Q & A

Question: Is it not a fact that universal peace cannot be accomplished until there is political democracy in all the countries of the world?

Answer: It is very evident that in the future there shall be no centralization in the countries of the world, be they constitutional in government, republican or democratic in form. The United States may be held up as the example of future government—that is to say, each province will be independent in itself, but there will be federal union protecting the interests of the various independent states. It may not be a republican or a democratic form. To cast aside centralization which promotes despotism is the exigency of the time. This will be productive of international peace. Another fact of equal importance in bringing about international peace is woman’s suffrage. That is to say, when perfect equality shall be established between men and women, peace may be realized for the simple reason that womankind in general will never favor warfare. Women will not be willing to allow those whom they have so tenderly cared for to go to the battlefield. When they shall have a vote, they will oppose any cause of warfare. Another factor which will bring about universal peace is the linking together of the Orient and the Occident.

`Abdu'l-Bahá: The Promulgation of Universal Peace

The Hands of the Cause of God - Volume One

Documentary in style, this video recounts the lives of the Hands of the Cause of God within the historical context of the Baha'i Faith. This volume covers the where and why of these heroic souls' first appointment by Baha'u'llah during the latter part of His Ministry, to whom he referred as "the chosen ones", the "detached souls" and the "pure in spirit". The story of the sacrifice and daring of the four Hands appointed by Him is followed by the accounts of those special individuals referred to as Hands by His son 'Abdu'l-Baha on their passing. During the Ministry of Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian also elevated a number of outstanding individuals to the rand of Hand of the Cause, posthumously. The story of these heroes and heroines of the Baha'i Faith who "diffused the divine fragrances" and "promoted learning" is told.

Consider the sun

 "Consider the sun. Were it to say now, “I am the sun of yesterday,” it would speak the truth. And should it, bearing the sequence of time in mind, claim to be other than that sun, it still would speak the truth. In like manner, if it be said that all the days are but one and the same, it is correct and true. And if it be said, with respect to their particular names and designations, that they differ, that again is true. For though they are the same, yet one doth recognize in each a separate designation, a specific attribute, a particular character.

Conceive accordingly the distinction, variation, and unity characteristic of the various Manifestations of holiness, that thou mayest comprehend the allusions made by the Creator of all names and attributes to the mysteries of distinction and unity, and discover the answer to thy question as to why that everlasting Beauty should have, at sundry times, called Himself by different names and titles....

Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah

Consider the past.

Consider the past. How many, both high and low, have, at all times, yearningly awaited the advent of the Manifestations of God in the sanctified persons of His chosen Ones. How often have they expected His coming, how frequently have they prayed that the breeze of Divine mercy might blow, and the promised Beauty step forth from behind the veil of concealment, and be made manifest to all the world. And whensoever the portals of grace did open, and the clouds of divine bounty did rain upon mankind, and the light of the Unseen did shine above the horizon of celestial might, they all denied Him, and turned away from His face—the face of God Himself….
Reflect, what could have been the motive for such deeds? What could have prompted such behavior towards the Revealers of the beauty of the All-Glorious? Whatever in days gone by hath been the cause of the denial and opposition of those people hath now led to the perversity of the people of this age. To maintain that the testimony of Providence was incomplete, that it hath therefore been the cause of the denial of the people, is but open blasphemy. How far from the grace of the All-Bountiful and from His loving providence and tender mercies it is to single out a soul from amongst all men for the guidance of His creatures, and, on one hand, to withhold from Him the full measure of His divine testimony, and, on the other, inflict severe retribution on His people for having turned away from His chosen One!

Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh

covenant of Bahaullah 2

A wonderful talk by Mr Adib Taherzadeh, on Covenant.

... explore the relationship between spirituality and social action

Vancouver youth gather to explore the relationship between spirituality and social action.

