Changing our World – No Longer a Hopeless Dream

Conflict and division are not new to our world; they have been with us throughout recorded history, since physical and cultural separation was normal in our less-advanced stages of human development. 

However, we now live in a world that can no longer tolerate such attitudes and behavior. 

Today, as the forces of progress have brought the world together in one interdependent global community which is becoming more interconnected every day, the affairs of one nation affect all the others.

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Several countries now have the ability to destroy all human life on this planet, which means that we must act to unify the world and prevent such a potential catastrophe.

The Baha’i teachings offer insights, strategies, and systematic plans and solutions to accomplish that monumental task of changing our world. The global Baha’i community has clear programs and processes to develop the capacities we need to progress and prosper. The Baha’i teachings can awaken and release the latent potentialities of every individual and group, solving our problems and achieving our highest purpose. In a speech he gave in the United States in 1912, Abdu’l-Baha identified the motive power for such a shift in the fortunes of humanity:

Today the world of humanity is in need of international unity and conciliation. To establish these great fundamental principles a propelling power is needed. It is self-evident that the unity of the human world and the Most Great Peace cannot be accomplished through material means. They cannot be established through political power, for the political interests of nations are various and the policies of peoples are divergent and conflicting. They cannot be founded through racial or patriotic power, for these are human powers, selfish and weak. The very nature of racial differences and patriotic prejudices prevents the realization of this unity and agreement. Therefore, it is evidenced that the promotion of the oneness of the kingdom of humanity, which is the essence of the teachings of all the Manifestations of God, is impossible except through the divine power and breaths of the Holy Spirit. 

Baha’is believe that these teachings will usher humanity into our long-awaited adulthood, and help us leave behind those tendencies, customs, and aspects of our childhood and adolescence that impede our continued growth and development. 

In this globalizing process, we will learn to make friends with people who are different from ourselves, and foster authentic and loving relationships with all other customs and cultures. We will learn to cooperate with others rather than compete, seeing all peoples as members of one family with one common purpose. 

As we promote unity in diversity and experience its benefits, the destructive social practices of disunity, prejudice, and injustice will gradually fade away in the light of truth, love, and justice. Unity in diversity will become a valued principle and practice recognized for its important contribution to the welfare of all. Service, sacrifice, and striving to better our lives will take on new spiritual meanings. 

As we purify our motives and learn to work together, mutual understanding, concern, and assistance will become normal and welfare and happiness will increase. We start this transformation in our own minds and hearts and gradually transform our characters to become the noble and capable beings we were created to be. The latent powers we have within us are able to accomplish this transformation; all that is needed is sincere and sustained effort.

As our capacity to learn grows through the process of our ongoing practice of reflecting on our thoughts, feelings, and actions in light of truth, love, and justice and our consulting with trustworthy sources, including the most valid and reliable scientific and spiritual knowledge available to us. We must not give in to our immature tendencies to be ego- and ethno-centric. 

As we mature, we will more and more rise above childish and juvenile predispositions to recognize our true natures as spiritual beings. We will recognize the essential oneness of humanity and find joy in serving others, not only in serving ourselves. We will no longer feel the need to compete against, compare to, conflict with, or exalt ourselves over others, but seek to cooperate with and help others in a spirit of love and fellowship.  

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Whether we like it or not, we have a shared future. Our individual welfare is tied to that of the rest of humanity. We contribute to that future through elevating our conversations and deeds today in light of the principles of collective understanding, unity in diversity, and justice for all. In this way we can free ourselves from the oppressive adversarial approaches, divisive tendencies, corruption, and conflict that are common features in our world today. 

We can strive to upraise the oppressed, bring solace to the maligned, and unite the minds, hearts, and wills of all people in one common cause. Embarked on that noble journey, gradually we will learn to coordinate all the world’s energies and resources to allow each of us to realize our full potential so we can contribute our share to the welfare of the whole body of humanity.  

We are each like drops in the ocean of humanity. We can join together in our communities to form streams and rivers that will connect and contribute to that ocean. We can all participate in that process – because Baha’u’llah’s revelation invites every human being to join this world-renewing movement.