Online Reporter
Flora Teckie-A Bahái perspective
The global peace, long envisioned by the peoples and nations of the world, is well within our reach.
It is the Bahá’í view that unless unity is attained, a unity that embraces and honours the full diversity of humankind, true peace and security will remain out of reach.
The Universal House of Justice the international governing council of the Bahá’í Faith, in a statement titled “The Promise of World Peace” asserts: “The Great Peace towards which people of goodwill throughout the centuries have inclined their hearts, of which seers and poets for countless generations have expressed their vision, and for which from age to age the sacred scriptures of mankind have constantly held the promise, is now at long last within the reach of the nations”.
The statement adds, “World peace is not only possible but inevitable. It is the next stage in the evolution of this planet”.
The same way as a planted seed grows organically and gradually, evolving through stages of increasing strength until it attains a stage of maturity, similarly, humanity, the Bahá’í Writings explain, has passed through the stage of childhood and is now approaching its collective maturity.
Just as an individual goes through stages of infancy, childhood, adolescence and maturity, we also change and grow collectively as human society. The indicator of humanity approaching its age of maturity, in the Bahá’í view, is the unification of the human race.
Well-being, peace and security closely linked to unity of humanity
Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, states: “The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established”.
Thus, we cannot have global peace and security unless we unite as humanity. To lay the groundwork for a united world, there is a need for laws and institutions that are universal in both character and authority.
Furthermore, only through belief in, and implementing the principle of, the oneness of humanity, will the people be enabled to turn away from conflict and contention that have been dominating social organisation, and begin to learn the ways of unity and collaboration.
As the Bahá’í International Community says: “Only through the dawning consciousness that they constitute a single people will the inhabitants of the planet be enabled to turn away from the patterns of conflict that have dominated social organisation in the past and begin to learn the ways of collaboration and conciliation”.
To accept the oneness of human family is to embrace the variations that characterise our communities and global society, and to desire for everyone the opportunity to develop and express their unique talents and inherent capacities.
The oneness of humankind does not imply uniformity. It is because of our diversity that we have a beautiful and colourful human family.
The Bahá’í Writings state: “Consider the flowers of a garden: though differing in kind, colour, form and shape, yet, inasmuch as they are refreshed by the waters of one spring, revived by the breath of one wind, invigorated by the rays of one sun, this diversity increaseth their charm, and addeth unto their beauty.
“Thus, when that unifying force, the penetrating influence of the Word of God, taketh effect, the difference of customs, manners, habits, ideas, opinions and dispositions embellisheth the world of humanity”.
The principle of the oneness of the human family must animate relations among the nations and be applied within both national and local communities, if they are to achieve lasting unity.
Progress towards implementing this principle will require from everyone immense perseverance, sacrifice, and willingness to change.
Need for global consciousness and love for humanity
Uniting as humanity — unity in diversity — relies on the development in the individual of a global consciousness and a love for humanity as a whole.
The Bahá’í Writings advise: “Do not allow difference of opinion, or diversity of thought to separate you from your fellow-men, or to be the cause of dispute, hatred and strife in your hearts.
“Rather, search diligently for the truth and make all men your friends” and “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”.
Unity, Bahá’u’lláh declared, is the power that illuminates and advances all forms of human endeavour.
The principle of oneness of humanity, and love for our human family must be taught at schools, if we are to have a future generation that will regard everyone, irrespective of ethnicity, religion, or any other affiliation, as a fellow human being; looking beyond their own interests, and care for the interests of their neighbourhoods, society and humanity.
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