No opportunity, in view of the necessity of ensuring the harmonious
development of the Faith, should be ignored, which its potential enemies,
whether ecclesiastical or otherwise, may offer, to set forth, in a restrained
and unprovocative language, its aims and tenets, to defend its interests, to
proclaim its universality, to assert the supernatural, the supranational and
non-political character of its institutions, and its acceptance of the Divine
origin of the Faiths which have preceded it....
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter
dated 5 June 1947 to the Bahá'ís of the West, published in "Citadel of
Faith: Messages to America 1947-1957"; The Compilation of Compilations,
vol. II, Opposition)
