AboutJoel Bjorling Expertise I can answer questions on the basic teachings, practices, and history of the Baha`i Faith and can provide information on diverse Baha`i groups (as the Orthodox Baha`is).
Experience I have personally studied the Baha'i Faith for over twenty years and published a reference book on the Faith entitled THE BAHA'I FAITH; AN HISTORICAL BIBLIOGRAPHY. I also hold a Masters degree in Theological Studies.
Publications THE BAHA'I FAITH: AN HISTORICAL BIBLIOGRAPHY (Garland Publishing,1985).
Education/Credentials BA in Behavioral Sciences (Oral Roberts University)
MATS (McCormick Theological Seminary)
Further study, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
Expert: Joel Bjorling Date: 9/26/2006 Subject: one faith
Question I had heard that the Baha'i Faith only has one major split. Knowing human nature through the study of history makes this concept hard for me to believe. (History repeats itself really means that human nature hasn't change.) Are there any splits in the Faith?
Answer Randal, you ask a very pertinent, yet heart-wrenching, question. There have been definite splits in the Baha'i Faith. Your question is pertinent because Baha'is do not own up to these splits--denying they exist or downplaying them--and it is heart wrenching because to a seeker it's incredibly frustrating, especially when mainstream Baha'is make such a big issue of "oneness and unity." Sadly, it hasn't happened. I'd recommend the book THE BAHAI FAITH by William McElwee Miller. Miller is a Christian critic of the Faith, but he has done some very careful research. There have been troubles in the Baha'i Faith since its origin. The Faith teaches that it began with a spiritual teacher called the Bab. He, they say, paved the way for Baha'u'llah, who they believe is the current Manifestation of God (as was Jesus, etc.). The Bab apointed Subh-i-Azal (Yahya) as his successor. Baha'u'llah was a follower of the Bab. There was constant tension between Baha'u'llah and Azal. Baha'u'llah challenged Azal's leadership. Azal even tried to poison Baha'u'llah. There are still followers of Azal (called Azalis), yet Baha'u'llah came out the forerunner. After Baha'u'llah's death, he was succeeded by his son Adu'l-Baha'. Some challenged his leadership, asserting that he was taking authority that was not given to him. Especially, there was conflict between Abdu'l-Baha' and his brother Mohammed Ali. Abdu'l-Baha' eventually disinherited him. Followers of Mohammed Ali formed their own grouop (which, I think, were called Unitarians, no connection with the current UUA). The big stink happened after Adu'l-Baha's death. His grandson Shoghi Effendi assumed leadership and began to establish the Administrative Order. Before this, the Faith seemed to have a loosely structured organization. Julie Chanler and Mirza Sohrab (who was Adu'l-Baha's secretary) claimed that Shoghi was making the Faith "just another religious organization." They resigned and founded the New History Society (which is currently defunct). Chanler and Sohrab said they left the Faith "on good terms", yet they were maligned by the Faith as "covenant-breakers." Another critic of Shoghi and his Administrative Order was Herman Zimmer, a German Bahai. Zimmer says that Shoghi manipulated Adul'-Baha's Will to his own advantage. His group is called the Free Bahais and there are groups of them in Europe. Shoghi was "Guardian" of the Faith. He was supposed to name a successor, but as of his death in 1957, he never named one. This caused tremendous conflict in the Faith between those who believed that the Guardianship ended with Shoghi, and those who insisted (quite strongly) that it continue. Mason Remey, a long-time Bahai, and president of the International Baha'i Council, led the pro-Guardian movement. He said that a living Guardian was necessary to head the ruling body of the Faith, the Universal House of Justice. Mainstream Baha'is--led by a group called the Hands of the Cause (which included Shoghi's widow)--concluded that the Guardianship ended, and they proceeded to elect a UHJ without a Guardian. Remey and his followers opposed this action, and Remey, as president of the IBC (an embryonic UHJ), annouced that he was, in fact, Shoghi's successor, the Second Guardian. For this, Remey was reviled by the mainstream Baha'is and expelled from the Faith as a covenant-breaker. Remey's followers remain today and are called Orthdodox Baha'is. There are two groups of Orthodox Bahais--one called Orthodox Baha'is Under the Regency, which beleive that Remey was a Regent rather than a Second Guardian; and another called the Mother Baha'i Council. It believes that Remey was the Second Guardian and that at his death, he appointed Joel Marangella as Third Guardian. Again, there is conflict. Marangella and another Baha'i Donald Harvey both claim to have been appointed as Remey's successor. Harvey died and was succeeded by Jacques Sogohomogian(?). There is also the Baha'is Under the Provision of the Covenant, which was founded by Leland Jenson. There are also dissident Baha'is websites, H-Baha'i and Unenrolled Baha'is. Most of these Baha'i splinters still exist, and they passionately promote their Causes. Yet there is little, if any, hope of reconcilation with mainstream Bahais. For me, as one who has been very inspired by Baha'i teachings, these conflicts virtally shattered my confidence in the Faith. In its basic teachings, it has a lot of good to offer, but it has really fallen from grace and has not lived up to its ideals. Joel
