... refrain, under any circumstances, from involving yourselves, much less the Cause, in lengthy discussions of a controversial character, as these, besides being fruitless actually cause incalculable harm to the Faith. Bahá'u'lláh has repeatedly urged us not to engage in religious controversies, as the adepts of former religions have done. The Bahá'í teacher should be concerned above all in presenting the Message, in explaining and clarifying all its aspects ... He should avoid all situations that, he feels, would lead to strife, to hair-splitting and interminable discussions.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 29 November 1937, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, quoted by the Universal House of Justice in a letter dated 8 December 1988 written on its behalf to an individual believer; Baha’i Library Online)
