How is it then that an individual would like to renounce his belief in God;
and yet, at the same time, be considered by all an sundry to be a believer
in God?
God, desiring to prevent dissension in His religion, has prevented it thus:
"The purpose of the Blessed Beauty in entering into this Covenant and
Testament was to gather all existent beings around one point so that the
thoughtless souls, who in every cycle and generation have been the cause of
dissension, may not undermine the Cause. He hath, therefore, commanded that
whatever emanateth from the Centre of the Covenant is right and is under His
protection and favour, while all else is error."
(Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 209)
Richard.
Also relevant is this:
the paramount purpose of all Bahá'í activity is teaching. ALL THAT HAS BEEN
DONE OR WILL BE DONE revolve around this central activity, the "head
corner-stone of the foundation itself", to which all progress in the Cause
is due. The present challenge calls for teaching on a scale and of a
quality, a variety, and intensity outstripping all current efforts. The time
is now, lest opportunity be lost in the swiftly changing moods of a frenetic
world. Let it not be imagined that expedience is the essential motive
arousing this sense of urgency. There is an overarching reason: it is the
pitiful plight of masses of humanity, suffering and in turmoil, hungering
after righteousness, but "bereft of discernment to see God with their own
eyes, or hear His Melody with their own ears". They must be fed. Vision must
be restored where hope is lost, confidence built where doubt and confusion
are rife
(The Universal House of Justice, Ridvan 145, 1988, p. 2) (emphasis
added)
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