Madam, – While appreciating Peter Thompson’s view of the Baha’i teachings as those of “enlightenment” (December 14th), I would like to point out that the Baha’i Faith is not a branch any other faith but is the newest independent world religion, founded in the 19th century by Baha’u’llah (The Glory of God). An essential part of its teaching is that the founder of each of the world’s major religions was inspired by God. The recognition of the Baha’i Faith’s independence is important in the context of protecting this emerging world faith from the persecution it suffers in Iran, the land of its birth. – Yours, etc,