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The Baha'is Believe ... | |
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Basic Concepts
"The central purpose of the divine religions is the establishment of peace and unity among mankind. Their reality is one; therefore, their accomplishment is one and universal -- whether it be through the essential or material ordinances of God."1 "[Essential ordinances] . . . concern spiritual susceptibilities, the development of moral principles and the quickening of the conscience of man. These are . . . one and the same in all religions . . . [Material ordinances] which relate to the material affairs of humankind . . . are subject to change in each day of manifestation, according to exigencies of the time, conditions and differing capacities of humanity."2 "All the Prophets of God . . . appeared in the world for the education of humanity, to develop immature souls into maturity. . ."3 "They have taught that men should love and mutually help each other in order that they might progress."4 1. Promulgation of Universal Peace, page 98
"A fundamental teaching of Baha'u'llah is the oneness of the world of humanity.
Addressing mankind, He says, 'Ye are all leaves of one tree and fruits
of one branch.' By this it is meant that the world of humanity is
like a tree, the nation or peoples are the different limbs or branches
of that tree and the individual human creatures are as the fruits and blossoms
thereof. In this way Baha'u'llah expressed the oneness of humankind, whereas
in all religious teachings of the past the human world has been represented
as divided into two parts: one known as the people of the Book of God,
or the pure tree, and the other the people of infidelity and error, or
the evil tree. The former were considered as belonging to the faithful,
and the others to the hosts of the irreligious and infidel . . . Baha'u'llah
removed this by proclaiming the oneness of the world of humanity, and this
principle is specialized in His teachings, for He has submerged all mankind
in the sea of divine generosity. Some are asleep; they need to be awakened.
Some are ailing; they need to be healed. Some are immature as children;
they need to be trained. But all are recipients of the bounty and bestowals
of God."5
5. Promulgation of Universal Peace, page 454
Independent Investigation of Truth "Furthermore, know ye that God has created in man the power of reason, whereby man is
enabled to investigate reality. God has not intended man to imitate
blindly his fathers and ancestors. He has endowed him with mind, or the
faculty of reasoning, by the exercise of which he is to investigate and
discover the truth, and that which he finds real and true he must accept.
He must not be an imitator or blind follower of any soul. He must not rely
implicitly upon the opinion of any man without investigation; nay, each
soul must seek intelligently and independently, arriving at a real conclusion
and bound only by that reality. The greatest cause of bereavement and disheartening
in the world of humanity is ignorance based upon blind imitation. It is
due to this that wars and battles prevail; from this cause hatred and animosity
arise continually among mankind."6
6. Promulgation of Universal Peace, page 291 The Essential Agreement of Science and Religion ". . .Religion must reconcile and be in harmony with science and reason. If the religious
beliefs of mankind are contrary to science and opposed to reason, they
are none other than superstitions and without divine authority, for the
Lord God has endowed man with the faculty of reason in order that through
its exercise he may arrive at the verities of existence. Reason is the
discoverer of the realities of things, and that which conflicts with its
conclusions is the product of human fancy and imagination."7
"[Religion] must agree with scientific fact and proof
so that science will sanction religion and religion fortify science."8
7. Promulgation of Universal Peace, page 316
"In proclaiming the oneness of mankind [Baha'u'llah] taught that men and women
are equal in the sight of God and that there is no distinction to be made
between them. The only difference between them now is due to lack of education
and training. If woman is given equal opportunity of education, distinction
and estimate of inferiority will disappear. The world of humanity has two
wings, as it were: One is the female; the other is the male. If one wing
be defective, the strong perfect wing will not be capable of flight . .
. [God] has endowed both sexes with perfections and intelligence . . .
without differentiation or distinction as to superiority; therefore, why
should woman be considered inferior? This is not according to the plan
and justice of God. He has created them equal; in His estimate there is
no question of sex. The one whose heart is purest, whose deeds are most
perfect, is acceptable to God, male or female."9
9. Promulgation of Universal Peace, page 174
Elimination of Prejudice of All Kinds "Other sources of human dissension are political, racial and patriotic prejudices.
