Bahai Faith; Peace -- Religious aspects -- Bahai Faith
We are considering the divine plan for the reconciliation of the religious
systems of the world. Bahá’u’lláh has said that if one intelligent member
be selected from each of the varying religious systems, and these
representatives come together seeking to investigate the reality of
religion, they would establish an interreligious body before which all
disputes and differences of belief could be presented for consideration
and settlement. Such questions could then be weighed and viewed from the
standpoint of reality and all imitations be discarded. By this method and
procedure all sects, denominations and systems would become one.
Do not question the practicability of this, and be not astonished. It has
been accomplished and effected in Persia. In that country the various
religionists have conjoined in investigating reality and have united in
complete fellowship and love. No traces of discord or differences remain
among them; now affection and unity are manifest instead. They live
together in harmony and accord like a single family. Antagonism and strife
have passed away; love and agreement have taken the place of hatred and
animosity. Furthermore, those souls who have followed Bahá’u’lláh and
attained this condition of fellowship and affiliation are Muslims, Jews,
Christians, Zoroastrians, Buddhists, Nestorians, Sunnites, Shiites and
others. No discord exists among them. This is a proof of the possibility
of unification among the religionists of the world through practical
means. Imitations and prejudices which have held men apart have been
discarded, and the reality of religion envelops them in a perfect unity.
When reality envelops the soul of man, love is possible. The divine
purpose in religion is pure love and agreement. The Prophets of God
manifested complete love for all. Each One announced the glad tidings of
His successor, and each subsequent One confirmed the teachings and
prophecies of the Prophet Who preceded Him. There was no disagreement or
variance in the reality of Their teaching and mission. Discord has arisen
among Their followers, who have lost sight of reality and hold fast to
imitations. If imitations be done away with and the radiant shining
reality dawn in the souls of men, love and unity must prevail. In this way
humanity will be rescued from the strife and wars which have prevailed for
thousands of years; dissensions will pass away and the illumination of
unity dawn. Consider how all the Prophets of God were persecuted and what
hardships They experienced. Jesus Christ endured affliction and accepted
martyrdom upon the cross in order to summon mankind to unity and love.
What sacrifice could be greater? He brought the religion of love and
fellowship into the world. Shall we make use of it to create discord,
violence and hatred among mankind?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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