Vancouver, British Columbia, 26 September 2013 (CBNS) —
Earlier this month, about 40 young people between the ages of 15 and 35 gathered at the University of British Columbia for a conversation about "the spirit of social change," an event at which they explored the relationship between spirituality and social action. Rabbi Dr Robert Daum, Director of the Iona Pacific Inter-Religious Centre, welcomed everyone to the conversation on behalf of UBC.
 The event was part of a year-long series of conversations across the country, co-presented by the Couchiching Institute on Public Affairs and the Inspirit Foundation, with support from the Baha’i Community of Canada. Its purpose is to promote reflection on how the spiritual, moral and ethical commitments of young people contribute to positive social action that is unifying rather than divisive. The ultimate aim of the initiative is to develop and advance a discourse about the role of youth in society.

Continue reading http://www.bahainews.ca/en/node/866

The Valley of Unity

It is clear to thine Eminence that all the variations which the wayfarer in the stages of his journey beholdeth in the realms of being, proceed from his own vision. We shall give an example of this, that its meaning may become fully clear: Consider the visible sun; although it shineth with one radiance upon all things, and at the behest of the King of Manifestation bestoweth light on all creation, yet in each place it becometh manifest and sheddeth its bounty according to the potentialities of that place. For instance, in a mirror it reflecteth its own disk and shape, and this is due to the sensitivity of the mirror; in a crystal it maketh fire to appear, and in other things it showeth only the effect of its shining, but not its full disk. And yet, through that effect, by the command of the Creator, it traineth each thing according to the quality of that thing, as thou observest.  In like manner, colors become visible in every object according to the nature of that object. For instance, in a yellow globe, the rays shine yellow; in a white the rays are white; and in a red, the red rays are manifest. Then these variations are from the object, not from the shining light. And if a place be shut away from the light, as by walls or a roof, it will be entirely bereft of the splendor of the light, nor will the sun shine thereon.


Baha’u’llah, ‘The Seven Valleys’

شهادت در امر بهائی؛ به یاد شهید مجید جناب عطاءالله رضوانی

جناب عطاءالله رضوانی جزء خیل عظیم بیش از ۲۰۰۰۰ شهید امر بهائی در عصر قاجار و پهلوی و جمهوری اسلامی تا حال است که جان شیرین را همچون اسلاف خود در راه رفع کینه و اختلاف و ایجاد وحدت و اتحاد عالم بشری فدا نمود. به این مناسبت، مطلب زیر را با عنوان «شهادت در امر بهائی» نوشتۀ دکتر علیمراد داودی استاد فقید فلسفۀ دانشگاه طهران که خود در اوایل انقلاب اسلامی در ایران ربوده و به شهادت رسید، تقدیم می دارد.

http://www.noghtenazar.org/node/1143

شهادت در امر بهائی نوشتۀ دکتر علیمراد داودی،
 به درخواست لجنۀ فارغ التّحصیلان بهائی
 شهادت در لغت به معنی دیدن و دریافتن و پدید آمدن است. جهانی را که از دیدگان پنهان است عالم غیب می نامند و در برابر آن جهانی را که رخ می گشاید و پیدا می آید عالم شهادت می خوانند. پس شاهد یا شهید کسی است که به چشم خود می بیند و آنچه دیده است بازمی گوید و با گفتار خود کسانی را که ندیده اند آگاه می سازد. به قول او مجهولی معلوم می شود و ادعائی به ثبوت می رسد. به شرط ...آن که صدق او در قول خود ثابت باشد و این همان کسی است که به فارسی گواه می گویند.

I am a Baha'i ...

A diverse range of everyday people describe, in their own words, the spiritual fulfillment they receive as members of the Baha'i Faith as well as the impact their religion has had on their lives and the hope they feel it offers to others. The Baha'is interviewed range from single mothers, to mid-level career women and men, to young and old families, and represent diversity across the board racially and economically.
 The Baha'is discuss parenting, professional aspirations, interracial understanding, service to others and the power of independent investigation of truth as elements of faith. Produced from interviews made on locations in California, South Carolina, Illinois and Massachusetts, the program reflects the regional diversity of the Baha'is in the United States.
 Copyright 2000 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States. All rights reserved.

City of Love and Rapture,...

