....and practicing it involves harming the established systems in the state.

 

the Appeal Court in Cairo, Egypt has refused to legally recognize the marriage of a Baha’i couple who have been married for almost 45 years, on account of their religious belief. In its verdict, the Appeal Court said: 

‘There is a difference between the freedom of belief guaranteed by the constitution and the legal consequences of this belief. Freedom of belief means that an individual may adopt whatever beliefs they wish, provided that this does not disturb the public order and the stability of the state. The Baha’i faith is not a heavenly religion, and practicing it involves harming the established systems in the state. Therefore, it is not permissible to register it in civil status documents or in any other official documents issued by any official body. The legal texts regulating all these rules are considered part of the public order; it is not permissible therefore to prove anything that contradicts or conflicts with them.’

It is difficult not to feel saddened by a statement such as this coming from a court. 

The statement raises an important question: How does practising a faith that teaches honesty, service, unity, education, and obedience to government harm the state? 

Difference of belief does not automatically mean harm. Throughout history, many religious communities were accused of threatening society simply because they were new or misunderstood. Any claim of harm should be supported by evidence, not assumptions. A faith should be judged by the character it develops and the contribution its followers make to society.

• The oneness of God: There is one Creator, known by different names in different religions.
• The oneness of religion: The world's great religions come from the same divine source and are chapters of one unfolding spiritual education.
• The oneness of humanity: All people, regardless of race, nationality, ethnicity, or social class, belong to one human family.
• The elimination of prejudice in all its forms.
• The equality of women and men.
• Universal education.
• Harmony of science and religion.
• Peace and cooperation among nations.
• Service to humanity as a form of worship.