If the Bahá'ís want to be really effective in teaching the
Cause they need to be much better informed and able to discuss intelligently,
intellectually, the present condition of the world and its problems. We need
Bahá'í scholars, not only people far, far more deeply aware of what our
teachings really are, but also well-read and well-educated people, capable of
correlating our teachings to the current thoughts of the leaders of society.
We Bahá'ís should, in other words, arm our minds with knowledge
in order to better demonstrate to, especially, the educated classes, the truths
enshrined in our Faith.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 5 July 1949 written on behalf of
Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol.
III, Scholarship)
