Why it is necessary for FIR to ask if you are a Baha'i?

There are full members and affiliate members of FIR. Full members have the right to elect the Board of FIR at each annual meeting. This Board of Directors has responsibility for a piece of property owned by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States.

"The Worlds of God Index" is the property of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States, and this body has granted permission to a group of Baha'is who petitioned for custody of this Index to take care of it. This group of Baha'is formed the original board of directors of the Foundation for the Investigation of Reality, and has responsibility for ensuring its well-being. For the complete history, click here.

As such, FIR's articles of incorporation, which provide for an annual election of its board members, requires that only adult Baha'is (21 years old or over) be eligible to vote for and/or be elected to its board of directors.