When once the seeker hath ascended unto this station, he will enter the City of Love and Rapture, whereupon the winds of love will blow and the breezes of the spirit will waft. In this station the seeker is so overcome by the ecstasies of yearning and the fragrances of longing that he discerneth not his left from his right, nor doth he distinguish land from sea or desert from mountain. At every moment he burneth with the fire of longing and is consumed by the onslaught of separation in this world.
He speedeth through the Párán of love and traverseth the Horeb of rapture. Now he laugheth, now he weepeth sore; now he reposeth in peace, now he trembleth in fear. Nothing can alarm him, naught can thwart his purpose, and no law can restrain him. He standeth ready to obey whatsoever His Lord should please to decree as to his beginning and his end. With every breath he layeth down his life and offereth up his soul. He bareth his breast to meet the darts of the enemy and raiseth his head to greet the sword of destiny; nay rather, he kisseth the hand of his would-be murderer and surrendereth his all. He yieldeth up spirit, soul, and body in the path of his Lord, and yet he doeth so by the leave of his Beloved and not of his own whim and desire. Thou findest him chill in the fire and dry in the sea, abiding in every land and treading every path. Whosoever toucheth him in this state will perceive the heat of his love. He walketh the heights of detachment and traverseth the vale of renunciation. His eyes are ever expectant to witness the wonders of God’s mercy and eager to behold the splendours of His beauty. Blessed indeed are they that have attained unto such a station, for this is the
station of the ardent lovers and the enraptured souls.

Baha’u’llah, ‘Gems of Divine Mysteries’, ‘Javáhiru’l-Asrár’

Veiled as they remain within their own selves, the generality of the people

have failed to perceive the sweet accents of holiness, inhale the fragrance of mercy, or seek guidance, as bidden by God, from those who are the custodians of the Scriptures. He proclaimeth, and His word, verily, is the truth: “Ask ye, therefore, of them that have the custody of the Scriptures, if ye know it not.” Nay rather, they have turned aside from them and followed instead the Sámirí of their own idle fancies. Thus have they strayed far from the mercy of their Lord and failed to attain unto His Beauty in the day of His presence. For no sooner had He come unto them with a sign and a testimony from God than the same people who had eagerly awaited the day of His Revelation, who had called upon Him in the daytime and in the night season, who had implored Him to gather them together in His presence and to grant that they may lay down their lives in His path, be led aright by His guidance and illumined by His light—this very people condemned and reviled Him, and inflicted upon Him such cruelties as transcend both My capacity to tell and thine ability to hear them. My very pen crieth out at this moment and the ink weepeth sore and groaneth. By God! Wert thou to hearken with thine inner ear, thou wouldst in truth hear the lamentations of the denizens of heaven; and wert thou to remove the veil from before thine eyes, thou wouldst behold the Maids of Heaven overcome and the holy souls overwhelmed, beating upon their faces and fallen upon the dust.

Bahá'u'lláhGems of Divine Mysteries (Javáhiru’l-Asrár) P.21

Wish of the life time.

From the sweet-scented streams of Thine eternity give me to drink, O my God, and of the fruits of the tree of Thy being enable me to taste, O my Hope! From the crystal springs of Thy love suffer me to quaff, O my Glory, and beneath the shadow of Thine everlasting providence let me abide, O my Light! Within the meadows of Thy nearness, before Thy presence, make me able to roam, O my Beloved, and at the right hand of the throne of Thy mercy, seat me, O my Desire! From the fragrant breezes of Thy joy let a breath pass over me, O my Goal, and into the heights of the paradise of Thy reality let me gain admission, O my Adored One! To the melodies of the dove of Thy oneness suffer me to hearken, O Resplendent One, and through the spirit of Thy power and Thy might quicken me, O my Provider! In the spirit of Thy love keep me steadfast, O my Succorer, and in the path of Thy good pleasure set firm my steps, O my Maker! Within the garden of Thine immortality, before Thy countenance, let me abide for ever, O Thou Who art merciful unto me, and upon the seat of Thy glory stablish me, O Thou Who art my Possessor! To the heaven of Thy loving-kindness lift me up, O my Quickener, and unto the Daystar of Thy guidance lead me, O Thou my Attractor! Before the revelations of Thine invisible spirit summon me to be present, O Thou Who art my Origin and my Highest Wish, and unto the essence of the fragrance of Thy beauty, which Thou wilt manifest, cause me to return, O Thou Who art my God! Potent art Thou to do what pleaseth Thee. Thou art, verily, the Most Exalted, the All-Glorious, the All-Highest.

