The divine religions were founded for the purpose of unifying humanity and
establishing universal peace. Any movement which brings about peace and
agreement in human society is truly a divine movement; any reform which
causes people to come together under the shelter of the same tabernacle is
surely animated by heavenly motives. At all times and in all ages of the
world, religion has been a factor in cementing together the hearts of men
and in uniting various and divergent creeds. It is the peace element in
religion that blends mankind and makes for unity. Warfare has ever been
the cause of separation, disunion and discord.
Consider how Jesus Christ united the divergent peoples, sects and
denominations of the early days. It is evident that the fundamentals of
religion are intended to unify and bind together; their purpose is
universal, everlasting peace. Prior to the time of Jesus Christ the Word
of God had unified opposite types and conflicting elements of human
society; and since His appearance the divine Teachers of the primal
principles of the law of God have all intended this universal outcome. In
Persia Baha'u'llah was able to unite people of varying thought, creed and
denomination. The inhabitants of that country were Christians, Muslims,
Jews, Zoroastrians and a great variety of subdivided forms and beliefs
together with racial distinctions such as Semitic, Arabic, Persian, Turk,
etc.; but through the power and efficacy of religion Baha'u'llah united
these differing peoples and caused them to consort together in perfect
agreement. Such unity and accord became manifest among them that they were
considered as one people and one kind.
The cause of this fellowship and unity lies in the fact that the divine
law has two distinct aspects or functions: one the essential or
fundamental, the other the material or accidental. The first aspect of the
revealed religion of God is that which concerns the ethical development
and spiritual progress of mankind, the awakening of potential human
susceptibilities and the descent of divine bestowals. These ordinances are
changeless, essential, eternal. The second function of the divine religion
deals with material conditions, the laws of human intercourse and social
regulation. These are subject to change and transformation in accordance
with the time, place and conditions. The essential ordinances of religion
were the same during the time of Abraham, the day of Moses and the cycle
of Jesus, but the accidental or material laws were abrogated and
superseded according to the exigency and requirement of each succeeding
age. For example, in the law of Moses there were ten distinct commandments
in regard to murder, which were revealed according to the requirement and
capacity of the people, but in the day of Jesus these were abrogated and
superseded in conformity with the changed and advanced human conditions.
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. There is but one light of the material sun,
one ocean, one rain, one atmosphere. Similarly, in the spiritual world
there is one divine reality forming the center and altruistic basis for
peace and reconciliation among various and conflicting nations and
peoples. Consider how the Roman Empire and Greek nation were at war in
enmity and hatred after the Messianic day, how the hostilities of Egypt
and Assyria, though subdued in intensity, still flamed in the warring
element of these ancient and declining nations. But the teachings of Jesus
Christ proved to be the cement by which they were united; warfare ceased,
strife and hatred passed away, and these belligerent peoples associated in
love and friendship. For strife and warfare are the very destroyers of
human foundations, whereas peace and amity are the builders and safeguards
of human welfare. As an instance, two nations which have remained at peace
for centuries declare war against each other. What destruction and loss
befalls both in one year of strife and conflict--the undoing of centuries.
How urgent their necessity and demand for peace, with its comfort and
progress, instead of war, which blasts and destroys the foundation of all
human attainment.
The body politic may be likened to the human organism. As long as the
various members and parts of that organism are coordinated and cooperating
in harmony, we have as a result the expression of life in its fullest
degree. When these members lack coordination and harmony, we have the
reverse, which in the human organism is disease, dissolution, death.
Similarly, in the body politic of humanity dissension, discord and warfare
are always destructive and inevitably fatal. All created beings are
dependent upon peace and coordination, for every contingent and phenomenal
being is a composition of distinct elements. As long as there is affinity
and cohesion among these constituent elements, strength and life are
manifest; but when dissension and repulsion arise among them,
disintegration follows. This is proof that peace and amity, which God has
willed for His children, are the saving factors of human society, whereas
war and strife, which violate His ordinances, are the cause of death and
destruction. Therefore, God has sent His Prophets to announce the message
of goodwill, peace and life to the world of mankind.
Inasmuch as the essential reality of the religions is one and their
seeming variance and plurality is adherence to forms and imitations which
have arisen, it is evident that these causes of difference and divergence
must be abandoned in order that the underlying reality may unite mankind
in its enlightenment and upbuilding. All who hold fast to the one reality
will be in agreement and unity. Then shall the religions summon people to
the oneness of the world of humanity and to universal justice; then will
they proclaim equality of rights and exhort men to virtue and to faith in
the loving mercy of God. The underlying foundation of the religions is
one; there is no intrinsic difference between them. Therefore, if the
essential and fundamental ordinances of the religions be observed, peace
and unity will dawn, and all the differences of sects and denominations
will disappear.
And now let us consider the various peoples of the world. All the
nations--American, British, French, German, Turkish, Persian, Arab--are
children of the same Adam, members of the same human household. Why should
dissension exist among them? The surface of the earth is one native land,
and that native land was provided for all. God has not set these
boundaries and race limitations. Why should imaginary barriers which God
has not originally destined be made a cause of contention? God has created
and provided for all. He is the Preserver of all, and all are submerged in
the ocean of His mercy. Not a single soul is deprived. Inasmuch as we have
such a loving God and Creator, why should we be at war with each other?
Now that His light is shining universally, why should we cast ourselves
into darkness? As His table is spread for all His children, why should we
deprive each other of its sustenance? As His effulgence is shining upon
all, why should we seek to live among the shadows? There is no doubt that
the only cause is ignorance and that the result is perdition. Discord
deprives humanity of the eternal favors of God; therefore, we must forget
all imaginary causes of difference and seek the very fundamentals of the
divine religions in order that we may associate in perfect love and accord
and consider humankind as one family, the surface of the earth as one
nationality and all races as one humanity. Let us live under the
protection of God, attaining eternal happiness in this world and
everlasting life in the world to come.
O Thou kind Lord! Thou hast created all humanity from the same stock. Thou
hast decreed that all shall belong to the same household. In Thy Holy
Presence they are all Thy servants, and all mankind are sheltered beneath
Thy Tabernacle; all have gathered together at Thy Table of Bounty; all are
illumined through the light of Thy Providence.
O God! Thou art kind to all, Thou hast provided for all, dost shelter all,
conferrest life upon all. Thou hast endowed each and all with talents and
faculties, and all are submerged in the Ocean of Thy Mercy.
O Thou kind Lord! Unite all. Let the religions agree and make the nations
one, so that they may see each other as one family and the whole earth as
one home. May they all live together in perfect harmony.
O God! Raise aloft the banner of the oneness of mankind.
O God! Establish the Most Great Peace.
Cement Thou, O God, the hearts together.
O Thou kind Father, God! Gladden our hearts through the fragrance of Thy
love. Brighten our eyes through the Light of Thy Guidance. Delight our
ears with the melody of Thy Word, and shelter us all in the Stronghold of
Thy Providence.
Thou art the Mighty and Powerful, Thou art the Forgiving and Thou art the
One Who overlooketh the shortcomings of all mankind.