As regards the non-political character of the Bahá'í Faith,
Shoghi Effendi feels that there is no contradiction whatsoever between the
Tablet (to Thornton Chase, referred to above) and the reservations to which he
has referred. The Master surely never desired the friends to use their
influence towards the realization and promotion of policies contrary to any of
the principles of the Faith. The friends may vote, if they can do it, without
identifying themselves with one party or another. The matter must be made
perfectly clear to the individuals, who will be left free to exercise their
discretion and judgment. But if a certain person does enter into party politics
and labors for the ascendency of one party over another, and continues to do it
against the expressed appeals and warnings of the Assembly, then the Assembly
has the right to refuse him the right to vote in Bahá'í elections."
- Shoghi Effendi (From
a letter dated 16 March 1933, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; Baha’i News
no. 80, January 1934)
