Bahai Faith; Peace -- Religious aspects -- Bahai Faith
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. Bahá’u’lláh 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. Bahá’u’lláh 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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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