 Bahá’u’lláh

O army of God!

O army of God!

The Exalted One, the Báb, gave up His life. The Blessed Perfection gave up a hundred lives at every breath. He bore calamities. He suffered anguish. He was imprisoned. He was chained. He was made homeless and was banished to distant lands. Finally, then, He lived out His days in the Most Great Prison. Likewise, a great multitude of the lovers of God who followed this path have tasted the honey of martyrdom and they gave up everything—life, possessions, kindred—all they had. How many homes were reduced to rubble; how many dwellings were broken into and pillaged; how many a noble building went to the ground; how many a palace was battered into a tomb. And all this came about that humankind might be illumined, that ignorance might yield to knowledge, that men of earth might become men of heaven, that discord and dissension might be torn out by the roots, and the Kingdom of Peace become established over all the world. Strive ye now that this bounty become manifest, and this best-beloved of all hopes be realized in splendour throughout the community of man.

Selections From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Meditation in a Minute: Prayer for America

America goes through ups and downs, dark days and bright days. But, our destiny is a great one!




O Thou kind Lord! This gathering is turning to Thee. These hearts are radiant with Thy love. These minds and spirits are exhilarated by the message of Thy glad tidings. O God! Let this American democracy become glorious in spiritual degrees even as it has aspired to material degrees, and render this just government victorious. Confirm this revered nation to upraise the standard of the oneness of humanity, to promulgate the Most Great Peace, to become thereby most glorious and praiseworthy among all the nations of the world. O God! This American nation is worthy of Thy favors and is deserving of Thy mercy. Make it precious and near to Thee through Thy bounty and bestowal.

`Abdu'l-Bahá: The Promulgation of Universal Peace

Shoghi Effendi: Messages to the Bahá’í World

The violent derangement of the world's equilibrium; the trembling that will seize the limbs of mankind; the radical transformation of human society; the rolling up of the present-day Order; the fundamental changes affecting the structure of government; ... the development of infernal engines of war; the burning of cities; the contamination of the atmosphere of the earth -- these stand out as the signs and portents that must either herald or accompany the retributive calamity which, as decreed by Him Who is the Judge and Redeemer of mankind, must, sooner or later, afflict a society which, for the most part, and for over a century, has turned a deaf ear to the Voice of God's Messenger in this day -- a calamity which must purge the human race of the dross of its age-long corruptions, and weld its component parts into a firmly knit world-embracing Fellowship – a Fellowship destined, in the fullness of time, to be incorporated in the framework, and to be galvanized by the spiritualizing influences, of a mysteriously expanding, divinely appointed Order, and to flower, in the course of future Dispensations, into a Civilization, the like of which mankind has, at no stage in its evolution, witnessed.

Shoghi Effendi: Messages to the Bahá’í World: 1950–1957

Man is he who

The man who thinks only of himself and is thoughtless of others is undoubtedly inferior to the animal because the animal is not possessed of the reasoning faculty. The animal is excused; but in man there is reason, the faculty of justice, the faculty of mercifulness. Possessing all these faculties he must not leave them unused. He who is so hard-hearted as to think only of his own comfort, such an one will not be called man.
Man is he who forgets his own interests for the sake of others. His own comfort he forfeits for the well-being of all. Nay, rather, his own life must he be willing to forfeit for the life of mankind. Such a man is the honor of the world of humanity. Such a man is the glory of the world of mankind. Such a man is the one who wins eternal bliss. Such a man is near to the threshold of God. Such a man is the very manifestation of eternal happiness. Otherwise, men are like animals, exhibiting the same proclivities and propensities as the world of animals. What distinction is there? What prerogatives, what perfections? None whatever! Animals are better even—thinking only of themselves and negligent of the needs of others.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Foundations of World Unity. p42

