The key to Bahá'í community life is collaboration. This principle is at work at every level of the Bahá'í way of life, from the actions and choices of the individual to the non-partisan, participatory manner in which the Bahá'í administrative system operates.

A Spiritual Assembly makes decisions through a process of prayerful and frank consultation. The purpose of the consultation is to find the truth of any matter and, whenever possible, to achieve a consensus. This requires that individuals not hold fast to personal opinions simply in order to have their views prevail.

Instead, they must approach matters with a genuine desire to determine the right course of action. If consensus cannot be achieved, the majority vote of a quorum prevails, and the decision is equally valid and binding. Every member of the community is responsible for achieving its common goals.

The principle of consultation applies for all Bahá'ís, in any situation.

Bahá'u'lláh established a unique system of administration in which all members participate equally. The writings of the Faith forbid the creation of a priesthood. At the heart of every Bahá'í community—local, national, international—is an elected nine-member institution known as the Spiritual Assembly (local and national) or the Universal House of Justice (international).

Elections without Politics

Every year, the adult members of each local Bahá'í community select nine community members to serve on the Local Spiritual Assembly. Also, on a yearly basis, delegates are elected at a unit convention and then assemble at a National Convention to consult on matters affecting the Faith, and to elect a nine-member National Spiritual Assembly.

Every five years, all of the members of all National Spiritual Assemblies elect the Universal House of Justice at an International Convention.

All Bahá'í elections are by secret ballot in an atmosphere of prayer. Nominations, electioneering, and campaigning are not permitted. The sacred writings of the Faith specifically prohibit political parties, factions, machinations, or alliances of any kind.

Voters are directed "... to consider without the least trace of passion and prejudice, and irrespective of any material consideration, the names of only those who can best combine the necessary qualities of unquestioned loyalty, of selfless devotion, of a well-trained mind, of recognized ability and mature experience."

The Work of Spiritual Assemblies

Matters for consideration by the Spiritual Assemblies cover the entire range of community life. The members of the Assemblies are exhorted in the Bahá'í writings to act with justice in all things, and to ensure the rights and happiness of all. Worldwide Spiritual Assemblies

There are more than 1,100 Local Spiritual Assemblies in the United States and more than 17,000 in the world. And there are more than 170 National Spiritual Assemblies in countries around the world.

The Universal House of Justice

At the head of the Bahá'í administrative structure stands the Universal House of Justice, the international governing council of the Bahá'í Faith first elected in 1963. Composed of nine individuals, the Universal House of Justice is elected every five years by the combined membership of all of the world's National Spiritual Assemblies.

Bahá'u'lláh Himself established the institution of the Universal House of Justice, and it occupies a unique position in the Bahá'í administrative order. Bahá'ís understand that its decision-making on spiritual matters is unerringly guided by God.

Bahá'u'lláh's teachings are the foundation of Bahá'í belief and practice. The Universal House of Justice has the authority to legislate on all matters which Bahá'u'lláh Himself did not address. If, for example, the development of some future technology poses a moral question which was unknown at the time of Bahá'u'lláh, it would fall to the Universal House of Justice to determine how to address that question. In this way, Bahá'ís believe, the Bahá'í Faith will continue to be guided by God until such time as the next Manifestation of God appears--an event which Bahá'u'lláh said will not occur before the passing of no less than a thousand years.

It is important to note that, like members of national and local Assemblies, individual members of the Universal House of Justice have no power or authority on their own--however respected and honored as individuals they may be. Only when they are gathered together, meeting officially as the Universal House of Justice, are they considered to be divinely inspired.

(copyright 2003 by the Bahá'ís of the United States)