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EXEERPTS From ‘RACE and MAN’

[Page 2]MAN ONE FAMILY

Excerpts from RACE AND MAN

BAHX'I' PUBLISHING TRUST WILMETTE, ILLINOIS

Printed in U.S.A.

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[Page 4]Man One Family

ORE THAN ONE HUNDRED

YEARS ago Bahá’u’lláh, Founder of the Bahá’í World Faith, proclaimed the principle of the oneness of mankind. Among His writings we cite:

“Close your eyes to racial differences and welcome all with the light of oneness.”

“Ye are the fruits of one tree and the leaves of one branch. . . . So powerful is the light of unity that it can illumine the whole earth.”

“Ye dwell in one world, and have been created through the operation of one Will. Blessed is he who mingleth with all men in a spirit of utmost kindliness and love.”

“The earth is but one country; and mankind its citizens.”

“The well—being of mankind, its peace and security are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established.”

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[Page 5]The Bahá’í Faith arose at the beginning of the new stage in human evolution when science and technology are destroying ancient boundaries separating the peoples of the world. Races and nations have become interdependent and subject to one destiny. The Bahá’í proclamation of the principle of oneness supplies the spiritual guidance needed for understanding of this great process which is transforming the conditions of human existence. By this principle the Bahá’ís recognize that God is the Creator of all races and peoples, and therefore conflict and dissension arising from prejudice is contrary to the Divine Will. Through unity the world can attain a new and higher civilization, while the outbreak of another international conflict can cause general destruction.

As long ago as 1911, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, expounding the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, declared in a public address:

“This is a new cycle of human power. . . . It is the hour of the unity of the sons of men and of the drawing to .60

[Page 6]gether of all races and all classes. You are loosed from ancient superstitions which have kept men ignorant, destroying the foundations of true humanity.”

Membership in a Bahá’í community, participation in its worship, its activities and the operation of its elective institutions follow upon acceptance of the Faith, free from any racial or other discrimination. Bahá’í schools, wherever they have been established, are open to all members. The qualities and capacities of the individual Bahá’í determine his role in the community, not his race or class.

Bahá’í communities at this time exist in all the continents, with a membership representing great diversity of racial and religious backgrounds. Despite the pressure of international events, these communities .are demonstrating that even today a religious fellowship can exist which represents a cross section of the human race. Obedience to government is a definite requirement of their Faith. Therefore, Bahá’ís abide by the spiritual prin o7 [Page 7]ciple of oneness and do not become involved in political controversy. Interracial relationships are today no longer a matter of merely domestic concernrheir influence is felt in distant countries.

(The following selections are from the Bahá’í Writings contained in the compilation Race and Mam)

Prejudice Is Against the Will of God

“Prejudice whether it be religious, racial, patriotic, or political in its origin and aspect is the destroyer of human foundations and opposed to the commands of God. God has sent forth His Prophets for the sole purpose of creating love and unity in the world of human hearts.”

“Consider for instance racial distinction and enmity. All humanity are the children of God; they belong to the same family, to the same human race. There can be no multiplicity of races, since all are the descendants of Adam. This signifies that racial assumption and distinc .80

[Page 8]tion is nothing but superstition. . . . God did not make these divisions. . . . We are of one physical race even as we are of one physical plan of material body. . . .”

“Indeed, the world of humanity is like one kindred and one family. Because of the climatic conditions of the zones, through the passing of the ages, the colors have become different. In the torrid zone, on account of the intensity of the effect of the sun throughout the ages, the black race appeared. In the frigid zone, on account of the severity of the cold and the inefiectiveness of the heat of the sun throughout the ages the white race appeared. In the temperate zone, the yellow, brown and red races came into existence. But in reality mankind is one race. Because it is of one race unquestionably there must be unity and harmony and no separation or discord.”

