Introducing the laws to seekers and new believers

One Cannot Continue Drinking As a Bahá'í--Should Be Made Aware Gradually

"People should not be encouraged to enter the Cause on false pretenses. They cannot continue drinking as Bahá'ís and they should be made to realize this gradually after they become believers, or rather registered members of the community. We cannot expect people to be fully aware and instructed believers before they are enrolled, but certain essentials they must have accepted sooner or later and be willing to make the effort to live up to."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, June 16, 1948, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1151)

Unfair to Require New Applicants for Membership to First Accept All Laws of the Faith

"The Guardian fully shares your view that it would be most unwise, and unfair to those who apply for membership in the Community to require that they should at first accept all the laws of the Faith. Such a requirement would be impossible to carry out as there are many laws in the 'Aqdas' with which even the well-confirmed and long-standing believers are not yet familiar. As you rightly point out the process of becoming a Bahá'í is an evolutionary one, and requires considerable time, and sustained effort on the part of the new believer. Such questions as the withdrawal from Church membership and that of abstention from alcoholic liquors should not be thrust upon the newcomer, but explained to him gradually, so that he himself may be convinced of the truth underlying these ordinances of the Cause."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, February 17, 1938, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1152)

See also

• Tact in communicating teachings and laws
• Need for gradualism and mildness

To-dos for this page

• Incorporate from New believers#Need for gradual introduction to challenging laws and observances and need not know all proofs.2C history.2C and principles before enrolling .28though should be some introduction before accepting into the Faith and should continue after becoming a Bah.C3.A1.27.C3.AD.29 (aspect of Communication)