This is pretty self explanatory, so no comments from me (other than to wonder how soon other NSAs around the world will follow suit, and whether the decision was made by the Universal House of Justice and delegated for implementation):
of the
BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES
536 SHERIDAN ROAD, WILMETTE, ILLINOIS 60091-2849 • (847) 733-3537• EMAIL: secretariat@usbnc.org
December 29, 2005
To all Local Spiritual Assemblies
Dear Bahá’í Friends,
Enclosed for your information is a copy of our letter of today’s date addressed to Kalimát Press. We ask you to comply with the decision we have made that all national and local Bahá’í agencies cease to distribute books and other items marketed by this publisher. However, you may continue to sell whatever you may have in stock until your inventories are depleted. Individuals are free, of course, to decide to purchase books from any publisher.
Our decision was regretfully reached as a result of increasing concern in recent years that a number of titles handled by Kalimát Press, aside from those which have enriched Bahá’í literature over the years, contain matter inimical to the best interests of our Faith. It is highly inappropriate for Bahá’í institutions, which are obligated to safeguard such interests, to provide channels of distribution for publishers promoting such titles.
With loving Bahá’í greetings,
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF
THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES
Robert C. Henderson
Secretary-General
of the
BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES
536 SHERIDAN ROAD, WILMETTE, ILLINOIS 60091-2849 • (847) 733-3537• EMAIL: secretariat@usbnc.org
December 29, 2005
Mr. Anthony Lee
Kalimát Press
1600 Sawtelle Blvd., Suite 310
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Dear Bahá’í Friend,
We write to inform you of our decision to instruct the Bahá’í Distribution Service and all other national and local Bahá’í agencies serving our community to cease to acquire and sell any titles marketed by Kalimát Press. We have been impelled to so decide out of a serious concern that your company is increasingly offering titles that are inimical to the best interests of the Bahá’í Faith.
Yours in His service,
Robert C. Henderson
Secretary-General
Related Links:
Karen’s commentary on her blog.
Alison’s commentary and podcast on her blog.
My commentary on this decision (I know, I know, I said no comment).
Kalimat Press website.
NSA letter to LSAs (pdf file).
NSA letter to Kalimat Press (pdf file).
Oh my God…
They went after Sen McGlinn, and now they’re going after the company that published his work (and Bill Garlington’s as well). You’ve gotta love the disingenuousness of the part where they say that individuals are free to buy from whomever they please, as if Baha’is are going to buy from a company that’s been effectively condemned by the NSA.
I think it’s time to fire up the credit card and show some support for the fine folks at Kalimat Press, and also to mail in the resignation letter that’s been sitting on my hard drive the past couple months. This is it. I’m done.
Sercxu
Here is a better version:
December 29, 2005
To all Local Spiritual Assemblies That Are Left In The United States
Dear Bahá’í Automatons,
Enclosed for your information is a copy of our letter of today’s date addressed to Kalimát Press. We ask you to comply with the decision we have made that all national and local Bahá’í agencies cease to distribute books and other items marketed by this publisher. However, you may continue to sell whatever you may have in stock until your inventories are depleted.
Individuals are free, of course, to decide to purchase books from any publisher in accordance with the currently prevailing Constitution of the United States as the Law of the Land.
But this will all change, of course, when Church and State are combined when we come to power. Then you better watch out if you entertain any thoughts that are different from what you are told to think!
For those of you now mentally functioning in the Ruhi “full sequence of courses” level of
cosmic consciousness please fill in the blanks below 1,000 times:
Then you better ______ ___ if you entertain any ________ that are ________ from what you are _____ to ______.
Your Ruhi service project is to scream “Be quiet and let God do His work!” if you ever meet Cindy Sheehan in a dark alley or any combat veteran returning from Iraq.
Our decision was regretfully reached as a result of increasing concern in recent years that a
number of titles handled by Kalimát Press, aside from those which have enriched Bahá’í
literature over the years, contain matter inimical to the best interests of our Faith.
It is highly inappropriate for Bahá’í institutions, which are obligated to safeguard such interests, to provide channels of distribution for publishers promoting such titles.
We do, however, have some good deals this month on some factory defect Ruhi books that we can let you have at a good close out price. That is, if you don’t mind hot pink covers. But teenage girls like them.
With loving Bahá’í greetings,
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF
THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES
Robert C. Henderson
Secretary-General For Life
(You better believe it baby!)
Cool site.
I find myself in agreement with you mostly.
:0)
Cool site.
I find myself in agreement with you mostly.
:0)