Alexander, Agnes B. (Agnes Baldwin), 1875-1970; Augur, George Jacob, 1853-1927; Bahais -- Japan; Bahais -- United States; Yamamoto, Kanichi, 1879-1961
The foundation of all the divine religions is one. All are based upon
reality. Reality does not admit plurality, yet amongst mankind there have
arisen differences concerning the Manifestations of God. Some have been
Zoroastrians, some are Buddhists, some Jews, Christians, Muhammadans and
so on. This has become a source of divergence whereas the teachings of the
holy souls who founded the divine religions are one in essence and
reality. All these have served the world of humanity. All have summoned
souls to peace and accord. All have proclaimed the virtues of humanity.
All have guided souls to the attainment of perfections but among the
nations certain imitations of ancestral forms of worship have arisen.
These imitations are not the foundation and essence of the divine
religions. Inasmuch as they differ from the reality and the essential
teachings of the Manifestations of God dissensions have arisen and
prejudice has developed. Religious prejudice thus becomes the cause of
warfare and battle.
If we abandon these time-worn blind imitations and investigate reality all
of us will be unified. No discord will remain; antagonism will disappear.
All will associate in fellowship. All will enjoy the cordial bonds of
friendship. The world of creation will then attain composure. The dark and
gloomy clouds of blind imitations and dogmatic variances will be scattered
and dispelled; the Sun of Reality will shine most gloriously.
Verily we should consider the divine prophets as the intermediaries, but
mankind has made use of them as causes of dissension and pretexts for
warfare and strife. In reality they were the intermediaries of love and
reconciliation. If they were not sources of love and fellowship amongst
men, then undoubtedly they were not true, for the divine wisdom and
purpose in sending the prophets was the manifestation of love in human
hearts. Therefore we must investigate reality. First of all let us
determine whether these prophets were valid or not by using rational
proofs and shining arguments, not simply quoting traditionary evidences,
because traditions are divergent and the source of dissension.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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