Almaty Youth Conference

Almaty rests at the foot of the majestic Trans-Ili Alatau mountain range in Kazakhstan. Within view of its green slopes and snow-capped peaks, almost 300 young people from countries in central Asia, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, assembled to consult about how to contribute to the betterment of their communities. Those gathered were joined by Continental Counsellors Gloria Javid from India and Zebiniso Solieva from Kazakhstan, both participating as representatives of the Universal House of Justice.
 Conversations explored how the call to arise and serve one’s community necessitates that youth collaborate and encourage one another. “The most difficult thing when you talk about the idea of the betterment of the world,” one participant said, “is that people do not believe that it can happen. It helps when we explain that if we are united, this hope can be realized.”

http://news.bahai.org/community-news/youth-conferences/almaty.html

بهایی نیستم اما انسانم!

بهایی نیستم اما انسانم!

Nasrin Madani

 گفت : « آقا می گوید هیچ چیز به اندازه ی بهائیت برای ما خطرناک نیست». خودم را از این پیش داوری ها رهاندم و مطالعه ام را در این زمینه شروع کردم. در گفته ها شک کردم و نخواستم نشخوار کننده ی عقیده ی این و آن باشم. در تاریخ ادب معاصر به زنی جسور چون طاهره قرة العین می رسیم که با بی پروایی روبند از صورت گشوده، با مجتهدان وارد مباحثه می شد اما حتی در چند مجلدِ از صبا تا نیما و از نیما تا روزگار ما تألیف آرین پور، یادی از اعتقاد و باور او آورده نشده است. تنها همان شعر : گر به تو افتدم نظر چهره به چهره رو به رو - شرح دهم غم تو را نکته به نکته مو به مو طاهره بهایی بود و اولین زنی که به جرم مفسد فی الارض بودن اعدام شد - به شیوه ی خفه کردن و در چاه انداختن. اینکه ما به واقع تا مغز استخوان شستشوی مغزی شده ایم، به شیوه ای بلند مدت و سیستماتیک انکارناپذیر است. این شیوه ی تربیتی – شیوه ی حوزه های علمیه، مکرر و مداوم و ذکروار و هر چه مبسوط تر - به مرور افراد جامعه را ترسو، فاقد فکر خلاق، فاقد شک در آموخته ها و عدم پرسش کرده است. هیچ گاه نپرسیدیم به فرض بر سر همسایه ی بهایی که سر به زیر از کوچه هر روز عبور می کرد وقتی اطلاعاتی ها ریختند روی سرش چه آمد؟ حتی از سؤال از همدیگر هراس داشتیم. مرا به کار دیگری چه؟ همین که کلاه خودم را باد نبرد بس است. بهائیت به حذف کامل آخوند اعتقاد دارد لذا به قول احمد کسروی، این قشر مفت خور، آخوند جماعت به ضدیت با بهائیت برخاست. رساله ی عبدالبهاء یکی از مترقی ترین رساله ها در زمینه ی اجتماعی و سیاسی است که با وجود نگارش در صد و اندی سال پیش از تعلیم و سواد دختران در کنار پسران می گوید. استفاده از کالسکه ی آتشین - ماشین - به جای اسب و خر از حذف ملاها می گوید در امور سیاسی و... راهکارهایی که هنوز نیاز امروز ما در ایران است. آنچه نتیجه ی آن تعلیم و آموزه هاست و در ما رسوب کرده این است که از ننگ تحقیر بر هم وطن هامان، به جایی مان فشار نمی آید، جایی مان درد نمی گیرد، هم وطن را منهای باورش ندیده ایم، انسان درسته ندیده ایم. اینجاست که باید فریاد کرد: «ای اهل ایران! تکاسل و تراخی تا کی؟» عبدالبهاء

O army of God! ...

