God, the Almighty, has created all mankind from the dust of earth. He has
fashioned them all from the same elements; they are descended from the
same race and live upon the same globe. He has created them to dwell
beneath the one heaven. As members of the human family and His children He
has endowed them with equal susceptibilities. He maintains, protects and
is kind to all. He has made no distinction in mercies and graces among His
children. With impartial love and wisdom He has sent forth His Prophets
and divine teachings. His teachings are the means of establishing union
and fellowship among mankind and awakening love and kindness in human
hearts. He proclaims the oneness of the kingdom of humanity. He rebukes
those things which create differences and destroy harmony; He commends and
praises every means that will conduce to the solidarity of the human race.
He encourages man in every step of advancement which leads to ultimate
union. The Prophets of God have been inspired with the message of love and
unity. The Books of God have been revealed for the upbuilding of
fellowship and union. The Prophets of God have been the servants of
reality; Their teachings constitute the science of reality. Reality is
one; it does not admit plurality. We conclude, therefore, that the
foundation of the religions of God is one foundation. Notwithstanding
this, certain forms and imitations have been persistently adhered to which
have nothing to do with the foundation of the teachings of the Prophets of
God. As these imitations are various and different, contention and strife
prevail among the people of religious beliefs, and the foundation of the
religion of God has become obscured. Like beasts of prey, men are warring
and killing each other, destroying cities and homes, devastating countries
and kingdoms.
God has created His servants in order that they may love and associate
with each other. He has revealed the glorious splendor of His sun of love
in the world of humanity. The cause of the creation of the phenomenal
world is love. All the Prophets have promulgated the law of love. Man has
opposed the will of God and acted in opposition to the plan of God.
Therefore, from the beginning of history to the present time the world of
humanity has had no lasting rest; warfare and strife have continuously
prevailed, and hearts have manifested hatred toward each other. The cause
of bloodshed and battle, strife and hatred throughout the past has been
either religious, racial, patriotic or political prejudice. Therefore, the
world of humanity has ever been in torment. These prejudices are more
pronounced in the Orient, where freedom is restricted. In the nineteenth
century the nations of the East were restless and in a state of inner
commotion. The darkness of imitations and forms had enveloped religious
belief. The people of religions were in constant warfare, filled with
enmity, hatred and bitterness. In the midst of these conditions
Baha'u'llah appeared. He proclaimed the oneness of the world of humanity
and announced that all are the servants of God. He taught that all the
religions are beneath the shadow and protection of the Almighty, that God
is compassionate and loving to all, that the revelations of all the
Prophets of the past have been in perfect unity and agreement, that the
heavenly Books have confirmed each other; therefore, why should contention
and strife exist among the people?
As all mankind have been created by the one God, we are sheep under the
care and protection of one Shepherd. Therefore, as His sheep we must
associate in accord and agreement. If one single lamb becomes separated
from the flock, the thoughts and efforts of all the others must be to
bring it back again. Consequently, Baha'u'llah proclaimed that, inasmuch
as God is the one heavenly Shepherd and all mankind are the sheep of His
fold, the religion or guidance of God must be the means of love and
fellowship in the world. If religion proves to be the source of hatred,
enmity and contention, if it becomes the cause of warfare and strife and
influences men to kill each other, its absence is preferable. For that
which is productive of hatred amongst the people is rejected by God, and
that which establishes fellowship is beloved and sanctioned by Him.
Religion and divine teachings are like unto a remedy. A remedy must
produce the condition of health. If it occasions sickness, it is wiser and
better to have no remedy whatever. This is the significance of the
statement that if religion becomes the cause of warfare and bloodshed,
irreligion and the absence of religion are preferable among mankind.
Baha'u'llah has declared that religion must be in accord with science and
reason. If it does not correspond with scientific principles and the
processes of reason, it is superstition. For God has endowed us with
faculties by which we may comprehend the realities of things, contemplate
reality itself. If religion is opposed to reason and science, faith is
impossible; and when faith and confidence in the divine religion are not
manifest in the heart, there can be no spiritual attainment.
According to the teachings of Baha'u'llah all religious, racial, patriotic
and political prejudice must be abandoned, for these are the destroyers of
the real foundation of humanity. He has announced that the religion of God
is one, for all revelations of it are based upon reality. Abraham summoned
the people to reality; Moses proclaimed reality; Christ founded reality.
Likewise, all the Prophets were the servants and promulgators of reality.
Reality is one and indivisible. Therefore, the prejudices and bigotries
which exist today among the religions are not justifiable, inasmuch as
they are opposed to reality. All prejudices are against the will and plan
of God. Consider, for instance, racial distinction and enmity. All
humanity are the children of God; they belong to the same family, to the
same original race. There can be no multiplicity of races, since all are
the descendants of Adam. This signifies that racial assumption and
distinction are nothing but superstition. In the estimate of God there are
no English, French, Germans, Turkish or Persians. All these in the
presence of God are equal; they are of one race and creation; God did not
make these divisions. These distinctions have had their origin in man
himself. Therefore, as they are against the plan and purpose of reality,
they are false and imaginary. We are of one physical race, even as we are
of one physical plan of material body--each endowed with two eyes, two
ears, one head, two feet. Among the animals racial prejudice does not
exist. Consider the doves; there is no distinction as to whether it is an
oriental or an occidental dove. The sheep are all of one race; there is no
assumption of distinction between an eastern and a western sheep. When
they meet, they associate with perfect fellowship. If a dove from the West
should go to the Orient, it will associate with the eastern doves
unhesitatingly. There will be no attitude of unwillingness as if saying,
"You belong to the East; I am from the West." Is it reasonable or
allowable that a racial prejudice which is not observed by the animal
kingdom should be entertained by man?
