Christ & Baha'u'llah by -G. Townshend- 5 Para

It is customary to call the civilization of modern Europe 'par excellence' Christian and to think of it as the special trustee of Christian truth among the less enlightened peoples of the East. Yet in the twentieth century.. we find 'Abdul-Baha saying that the West as well as the East had "imagined themselves as having attained a glorious pinnacle of achievement and prosperity, when in reality they have touched the innermost depths of heedlessness.. (50:1)

The true Christian civilization is in fact not that of modern Europe but that of the age of Constantine, which more perfectly mirrored the teachings of Christ.. The Emperor Constantine himself was the first.. Roman Emperor to throw himself heart and soul into the Cause of Christ.. (50:2)

But in, and after, the Dark Ages, Christianity showed more interest in rites and doctrines than in moral conduct.. (51:1)

The whole process of building a new civilization in the West, found itself vigorously opposed by the Christian Church.. Before the time of Muhammad the Church had objected to the scientific spirit as well as to investigation and logic. Muhammad had taught and encouraged science, learning and reason, and.. the Church.. found itself more and more estranged from human progress. (51:2)

The civilization of the West, resulting from the impact of Islam on Christendom proved to be one of enormous and ever-extending material power.. The initiative in producing this wonderful culture was not taken by the Church.. It was a secular movement springing from the sudden.. emancipation of the human spirit, and originated with the laity.. yet the religious authorities regarded logic and investigation as wrong.. (51:3)

End of Quote

  Christ & Baha'u'llah
  Citation Source List
: see