When we review history from the beginning down to the present day, we find
that strife and warfare have prevailed throughout the human world.
Wars--religious, racial or political--have arisen from human ignorance,
misunderstanding and lack of education. We will first consider religious
strife and conflict.
It is evident that the divine Prophets have appeared in the world to
establish love and agreement among mankind. They have been the Shepherds
and not the wolves. The Shepherd comes forth to gather and lead his flock
and not to disperse them by creating strife. Every divine Shepherd has
assembled a flock which had formerly been scattered. Among the Shepherds
was Moses. At a time when the tribes of Israel were wandering and
dispersed, He assembled, united and educated them to higher degrees of
capacity and progress until they passed out of the wilderness of
discipline into the holy land of possession. He transformed their
degradation into glory, changed their poverty into wealth and replaced
their vices by virtues until they rose to such a zenith that the splendor
of the sovereignty of Solomon was made possible, and the fame of their
civilization extended to the East and the West. It is evident, therefore,
that Moses was a divine Shepherd, for He gathered the tribes of Israel
together and united them in the power and strength of a great nationhood.
When the Messianic star of Jesus Christ dawned, He declared He had come to
gather together the lost tribes or scattered sheep of Moses. He not only
shepherded the flock of Israel but brought together people of Chaldea,
Egypt, Syria, ancient Assyria and Phoenicia. These people were in a state
of utmost hostility, thirsting for the blood of each other with the
ferocity of animals; but Jesus Christ brought them together, cemented and
united them in His Cause and established such a bond of love among them
that enmity and warfare were abandoned. It is evident, therefore, that the
divine teachings are intended to create a bond of unity in the human world
and establish the foundations of love and fellowship among mankind. Divine
religion is not a cause for discord and disagreement. If religion becomes
the source of antagonism and strife, the absence of religion is to be
preferred. Religion is meant to be the quickening life of the body
politic; if it be the cause of death to humanity, its nonexistence would
be a blessing and benefit to man. Therefore, in this day the divine
teachings must be sought, for they are the remedies for the present
conditions of the world of humanity. The purpose of a remedy is to heal
and cure. If it be productive of worse symptoms, its absence or
discontinuance is preferable.
At a time when the Arabian tribes and nomadic peoples were widely
separated, living in the deserts under lawless conditions, strife and
bloodshed continual among them, no tribe free from the menace of attack
and destruction by another--at such a critical time Muhammad appeared. He
gathered these wild tribes of the desert together, reconciled, united and
caused them to agree so that enmity and warfare ceased. The Arabian nation
immediately advanced until its dominion extended westward to Spain and
Andalusia.
From these facts and premises we may conclude that the establishing of the
divine religions is for peace, not for war and the shedding of blood.
Inasmuch as all are founded upon one reality which is love and unity, the
wars and dissensions which have characterized the history of religion have
been due to imitations and superstitions which arise afterward. Religion
is reality, and reality is one. The fundamentals of the religion of God
are, therefore, one in reality. There is neither difference nor change in
the fundamentals. Variance is caused by blind imitations, prejudices and
adherence to forms which appear later; and inasmuch as these differ,
discord and strife result. If the religions of the world would forsake
these causes of difficulty and seek the fundamentals, all would agree, and
strife and dissension would pass away; for religion and reality are one
and not multiple.
Other wars are caused by purely imaginary racial differences; for humanity
is one kind, one race and progeny, inhabiting the same globe. In the
creative plan there is no racial distinction and separation such as
Frenchman, Englishman, American, German, Italian or Spaniard; all belong
to one household. These boundaries and distinctions are human and
artificial, not natural and original. All mankind are the fruits of one
tree, flowers of the same garden, waves of one sea. In the animal kingdom
no such distinction and separation are observed. The sheep of the East and
the sheep of the West would associate peacefully. The Oriental flock would
not look surprised as if saying, "These are sheep of the Occident; they do
not belong to our country." All would gather in harmony and enjoy the same
pasture without evidence of local or racial distinction. The birds of
different countries mingle in friendliness. We find these virtues in the
animal kingdom. Shall man deprive himself of these virtues? Man is endowed
with superior reasoning power and the faculty of perception; he is the
manifestation of divine bestowals. Shall racial ideas prevail and obscure
the creative purpose of unity in his kingdom? Shall he say, "I am a
German," "I am a Frenchman" or an "Englishman" and declare war because of
this imaginary and human distinction? God forbid! This earth is one
household and the native land of all humanity; therefore, the human race
should ignore distinctions and boundaries which are artificial and
conducive to disagreement and hostility. We have come from the East.