Consider the prejudice of patriotism. This is one globe, one land, one
country. God did not divide it into national boundaries. He created all
the continents without national divisions. Why should we make such
division ourselves? These are but imaginary lines and boundaries. Europe
is a continent; it is not naturally divided; man has drawn the lines and
established the limits of kingdoms and empires. Man declares a river to be
a boundary line between two countries, calling this side French and the
other side German, whereas the river was created for both and is a natural
artery for all. Is it not imagination and ignorance which impels man to
violate the divine intention and make the very bounties of God the cause
of war, bloodshed and destruction? Therefore, all prejudices between man
and man are falsehoods and violations of the will of God. God desires
unity and love; He commands harmony and fellowship. Enmity is human
disobedience; God Himself is love.
Baha'u'llah has announced that inasmuch as ignorance and lack of education
are barriers of separation among mankind, all must receive training and
instruction. Through this provision the lack of mutual understanding will
be remedied and the unity of mankind furthered and advanced. Universal
education is a universal law. It is, therefore, incumbent upon every
father to teach and instruct his children according to his possibilities.
If he is unable to educate them, the body politic, the representative of
the people, must provide the means for their education.
In the Orient women were degraded and considered subordinate to man.
Baha'u'llah proclaimed equality of the sexes--that both man and woman are
servants of God before Whom there is no distinction. Whosoever has a pure
heart and renders good deeds is nearer to God and the object of His
favor--whether man or woman. The sex distinction which exists in the human
world is due to the lack of education for woman, who has been denied equal
opportunity for development and advancement. Equality of the sexes will be
established in proportion to the increased opportunities afforded woman in
this age, for man and woman are equally the recipients of powers and
endowments from God, the Creator. God has not ordained distinction between
them in His consummate purpose.
Baha'u'llah has proclaimed the adoption of a universal language. A
language shall be agreed upon by which unity will be established in the
world. Each person will require training in two languages: his native
tongue and the universal auxiliary form of speech. This will facilitate
intercommunication and dispel the misunderstandings which the barriers of
language have occasioned in the world. All people worship the same God and
are alike His servants. When they are able to communicate freely, they
will associate in friendship and concord, entertain the greatest love and
fellowship for each other, and in reality the Orient and Occident will
embrace in unity and agreement.
The world is in greatest need of international peace. Until it is
established, mankind will not attain composure and tranquillity. It is
necessary that the nations and governments organize an international
tribunal to which all their disputes and differences shall be referred.
The decision of that tribunal shall be final. Individual controversy will
be adjudged by a local tribunal. International questions will come before
the universal tribunal, and so the cause of warfare will be taken away.
Fifty years ago Baha'u'llah wrote Epistles to the kings and rulers of the
world in which the teachings and principles revealed by Him were embodied
and set forth. These Epistles were printed in India forty years ago and
spread broadcast.
Briefly, by the promulgation of these principles Baha'u'llah has caused
the prejudices which afflicted the people of the Orient to disappear. The
communities which have accepted His teachings are now living together in
the greatest love and harmony. When you enter a meeting of these people,
you will find Christians, Jews, Muslims, Zoroastrians, Buddhists gathered
together in perfect fellowship and agreement. In their discussions the
greatest spirit of tolerance and friendship has supplanted the former
hostility and hatred witnessed among them.
I have visited America and find everywhere the evidences of just and
equitable government. Therefore, I pray God that these western peoples may
become the means of establishing international peace and spreading the
oneness of the world of humanity. May you become the cause of unity and
agreement among the nations. May a lamp be lighted here which will
illumine the whole universe with the oneness of the world of humanity,
with love between the hearts of the children of men, and the unity of all
mankind. I hope that you may become assisted in this supreme
accomplishment, that you may raise the flag of international peace and
reconciliation upon this continent, that this government and people may be
the means of spreading these lofty ideals in order that the world of man
may find rest, in order that the good pleasure of the Most High God shall
be attained and His favors encircle the Orient and Occident.
O Thou compassionate, almighty One! This assemblage of souls have turned
their faces unto Thee in supplication. With the utmost humility and
submission they look toward Thy Kingdom and beg Thee for pardon and
forgiveness. O God! Endear this assembly to Thyself. Sanctify these souls,
and cast upon them the rays of Thy guidance. Illumine their hearts, and
gladden their spirits with Thy glad tidings. Receive all of them in Thy
holy Kingdom; confer upon them Thine inexhaustible bounty; make them happy
in this world and in the world to come. O God! We are weak; give us
strength. We are poor; bestow upon us Thine illimitable treasures. We are
sick; grant unto us Thy divine healing. We are impotent; give us Thy
heavenly power. O Lord! Make us useful in this world; free us from the
condition of self and desire. O Lord! Make us brethren in Thy love, and
cause us to be loving toward all Thy children. Confirm us in service to
the world of humanity so that we may become the servants of Thy servants,
that we may love all Thy creatures and become compassionate to all Thy
people. O Lord, Thou art the Almighty. Thou art the Merciful. Thou art the
Forgiver. Thou art the Omnipotent.
1 September 1912
Talk at Home of Mr. and Mrs. William Sutherland Maxwell
716 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Canada