Orthodox Baháʼí Faith
Minority Bahá'í sect / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Orthodox Baháʼí Faith is an extremely small Baháʼí sect[1] that was formed in 1960 by Mason Remey, and subsequently was the name used by one of his disputed successors, Joel Marangella. The sect is defined by a belief that the Guardianship of Shoghi Effendi (1921–1957) continued with further appointees, whereas the mainstream Baháʼís follow a line of leadership that transitioned to the elected Universal House of Justice in 1963 with no eligible appointees as Guardian.
Other than on the matter of leadership and organization, there are few differences between the Orthodox and mainstream Baháʼís regarding their doctrine. As a group who believe that Mason Remey was the second Guardian of the Baháʼí Faith, they are excommunicated by the majority of Baháʼís and labelled covenant-breakers.[2] Those who supported Mason Remey feel in turn that the majority strayed from the original teachings.[3][4]
Membership data of the Orthodox Baháʼís is scarce. They are mostly located in the United States,[5][6] with few members and no communal religious life.[7][8] One source estimated them at no more than 100 members as of 1988, with the largest concentration being 11 in Roswell, New Mexico.[9] In an Illinois court case in 2007 they reported membership in the United States at 40,[10][11] and a news agency reported them at "about 50" in 2010.[12] Websites claiming to represent the Orthodox Baháʼís indicate followers in the United States and India.