O army of God! Beware lest ye harm any soul, or make any heart to sorrow; lest ye wound any man with your words, be he known to you or a stranger, be he friend or foe. Pray ye for all; ask ye that all be blessed, all be forgiven. Beware, beware, lest any of you seek vengeance, even against one who is thirsting for your blood. Beware, beware, lest ye offend the feelings of another, even though he be an evil-doer, and he wish you ill. Look ye not upon the creatures, turn ye to their Creator. See ye not the never-yielding people, see but the Lord of Hosts. Gaze ye not down upon the dust, gaze upward at the shining sun, which hath caused every patch of darksome earth to glow with light.
 O army of God! When calamity striketh, be ye patient and composed. However afflictive your sufferings may be, stay ye undisturbed, and with perfect confidence in the abounding grace of God, brave ye the tempest of tribulations and fiery ordeals.

Selections From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Consort with all men,

The utterance of God is a lamp, whose light is these words: Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship. He Who is the Day Star of Truth beareth Me witness! So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth. The one true God, He Who knoweth all things, Himself testifieth to the truth of these words...
Consort with all men, O people of Bahá, in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship. If ye be aware of a certain truth, if ye possess a jewel, of which others are deprived, share it with them in a language of utmost kindliness and good-will. If it be accepted, if it fulfil its purpose, your object is attained. If any one should refuse it, leave him unto himself, and beseech God to guide him. Beware lest ye deal unkindly with him. A kindly tongue is the lodestone of the hearts of men. It is the bread of the spirit, it clotheth the words with meaning, it is the fountain of the light of wisdom and understanding….

Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh

Religious fanaticism and hatred are ...

The Purpose of the one true God, exalted be His glory, in revealing Himself unto men is to lay bare those gems that lie hidden within the mine of their true and inmost selves. That the divers communions of the earth, and the manifold systems of religious belief, should never be allowed to foster the feelings of animosity among men, is, in this Day, of the essence of the Faith of God and His Religion. These principles and laws, these firmly-established and mighty systems, have proceeded from one Source, and are the rays of one Light. That they differ one from another is to be attributed to the varying requirements of the ages in which they were promulgated.
Gird up the loins of your endeavor, O people of Bahá, that haply the tumult of religious dissension and strife that agitateth the peoples of the earth may be stilled, that every trace of it may be completely obliterated. For the love of God, and them that serve Him, arise to aid this most sublime and momentous Revelation. Religious fanaticism and hatred are a world-devouring fire, whose violence none can quench. The Hand of Divine power can, alone, deliver mankind from this desolating affliction….

Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh

ای ربِّ توانا

ای ربِّ توانا ،
 تو شاهدی که در این لیله ی لیلا بر این عاشقان بی نوا چه وارد گشته و در این سالیان دراز از حین مــُــفارقتِ وجهِ صــَــبـیحت به چه سوز و گدازی اهل راز دمساز ، ای مولای قدیر افتادگی و بی چارگی آوارگان کویت را مپسند به شدیدالقوی این مشت ضعفاء را تأیید کن و در انجمن عالم ، عزیزانت را عزیز و مقتدر فرما و به تحقق آمال ، این بال و پرشکستگان را سرافراز و مفتخر کن ، تا در این چند روزه ی حیات ، عزّت و رفعت آئینت را به دیده ی عنصری بنگریم و به قلبی شاد و روحی مستبشر به سوی تو پرواز کنیم. تو دانی که نام و نشانی بعد از تو نخواهیم و سرور و شادمانی و کامرانی در این عالم فانی ، دیگر آرزو ننماییم. پس وعدت را وفا نما و جان و روان این خسته دلان را نشئه ای تازه بخش. دیده ی انتظار را روشن کن و جرح قلوب کئیبه را التیام ده. به سرمنزل مقصود ، کاروان های مدینه ی عشقت را به زودی برسان و به ساحت وصالت دردمندان هجرت را بکشان. زیرا در این عالم ادنی جز ظفر و نصرت امرت را نخواهیم و در جوار رحمت کبری جز امید وصالت آمالی در دل نداشته و نداریم. تویی گواه. تویی ملجأ و پناه. تویی نصرت
 دهنده ی این جمع بی گناه.
بنده ی آستانش شوقی

Bahá'í World Statistics 2001

A very interesting stats
( http://bahai-library.com/pdf/b/bolhuis_bahai_statistics_2001.pdf)
about the growth of The Baha'i Faith.
Most notable is on page 3, where one can see a comparative table and some charts to get a view of the growth of the Bahá'í Faith.

