Orthodox Baha’is are not starting a new religion. They are only upholding the tenets of the religion revealed by Baha’u’llah. According to Abdu’l-Baha, “As to the most great characteristic of the revelation of Baha’u-llah–a specific teaching not given by any of the Prophets of the past–it is the ordination and appointment of the Center of the Covenant. By this appointment and provision He has safeguarded and protected the religion of God against differences and schisms, making it impossible for any one to create a new sect or faction of belief. To insure unity and agreement He has entered into a Covenant with all the people of the world including the Interpreter and Explainer of His teachings so that no one may interpret or explain the religion of God according to his own view or opinion and thus create a sect founded upon his individual understanding of the divine words.”
The Haifa Baha’i group has deviated from the principles of the faith and created their own Administration minus the Interpreter (Guardian). The Orthodox Baha’is choose to follow the lineal descendents, which brings them to the present Guardian, Joel Bray Marangella. The Orthodox did not stray, it is the others that have created new sects and call themselves Baha’i. Janice