1. What is the central accusation regarding Baháʼí membership figures?
The primary assertion is that the Baháʼí Faith administration consistently and intentionally inflates its global membership numbers, particularly in countries like India, the US, and the UK. This alleged exaggeration is described as a "well-thought strategy" aimed at projecting an inaccurate image of widespread success and influence, potentially to gain benefits such as minority status.
2. Can you provide specific examples of the discrepancy between Baháʼí claims and official census data?
In India, the Baháʼí administration reportedly claimed 2 million to 2.2 million adherents, while official Indian government censuses showed vastly lower figures: 5,575 in 1991, 11,324 in 2001, and around 12,000 in 2010/2011, with a figure of 4,573 for 2016. Similarly, in the United States, Baháʼís claimed 175,000 members, but official US census data reported 28,000 in 1990, 84,000 in 2001, and a drop to 49,000 in 2008. The UK Census 2011 reported 5,021 Baháʼís, significantly lower than the claimed over 34,000.
3. What internal practices are alleged to contribute to these inflated numbers?
Several internal practices are cited: the "Once a Baháʼí, always a Baháʼí" policy, where individuals are supposedly never removed from membership rolls unless they formally renounce their belief in writing, meaning inactive members remain counted. The "Entry by Troops" strategy in North America led to many signing "declaration cards" without becoming active members. Additionally, "Ruhi book courses" are seen as a way to collect addresses and falsely claim participants as Baháʼís, and there are allegations of paid workers collecting non-existent addresses.
4. What are the alleged motivations behind the Baháʼí administration's exaggeration of numbers?
The alleged motivations include creating a perception of high acceptability and success globally to claim the Baháʼí Faith as a major religion. Specifically in India, the exaggeration is linked to a desire to achieve minority status, which could offer certain benefits. Former Baháʼí Shalom Scott also suggests that potential converts were deliberately lied to about membership numbers to make the Faith appear more successful and influential.
5. What are the observed trends in Baháʼí membership in the US and New Zealand?
In the US, Baháʼí numbers are reported to be declining at a rate of 300-400 per year, with an increasing number of "bad addresses" suggesting bogus entries. In contrast, the New Zealand Baháʼí community is noted as an exception for transparently acknowledging a reverse growth trend, with figures decreasing from 3,104 in 1996 to 2,637 in 2013, a 5% decrease between 2006 and 2013, which aligns with official census data.
6. How does the retention rate of the Baháʼí Faith compare to other religions, according to sources?
Professor Juan Cole observed in 2001 that 50% of individuals who entered the Baháʼí Faith since 1968 have subsequently left it. This is significantly lower than the approximately 80% retention rate typically seen in most Christian denominations, indicating a high attrition rate within the Baháʼí Faith.
7. What impact did the "Muhajir Era" have on Local Spiritual Assemblies (LSAs) in India?
During the "Muhajir Era" (1956-1983), the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies (LSAs) in India reportedly reached 10,000. However, in the subsequent "Post-Muhajir Era" (1984-2010), the number sharply decreased, with the Baháʼí administration claiming only 500 LSAs by 2010, which is just 5% of the earlier reported figure. Actual working LSAs are estimated to be very few, primarily in metropolitan cities with Persian Baháʼís.
8. How is the Baháʼí Faith characterized by some authors in the provided sources?
Some authors in the sources characterize the Baháʼí Faith as a "cult" or a "footnote religion." It is also stated to have "no potential for growth" beyond sectarian divisions, described as an "essentially Persian dominated organization," and asserted that it is "not the fastest growing religion" or "most widespread religion after Christianity." One source even suggests it's the "most comfortable religion" but, in that context, "not a religion" at all.