Concerning the declaration of young people under the age of
18, ... we can accept a child of the age of 15 and over as a Bahá'í even if his
parents do not consent and this remains true even though according to the law
of Finland they cannot be officially transferred to the Bahá'í register. You
should not, therefore, exclude such believers from the Nineteen Day Feasts.
However, although such believers should not be swayed from their belief by
their parents' objections, they should, in view of the stress that the
Teachings place upon the respect due to parents and in view of the law in
Finland, obey their parents as far as taking part in Bahá'í activities is
concerned. Their aim should be to gradually awaken in their parents' hearts the
same love for Bahá'u'lláh that has fired their own and not to antagonize their
parents needlessly or contribute in any way to disharmony in their families at
this crucial point in their development.
- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter dated 1 March 1972 to the National Spiritual Assembly of Finland; The Compilation
of Compilations vol. I)