From: dean@coconut.rsmas.miami.edu (Dean Churchill)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.bahai
Subject: Re: Women and Universal House of Justice
Date: 5 Oct 92 15:08:08 GMT
Article-I.D.: ogicse.43800
Organization: University of Miami/RSMAS

[I have spelled out in full several originally abbreviated forms of
"Universal House of Justice." --rdt]

The question as to why women may not serve on the Universal House of
Justice is one that people have been debating for a long time.  The
apparent paradox is that the Baha'i Faith -- its teachings, practices,
and especially its history -- has women and men working together as
spiritual equals for advancing this religion; yet, membership of the
highest governing body, the Universal House of Justice, is restricted
to nine adult males.  Since no one really knows why Baha'u'llah, the
founder of the faith, stipulated this, the issue has never been
resolved through deductive reasoning.

I would, therefore, like to address the question based on my own
perception of common sense (see signature disclaimer below!) as to why
membership is restricted, and suggest that there is no inequity or
discrimination against women.

In 1983, I went to Haifa to visit the World Center of the Baha'i Faith
as a pilgrim.  One evening, one of the members of the Universal House
of Justice met with the pilgrims to answer any questions they had.
And the question of women members was raised.

The speaker responded to the effect: we do not know why Baha'u'llah
stipulated that only men should serve.  But, he added, it is not
unfair to women that they cannot serve, as most men cannot serve
either.  Because members of the House of Justice are elected from
among a relatively small percentage of all Baha'is in the world, such
as member of National Spiritual Assemblies, current members of the
House of Justice, and some other officials appointed by the House of
Justice, only a small percentage of all Baha'i men are eligible.  But
the smallness of the number of Baha'is who are eligible does not,
presumably, result in unfairness.

[The only official restriction on membership, according to the
Constitution of the Universal House of Justice, for instance, is the
restriction to men.  The "practical" criteria referred to in this
article might best be viewed as one person's approach to voting.  To
formalize such criteria, probably even to discuss them among the
electors, would (IMHO) be inconsistent with injunctions against
electioneering in the Baha'i Faith. --rdt]

A second reason, I wish to add, is that the Universal House of Justice
conducts its sessions in English.  Farsi is the preferred second
language at the World Center.  As a practical matter, it is unlikely
that a member would be elected who does not at least have a working
knowledge of English or Farsi.  This further limits the selection of
individuals qualified to serve, as the vast majority of Baha'is in the
world, who live in South Asia, Africa, and South America, mostly do
not speak one of these languages.  Yet presumably it does not render
the membership criterion unfair.

During the pilgrimage, Ruhiyyah Khanum (who is a well-known female
Baha'i, living in the Holy Land) met with the pilgrims, and answered
questions.  In her opening statement, (intended I presume to answer in
advance the most frequently asked questions), she said she is thankful
that women are not allowed to serve on the Universal House of Justice.
The members suffer a great deal, she said, due to the work load, and
the heart-breaking problems that must be dealt with -- such as the
violent persecutions of Baha'is in Iran.  So a third reason, I
suggest, is that there is no rational reason why an individual would
_want_ to be elected.  There is no fiscal compensation other than the
cost of living, and it is difficult job, in a difficult, potentially
dangerous place.  The only motive for serving the Baha'i Faith is to
serve.  And since there are so many other ways for men and women to
serve the Baha'i Faith, there is no unfairness in restricting
membership in the Universal House of Justice.

In summary, I think Baha'u'llah wanted to limit (viz. restrict the
draft) to as few people as feasible, given the arduous, and often
thankless, task of administering the Baha'i international community,
but still have qualified people available.  Since nine people need to
be called upon out of the entire world community of millions, any
criteria that limits the pool of eligibility, while still retaining
good candidates, is a good idea.  Thus there is no inequity.

-----------------------
Dean Churchill                  | The opinions are, of course, mine,
Asst. Prof. of Meteorology      | not those of the U.M., and may not 
Rosenstiel School of Marine     | be representative of any official or 
and Atmospheric Science         | unofficial statement from the Baha'i Faith.
University of Miami             | All other relevant disclaimers also apply. 
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