ezs note: I've given this some thought - no, a great deal of thought - but I've given a great deal of respect and admiration to Baha'u'llah (1817-1892). I'll be ending this with a quote of Baha'u'llah, as well as His son, Abdu'l Baha, as well as Shoghi Effendi (among others). If you wish to peruse the Writings more thoroughly, you can see http://bahai-library.com/. (Baha'i Library Online)
Be fair: Is the testimony of those
acceptable and worthy of attention
whose deeds agree with their words,
whose outward behavior conforms
with their inner life? The mind is
bewildered at their deeds, and the soul
marveleth at their fortitude and bodily
endurance. Or is the testimony of these
faithless souls who breathe naught but
the breath of selfish desire, and who lie
imprisoned in the cage of their idle fancies,
acceptable? Like the bats of darkness, they
lift not their heads from their couch except
to pursue the transient things of the world,
and find no rest by night except as they
labor to advance the aims of their sordid
life. Immersed in their selfish schemes, they
are oblivious of the Divine decree. In
the daytime they strive with all their
soul after worldly benefits, and in the
night season their sole occupation is to
gratify their carnal desires. By what law
or standard could men be justified in
cleaving to the denials of such petty-minded
souls and in ignoring the faith of them
that have renounced, for the sake of the
good pleasure of God, their life and
substance, their fame and renown, their
reputation and honor?... (Baha’u’llah)
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