Daily Frameworks for 29 August 2023

Fidál, 10 Asmá’ (Names), 180 B.E.

Reflections on the Life of the Spirit

Quote for Reflection:

When the sinner findeth himself wholly detached and freed from all save God, he should beg forgiveness and pardon from Him. Confession of sins and transgressions before human beings is not permissible, as it hath never been nor will ever be conducive to divine forgiveness. Moreover such confession before people results in one’s humiliation and abasement, and God—exalted be His glory—wisheth not the humiliation of His servants. Verily He is the Compassionate, the Merciful. The sinner should, between himself and God, implore mercy from the Ocean of mercy, beg forgiveness from the Heaven of generosity. — Bahá’u’lláh ^{1 2}

Question for Consideration:

Is it permissible for a Bahá’î to confess to another person?

What should he or she do instead of confessing? ³

Google Bard Response:

No, it is not permissible for a Bahá’í to confess to another person. This is because Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, has prohibited it. In the quote you provided, he says that confession of sins and transgressions before human beings is not permissible, as it has never been nor will ever be conducive to divine forgiveness. He also says that such confession before people results in one’s humiliation and abasement, and that God does not wish the humiliation of His servants.

The Bahá’í teachings emphasize the importance of individual spiritual growth and development. They believe that each person has a direct relationship with God, and that this relationship is the only one that matters for the purpose of forgiveness. Therefore, there is no need to confess to another person in order to be forgiven by God.

If a Bahá’í is struggling with sin or wrongdoing, they are encouraged to turn to God in prayer and meditation. They can also seek guidance and support from their family and friends, but they should not feel obligated to confess their sins to anyone.

The Bahá’í teachings also emphasize the importance of privacy and confidentiality. They believe that everyone has a right to privacy, and that this right should be respected. Therefore, it would be wrong for a Bahá’í to confess their sins to someone who is not bound by the same standards of privacy and confidentiality.

Instead of confessing, a Bahá’í should turn to God in prayer and ask for forgiveness. They can also try to make amends for their wrongdoing, if possible. If they have harmed another person, they should sincerely apologize and seek their forgiveness.

Here are some specific things that a Bahá’í can do to seek forgiveness:

• Pray to God and ask for His forgiveness.
• Reflect on their actions and make a sincere commitment to change.
• Make amends for their wrongdoing, if possible.
• Seek the forgiveness of those they have harmed.
• Forgive themselves and let go of the guilt and shame they may be feeling.
  

It is important to remember that God is merciful and forgiving. If a Bahá’í sincerely repents of their sins, God will forgive them.

1. Bahá’u’lláh. Tablets of Baháʾuʾlláh, Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Translated by Habib Taherzadeh. Ebook. Internet Archive: Project Gutenberg, 2005, 15. https://archive.org/details/tabletsofbahullh17310gut/page/n23/mode/2up. ↩
2. Bahá’u’lláh. Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed August 28, 2023. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/tablets-bahaullah/2#155955696. ↩
3. Ruhi Institute. Reflections on the Life of the Spirit. 4.1.2.PE May 2020. Vol. Book 1. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Institute, 2020, 5. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS ↩