, in Pupil of the Eye, section 6, no. 23)

The principle of the oneness of mankind prevents any true Bahá'í from regarding race itself as a bar to union[edit]

"In regard to your question concerning the nature and character of Bahá'í marriage. As you have rightfully stated, such a marriage is conditioned upon the full approval of all four parents. Also your statement to the effect that the principle of the oneness of mankind prevents any true Bahá'í from regarding race itself as a bar to union is in complete accord with the Teachings of the Faith on this point. For both Bahá'u'lláh and Abdu'l-Bahá never disapproved of the idea of inter-racial marriage, nor discouraged it. The Bahá'í Teachings, indeed, by their very nature transcend all limitations imposed by race, and as such can and should never be identified with any particular school of racial philosophy."

(From a letter of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada, January 27, 1935: Bahá'í News, No. 90, p. 1, March 1935, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1288)

Racial considerations do not constitute any hindrance to believers (spoken in connection with inter-marriage of Zoroastrian and Hindu Bahá'ís)[edit]

"...with regard to the problem of inter-marriage between the Zoroastrian and Hindu Bahá'ís, this is a highly delicate and vital question, as important as the problem of the black and white in America. The friends should all realize that racial considerations do not, in the light of the Bahá'í Teachings, constitute any hindrance to any kind of intercourse between the believers. The Hindu and Zoroastrian Bahá'ís should forget their former and traditional prejudices whether religious, racial or social, and commune together on a common basis of equality, love and devotion to the Cause. While the goal is quite clear yet, wisdom and caution are needed in order to carry this ideal into full practice."

(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Dawn of a New Day, p. 198)

Intermixture of races (general)[edit]

"Casting away once and for all the fallacious doctrine of racial superiority, with all its attendant evils, confusion, and miseries, and welcoming and encouraging the intermixture of races, and tearing down the barriers that now divide them, they should each endeavor, day and night, to fulfill their particular responsibilities in the common task which so urgently faces them."

(Shoghi Effendi, Advent of Divine Justice, pp. 39-40)

Encouragement of distant blood-relationship as beneficial for physical well-being[edit]

Basis of physical well-being[edit]

"In marriage the more distant the blood-relationship the better, for such distance in family ties between husband and wife provides the basis for the well-being of humanity and is conducive to fellowship among mankind."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Power of Unity, p. 55; quoted in The Pupil of the Eye, p. 66)

"'Abdu'l-Bahá has written that the more distant the blood-relationship between the couple the better, since such marriages provide the basis for the physical well-being of humanity and are conducive to fellowship among mankind."

(Notes to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, no. 133)

Creates stronger, more beautiful, and healthier offspring[edit]

"God's wisdom hath decreed that partners to a marriage should be of distant origins. That is, the further removed the relationship between husband and wife is, the stronger, the more beautiful and the healthier will their offspring be."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, from a previously unpublished Tablet, quoted in The Pupil of the Eye, p. 66)

The races of black and white will unite and merge together, allowing to take root a new generation sound in health and beauteous in countenance[edit]

"O ye two who have believed in Him!

"... I pray God that ye may at all times be in the utmost love and harmony, and be a cause for the spirituality of the human world. This union will unquestionably promote love and affection between the black and the white, and will affect and encourage others. These two races will unite and merge together, and there will appear and take root a new generation sound in health and beauteous in countenance."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, newly translated tablet attached to letter dated 4/15/85 on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to Bahá'í Publishing Trust, Wilmette, Illinois, in Power of Unity, p. 55)

Encouragement to intermarry as benefits peace[edit]

Endeavor for intermarriage; Marriage between white and black will destroy and eradicate the root of enmity[edit]

"Thou must endeavor that they intermarry. There is no greater means to bring about affection between the white and the black than the influence of the Word of God. Likewise marriage between these two races will wholly destroy and eradicate the root of enmity."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Power of Unity, p. 55, #17, in Pupil of the Eye, section 5, no. 7)

Conducive to fellowship among mankind[edit]