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This striving for unlimited freedom condemned by Baha'u'llah is widespread today and the concept is clearly expressed by Arno Plack when he says that man's aggressiveness is not original but has been learnt only through frustration of his impulses; and only when his sexuality is no longer suppressed and he is allowed to live out his spontaneous instincts to the full can he achieve true fulfilment. This idea can only be understood if one accepts a popularized libido-theory which lies at the basis of this purely materialistic, pan sexual vision of man. If we took seriously the demand to abolish all institutionalized forms of behaviour and to leave all sexual relationship to the personal will of the individual, we would soon have a culture reminiscent of a rabbit hutch: "to act like the beasts of the field is unworthy of man". (Gl Cix) And if we were to abolish penal law, as Plack also demands, we would have complete chaos. (36:1) The laws of Baha'u'llah are not an expression of divine caprice, nor do they suppress or violate human nature. The are "not imposition of will, or of power, or pleasure, but the resolutions of truth, reason and justice". (Pt) They are "the lamps of My loving providence among My servants, and the keys of My mercy for My creatures", "the highest means for the maintenance of order in the world and the security of its peoples". This is why true freedom consists in "man's submission unto My commandments, little as ye know it... The liberty that profiteth you is to be found nowhere except in complete servitude unto God, the Eternal Truth." (36:2) With the same conviction as that with which they have proclaimed the unity of mankind and the changing of our conditions on earth, so do Baha'is know that this world is only transitory, a preparation for the next world. 'Abdul-Baha draws the analogy with one's life before birth: "In the beginning of his human life man was embryonic in the world of the matrix. There he received capacity and endowment for the reality of human existence. The forces and powers necessary for the world were bestowed upon him in that limited condition. In this world he needed eyes: he received them potentially in the other. He needed ears; he obtained them there in readiness and preparation for his new existence. The powers requisite in this world were conferred upon him in the world of the matrix, so that when he entered this realm of real existence he not only possessed all necessary functions and powers but found provision for his material sustenance awaiting him.
(36:3)
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