Today I wish to speak to you upon the subject of the oneness of humanity,
for in this great century the most important accomplishment is the unity
of mankind. Although in former centuries and times this subject received
some measure of mention and consideration, it has now become the paramount
issue and question in the religious and political conditions of the world.
History shows that throughout the past there has been continual warfare
and strife among the various nations, peoples and sects; but now--praise be
to God!--in this century of illumination, hearts are inclined toward
agreement and fellowship, and minds are thoughtful upon the question of
the unification of mankind. There is an emanation of the universal
consciousness today which clearly indicates the dawn of a great unity.
In the investigation of a subject the right method of approach is to
carefully examine its premises. Therefore, we must go back to the
foundation upon which human solidarity rests--namely, that all are the
progeny of Adam, the creatures and servants of one God; that God is the
Protector and Provider; that all are submerged in the sea of divine mercy
and grace and God is loving toward all.
Humanity shares in common the intellectual and spiritual faculties of a
created endowment. All are equally subject to the various exigencies of
human life and are similarly occupied in acquiring the means of earthly
subsistence. From the viewpoint of creation human beings stand upon the
same footing in every respect, subject to the same requirements and
seeking the enjoyment and comfort of earthly conditions. Therefore, the
things humanity shares in common are numerous and manifest. This equal
participation in the physical, intellectual and spiritual problems of
human existence is a valid basis for the unification of mankind.
Consider how discord and dissension have prevailed in this great human
family for thousands of years. Its members have ever been engaged in war
and bloodshed. Up to the present time in history the world of humanity has
neither attained nor enjoyed any measure of peace, owing to incessant
conditions of hostility and strife. History is a continuous and
consecutive record of warfare brought about by religious, sectarian,
racial, patriotic and political causes. The world of humanity has found no
rest. Mankind has always been in conflict, engaged in destroying the
foundations, pillaging the properties and possessing the lands and
territory of each other, especially in the earlier periods of savagery and
barbarism where whole races and peoples were carried away captive by their
conquerors. Who shall measure or estimate the tremendous destruction of
human life resulting from this hostility and strife? What human powers and
forces have been employed in the prosecution of war and applied to inhuman
purposes of battle and bloodshed? In this most radiant century it has
become necessary to divert these energies and utilize them in other
directions, to seek the new path of fellowship and unity, to unlearn the
science of war and devote supreme human forces to the blessed arts of
peace. After long trial and experience we are convinced of the harmful and
satanic outcomes of dissension; now we must seek after means by which the
benefits of agreement and concord may be enjoyed. When such means are
found, we must give them a trial.
Consider the harmful effect of discord and dissension in a family; then
reflect upon the favors and blessings which descend upon that family when
unity exists among its various members. What incalculable benefits and
blessings would descend upon the great human family if unity and
brotherhood were established! In this century when the beneficent results
of unity and the ill effects of discord are so clearly apparent, the means
for the attainment and accomplishment of human fellowship have appeared in
the world. Baha'u'llah has proclaimed and provided the way by which
hostility and dissension may be removed from the human world. He has left
no ground or possibility for strife and disagreement.
First, He has proclaimed the oneness of mankind and specialized religious
teachings for existing human conditions. The first form of dissension
arises from religious differences. Baha'u'llah has given full teachings to
the world which are conducive to fellowship and unity in religion.
Throughout past centuries each system of religious belief has boasted of
its own superiority and excellence, abasing and scorning the validity of
all others. Each has proclaimed its own belief as the light and all others
as darkness. Religionists have considered the world of humanity as two
trees: one divine and merciful, the other satanic; they themselves the
branches, leaves and fruit of the divine tree and all others who differ
from them in belief the product of the tree which is satanic. Therefore,
sedition and warfare, bloodshed and strife have been continuous among
them. The greatest cause of human alienation has been religion because
each party has considered the belief of the other as anathema and deprived
of the mercy of God.
The teachings specialized in Baha'u'llah are addressed to humanity. He
says, "Ye are all the leaves of one tree." He does not say, "Ye are the
leaves of two trees: one divine, the other satanic." He has declared that
each individual member of the human family is a leaf or branch upon the
Adamic tree; that all are sheltered beneath the protecting mercy and
providence of God; that all are the children of God, fruit upon the one
tree of His love. God is equally compassionate and kind to all the leaves,
branches and fruit of this tree. Therefore, there is no satanic tree
whatever--Satan being a product of human minds and of instinctive human
tendencies toward error. God alone is Creator, and all are creatures of
His might. Therefore, we must love mankind as His creatures, realizing
that all are growing upon the tree of His mercy, servants of His
omnipotent will and manifestations of His good pleasure.
