It is important for all those Bahá'ís
who are engaged in the academic study of the Bahá'í Faith to address the
theoretical problems which undoubtedly exist, while refusing to be distracted
by insidious and unscholarly attacks and calumnies which may periodically be
injected into their discussions by the ill-intentioned. Discussion with those
who sincerely raise problematic issues, whether they be Bahá'ís or not, and whether
-- if the latter -- they disagree with Bahá'í teachings, can be beneficial and
enlightening. However, to continue dialogue with those who have shown a fixed
antagonism to the Faith, and have demonstrated their imperviousness to any
ideas other than their own, is usually fruitless and, for the Bahá'ís who take
part, can be burdensome and even spiritually corrosive.
(From a letter
dated 8 February 1998 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an
individual believer)
