Universal House of Justice to be elected..

[arthra]

BAHA'IS TO ELECT UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

HAIFA, Israel, 22 April 2008 (BWNS) -- A global election process that
began with people in 100,000 cities and villages around the world will
culminate on 29 April when delegates gather here to elect the
international governing body of the Baha'i Faith.

Representatives of some 170 nations will cast ballots for the nine
members of the Universal House of Justice, which has its seat at the Baha'i
World Centre in Haifa. The election is held every five years.

Baha'i elections are distinctive in that there are no nominations, no
campaigning, and no discussion about which individuals should be
elected.

The delegates to the International Baha'i Convention - members of all
the Baha'i national governing bodies around the world - vote by secret
ballot for the nine people they believe best suited for membership on
the supreme institution of their Faith.

The Baha'i writings state that voters should try to choose people "of
selfless devotion, of a well-trained mind, of recognized ability and
mature experience."

For Baha'is, the Universal House of Justice is the highest religious
authority. It guides the worldwide Baha'i community in its development
and in its response to changing world conditions, provides for Baha'i
pilgrimage, holds in trust and maintains the Baha'i holy places, and
administers international Baha'i funds.

Any male age 21 and over is eligible for election to the Universal
House of Justice. Both women and men serve on all other Baha'i
institutions-international, continental, national and local.

The election process began well over a year ago when Baha'is in some
100,000 localities around the world began meeting in district conventions
to elect delegates to their own national conventions. At those
gatherings, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of each country is
elected.

The members of those national councils gather as electors at the global
level for the International Baha'i Convention, to be held from 29
April to 2 May in Haifa.

About 1,200 delegates are expected to attend the convention. Those
unable to attend send ballots by mail.

The establishment of the institution of the Universal House of Justice
was called for by Baha'u'llah Himself, the founder of the Baha'i Faith.





To view the photos and additional features click here:
http://news.bahai.org

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2-sw-080422-1-PRECONVENTION08-620-S

[China Cat Sunflower]

Any male age 21 and over is eligible for election to the Universal
House of Justice. Both women and men serve on all other Baha'i
institutions-international, continental, national and local.

Why just males?

Chris

[arthra]

Originally Posted by China Cat Sunflower

Why just males?

Chris

Basically the Universal House of Justice was established by Baha'u'llah in the Kitab-i-Aqdas or Most Holy Book around 1871. For Baha'is this is Book is divine revelation and Abdul-Baha the Interpreter of Baha'u'llah also indicated that it intended the composition to be men.

The results of the last election are now known:




BAHA'IS ELECT UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

HAIFA, Israel, 30 April 2008 (BWNS) -- The results of the election of
the nine members of the Universal House of Justice, the governing body
of the Baha'i Faith, have been announced.

Delegates to the Tenth International Baha'i Convention cast ballots
yesterday for membership in the council that serves as the head of the
religion.

Those elected are Farzam Arbab, Kiser Barnes, Peter Khan, Hooper
Dunbar, Firaydoun Javaheri, Paul Lample, Payman Mohajer, Shahriar Razavi, and
Gustavo Correa.

Members are elected for five-year terms.

The Universal House of Justice has its permanent seat at the Baha'i
World Centre in Haifa, Israel. Membership requires residence in Haifa.

Any Baha'i male age 21 and over is eligible for election. Both women
and men are eligible for election or appointment to all other Baha'i
institutions.

In His teachings, Baha'u'llah provided for the elected institution of
the Universal House of Justice, which gives a continuing source of
divine authority to guide the worldwide Baha'i community and to legislate on
matters not spelled out in the Baha'i sacred writings.

The delegates that voted in the election are themselves members of
national Baha'i governing bodies from around the world. They were chosen in
earlier elections in their own countries.

The Baha'i Faith, which has more than 5 million followers, is
established in almost every nation.



To view the photos and additional features click here:
http://news.bahai.org

[BruceDLimber]

Hi, Chris! :-)

Originally Posted by China Cat Sunflower

Why just males?s

The short answer is, "No one knows."

As Art said, this is mandated in the Baha'i scriptures and is therefore something we don't have the right to change. When the next Divine Messenger comes (which won't be for at least another eight and a half centuries), this may well change--indeed, the Messenger may be female!

I should point out that membership on the House of Justice is not something one can strive for or "try to get elected to" due to the nonpolitical nature of our adminstration. Indeed, anyone trying to "run for office" (something forbidden in the Baha'i scriptures, as is nomination or discusison of individual personalities) would practically guarantee not being elected!

Also, membership on the House confers neither power or status to the officeholder: it's strictly a position of service, and a very much full-time one at that.

Women have always been eligible to serve (and have served) on those bodies conferring prestige: the Hands of the Cause of God and the Continental Counsellors.

In addition, this rule is hardly one-sided as women also have privelege in the Baha'i Faith. ALL women and girls--not just nine or fewer (like the House)!--receive absolute priority over all men and boys for receipt of education!

So I would humbly suggest there's more balance than may first be apparent. . . .

Regards, :-)

Bruce

[China Cat Sunflower]

Thanks, that's very interesting.

Chris