adminFlora Teckie
A Bahá’í Perspective
Today, February 20, is World Day of Social Justice. As we commemorate the day, it is timely to contemplate the role of justice in achieving global unity, co-operation and order.
“No light can compare with the light of justice. The establishment of order in the world and the tranquillity of the nations depend upon it”, states Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith.
Building a united global society is vital to humanity’s well-being, peace and prosperity, and justice is vital to the establishment of unity and harmony at all levels of society.
We cannot overcome our current interrelated global challenges — including the health pandemic — without a higher level of co-operation at all levels of society.
“The required higher level of co-operation” in the Bahá’í view, “can only be motivated by a sincere appreciation for the unity of all human beings”. Only on the basis of belief in the oneness and unity of humanity will it be possible to eradicate prejudices, such as those related to race, nation, gender or religion.”
Justice and unity are reciprocal in their effects.
It is the requirement of justice that everyone is treated equally and with dignity. The chief instrument for the transformation of society and the achievement of global unity, Bahá’u’lláh asserts, is the establishment of justice in the affairs of humanity.
“The light of men is Justice”, He states, “The purpose of justice is the appearance of unity among men”.
Justice as basis of unity in diversity
“The unity that must underpin a peaceful and just social order” in the Bahá’í view, “is a unity which embraces and honours diversity. Oneness and diversity are complementary and inseparable. … Acceptance of the concept of unity in diversity, therefore, implies the development of a global consciousness, a sense of world citizenship, and a love for all of humanity”.
We cannot achieve social justice unless we embrace human diversity, and confront the prejudices that hinder the realization of global social justice.
World peace is closely linked to justice. It is the requirement of justice that everyone is treated as equals, from whatever background they may be.
We will arrive at unity by an increased awareness of, and respect for, the values of each culture, and indeed of each individual.
Of course, the concept of the oneness of humanity goes beyond mere tolerance and advocates a change in our attitudes, requiring that an active effort be made towards establishing genuine unity among the nations, races, religions and ethnic groups.
As the Bahá’í Writings state: “Love ye all religions and all races with a love that is true and sincere and show that love through deeds and not through the tongue; for the latter hath no importance, as the majority of men are, in speech, well-wishers, while action is the best”.
Furthermore, one has to reflect on the fact that, although we live on earth in physical bodies, our eternal part is our rational soul.
It is our soul that animates the body and is our essential identity.
According to the Bahá’í Writings “… the rational soul has no gender, race, ethnicity or class, a fact that renders intolerable all forms of prejudice”.
Requirements of social justice
To honour diversity without making differences a cause for conflict requires a new way of thinking, based on the acceptance of our oneness and respect for the rights of every individual.
“The principle of the oneness of humankind,” in the Bahá’í view, “lies at the heart of the exhortation that we should treat others as we ourselves would wish to be treated. To establish justice, peace and order in an interdependent world, this principle must guide all interactions…”.
To be just requires fair-mindedness in our judgments, for equity in our treatment of others; and application of justice every day, in everything we do and towards all our fellow human beings.
Discrimination due to race — prevalent in many parts of the world — is a grave injustice and it is a major barrier to unity, co-operation and peace.
A great deal of effort is required towards achieving race reconciliation and bringing about social justice.
Discrimination against women and girls is another grave injustice against one half of the world’s population. It is a requirement of justice that women and men are treated as equals in their families, at their work and in society.
It is also a requirement of justice to respect all major world religions and to act towards the people of all faiths with love and understanding.
Another requirement is the application of justice internationally and not only locally or nationally, if unity of humanity is to become a reality. The current justice systems in many parts of the world not only overlook, but sanction, injustices towards those who are not within their boundaries or are not from the same background.
When everyone can trust that they are given equal rights and opportunities, then qualities such as honesty, a willingness to work, and a spirit of cooperation can be harnessed and used for to the accomplishment of collective goals.
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