Baháʼí Faith and the unity of humanity

The Bahá'í Faith emphasizes the unity of humanity transcending all divisions of race, nation, gender, caste, and social class, while celebrating its diversity. Bahá'u'lláh wrote:

"The world is but one country, and mankind its citizens."

His son `Abdu'l-Bahá adds that the "unification of mankind" has now become "the paramount issue and question in the religious and political conditions of the world." The Bahá'í writings affirm the biological, political, and spiritual unity of mankind, while noting that they are not necessarily expected to arise simultaneously.

Biological Unity

The Bahá'í writings state that differences between various races, nations, and ethnic groups are either superficial (e.g. skin color) or the result of differences in background or "education".

"World order can be founded only on an unshakeable consciousness of the oneness of mankind, a spiritual truth which all the human sciences confirm. Anthropology, physiology, psychology, recognise only one human species, albeit infinitely varied in the secondary aspects of life. Recognition of this truth requires abandonment of prejudice -- prejudice of every kind -- race, class, colour, creed, nation, sex, degree of material civilization, everything which enables people to consider themselves superior to others."

The Universal House of Justice, 1985 Oct, The Promise of World Peace

"Throughout the animal kingdom we do not find the creatures separated because of colour. They recognise unity of species and oneness of kind. If we do not find colour distinction drawn in a kingdom of lower intelligence and reason, how can it be justified among human beings especially when we know that all have come from the same source and belong to the same household? In origin and intention of creation mankind is one. Distinctions of race and color have arisen afterward."

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Bahá'í World Faith - `Abdu'l-Bahá Section, p. 268 [1]

This view that race differences are superficial, and subject to social modification has been challenged by sociologist J. Philippe Rushton as well as Herrnstein and Murray's book The Bell Curve.

A recurrent Bahá'í image is of a garden, in which various species of flowers coexist harmoniously in a common aesthetic unity, suggesting that the recognition of the biological unity of mankind does not mean uniformity, and that racial and ethnic diversity will exist, and should be celebrated.

"The world of existence is like unto an orchard and humanity is like unto the trees. All these trees are planted in the same orchard, reared through the heat of one sun, watered with one rain. We must be the cause of the adornment of this orchard. The world of humanity is like unto a rose garden and the various races, tongues and people are like unto contrasting flowers. The diversity of colors in a rose-garden adds to the charm and beauty of the scene as variety enhances unity."

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Divine Philosophy, p. 183.

"When you enter a rose-garden the wealth of color and variety of floral forms spread before you a picture of wonder and beauty. The world of humanity is like a garden and the various races are the flowers which constitute its adornment and decoration."

`Abdu'l-Bahá, Foundations of World Unity, p. 34. [2]

Elimination of Prejudice

A basic Bahá'í teaching is "the elimination of all forms of prejudice," which refers to not only the elimination of racial prejudice but also that of other forms of prejudice such as gender discrimination. The extent to which some forms of prejudice may be rational is a topic of debate among sociologists, political scientists, and others (see The Bell Curve).

Political Unity

The Bahá'í writings proclaim a glorious future Golden Age in which the whole earth is united under a world federal government, which is to arise in two stages: the first is the "Lesser Peace," a time when world leaders

"...establish a board of international arbitration; that from all nations and governments of the world there should be delegates selected for a congress of nations which should constitute a universal abitral court of justice to settle international disputes."

`Abdul-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 203. [3]

In the more distant future there will arise the "Most Great Peace," a time when

"Warfare and strife will be uprooted, disagreement and dissention pass away and universal peace unite the nations and peoples of the world. All mankind will dwell together as one family, blend as the waves of one sea, shine as stars of one firmament, and appear as fruits of the same tree."

`Abdul-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 145. [4]

Bahá'í state that while ethnic and cultural diversity will continue to exist, humanity's first allegiance will be with the human race rather than any subsidiary group such as race, nation, or ethnic group. There be an end not only to war, but even to inter-group rivalry.

Possibility

Some doubt that this kind of unity is possible. Game theory as used by sociobiology writers like E.O. Wilson suggests that humanity's tendency to divide into competing identity groups is imprinted deeply within our genes, and has a compelling biological purpose. Research into altruism is especially relevent here.

Furthermore, a worldwide government presupposes a certain level of economic development which some doubt can be sustained, such as Daniel Quinn, who sees "tribalism" as humanity's default level of organization. Bahá'ís by contrast believe that society will continue to evolve in the direction of ever-larger unities, from tribes to nations to globalism, and possibly beyond.

Desirability

Others deny that world political unity is desirable. The ranks of those who seek separation or independence from rival groups include not only white supremacy advocates but also Free Tibet activists. See also devolution and E.F. Schumacher. The more specific Bahá'í proposal for a never-ending world government additionally calls to mind various distopias. Bahá'ís believe that legitimate cultural aspirations can be met within a framework of "unity in diversity."

Furthermore, outsiders sometimes accuse Bahá'ís of seeking a worldwide theocracy. Bahá'í teachings, however, state that religious institutions would be seperate from civil institutions, while at the same time reflecting Bahá'í principles.

Unity in diversity

Bahá'ís affirm the desirability of the principle of "Unity in diversity" principle, which states that while recognizing the unity of mankind, cultural diversity should be celebrated.

"The diversity in the human family should be the cause of love and harmony, as it is in music where many different notes blend together in the making of a perfect chord. If you meet those of a different race and colour from yourself, do not mistrust them and withdraw yourself into your shell of conventionality, but rather be glad and show them kindness."

`Abdu'l-Bahá: Quoted in Advent of Divine Justice, p.32. [5]

"Bahá'ís should obviously be encouraged to preserve their inherited cultural identities, as long as the activities involved do not contravene the principles of the Faith. The perpetuation of such cultural characteristics is an expression of unity in diversity."

Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 553.

Spiritual Unity

For Bahá'ís, the unity of humanity is not a distant prospect, but a present reality. Globalization represents not only the progressively greater manifestation of this principle, but also our progressively greater perception of the bonds which already unite us. The Bahá'í Faith aspires to provide, in microcosm, a model for the ideal interaction among the various peoples of the world, and thus a viable spiritual basis for the united world which is to come.

The unity of humanity is said to mirror the unity of God, as well as the unity of his prophets. This crucial principle is known as the Three Onenesses.

References

"the paramount issue and question in the religious and political conditions of the world."

(Promise of Universal Peace, p. 228-229)

Links

`Abdu'l-Bahá on Unity and Peace

Shoghi Effendi on Unity

Warwick Leaflet on Race Unity

U.S. NSA on Race Unity

Robert Stockman & Jonah Winters' Resource Guide