Even though we find a defective branch or leaf upon this tree of humanity
or an imperfect blossom, it, nevertheless, belongs to this tree and not to
another. Therefore, it is our duty to protect and cultivate this tree
until it reaches perfection. If we examine its fruit and find it
imperfect, we must strive to make it perfect. There are souls in the human
world who are ignorant; we must make them knowing. Some growing upon the
tree are weak and ailing; we must assist them toward health and recovery.
If they are as infants in development, we must minister to them until they
attain maturity. We should never detest and shun them as objectionable and
unworthy. We must treat them with honor, respect and kindness; for God has
created them and not Satan. They are not manifestations of the wrath of
God but evidences of His divine favor. God, the Creator, has endowed them
with physical, mental and spiritual qualities that they may seek to know
and do His will; therefore, they are not objects of His wrath and
condemnation. In brief, all humanity must be looked upon with love,
kindness and respect; for what we behold in them are none other than the
signs and traces of God Himself. All are evidences of God; therefore, how
shall we be justified in debasing and belittling them, uttering anathema
and preventing them from drawing near unto His mercy? This is ignorance
and injustice, displeasing to God; for in His sight all are His servants.
Another cause of dissension and disagreement is the fact that religion has
been pronounced at variance with science. Between scientists and the
followers of religion there has always been controversy and strife for the
reason that the latter have proclaimed religion superior in authority to
science and considered scientific announcement opposed to the teachings of
religion. Baha'u'llah declared that religion is in complete harmony with
science and reason. If religious belief and doctrine is at variance with
reason, it proceeds from the limited mind of man and not from God;
therefore, it is unworthy of belief and not deserving of attention; the
heart finds no rest in it, and real faith is impossible. How can man
believe that which he knows to be opposed to reason? Is this possible? Can
the heart accept that which reason denies? Reason is the first faculty of
man, and the religion of God is in harmony with it. Baha'u'llah has
removed this form of dissension and discord from among mankind and
reconciled science with religion by revealing the pure teachings of the
divine reality. This accomplishment is specialized to Him in this Day.
Still another cause of disagreement and dissension has been the formation
of religious sects and denominations. Baha'u'llah said that God has sent
religion for the purpose of establishing fellowship among humankind and
not to create strife and discord, for all religion is founded upon the
love of humanity. Abraham promulgated this principle, Moses summoned all
to its recognition, Christ established it, and Muhammad directed mankind
to its standard. This is the reality of religion. If we abandon hearsay
and investigate the reality and inner significance of the heavenly
teachings, we will find the same divine foundation of love for humanity.
The purport is that religion is intended to be the cause of unity, love
and fellowship and not discord, enmity and estrangement. Man has forsaken
the foundation of divine religion and adhered to blind imitations. Each
nation has clung to its own imitations, and because these are at variance,
warfare, bloodshed and destruction of the foundation of humanity have
resulted. True religion is based upon love and agreement. Baha'u'llah has
said, "If religion and faith are the causes of enmity and sedition, it is
far better to be nonreligious, and the absence of religion would be
preferable; for we desire religion to be the cause of amity and
fellowship. If enmity and hatred exist, irreligion is preferable."
Therefore, the removal of this dissension has been specialized in
Baha'u'llah, for religion is the divine remedy for human antagonism and
discord. But when we make the remedy the cause of the disease, it would be
better to do without the remedy.
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 fellowman by considering
nationalities separate in importance and races different in rights and
privileges.
Diversity of languages has been a fruitful cause of discord. The function
of language is to convey the thought and purpose of one to another.
Therefore, it matters not what language man speaks or employs. Sixty years
ago Baha'u'llah advocated one language as the greatest means of unity and
the basis of international conference. He wrote to the kings and rulers of
the various nations, recommending that one language should be sanctioned
and adopted by all governments. According to this each nation should
acquire the universal language in addition to its native tongue. The world
would then be in close communication, consultation would become general,
and dissensions due to diversity of speech would be removed.
Another teaching of Baha'u'llah is in relation to universal peace: that
all mankind must be awakened to and become conscious of the harm of war,
that they should be brought to realize the benefits of peace and know that
peace is from God while warfare is satanic. Man must emulate the merciful
God and turn away from satanic promptings in order that universal
inclination shall be toward peace, love and unity and the discord of war
vanish.
Lack of equality between man and woman is, likewise, a cause of human
dissension. Baha'u'llah has named this as an important factor of discord
and separation, for so long as humankind remains unequally divided in
right and importance between male and female, no unity can be established.
In a perfect human body it is not possible for one organ to be complete
and another defective. In the great body of human society it is impossible
to establish unity and coordination if one part is considered perfect and
the other imperfect. When the perfect functions of both parts are in
operation, harmony will prevail. God has created man and woman equal as to
faculties. He has made no distinction between them. Woman has not reached
the level of man in human accomplishment because of the lack of
opportunity and education. If educational opportunities were made equal
and similar, the two parts, man and woman, would equalize in attainment.