Praise be to God! We find this continent prosperous, the climate
salubrious and delightful, the inhabitants genial and courteous, the
government equitable and just. Shall we entertain any other thought and
feeling than that of love for you? Shall we say, "This is not our native
land; therefore, everything is objectionable"? This would be gross
ignorance to which man must not subject himself. Man is endowed with
powers to investigate reality, and the reality is that humanity is one in
kind and equal in the creative plan. Therefore, false distinctions of race
and native land, which are factors and causes of warfare, must be
abandoned.
Consider what is happening in Tripoli: how the poor are being killed and
the blood of the helpless is being shed upon both sides; children, made
fatherless; fathers, lamenting the death of their sons; mothers, bewailing
the loss of dear ones. And what is the benefit after all? Nothing
conceivable. Is it, therefore, justifiable? The domestic animals do not
manifest hatred and cruelty toward each other; that is the attribute of
the wild and ferocious beasts. In a flock of one thousand sheep you will
witness no bloodshed. Numberless species of birds are peaceful in flocks.
Wolves, lions, tigers are ferocious because it is their natural and
necessary means for obtaining food. Man has no need of such ferocity; his
food is provided in other ways. Therefore, it is evident that warfare,
cruelty and bloodshed in the kingdom of man are caused by human greed,
hatred and selfishness. The kings and rulers of nations enjoy luxury and
ease in their palaces and send the common people to the battlefield--offer
them as the food and targets of cannon. Each day they invent new
instruments for the more complete destruction of the foundations of the
human race. They are callous and merciless toward their fellow creatures.
What shall atone for the sufferings and grief of mothers who have so
tenderly cared for their sons? What sleepless nights they have spent, and
what days of devotion and love they have given to bring their children to
maturity! Yet the savagery of these warring rulers causes great numbers of
their victims to be torn and mutilated in a day. What ignorance and
degradation, yea even greater than the ferocious beasts themselves! For a
wolf will carry away and devour one sheep at a time, whereas an ambitious
tyrant may cause the death of one hundred thousand men in a battle and
glory in his military prowess, saying, "I am commander in chief; I have
won this mighty victory." Consider the ignorance and inconsistency of the
human race. If a man kills another, no matter what the cause may be, he is
pronounced a murderer, imprisoned or executed; but the brutal oppressor
who has slain one hundred thousand is idolized as a hero, conqueror or
military genius. A man steals a small sum of money; he is called a thief
and sent to the penitentiary; but the military leader who invades and
pillages a whole kingdom is acclaimed heroic and a mighty man of valor.
How base and ignorant is man!
In Persia previous to the middle of the nineteenth century among the
various tribes and peoples, sects and denominations there existed the
greatest animosity, strife and hatred. At that time, too, all the other
nations of the East were in the same condition. Religionists were hostile
and bigoted, sects were at enmity, races hated each other, tribes were
constantly at war; everywhere antagonism and conflict prevailed. Men
shunned and were suspicious of each other. The man who could kill a number
of his fellow creatures was glorified for his heroism and strength. Among
religionists it was esteemed a praiseworthy deed to take the life of one
who held an opposite belief. At this time Baha'u'llah arose and declared
His mission. He founded the oneness of the world of humanity, proclaimed
that all are servants of the loving and merciful God Who has created,
nourished and provided for all; therefore, why should men be unjust and
unkind to each other, showing forth that which is contrary to God? As He
loves us, why should we entertain animosity and hate? If God did not love
all, He would not have created, trained and provided for all.
Loving-kindness is the divine policy. Shall we consider human policy and
attitude superior to the wisdom and policy of God? This would be
inconceivable, impossible. Therefore, we must emulate and follow the
divine policy, dealing with each other in the utmost love and tenderness.
Baha'u'llah declared the Most Great Peace and international arbitration.
He voiced these principles in numerous Epistles which were circulated
broadcast throughout the East. He wrote to all the kings and rulers,
encouraging, advising and admonishing them in regard to the establishment
of peace, making it evident by conclusive proofs that the happiness and
glory of humanity can only be assured through disarmament and arbitration.
This was nearly fifty years ago. Because He promulgated the message of
universal peace and international agreement, the kings of the Orient arose
against Him, for they did not find their personal and national benefits
advanced by His admonition and teaching. They persecuted Him bitterly,
inflicted upon Him every torment, imprisoned, bastinadoed, banished Him
and eventually confined Him in a fortress. Then they arose against His
followers. For the establishment of international peace the blood of
twenty thousand Baha'is was spilled. Their homes were destroyed, their
children made captives and their possessions pillaged, yet none of these
people waxed cold or wavered in devotion. Even to this day the Baha'is are
persecuted, and quite recently a number were killed, for wherever they are
found they put forth the greatest efforts to establish the peace of the
world. They not only promulgate principles; they are people of action.
