24 July 2020
Universal House of Justice
PO Box 155, 31001 Haifa
Israel
Dear members of the Universal House of Justice
Allah’u’Abha
I read with delight your recent letter to the Baha’is of the United States regarding the issue of racism. It was an excellent letter. I agree wholeheartedly that love is the power that will transform the world. You said:
“Ultimately, the power to transform the world is effected by love, love originating from the relationship with the divine, love ablaze among members of a community, love extended without restriction to every human being.”
After reading this stirring statement, I felt compelled to write to you and ask a burning question. Would it be possible for you to include me in the category “every human being”? In other words, would it be possible for you to extend your love to me? You do emphasise that this love should have no restriction. When I read this, I became hopeful that now was the time the past might be put behind us and we can become friends. If the Baha’is are to love people who are racist, then perhaps you can love me too whatever you disapprove of about me.
I love you without restriction. I love Baha’u’llah and Baha’u’llah loves me. I talk to him everyday. I adore him. I want to do what he says, and that includes loving people who do not seem to like me. I know you thought ill of me back in late March 2000 when you disenrolled me from the Baha’i community. You asked my National Spiritual Assembly to tell me that:
“on the basis of an established pattern of statements by you and behaviour and attitude on your part over the past two or three years, you cannot properly be considered as meeting the requirements of membership in the Baha’i community. Accordingly, we have removed your name from our membership rolls and have informed the Baha’i institutions concerned.”
That was 20 years ago! Could we please put that behind us and become friends? I think it would make Baha’u’llah very happy indeed if he saw us acting in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship. Would there be any harm in giving this a go?
Your sincerely
Alison Elizabeth Marshall
New Zealand