UNIFY Religions? - G P Pamphlets
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Baha'u'llah teaches that all religions of God have the same purpose; they differ in name only. Behind the drifting clouds of differences lies a single source of light. A viewer can wear dark glasses to conceal the sun or colored glasses to see it in any colors she wants. She can also set many borders on the earth. But none of them can change this simple truth: There is one sun, one light, and one earth. (2:1)

Behind the suffocating fumes of ideological conflicts and countless theological positions lies this simple truth: There is only one God, one humanity, and one faith. Divisiveness among religions and peoples has always been fueled by theological conflicts. 'An elderly lady had heard a certain distinguished guest addressed as doctor. She found her way to his side and asked shyly, 'Doctor, may I ask you a question?' 'Certainly,' he said. 'Lately,' she said, 'I have been having a funny pain in my side...' The guest interrupted uncomfortably and said, 'I'm terribly sorry, madam, but the truth is, I'm a doctor of theology!' 'Oh,' she said with disappointment, 'I'm sorry!' She turned away, but then, overcome with curiosity, she turned back. 'Just one more question, doctor. Tell me, what kind of disease is theology?'' (2:2)

People have been taught to believe that their religion is the only true religion, the only way to the Kingdom of Heaven. And they have tended to accept this belief as an unquestionable fact. As long as they do not examine other religions with an open mind, they can persist in their beliefs. But what happens when they step beyond the boundaries of tradition? They begin to notice an astonishing similarity between the fundamental teachings of all the great religions. Once they see this, they experience a 'paradigm shift,' and they find it hard to go back to their original beliefs. They are like the man who is told his hometown is the best; he can believe it as long as he does not venture into other towns. (2:3)

In his classic work The Structure of Scientific Revolution, Thomas Kuhn 'shows how almost every significant breakthrough in the field of scientific endeavor is first a break with tradition, with old ways of thinking, with old paradigms.'6 (2:4)

An old man picked up a little girl and put her on his lap. The girl looked at the man's wrinkled face and asked, 'Did God make you?' 'Yes,' said the old man. 'Did God make me also?' 'Yes,' said the old man again. 'Well,' said the little girl, 'don't you think that He is doing a better job now than He used to?' That is how the followers of each of the great faiths judge the ones sent before them. They think their faith is better or more true. This notion of superiority leads to prejudice, suspicion, and separation. Baha'is believe that all great faiths have come from God. The only difference between them is in renewal, relevance, and timing. (2:5)

In a talk given in the United States in 1912, 'Abdu'l-Baha said: (2:6)

The divine religion is reality, and reality is not multiple; it is one. Therefore, the foundations of the religious systems are one because all proceed from the indivisible reality; but the followers of these systems have disagreed; discord, strife and warfare have arisen among them, for they have forsaken the foundation and held to that which is but imitation and semblance. Inasmuch as imitations differ, enmity and dissension have resulted. For example, Jesus Christ-- may my spirit be a sacrifice unto Him!-- laid the foundation of eternal reality, but after His departure many sects and divisions appeared in Christianity. What was the cause of this? There is no doubt that they originated in dogmatic imitations, for the foundations of Christ were reality itself, in which no divergence exists. When imitations appeared, sects and denominations were formed. (2:7)

If Christians of all denominations and divisions should investigate reality, the foundations of Christ will unite them. No enmity or hatred will remain, for they will all be under the one guidance of reality itself. Likewise, in the wider field if all the existing religious systems will turn away from ancestral imitations and investigate reality, seeking the real meanings of the Holy Books, they will unite and agree upon the same foundation, reality itself. As long as they follow counterfeit doctrines or imitations instead of reality, animosity and discord will exist and increase.7 (2:8)

The Baha'i Faith creates a new awareness and a new understanding of religion. Once people gain this awareness and insight, they exclaim, 'It's so refreshing to learn about a faith that respects all faiths.' (2:9)

Although people believe in the uniqueness of their religion, somehow they sense that this belief does not fit into their understanding of a benevolent Creator who loves all His children. They hear a Voice in their soul murmuring, 'The Creator cannot descend to a level lower than humans. He cannot care for some of His children, and ignore or abandon the rest.' (2:10)

In my youth I read various passages from the Qur'an from time to time. At one point I decided to read it from cover to cover. During this reading I was overtaken by a sense of awe and mystery. The feeling came from hearing the same Voice I had heard many times before, during repeated readings of the Bible. I can never forget that unearthly experience. (2:11)

A student asked her professor, 'Would it be possible for all the peoples of the world to live in America?' The professor paused, made some calculations, and said, 'Yes, if they were all friends.' The power of the Baha'i Faith lies in this: It makes friends of old enemies. (2:12)

The following diagram portrays the spiritual design for the 'tabernacle of unity' as declared by Baha'u'llah. (2:13)

On that day the Lord shall be one Lord and his name the one name. Zechariah 14:9 (2:14)

He Who is your Lord, the All Merciful, cherisheth in His heart the desire of beholding the entire human race as one soul and one body.8 Baha'u'llah (2:15)

In every dispensation, the light of Divine Guidance has been focused upon one central theme...In this wondrous Revelation, this glorious century, the foundation of the Faith of God, and the distinguishing feature of His Law, is the consciousness of the oneness of mankind.9 'Abdu'l-Baha (2:16)

This prophecy is specifically addressed to us; it is both an invitation and a warning to the people of our time: (2:17)

Gather together, gather together... before the appointed time arrives... before the day of the Lord's wrath comes upon you. Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord's anger. Zephaniah 2:1-3 (2:18)

Thus, our failure to bring unity will lead to grave consequences for all humanity. (2:19)

A president's fondest dream was to initiate 'a thousand points of light' in his nation. Yet, despite his power, he failed. Baha'u'llah's purpose is to make every heart an immortal point of light. Every Baha'i on this planet works for this very end. (2:20)

Only God can touch hearts, only He can build 'the house:' (2:21)

Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders have toiled in vain. Psalms 127:1 (2:22)

Prayers for unity from the Baha'i Scriptures: (2:23)

O my God! O my God! Unite the hearts of Thy servants, and reveal to them Thy great purpose. May they follow Thy commandments and abide in Thy law. Help them, O God, in their endeavor, and grant them strength to serve Thee. O God! Leave them not to themselves, but guide their steps by the light of Thy knowledge, and cheer their hearts by Thy love. Verily, Thou art their Helper and their Lord.10 Baha'u'llah (2:24)

O Lord God! Make us as waves of the sea, as flowers of the garden, united, agreed through the bounties of Thy love. O Lord!...make all mankind as stars shining from the same height of glory, as perfect fruits growing upon Thy tree of life. Verily, Thou art the Almighty, the Self-Subsistent, the Giver, the Forgiving, the Pardoner, the Omniscient, the One Creator.11 'Abdu'l-Baha (2:25)

References:
1. Uncle Ben's Qutebook, B. De Jong p. 53.
2,3,8. gwb 333, 78, 214.
4,5. swb 126, 159.
6. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, S. Covey p. 29.
7. pup 198.
9. pdc 123.
10,11. bpr 204, 205. (2:26)

End of Book

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