How to Achieve World Peace in 7 Ways

When I feel depressed about all the global suffering in the world, I find solace and hope in the Baha’i writings. To be a Baha’i means to love humanity and actively work for world peace, believing that universal peace is not simply a possibility, but an inevitability. Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Baha’i Faith, wrote:

As we witness on all sides the growing restlessness of a restless age, we are filled with mixed feelings of fear and hope—fear, at the prospect of yet another deadly encounter, the inevitability of which is alas! becoming increasingly manifest; hope, in the serene assurance that whatever cataclysm may yet visit humanity, it cannot but hasten the approaching era of universal and lasting peace so emphatically proclaimed by the Pen of Bahá’u’lláh.

Of course, we understand that this will require great effort and that we, too, will face painful challenges along the way. Yet, like the birthing pangs of labor, these struggles will ultimately give rise to a brighter, unified world. So, if you’re wondering how we can achieve world peace, the Baha’i writings outline the following criteria to guide us.

1. We Must Know the Harm of War and the Benefits of Achieving World Peace

At a talk in New York in 1912, Abdu’l-Baha, one of the central figures of the Baha’i Faith, stated that humanity “must be awakened to and become conscious of the harm of war, that they should be brought to realize the benefits of peace and know that peace is from God while warfare is satanic.”

In a tablet to The Hague in 1919, Abdu’l-Baha illustrated the contrast between the harms of war and the benefits of peace:

This recent war has proved to the world and the people that war is destruction while universal peace is construction; war is death while peace is life; war is rapacity and bloodthirstiness while peace is beneficence and humaneness; war is an appurtenance of the world of nature while peace is of the foundation of the religion of God; war is darkness upon darkness while peace is heavenly light; war is the destroyer of the edifice of mankind while peace is the everlasting life of the world of humanity; war is like a devouring wolf while peace is like the angels of heaven; war is the struggle for existence while peace is mutual aid and cooperation among the peoples of the world and the cause of the good pleasure of the True One in the heavenly realm.

Abdu’l-Baha explained that we must emulate the divine qualities of God and “turn away from satanic promptings in order that universal inclination shall be toward peace, love and unity and the discord of war vanish.”

2. We Need Women’s Equality

The equality of women and men is one of the main principles of the Baha’i Faith. The Baha’i writings stress the significance of women receiving the same opportunities and rights as men, especially in education. At a talk in Pittsburgh in 1912, Abdu’l-Baha explained:

That is to say, there must be no difference in the education of male and female in order that womankind may develop equal capacity and importance with man in the social and economic equation. Then the world will attain unity and harmony.

He discussed how educating and empowering women will be a great step towards the abolition of war. He said:

She will refuse to give her sons for sacrifice upon the field of battle. In truth, she will be the greatest factor in establishing universal peace and international arbitration. Assuredly, woman will abolish warfare among mankind.

3. We Need an International Agreement

At a talk in Canada in 1912, Abdu’l-Baha revealed that “universal peace will be established among the nations of the world by international agreement.” He added:

An arbitral court of justice shall be established by which international disputes are to be settled. Through this means all possibility of discord and war between the nations will be obviated.

In this spirit, the Baha’i community is grateful for the Universal House of Justice, whose guidance and support serve as a beacon for achieving world peace.

4. We Need Racial Unity

The eradication of all forms of prejudice is another major principle in the Baha’i Faith. In fact, in 1938, Shoghi Effendi identified racial prejudice as the “most vital and challenging issue” confronting American society. Likewise, Abdu’l-Baha also stated:

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 and remain no longer.

5. We Must Uphold the Truth

Doesn’t prejudice result from clinging to false defamatory beliefs about entire groups of people? Can you imagine what the world would look like if everyone searched for and championed the truth and was sincerely honest in both their words and deeds? At a talk in New York in 1912, Abdu’l-Baha said:

When the banner of truth is raised, peace becomes the cause of the welfare and advancement of the human world.

6. We Must Inspire Others to Be More Peaceful

Not only do we have to be more peaceful, but we also have to inspire others to be more peaceful if we want to create a peaceful world. Abdu’l-Baha said:

Unfailingly they must inspire the hearts with peace and concord! With perfect faith and assurance they must toil and labor and know of a certainty that the goal is ahead.

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He explained that if we work steadily and firmly and know that God will reinforce us, the rays of peace will penetrate through the clouds of prejudice and ignorance.

“The cry of peace is being heard from every throat and the sweet, resonant harmony of peace shall drown all the screeching noises of war,” he said. “Blessed are those who are enlisted in the rank of peace!”

7. We Must Follow Divine Guidance

I’m grateful for all the guidance the central figures of the Baha’i Faith have given us as to how to achieve world peace. Although this is a mighty pursuit to undertake, we have a detailed blueprint to help us get there. As Baha’u’llah, the prophet and founder of the Baha’i Faith, wrote:

The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established. This unity can never be achieved so long as the counsels which the Pen of the Most High hath revealed are suffered to pass unheeded.

May we all heed this call to the best of our abilities. By following these principles, we can all play a part in achieving world peace and building a more harmonious society.