——‘A bdu’l—Bahci

Man Originated Race Distinctions

“God did not make these distinctions; these divisions have had their origin in

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[Page 9]man himself. Therefore, as they are against the plan and purpose of God, they are false and imaginary. . . . The animal, notwithstanding that it is a captive of nature and nature completely dominates it, does not attach importance to color. For instance, thou dost behold that the black, white, yellow, blue and other colored pigeons are in utmost harmony with one another. They never give importance to color. . . . But man is peculiar in that he has made color the means of strife. . . . When we enter a rose garden we behold how beautiful is the display of variegated flowers. The difference of color is the adornment of the rose garden. Were it of one color it would not have such splendor.” —‘Abdu’l—Bahd

The True Criterion of Human Worth

“According to the words of the Old Testament, God has said: ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.’ ”

Let us now discover more specifically how he is the image and likeness of God and what is the standard or criterion by

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[Page 10]which he can be measured and estimated. This standard can be no other than the divine virtues which are revealed in him. Therefore every man imbued with the divine qualities, who reflects heavenly moralities and perfections, who is the expression of ideal and praiseworthy attributes, is varily in the image and likeness of God . . . Can we apply the test of racial color and say that man of a certain hue—white, black, brown, yellow, red—is the true image of his creator? We must conclude that color is not the standard and estimate of judgment and that it is of no importance, for color is accidental in nature. The spirit and intelligence of man is the essential; . . . Man is not man because of bodily attributes.’ ”

“. . . The lovers of mankind, these are the superior men, of whatever nation, creed, or color they may be. For it is they to whom God will say these Blessed Words, ‘Well done, My good and faithful servants.’ In that day He will not ask, ‘Are you English, French, or perhaps

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[Page 11]Iranian? Do you come from the East, or from the West?’ . . .

The only difference [between men] lies in the degree of faithfulness, of obedience to the LaWS of God. There are some who are as lighted torches, there are others who shine as stars in the sky of humanity. . .”

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‘. . . If the spirit is pure, the face is illuminated, although it be black. If the heart is stained, the face is dark and depressed, although it may be of the utmost beauty. The color of the pupils of the eye is black, yet they are fountains of light.”

——‘A bdu’l-Baha’

A Need for Courageous Action

“When the racial elements of the American nation unite in actual fellowship and accord, the lights of the oneness of humanity will shine, the day of eternal glory and bliss will dawn, the spirit of God encompass and the divine favors descend.”

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“In the world of being the meeting is blessed when the white and colored races meet together with infinite spiritual love and heavenly harmony. When such meetings are established, and the participants associate with each other with perfect love, unity and kindness, the angels of the Kingdom praise them. . . .”

—‘A bdu’l—Bahd

“. . . To discriminate against any race, on the ground of its being socially backward, politically immature, and numerically in a minority, is a flagrant violation of the spirit that animates the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. . . .”

—Shoghi Effendi

Who Is Responsible for Action?

“A tremendous effort is required by both races if their outlook, their manners, and conduct are to reflect, in this darkened age, the spirit and teachings of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. . . .”

“Let the white make a supreme effort in their resolve to contribute their share to the solution of this problem, to aban 0130

[Page 13]don once and for all their usually inherent and at times subconscious sense of superiority, to correct their tendency towards revealing a patronizing attitude towards the members of the other race, to persuade them . . . of the genuiness of their friendship and the sincerity of their intentions, and to master their impatience of any lack of responsiveness on the part of a people who have received, for so long a peroid, such grievous and slowhealing wounds. Let the Negroes, through a corresponding effort on their part, show by every means in their power the warmth of their response, their readiness to forget the past, and their ability to wipe out every trace of suspicion that may still linger in their hearts and minds. Let neither think that the solution of so vast a problem is a matter that exclusively ._ concerns the other.”

“Whether colored or non—colored, neither race has the right, or can conscientiously claim, to be regarded as absolved from such an obligation. . . ”

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[Page 14]Each one should endeavor to develop and assist the other toward mutual advancement. This is possible only by conjoining of effort and inclination. Love and unity will- be fostered between you, thereby bringing about the oneness of mankind; for the accomplishment of unity between the colored and whites will be an assurance of the world’s peace. Then racial prejudice, national prejudice, limited patriotism and religious bias will

pass away. —‘A bdu’l-Bahd

A Spiritual Remedy for Human Division “That which the Lord hath ordained as the sovereign remedy and the mightiest instrument for the healing of all the world is the union of all its peoples in one Uni versal Cause, one common Faith.” —Bahá’u’lláh