سیصد گل سرخ، یک گل نصرانی

سیصد گل سرخ، یک گل نصرانی.
ما را ز سر بریده می ترسانی.
ما گر زسر بریده می ترسیدیم.
در محفل عاشقان نمی رقصیدیم.
در محفل عاشقان خوشا رقصیدن.
دامن زبساط عافیت برچیدن.
 در دست سر بریده ی خود بردن.
در یک یک کوچه کوچه ها گردیدن.
سیصد گل سرخ، یک گل نصرانی.
ما را ز سر بریده می ترسانی.
ما گر زسر بریده می ترسیدیم.
 در محفل عاشقان نمی رقصیدیم.

 ظلم و ستمی که جامعۀ ممتحن و غیور اسم اعظم در سرزمین مقدّس ایران در طیّ سی و چهار سال گذشته با آن مواجه بوده دنبالۀ حملاتی است که در تاریخ صد و شصت و نه سالۀ آیین بهائی همواره با شدّتی کمتر یا بیشتر ادامه داشته است. بر خلاف انتظار کسانی که مصمّم بر تضعیف جمع پیروان حضرت بهاءالله در زادگاه آیین مقدّسش می‌باشند، دسیسه‌های دشمنان بالمآل موجب تقویت روح ایمان احبّا و تحکیم بنیان جامعه شده است. ایرانیان گرامی که خود قربانی مظالم فراوانند نه تنها بر بی‌عدالتی‌های وارده بر بهائیان واقفند بلکه در خدمات خالصانه و مستمرّ این جامعه نیرویی سازنده در جهت تغییر و احیای ایران عزیز مشاهده می‌کنند.

پیام بیت العدل اعظم الهی

There is one God; mankind is one;

This is a new cycle of human power. All the horizons of the world are luminous, and the world will become indeed as a garden and a paradise. It is the hour of unity of the sons of men and of the drawing together of all races and all classes. You are loosed from ancient superstitions which have kept men ignorant, destroying the foundation of true humanity.
The gift of God to this enlightened age is the knowledge of the oneness of mankind and of the fundamental oneness of religion. War shall cease between nations, and by the will of God the Most Great Peace shall come; the world will be seen as a new world, and all men will live as brothers....
There is one God; mankind is one; the foundations of religion are one. Let us worship Him, and give praise for all His great Prophets and Messengers who have manifested His brightness and glory. The blessing of the Eternal One be with you in all its richness, that each soul according to his measure may take freely of Him. Amen.

`Abdu'l-Bahá: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in London

Be illumined, be spiritual, be divine, be...

You must manifest complete love and affection toward all mankind. Do not exalt yourselves above others, but consider all as your equals, recognizing them as the servants of one God. Know that God is compassionate toward all; therefore, love all from the depths of your hearts, prefer all religionists before yourselves, be filled with love for every race, and be kind toward the people of all nationalities. Never speak disparagingly of others, but praise without distinction. Pollute not your tongues by speaking evil of another. Recognize your enemies as friends, and consider those who wish you evil as the wishers of good. You must not see evil as evil and then compromise with your opinion, for to treat in a smooth, kindly way one whom you consider evil or an enemy is hypocrisy, and this is not worthy or allowable. You must consider your enemies as your friends, look upon your evil-wishers as your well-wishers and treat them accordingly. Act in such a way that your heart may be free from hatred. Let not your heart be offended with anyone. If some one commits an error and wrong toward you, you must instantly forgive him. Do not complain of others. Refrain from reprimanding them, and if you wish to give admonition or advice, let it be offered in such a way that it will not burden the bearer. Turn all your thoughts toward bringing joy to hearts. Beware! Beware! lest ye offend any heart. Assist the world of humanity as much as possible. Be the source of consolation to every sad one, assist every weak one, be helpful to every indigent one, care for every sick one, be the cause of glorification to every lowly one, and shelter those who are overshadowed by fear.
In brief, let each one of you be as a lamp shining forth with the light of the virtues of the world of humanity. Be trustworthy, sincere, affectionate and replete with chastity. Be illumined, be spiritual, be divine, be glorious, be quickened of God, be a Bahá’í.

