. A believer has the right to vote for himself during the election time,
if he conscientiously feels the urge to do so. This does not necessarily
imply that he is ambitious or selfish. For he might conscientiously
believe that his qualifications entitle him to membership in a Baha'i
administrative body, and he might be right. The essential, however, is
that he should be sincere in his belief, and should act according to the
dictates of his conscience. Moreover, membership in an assembly or
committee is a form of service, and should not be looked upon as a mark of
inherent superiority or a means for self-praise.

3. The Baha'i view of "reincarnation" is essentially different from the
Hindu conception. The Baha'is believe in the return of the attributes and
qualities, but maintain that the essence or the reality of things cannot
be made to return. Every being keeps its own individuality, but some of
his qualities can be transmitted. The doctrine of metempsychosis upheld by
the Hindus is fallacious.

4. The eating of pork is not forbidden in the Baha'i Teachings.

5. Genesis XIX, 29-38--the text makes it quite clear that Lot was not
responsible for the action committed by his two daughters, as they gave
him wine and made him drunk.

6. Electioneering and all forms of propaganda are against the spirit of
Baha'i elections. The chief opportunity which the friends have for
discussion on administrative questions is during the Nineteen Day Feasts,
at which time the members of the assembly can meet with the body of the
believers and discuss in common the affairs of the Cause, and suggest new
policies and methods. But even then no reference to individuals should be
made.

7. Baha'is are permitted to marry non-believers but they should insist on
observing the Baha'i marriage ceremony and should also not object if their
non-Baha'i partner wishes to observe the marriage ceremony of his or her
particular religion. Civil marriage is generally practised amongst the
Western believers, but in most of the East it is unknown.

March 27, 1938

Letter of October 29, 1938

...as to the meaning of the passage in the "Iqan" in which Baha'u'llah
refers to the renewal of the "City of God" once in about a thousand years;
this, as the word about implies, is simply an approximate date, and should
not therefore be taken literally.

The Administrative Order of the Cause, though first established in
America, copied as a model by other