“The Faith of Bahá’u’lláh has assimilated, by virtue of its creative, its regulative and ennobling energies, the varied

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[Page 15]races, nationalities, creeds and classes that have sought its shadows, and have pledged unswerving fealty to its cause. It has changed the hearts of its adherents, burned away their prejudices, stilled their passions, exalted their conceptions, ennobled their motives, coordinated their efforts, and transformed their outlook. While preserving their patriotism and safeguarding their lesser loyalties, it has made them lovers of mankind, and the determined upholders of its best and truest interests. . . . This universal, this transcending love which the followers of the Bahá’í Faith feel for their fellow-men, of whatever race, creed, class or nation, is neither mysterious nor can it be said to have been artificially stimulated. It is both spontaneous and genuine. They whose hearts are warmed by the energizing influence of God’s creative love, cherish His creatures for His sake, and recognize in every human face a sign of His reflected glory.”

“The proclamation of the Oneness of Mankind—the head cornerstone of

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[Page 16]Bahá’u’lláh’s all-embracing dominion—. can under no circumstances be compared with such expressions of pious hope as have been uttered in the past. . . . It implies at on‘ce a warning and a promisea warning that in it lies the sole means for the salvation of a greatly suffering world, a promise that its realization is at

hand.” —Shoghi Effendi

This is the Day of Unity

“In every Dispensation the light of Divine Guidance has been focussed upon one central theme. . . . In this wondrous Revelation, this glorious century, the distinguishing feature of His Law is the consciousness of the Oneness of Mankind.”

“In cycles gone by, though harmony was established, yet, owing to the absence of means, the unity of all mankind could not have been achieved. . . . In this day, however, means of communication have multiplied, and the five continents of the earth have virtually merged

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[Page 17]into one. . . . In like manner all the members of the human family, . . . have become increasingly interdependent. . . . Hence the unity of all mankind can in this day be achieved.”

——-‘A bdu’l—Bahá

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[Page 18]REFERENCES TO THE BAHA’I FAITH

DR. GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER: “I sympathize with the Bahá’í faith with all my heart because it has the spirit of Christ in it.”

DR. NELS F. S. FERRE, Vanderbilt School of Religion, in his book, Strengthening the Spiritual Life,* writes, “I have been surprised at the depth and devotional character of the best in Bahá’í Scriptures as presented in Townshend’s The Promise of All Ages.” (*Harper & Brothers.)

DAVID RHYS WILLIAMS, in a recent book entitled World Religions and the Hope for Peace,* writes: “Bahá’u’lláh, in the judgment of many, possessed the tenderness of St. Francis, the courage of Socrates, the meekness of Moses, the sanity of Confucius, the missionary vigor of Mohammed, the moral majesty of Isaiah, the compassion of Buddha, and the saintliness of Jesus.” “Today several millions of people throughout the world hail this person as the Hope of World Peace and the Saviour of all mankind.”

(*Beacon Press.)

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[Page 19]Bahá’í World Faith. Selected Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. A compilation of Bahá’í Sacred Writings—a World Bible revealed for men of all races and lands; a new creation which affirms and fulfills the highest assurance which, from age to age, the succession of Prophets have enkindled within the human soul. 465 pp., cloth, $2.50.

F oundations of World Unity by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Public addresses and letters on the theme of the spiritual foundations of world unity by the Son of the Founder of the Bahá’í Faith. 178 pp., cloth, $2.00; paper, $1.00.

Some Answered Questions by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. This book gives the answers of a great Teacher to numerous questions which trouble modern man. It is intended for the searcher with an open and independent mind. If the search for truth is coupled with a dream for a world at peace, if the student is willing to receive an idea by which he may live meaningfully both for himself and for others, then here he can find a challenge to match that dream. 350 pp., cloth, $3.00.

Bahdiu’lla’h and the New Era. By J. E. Esslemont Standard introductory work on the Bahá’í Faith. 350 pp., cloth, $1.25.

Available from

BAHA’I PUBLISHING TRUST WILMETTE, ILLINOIS