God has intended no difference between them that should be productive of
discord. He has endowed all with human faculties, and all are
manifestations of His mercy. If we say man and woman differ in creational
endowment, it is contrary to divine justice and intention. Both are human.
If God has created one perfect and the other defective, He is unjust. But
God is just; all are perfect in His intention and creative endowment. To
assume imperfection in the creature is to presuppose imperfection in the
almighty Creator. The soul that excels in attainment of His attributes and
graces is most acceptable before God.
We are considering the divine plan for the reconciliation of the religious
systems of the world. Baha'u'llah has said that if one intelligent member
be selected from each of the varying religious systems, and these
representatives come together seeking to investigate the reality of
religion, they would establish an interreligious body before which all
disputes and differences of belief could be presented for consideration
and settlement. Such questions could then be weighed and viewed from the
standpoint of reality and all imitations be discarded. By this method and
procedure all sects, denominations and systems would become one.
Do not question the practicability of this, and be not astonished. It has
been accomplished and effected in Persia. In that country the various
religionists have conjoined in investigating reality and have united in
complete fellowship and love. No traces of discord or differences remain
among them; now affection and unity are manifest instead. They live
together in harmony and accord like a single family. Antagonism and strife
have passed away; love and agreement have taken the place of hatred and
animosity. Furthermore, those souls who have followed Baha'u'llah and
attained this condition of fellowship and affiliation are Muslims, Jews,
Christians, Zoroastrians, Buddhists, Nestorians, Sunnites, Shiites and
others. No discord exists among them. This is a proof of the possibility
of unification among the religionists of the world through practical
means. Imitations and prejudices which have held men apart have been
discarded, and the reality of religion envelops them in a perfect unity.
When reality envelops the soul of man, love is possible. The divine
purpose in religion is pure love and agreement. The Prophets of God
manifested complete love for all. Each One announced the glad tidings of
His successor, and each subsequent One confirmed the teachings and
prophecies of the Prophet Who preceded Him. There was no disagreement or
variance in the reality of Their teaching and mission. Discord has arisen
among Their followers, who have lost sight of reality and hold fast to
imitations. If imitations be done away with and the radiant shining
reality dawn in the souls of men, love and unity must prevail. In this way
humanity will be rescued from the strife and wars which have prevailed for
thousands of years; dissensions will pass away and the illumination of
unity dawn. Consider how all the Prophets of God were persecuted and what
hardships They experienced. Jesus Christ endured affliction and accepted
martyrdom upon the cross in order to summon mankind to unity and love.
What sacrifice could be greater? He brought the religion of love and
fellowship into the world. Shall we make use of it to create discord,
violence and hatred among mankind?
Moses was persecuted and driven out into the desert, Abraham was banished,
Muhammad took refuge in caves, the Bab was killed and Baha'u'llah was
exiled and imprisoned forty years. Yet all of Them desired fellowship and
love among men. They endured hardships, suffered persecution and death for
our sakes that we might be taught to love one another and be united and
affiliated instead of discordant and at variance. Enough of these long
centuries which have brought such vicissitudes and hardships into the
world through strife and hatred. Now in this radiant century let us try to
do the will of God that we may be rescued from these things of darkness
and come forth into the boundless illumination of heaven, shunning
division and welcoming the divine oneness of humanity. Perchance, God
willing, this terrestrial world may become as a celestial mirror upon
which we may behold the imprint of the traces of Divinity, and the
fundamental qualities of a new creation may be reflected from the reality
of love shining in human hearts. From the light and semblance of God in us
may it be, indeed, proved and witnessed that God has created man after His
own image and likeness.
O my God! O my God! Verily, I invoke Thee and supplicate before Thy
threshold, asking Thee that all Thy mercies may descend upon these souls.
Specialize them for Thy favor and Thy truth.
O Lord! Unite and bind together the hearts, join in accord all the souls,
and exhilarate the spirits through the signs of Thy sanctity and oneness.
O Lord! Make these faces radiant through the light of Thy oneness.
Strengthen the loins of Thy servants in the service of Thy kingdom.
O Lord, Thou possessor of infinite mercy! O Lord of forgiveness and
pardon! Forgive our sins, pardon our shortcomings, and cause us to turn to
the kingdom of Thy clemency, invoking the kingdom of might and power,
humble at Thy shrine and submissive before the glory of Thine evidences.
O Lord God! Make us as waves of the sea, as flowers of the garden, united,
agreed through the bounties of Thy love. O Lord! Dilate the breasts
through the signs of Thy oneness, and make all mankind as stars shining
from the same height of glory, as perfect fruits growing upon Thy tree of
life.
Verily, Thou art the Almighty, the Self-Subsistent, the Giver, the
Forgiving, the Pardoner, the Omniscient, the One Creator.
15 July 1912
Talk at Home of Dr. and Mrs. Florian Krug
830 Park Avenue, New York