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Notes: It is not entirely clear to me what is meant by an "e-mail domain address," as a domain has the same name whether it forms part of a URL or part of an email address. It appears that the "account name" is intended, i.e. the part of an email address preceding the @ sign. For example, it would appear that, in accordance with this guidance, one could have an email address like johnsmith@bahai.com, but only an institutional agency could have an email address like bahai@johnsmith.com. This letter also notes that the word "Baha'i" may be used in web URLs, but another letter by the Universal House of Justice (which I can't now locate) adds that the Greatest Name itself, "Baha", may not be so used. -J.W. Classified in NSA Letters. |
Use of appropriate domain names by Baha'is on the Internet
by National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United Kingdom
published in Baha'i Journal (UK), pages 17-18United Kingdom: 1997-03
The National Spiritual Assembly has received queries, and expressions of
concern, from Bahá'ís about the use of "Bahá'í" words in e-mail
addresses World Web [sic] URLs. It sought the views of the Universal
House of Justice, and having received them shares this guidance with the
community.
The House said that "Your concern that email names and URL addresses selected by individuals should in no way appear to diminish the dignity of the Faith is legitimate, and while there is no specific policy on this issue, you should not feel restrained in assisting the friends to exercise good judgement when choosing domain names."
In the light of this, the National Spiritual Assembly has decided that individuals should not use e-mail domain addresses containing the name of the Faith, or of the Central Figures of the Faith, or variations on any of these.
Institutions and agencies of the administration remain free to use the word Bahá'í (Bahai, bahai) as part of their official e-mail domain name.
The Assembly recognises that the word Bahá'í, in various forms, is often an essential part of World Wide Web URLs, and without it these sites may not be found by those searching the Web. Individuals are therefore still free to use it in Web URLs.
The House said that "Your concern that email names and URL addresses selected by individuals should in no way appear to diminish the dignity of the Faith is legitimate, and while there is no specific policy on this issue, you should not feel restrained in assisting the friends to exercise good judgement when choosing domain names."
In the light of this, the National Spiritual Assembly has decided that individuals should not use e-mail domain addresses containing the name of the Faith, or of the Central Figures of the Faith, or variations on any of these.
Institutions and agencies of the administration remain free to use the word Bahá'í (Bahai, bahai) as part of their official e-mail domain name.
The Assembly recognises that the word Bahá'í, in various forms, is often an essential part of World Wide Web URLs, and without it these sites may not be found by those searching the Web. Individuals are therefore still free to use it in Web URLs.
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