| WWW.SECTSOFBAHAIS.COM, JANUARY 2009 |
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Like any other Faith where division amongst their followers is natural, Bahá'í Faith is no exception to it. How much the Bahá'í leaders may claim that there is no division amongst Bahá'ís the fact is that Bahá'í Faith does have different denominations, each calling themselves as the TRUE Faith . The fact is that in the small span of 160 years Bahá'í Faith has seen more divisions than any other religion.
[READ THE COMPLETE HISTORY FROM CRACKS IN COVENANT TO BATTLE OF COVENANTS]
Here is a brief treatise on the history of the division in the Bahá'í Faith - right from its inception, the Bab, Subhe' Azal, Bahá'u'lláh, Abbas Effendi, Shoghi Effendi and finally till the present day Universal House of Justice.
Sects of the Bahá'í Faith
View: Leaders and Guardians of The Sects of The Bahá'í Faith
These are those who believe the true successor of The Bab is Mirza Yahya Subh-e-Azal and not Mirza Hussain Ali Noori (Bahá'u'lláh).
These are those who believe in the coming of the Third Manifestation after Bab and Baha’u’llah.
These are those who believe after Baha’u’llah, his younger son Mohammed Ali was his true successor.
1. Free Bahá'ís
2. Reform Bahá'ís
3. New History Society
These are those who believe that Will and Testament of Abdu'l-Bahá is a fraudulent document doctored by Shoghi Effendi Rabbani.
1. Orthodox Baha'is (followers of Joel B. Marangella)
2. Baha'is Under the Provisions of the Covenant (followers of Neal Chase)
3. Heart of the Bahá'í Faith (followers of Jacques Soghomonian)
4. Tarbiyat Baha'is (followers of Rex King et al)
These are those who believe in continuation of Guardianship.
These are those who believe that the Guardianship ended with Shoghi Effendi and at present UHJ is the true leader.
These are those who believe that the UHJ requires an infallible Guardian in line with the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh and Abdu'l-Bahá.
It looks like the Baha'i denominations will succeed in mounting a significant challenge to the mainstream Haifa-based Baha'i Faith. On the other hand main stream Haifa Based Baha’is are putting more pressure on their UHJ to clarify the concept of Guardianship, rather than asking them to shun the Covenant Breakers. The recent court case done by the Haifa Based Baha’is on their two other denominations has further internationalize the issue of Guardianship. It looks like the balance is tilting more towards Guardianists. If current trends of infightining continue, it is possible that Baha'ism will suffer from more divisions. It has to be seen.
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