wrong made right

[Sandra Chamberlain]

Susan: <>If I recall correctly the passage you are alluding 
to, I think it is one which has been misused a lot. Wasn't 
Abdu'l-Baha talking more about Assembly members all getting 
behind a decision that the majority agreed upon rather than so 
much the community at large? In other words we are talking 
about a situation where each Assembly member got their say 
before the decision in question was made. I think the 
frustration a lot of us feel is over the fact that we were 
never part of the consultative process which decided on Ruhi 
material to begin with. In fact, even our NSA seems to have 
largely been shut out of the process. It mostly came down from 
the ITC, which as you know, is not an elected institution.<>

Dear Susan,
While I see your point and recognize also, the connection to 
an institution decision making process, nonetheless to my mind 
the overriding principle is one of Consultation in general 
between individuals (say husband & wife or family) as well as 
Administrative bodies.  I offer the following:

"It is my hope that the friends and the maid-servants of 
America become united on all subjects and not disagree at all. 
If they agree upon a subject, even though it be wrong, it is 
better than to disagree and be in the right, for this 
difference will produce the demolition of the divine 
foundation. Though one of the parties may be in the right and 
they disagree that will be the cause of a thousand wrongs, but 
if they agree and both parties are in the wrong, as it is in 
unity the truth will be revealed and the wrong made right." 
(Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 
411)

CONSULTATION-In Bahá'í usage, a technical term referring to 
the process of collective decision-making. The aim of Bahá'í 
consultation is to arrive at the best solution or to uncover 
the truth of a matter. Among the requisites for consultation 
that are set out in the Bahá'í Writings are love, harmony, 
purity of motive, humility, lowliness, patience, and 
long-suffering. Individuals not only have the right to express 
their views, but they are expected to express them fully and 
with the utmost devotion, courtesy, dignity, care, and 
moderation. If unanimity is not achieved, decisions are 
arrived at by majority vote. Once a decision is reached, all 
parties, having had the opportunity to express their views 
fully, are to work together wholeheartedly to implement it. If 
the decision is wrong, 'Abdu'l-Bahá says, through unity the 
truth will become evident and "the wrong made right".   (The 
Universal House of Justice, Messages 1963 to 1986, p. 736)

Lovingly,  Sandra 

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