Hen ~ Sorry it has taken so long to respond. Very, very busy summer!

I have grown so much since signing my card. I know I know nothing, really, and must always be ready to listen. Whether that means to someone not declared during a Ruhi study circle or to the 23 year old at the Assembly meeting or the nine - year old voicing a concern at Feast (or, yes, the ninety year old who's griping about the nine year old once again ;p ) . You never know who God will choose to speak through and so you need to learn to listen. I've learned my favorite books are those I first read all the way through by choice: Kitab-ighan and Hidden Words and my next favorite is the Kitab-i-Aqdas, the Book of Laws. That book, to me, is wonderous. The Laws for the next 1000 years plus the laws which the future 500,000 years will be based upon (from what I understand - look this up yourself!). The Laws for the next 1000 years for sure but I think the future 500,000 base. They encompass ALL cultures! They balance both genders. They are both an epiphany and paradigm shift in what you think should be, will be, might be and what is! It is a breathtaking, exhilarating and awesome book.

My mother is a Baha'i and my father is not. My father is extremely respectful of the Faith but no, we were not treated as adults at the age of 15. At 15 the Baha'i becomes responsible for their own spiritual life. Because our secular culture and laws do not permit 15 to be the age of consent we were not raised to think of that age as the one in which we would be come totally responsible for ourselves, except in spiritual matters. Out of five children only two of us signed. It had little impact on the family. We continued to celebrate Baha'i Holy days.

In my family, now, as an adult with my own five children, all five have confirmed their belief in Baha'u'llah. Three of them sit on Spiritual Assemblies. All five have traveled around the world serving projects in Belize, Dominican Republic, India, Japan, China and Russia. I would have been totally shocked if one of them, suddenly, said they didn't believe in Baha'u'llah and hadn't confirm at the age of 15. I think you have indications earlier and many discussions.

I had many friends who refused to declare at the age of 15. Some of them purely for teenage rebellion. A few because they honestly had no idea what they believed. Some signed later, some still haven't signed and here it is 31 years later! For many families it shocked and rocked them. I think, "How couldn't you know? They always had said they wouldn't sign!" Most of these kids didn't fake it. They didn't say prayers at Feast, drug their feet to attend youth classes or go to any of the socials. Did the parents hope against hope that they would suddenly "become" spiritually in tune with the Faith when they woke up on their 15th BD? I know I was grateful to watch my children attend Feasts without being cajoled (do more now than I ever did when they were teens) and they were the ones organizing retreats for youth to attend, I am relieved that I didn't have to watch one of my children slip away right in front of my eyes.

Honestly I don't know what I would do because celebrating the Holy Days is such a part of our lives. I think they would still come, if one of them suddenly woke up one day and said, "Oops, think I made a mistake signing THAT card!" but I don't know. I really hope we never have to find out.

The Declaration Card asks for your name, address, birth date and phone number, and above the signature is this paragraph: "In signing this card, I declare my belief in Baha'u'llah, the Promised One of God. I also recognize the Bab, His Forerunner, and 'Abdu'l-Baha, the Center of His Covenant. I request enrollment in the Baha'i Community with the understanding that Baha'u'llah has established sacred principles, laws, and institutions which I must obey."

The declaration card does not mention the Universal House of Justice. However, with the affirmation of belief in Baha'u'llah and His Covenant comes the understanding that the individual declares his obedience to the guidance of the Universal House of Justice.

Dear Gerald,
The Nineteen Day Feasts attendance is restricted to Baha'is not for reasons of privacy. Attendance at Feast is actually a duty and privilege of every Baha'i. Here is the guidance specifically on this matter:

"With regard to the attendance of non-Bahá'ís at a Nineteen Day Feast, you can explain to ... the essentially domestic, administrative nature of the Nineteen Day 'Feast'... The Guardians secretary wrote on his behalf on 21 September, 1946:

"As regards your question concerning Nineteen Day Feasts ... as to non-Bahá'ís attending, this should by all means be avoided, but if non-believers come to a Nineteen Day Feast, they should not be put out, as this might hurt their feelings.'

"This is why, if a non-Bahá'í does appear at a Nineteen Day Feast he should be made to feel welcome, but a Bahá'í should certainly not invite a non-Bahá'í to attend. "A non-Bahá'í, who asks to be invited to a Feast will usually understand if this matter is explained to him."

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles, March 13, 1967)

(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 241)

"The beloved Guardian has instructed me to write to you concerning an action recently taken by your National Assembly, as published in your January-February Bahá'í News, that non-Bahá'ís may attend 19 Day Feasts if the earnestness of their interest in the Faith' is vouched for by a declared believer. "The Guardian wishes me to direct your attention to the fact that none of the institutions of the Faith nor its cardinal principles may be changed under any circumstances. "The 19 Day Feast is an institution of the Cause, first established by the Báb, later confirmed by Bahá'u'lláh and now made a prominent part of the administrative order of the Faith. These 19 Day Feasts are for the Bahá'ís, and the Bahá'ís exclusively, and no variation from this principle is permitted. "Thus the Guardian feels you should rescind the action taken by your Assembly in opening the Feasts to 'near Bahá'ís', as it is not consistent with the spirit of the administrative order for non- Bahá'ís or near Bahá'ís to attend the 19 Day Feasts, particularly the administrative portion of the Feast."

(From letter written on behalf of the Guardian to the National Assembly of Germany and Austria, May 28, 1954, The Nineteen Day Feast November 1975)

(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 241)

"The rule that only Bahá'ís may take part in Nineteen Day Feasts is not a new one, indeed it was often reiterated by the beloved Guardian. However, when a non-Bahá'í does appear at a Feast he should not be asked to leave; rather the Assembly should omit the consultative part of the Feast, and the non-Bahá'í should be made welcome. Of course, if the non-Bahá'ís well known to the Bahá'ís and no hurt feelings would be caused, he might be asked to retire during the consultative part. In general, however, it is much better to avoid such problems where possible, and you seem to have taken the wisest course during your friends' last visit by taking them out for the evening, so avoiding the problem.

"During the period of consultation the Bahá'ís should be able to enjoy perfect freedom to express their views on the work of the Cause, unembarrassed by the feeling that all they are saying is being heard by someone who has not accepted Bahá'u'lláh and who might, thereby, gain a very distorted picture of the Faith. It would also be very embarrassing for any sensitive non-Bahá'í to find himself plunged into the midst of a discussion of the detailed affairs of the Bahá'í Community of which he is not a part."

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, March 24, 1970. The Nineteen Day Feast, November 1975)

(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 240)

"Attendance at Nineteen Day Feasts is not Obligatory but very important, and every believer should consider it a duty and a privilege to present on such occasions."

(From letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, December 15, 1947: Bahá'í News, No. 210, p. 3, August 1948)

(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 239)


I hope this helps in our understanding on Feast :) The Book 2 of the Ruhi Institute also has an excellent discussion on the subject, that is often shared on home visits with seekers and new believers.