Romance

Books that arouse the passions to be avoided

"The subjects to be taught in children's school are many...the avoidance of materialistic works that are current among those who see only natural causation, and tales of love, and books that arouse the passions. To sum up, let all the lessons be entirely devoted to the acquisition of human perfections. Here, then, in brief are directions for the curriculum of these schools."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, from a Tablet to an individual believer, published in "The Baha'i World: 1972-1976, vol. 16, pp. 36-37, at https://bahai-library.com/compilation_writers_writing#2221 or https://bahai-library.com/compilation_bahai_education#77 )

Believer advised not to destroy romance manuscript (i.e., a (positive) romance novel was not at all forbidden)

"Regarding your book: he feels that this can only come under the heading, judging by the outline you gave him, of a romance woven about a historical episode: the Báb and the events following His Martyr(dom); we do not know enough concrete facts about the relation of the Russian Court, the Russian consul, and what exact part he played in the events of those days to fill a large paragraph! He feels, therefore, that your book should be presented as such a romance, and not in any way as a historical narrative.

"There were many factors at work in releasing Bahá'u'lláh from the Siyah Chal, not the last of which was the intervention of His own sister who presented very valuable gifts to the Sháh himself while she interceded for her Brother's life. So you see your information-- not merely yours, any Bahá'ís at the present time--is far too scanty to permit of a really historical account being written. This does not mean you cannot get your book out as a romance. He certainly would not want you to destroy your manuscript!"

(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 20 March 1949 [to Dr. Karl Schuck], at https://bahai-library.com/writings/shoghieffendi/ldg/vol2/sec-94.html )

Romantic relationship all right for novel if appealing to higher motivations and not arousing passions

"The Universal House of Justice has considered your letter of 6 December 1979 concerning the novel you are writing involving a romantic relationship and asking whether you should continue this project in light of the advice of 'Abdu'l-Bahá that curricula of schools should avoid tales of love.

"We have been asked to say that what should be avoided are stories that arouse the passions. From what you say, the purpose of your story is to appeal to higher motivations in life and, in fact, to spread the spirit and teachings of the Cause."

(On behalf of Universal House of Justice, 23 December 1979 to an individual believer)