Bahai Faith; Peace -- Religious aspects -- Bahai Faith
But knowledge of the need of this power is not sufficient. Realizing that
wealth is desirable is not becoming wealthy. The admission that scientific
attainment is praiseworthy does not confer scientific knowledge.
Acknowledgment of the excellence of honor does not make a man honorable.
Knowledge of human conditions and the needed remedy for them is not the
cause of their betterment. To admit that health is good does not
constitute health. A skilled physician is needed to remedy existing human
conditions. As a physician is required to have complete knowledge of
pathology, diagnosis, therapeutics and treatment, so this World Physician
must be wise, skillful and capable before health will result. His mere
knowledge is not health; it must be applied and the remedy carried out.
The attainment of any object is conditioned upon knowledge, volition and
action. Unless these three conditions are forthcoming, there is no
execution or accomplishment. In the erection of a house it is first
necessary to know the ground, and design the house suitable for it;
second, to obtain the means or funds necessary for the construction;
third, actually to build it. Therefore, a power is needed to carry out and
execute what is known and admitted to be the remedy for human
conditions—namely, the unification of mankind. Furthermore, it is evident
that this cannot be realized through material process and means. The
accomplishment of this unification cannot be through racial power, for
races are different and diverse in tendencies. It cannot be through
patriotic power, for nationalities are unlike. Nor can it be effected
through political power since the policies of governments and nations are
various. That is to say, any effort toward unification through these
material means would benefit one and injure another because of unequal and
individual interests. Some may believe this great remedy can be found in
dogmatic insistence upon imitations and interpretations. This would
likewise be without foundation and result. Therefore, it is evident that
no means but an ideal means, a spiritual power, divine bestowals and the
breaths of the Holy Spirit will heal this world sickness of war,
dissension and discord. Nothing else is possible; nothing can be conceived
of. But through spiritual means and the divine power it is possible and
practicable.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account