Dr. Jane Faily
Jane Faily starts by saying that as the “all human institutions are in disorder”; so too is Bahá’í marriage. We live in one of the most trying times in history.
Ms. Faily then explores the traditional roles of men and women in marriage and society. In the past there was stability and harmony in marriage; that order rested on the dominance of men and the compliance of women. That has disappeared. “We are in an awkward age.” The harmony has vanished. We need to recreate the institution of marriage based on Bahá’í teachings.
Dr. Jane Faily speaks of her experience of growing up in a family of twin cultures…American and Iranian. ‘Abdu’l-Baha warned the North American Bahá’ís that tests here will be “mental tests”, not physical. Shoghi Effendi, in one of his last messages to America warned us of "apathy, timidity or complacency” that could rob us of “the prizes within your reach”. Dr. Faily believes that testing can be described as happening within three circles. The widest circle is the world. Within that circle is the Bahá’í Community and the inner-most circle is your heart. All three circles will be tested. We must hold onto the Covenant or we will spiritually fall asleep. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave America “The Tablets of the Divine Plan”, despite our many short-comings. He never gave up hope in us, nor did Shoghi Effendi or the Hands of the Cause of God.