In Persia today through the teachings of Baha'u'llah you will find people
of various beliefs and denominations living together in the utmost peace
and agreement. The former enmities and hatred have passed away, and they
exercise the utmost love toward all mankind, for they realize and know
that all are the creatures and servants of one God. This is directly due
to the divine teachings. At most it is simply this: that the ignorant must
be educated, the ailing must be healed, those who are as children in the
scale of development must be helped to reach the age of maturity. We must
not be unfriendly to anyone because of ignorance; neither must we reject
the immature or turn away from the sick but administer the remedy for each
human need until all are united in the providence of God. Therefore, it is
evident that the essential foundations of the divine religions are unity
and love. If religion be productive of discord among mankind, it is a
destroyer and not divine, for religion implies unity and binding together
and not separation. Mere knowledge of principles is not sufficient. We all
know and admit that justice is good, but there is need of volition and
action to carry out and manifest it. For example, we might think it good
to build a church, but simply thinking of it as a good thing will not help
its erection. The ways and means must be provided; we must will to build
it and then proceed with the construction. All of us know that
international peace is good, that it is conducive to human welfare and the
glory of man, but volition and action are necessary before it can be
established. Action is essential. Inasmuch as this century is a century of
light, capacity for action is assured to mankind. Necessarily the divine
principles will be spread among men until the time of action arrives.
Surely this has been so, and truly the time and conditions are ripe for
action now. All men know that, verily, war is a destroyer of human
foundations, and in every country of the world this is admitted and
apparent. I find the United States of America an exceedingly progressive
nation, the government just, the people in a state of readiness and the
principle of equality established to an extraordinary degree. Therefore,
it is my hope that, inasmuch as the standard of international peace must
be upraised, it may be upraised upon this continent, for this nation is
more deserving and has greater capacity for such an initial step than any
other. If other nations should attempt to do this, the motive would be
misunderstood. For instance, if Great Britain should declare for
international peace, it would be said that it has been done to ensure the
safety of her colonies. If France should hoist the standard, other nations
would declare some hidden diplomatic policy underlies the action; Russia
would be suspected of national designs if the first step were taken by
that people, and so on with all the European and eastern governments. But
the United States of America could not be accused of any such selfish
interest. Your government has, strictly speaking, no colonies to protect.
You are not endeavoring to extend your domain, nor have you need of
territorial expansion. Therefore, if America takes the first step toward
the establishing of world peace, it is certain to be ascribed to
unselfishness and altruism. The world will say, "There is no other motive
than altruism and service to humanity in this action by the United
States." Therefore, it is my hope that you may stand forth as the first
herald of peace and hoist this banner, for this banner will be hoisted.
Raise it aloft, for you are the most qualified and deserving of nations.
The other countries await this summons, expect this call to the standard
of reconciliation, for the whole world is distressed because of the
excessive burden and irreparable damage of war. Taxes are levied to meet
its drain. Every year the burden increases, and the people have come to
their end. Just now Europe is a battlefield of ammunition ready for a
spark, and one spark will set aflame the whole world. Before these
complications and cataclysmic events happen, take the step to prevent it.
The foundations of all the divine religions are peace and agreement, but
misunderstandings and ignorance have developed. If these are caused to
disappear, you will see that all the religious agencies will work for
peace and promulgate the oneness of humankind. For the foundation of all
is reality, and reality is not multiple or divisible. Moses founded it,
Jesus raised its tent, and its brilliant light has shone forth in all the
religions. Baha'u'llah proclaimed this one reality and spread the message
of the Most Great Peace. Even in prison He rested not until He lighted
this lamp in the East. Praise be to God! All who have accepted His
teachings are lovers of peace, peacemakers ready to sacrifice their lives
and expend their possessions for it. Now let this standard be upraised in
the West, and many will respond to the call. America has become renowned
for her discoveries, inventions and artistic skill, famous for equity of
government and stupendous undertakings; now may she also become noted and
celebrated as the herald and messenger of universal peace. Let this be her
mission and undertaking, and may its blessed impetus spread to all
countries. I pray for all of you that you may render this service to the
world of humanity.
13 May 1912
Talk at Reception by New York Peace Society
Hotel Astor, New York