Bahai Faith; Peace -- Religious aspects -- Bahai Faith
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 Bahá’u’lláh 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 Bahá’u’lláh 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. Bahá’u’lláh 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.
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