Bahai Faith; Peace -- Religious aspects -- Bahai Faith
The proof is clear that in all degrees and kingdoms unity and agreement,
love and fellowship are the cause of life, whereas dissension, animosity
and separation are ever conducive to death. Therefore, we must strive with
life and soul in order that day by day unity and agreement may be
increased among mankind and that love and affinity may become more
resplendently glorious and manifest. In the animal kingdom you will
observe that domestic species live together in the utmost fellowship. See
how sociable and friendly sheep gather together in a flock. Look at the
doves and other domestic birds. There is no partisanship among them, no
separation due to notions of patriotism. They live together in the utmost
love and unity, flying, feeding, associating. Ferocious animals—beasts of
prey such as the wolf, bear, tiger and hyena—are never amicable and do not
associate together. They attack one another. Whenever they meet, they
fight. Three wolves are never seen associating happily. If you see them
together, it is with some ferocious intent. They are like selfish, brutal
men who are inimical, cursing and killing each other. Better that man
should resemble the domestic animals than the ferocious beasts of prey,
for in the estimation of God love is acceptable, whereas hatred and
animosity are rejected. Why should we act contrary to the good pleasure of
God? Why should we be as ferocious animals, constantly shedding blood,
pillaging and destroying? Because we belong to one race or family of
humankind, why should we consider all others bad and inferior, deserving
of death, pillage and invasion—people of darkness, worthy of hatred and
detestation by God? Why does man show forth such attitude and actions
toward his fellowman? We see that God is kind to all. Just as He loves us,
He loves all others; just as He provides for us, He provides for the rest.
He nurtures and trains all with equal solicitude.
God is great! God is kind! He does not behold human shortcomings; He does
not regard human weaknesses. Man is a creature of His mercy, and to His
mercy He summons all. Why then should we despise or detest His creatures
because this one is a Jew, another a Buddhist or Zoroastrian and so on?
This is ignorance, for the oneness of humanity as servants of God is an
assured and certain fact.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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