What World Unity? Bahais Should First Unite Their Own!

An undated press release serves as an advertizing of sorts for Joel B. Marangella who is“recognized by the Orthodox Baha’i Faith as the third guardian of the Baha’i Faith, the authorized interpreter of the Faith’s writings and, as guardian, according to ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s Will and Testament, to be the sacred head for life of the Universal House of Justice when it comes into being in its proper form.”[1] From its very inception the Baha’ism has suffered from sects, denominations, isms, schisms and offshoots of various sorts. The Baha’i Faith developed as an offshoot of the Babi Faith, which developed as an offshoot of Shaykhism, which developed as an offshoot of  Ithna-‘Ashariyyih , whichdeveloped as an offshoot of Sufism, which developed as an offshoot of Shi’ite , which developed as a denomination of   Islam.

Baha’i rift: Baha’is upset with Orthodox Baha’i Faith

Just one more article which I found on the Internet which highlights the splinters within the Bahai Faith. Splinters are ok, the only problem is that the Bahai Faith claims to unite all religions. Why make his claim when one is not able to even unite their own! Read on…

Mainstream group doesn’t want the name Baha’i by any other group
May 18, 2009

By Manya A. Brachear, Tribune reporter

Every religion has been riven by struggles over authority and authenticity.

Buddhism began when a maverick Hindu prince inspired disciples to embrace asceticism. Judaism has sprouted branches from ultra-orthodox to ultra-liberal, even Jews for Jesus. Christianity went through numerous profound splits, including the Protestant Reformation sparked in the 16th Century by Martin Luther in Germany and the 19th Century Mormon movement led by Joseph Smith in the U.S.

Now the Baha’i Faith, the organization representing the most recent sect to spring from Islam, is struggling to defend its identity in federal court in Chicago, where North American Baha’is have been based ever since believers came to the U.S. about 90 years ago. They contend that a tiny band of believers known as the Orthodox Baha’i Faith can’t call themselves Baha’i or use one of its key symbols without violating trademark law or a previous court ruling more than 40 years ago.

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