Naming of Babies

1998?

From the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá

When it is wished to celebrate the naming of a child, a special gathering may be held at which prayers and verses from the Holy Writings should be read out, and all should fervently entreat, in lowliness and devotion before the Divine Threshold, that the new-born infant may attain to righteousness, and beseech that it may be granted heavenly confirmation, steadfastness and constancy. The chosen name should then be conferred on the child, and afterwards sweetmeats and refreshments may be served--this is spiritual baptism. (From a Tablet translated from the Persian)

From Letters written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice

With reference to the House of Justice's suggesting a name for your dear son, it holds to the same policy as that of the beloved Guardian, a policy which is made clear in the following excerpt from a letter written to an individual believer on behalf of the Guardian by his secretary:

“The new child which will soon be given to you by God is, indeed, a divine blessing, of which you should feel proud, and of the manifold responsibilities and obligations which it necessarily entails you should become fully aware. It is now that you can truly say that you have a family life. Without a child there can be no family, and through him the bonds of love and of service can be truly and strongly maintained between the wife and husband.

“Your request from the Guardian that he should give a name for your baby is one which many believers have already made, and to which he has invariably given the same reply, namely, that since such demands were formerly made to the Master he does not think it would be fitting and appropriate that he should continue doing what 'Abdu'l-Bahá alone was fully entitled to do. He hopes that you will not misunderstand him on this point and that you will fully realize the wisdom of his instruction in this rather delicate matter. (4 November 1933) (5 June 1974 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)

Transsexuality and Sex-Change Operations

2002

Extracts from Letters Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice on Transsexuality

[1] The House of Justice has not found any text in the Bahá’í writings which deals explicitly with the subjects of transsexuality or surgical operations carried out to change sex or to establish a single sex. It has decided that changes of sex or attempts to change sex should, at the present time, be considered medical questions on which advice and guidance should be sought from experts in that field.

If a Bahá’í has had surgery and a change of sex has been registered officially on the birth certificate or otherwise, marriage is permissible to a person of the sex opposite to that which is officially registered. (31 August 1983 to an individual believer)

⿔⿔⿔⿔⿔⿔⿔⿔

[2] On the specific question of changing one’s sex, the House of Justice has not found any text; its view is that this subject is primarily a medical question and as such requires advice and guidance from experts in that field.... It is not within the province of the Assembly to advise Mr. ... whether or not to undergo a sex-change procedure, but it does have the right to request him to provide it with documentary evidence, both medical and civil, stating what his/her sex is. In other words, until it receives proof that he has become female, it must go on the premise that he is male and his moral behaviour must be governed by Bahá’í principles on that basis. Once it is certified that his sex has been changed, he would need to observe Bahá’í moral principles as they apply to a woman, and the community would, presumably, be informed of the change. In other words, undergoing the procedure is a medical matter and the Assembly is concerned only with the change of status which it would produce. The Local Spiritual Assembly also expresses concern about his current behaviour which gives the impression of homosexuality, and thus places in question the morality of his having roommates of either sex, no matter what stage the sex-change procedure has reached. An example is his dressing as a woman while still, apparently, being a man. Such actions could well be regarded as giving the appearance of immoral behaviour and as having the potential for bringing the community into disrepute. As you are well aware, if a believer’s conduct conspicuously disgraces the Faith and brings serious injury to its reputation, his voting rights are subject to deprivation; generally such an action should be taken only after the person has been counselled and warned of the possible consequences of his behaviour. (27 December 1987 to a National Spiritual Assembly) [footnote: The National Spiritual Assembly sought guidance on behalf of a Local Spiritual Assembly.]