These have been removed by Baha'u'llah. He has said, and has guarded His
statement by rational proofs from the Holy Books, that the world of humanity
is one race, the surface of the earth one place of residence and that these
imaginary racial barriers and political boundaries are without right or
foundation. Man is degraded in becoming the captive of his own illusions
and suppositions. The earth is one earth, and the same atmosphere surrounds
it. No difference or preference has been made by God for its human inhabitants;
but man has laid the foundation of prejudice, hatred and discord with his
fellow man by considering nationalities separate in importance and races
different in rights and privileges."10
10. Promulgation of Universal Peace, page 232
Universal Compulsory Education "Baha'u'llah has announced that inasmuch as ignorance and lack of education are barriers
of separation among mankind, all must receive training and instruction.
Through this provision the lack of mutual understanding will be remedied
and the unity of mankind furthered and advanced. Universal education is
a universal law."11"Through the broadening
spirit of education illiteracy will disappear, and misunderstandings due
to ignorance will pass away."12
11. Promulgation of Universal Peace, page 300
Spiritual Solution to Economic Problems ". . . The readjustment and equalization of the economic standards of mankind . .
. deals with the question of human livelihood. It is evident that under
present systems and conditions of government the poor are subject to the
greatest need and distress while others more fortunate live in luxury and
plenty far beyond their actual necessities. This inequality of portion
and privilege is one of the deep and vital problems of human society. That
there is need of an equalization and apportionment by which all may possess
the comforts and privileges of life is evident. The remedy must be legislative
readjustment of conditions. The rich too must be merciful to the poor,
contributing from willing hearts to their needs without being forced or
compelled to do so."13 ". . . Baha'u'llah
set forth principles of guidance and teaching for economic readjustment.
Regulations were revealed by Him which ensure the welfare of the commonwealth.
As the rich man enjoys his life surrounded by ease and luxuries, so the
poor man must, likewise, have a home and be provided with sustenance and
comforts commensurate with his needs." 14
13. Promulgation of Universal Peace, page 107
A Universal Auxiliary Language "Today the greatest need of the world of humanity is discontinuance of the existing
misunderstandings among nations. This can be accomplished through the unity
of language. Unless the unity of languages is realized, . . . the oneness
of the human world cannot be effectively organized and established because
the function of language is to portray the mysteries and secrets of human
hearts. The heart is like a box, and language is the key. Only by using
the key can we open the box and observe the gems it contains."15
15. Promulgation of Universal Peace, page 60
Universal Peace Upheld by a World Federation ". . . Universal peace will be established among the nations of the world by international
agreement. The greatest catastrophe in the world of humanity today is war.
. . Implements of war and death are multiplied and increased to an inconceivable
degree, and the burden of military maintenance is taxing the various countries
beyond the point of endurance. Armies and navies devour the substance and
possessions of the people; the toiling poor, the innocent and helpless
are forced by taxation to provide munitions and armament for governments
bent upon conquest of territory and defense against powerful rival nations.
There is no greater or more woeful ordeal in the world of humanity today
that impending war. Therefore, international peace is a crucial necessity.
An arbitral court of justice shall be established by which international
disputes are to be settled. Through this means all possibility of discord
and war between the nations will be obviated."16
16. Promulgation of Universal Peace, page 317 Baha'is acknowledge the enormity of the task that lies ahead of them as they attempt to implement
these principles throughout the world. "And yet," as Baha'u'llah explains,
"is not the object of every Revelation to effect a transformation in the
whole character of mankind, a transformation that shall manifest itself,
both outwardly and inwardly, that shall affect both its inner life and
external conditions? For if the character of mankind be not changed, the
futility of God's universal Manifestation would be apparent."17
17. Kitab-i-Iqan, pages 240-241
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