`Abdu'l-BaháThe Promulgation of Universal Peace

Utterance must needs possess ...

O My Name! Utterance must needs possess penetrating power. For if bereft of this quality it would fail to exert influence. And this penetrating influence dependeth on the spirit being pure and the heart stainless. Likewise it needeth moderation, without which the hearer would be unable to bear it, rather he would manifest opposition from the very outset. And moderation will be obtained by blending utterance with the tokens of divine wisdom which are recorded in the sacred Books and Tablets. Thus when the essence of one’s utterance is endowed with these two requisites it will prove highly effective and will be the prime factor in transforming the souls of men. This is the station of supreme victory and celestial dominion. Whoso attaineth thereto is invested with the power to teach the Cause of God and to prevail over the hearts and minds of men.

Bahá'u'lláh, (Tablet to Siyyid Mihdíy-i-Dahájí)

If it be Our pleasure We shall ...

Say: If it be Our pleasure We shall render the Cause victorious through the power of a single word from Our presence. He is in truth the Omnipotent, the All-Compelling. Should it be God’s intention, there would appear out of the forests of celestial might the lion of indomitable strength whose roaring is like unto the peals of thunder reverberating in the mountains. However, since Our loving providence surpasseth all things, We have ordained that complete victory should be achieved through speech and utterance, that Our servants throughout the earth may thereby become the recipients of divine good. This is but a token of God’s bounty vouchsafed unto them. Verily thy Lord is the All-Sufficing, the Most Exalted.

Bahá'u'lláh, (Tablet to Siyyid Mihdíy-i-Dahájí)

Let no excessive self-criticism or ...

Let no excessive self-criticism or any feelings of inadequacy, inability or inexperience hinder you or cause you to be afraid. Bury your fears in the assurances of Bahá'u'lláh. Has He not asserted that upon anyone who mentions His Name will descend the "hosts of Divine inspiration" and that on such a one will also descend the "Concourse on high, each bearing aloft a chalice of pure light"? Step forth, then, into the arena where all His loved ones are equally summoned, equally challenged and abundantly blessed. For to teach, Bahá'u'lláh Himself affirms, is to do the "most meritorious of all deeds". And at this extraordinary moment in the history of the planet, nothing whatever is of more critical importance than inviting people of every sort and every gift to the banquet table of the Lord of Hosts.
 As we send you this message, clearly before us is a vision of untold victories waiting to be seized. We are certain you can realize a myriad of these in the remaining time of the Three Year Plan. Just such an accomplishment must earnestly be striven for, so as to set the stage for the next global enterprise to be launched at Ridván 1996. There shall be mobilized then a world-embracing campaign to ensure a befitting crescendo to the achievements of a century regarded by no less than `Abdu'l-Bahá Himself as a period that will have "left traces which shall last forever".
 With loving Bahá'í greetings,

 The Universal House of Justice
Ridván 1995: Bahá'í Era 152

Every one of us. #ConnectTheWorld

Interesting concept.
Mankind whether he knows it or not is moving towards Baha'u'llah's Teachings.
Oneness of mankind.

"The principle of the Oneness of Mankind, as proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh, carries with it no more and no less than a solemn assertion that attainment to this final stage in this stupendous evolution is not only necessary but inevitable, that its realization is fast approaching, and that nothing short of a power that is born of God can succeed in establishing it."

Shoghi Effendi