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 goodwill. If it be accepted, if it
fulfill its purpose, your object is attained. If anyone 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.
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....
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.
2. O SON OF SPIRIT!
The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away
therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in
thee. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the
eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the
knowledge of thy neighbor. Ponder this in thy heart; how it behooveth thee
to be. Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My
loving-kindness. Set it then before thine eyes.
29. O SON OF BEING! Ascribe not to any soul that which thou wouldst not
have ascribed to thee, and say not that which thou doest not. This is My
command unto thee, do thou observe it.
68. O CHILDREN OF MEN!
Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should
exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye
were created. Since We have created you all from one same substance it is
incumbent on you to be even as one soul, to walk with the same feet, eat
with the same mouth and dwell in the same land, that from your inmost
being, by your deeds and actions, the signs of oneness and the essence of
detachment may be made manifest. Such is My counsel to you, O concourse of
light! Heed ye this counsel that ye may obtain the fruit of holiness from
the tree of wondrous glory.
I.--The first principle of Bahá'u'lláh is: The Search for
Truth
Man must cut himself free from all prejudice and from the result of his
own imagination, so that he may be able to search for truth unhindered.
Truth is one in all religions, and by means of it the unity of the world
can be realized.
All the peoples have a fundamental belief in common. Being one,
truth cannot be divided, and the differences that appear to exist among
the nations only result from their attachment to prejudice. If only men
would search out truth, they would find themselves united.
II.--The second principle of Bahá'u'lláh is: The Unity of
Mankind
The one all-loving God bestows His divine Grace and Favour on all
mankind; one and all are servants of the Most High, and His Goodness,
Mercy and loving Kindness are showered upon all His creatures. The glory
of humanity is the heritage of each one.
All men are the leaves and fruit of one same tree, they are all
branches of the tree of Adam, they all have the same origin. The same rain
has fallen upon them all, the same warm sun makes them grow, they are all
refreshed by the same breeze. The only differences that exist and that
keep them apart are these: there are the children who need guidance, the
ignorant to be instructed, the sick to be tended and healed; thus, I say
that the whole of humanity is enveloped by the Mercy and Grace of God. As
the Holy Writings tell us: All men are equal before God. He is no
respecter of persons...
V.--The fifth principle of Bahá'u'lláh is: Prejudices of
Religion, Race or Sect destroy the foundation of Humanity
All the divisions in the world, hatred, war and bloodshed, are
caused by one or other of these prejudices.
The whole world must be looked upon as one single country, all the
nations as one nation, all men as belonging to one race. Religions, races,
and nations are all divisions of man's making only, and are necessary only
in his thought; before God there are neither Persians, Arabs, French nor
English; God is God for all, and to Him all creation is one. We must obey
God, and strive to follow Him by leaving all our prejudices and bringing
about peace on earth.
THE FIFTH PRINCIPLE: THE ABOLITION OF PREJUDICES
All prejudices, whether of religion, race, politics or nation, must
be renounced, for these prejudices have caused the world's sickness. It is
a grave malady which, unless arrested, is capable of causing the
destruction of the whole human race. Every ruinous war, with its terrible
bloodshed and misery, has been caused by one or other of these prejudices.
The deplorable wars going on in these days are caused by the fanatical religious hatred of one people for another, or the prejudices of race or colour.
Until all these barriers erected by prejudice are swept away, it is not possible for humanity to be at peace. For this reason Bahá'u'lláh has said, `These Prejudices are destructive to mankind'.
Contemplate first the prejudice of religion: consider the nations of so-called religious people; if they were truly worshippers of God they would obey His law which forbids them to kill one another.
If priests of religion really adored the God of love and served the Divine Light, they would teach their people to keep the chief Commandment, `To be in love and charity with all men'. But we find the contrary, for it is often the priests who encourage nations to fight. Religious hatred is ever the most cruel!
All religions teach that we should love one another; that we should seek out our own shortcomings before we presume to condemn the faults of others, that we must not consider ourselves superior to our neighbours! We must be careful not to exalt ourselves lest we be humiliated.
Who are we that we should judge? How shall we know who, in the sight of God, is the most upright man? God's thoughts are not like our thoughts! How many men who have seemed saint-like to their friends have fallen into the greatest humiliation. Think of Judas Iscariot; he began well, but remember his end! On the other hand, Paul, the Apostle, was in his early life an enemy of Christ, whilst later he became His most faithful servant. How then can we flatter ourselves and despise others?
Let us therefore be humble, without prejudices, preferring others' good to our own! Let us never say, `I am a believer but he is an infidel', `I am near to God, whilst he is an outcast'. We can never know what will be the final judgment! Therefore let us help all who are in need of any kind of assistance.
Let us teach the ignorant, and take care of the young child until he grows to maturity. When we find a person fallen into the depths of misery or sin we must be kind to him, take him by the hand, help him to regain his footing, his strength; we must guide him with love and tenderness, treat him as a friend not as an enemy.
We have no right to look upon any of our fellow-mortals as evil.
Concerning the prejudice of race: it is an illusion, a superstition pure and simple! For God created us all of one race. There were no differences in the beginning, for we are all descendants of Adam. In the beginning, also, there were no limits and boundaries between the different lands; no part of the earth belonged more to one people than to another. In the sight of God there is no difference between the various races. Why should man invent such a prejudice? How can we uphold war caused by an illusion?
God has not created men that they should destroy one another. All races, tribes, sects and classes share equally in the Bounty of their Heavenly Father.
The only difference 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. The lovers of mankind, these are the superior men, of whatever nation, creed, or colour 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 Persian? Do you come from the East, or from the West?'
The only division that is real is this: There are heavenly men and earthly men; self-sacrificing servants of humanity in the love of the Most High, bringing harmony and unity, teaching peace and goodwill to men. On the other hand there are those selfish men, haters of their brethren, in whose hearts prejudice has replaced loving kindness, and whose influence breeds discord and strife.
To which race or to which colour belong these two divisions of men, to the White, to the Yellow, to the Black, to the East or to the West, to the North or to the South? If these are God's divisions, why should we invent others? Political prejudice is equally mischievous, it is one of the greatest causes of bitter strife amongst the children of men. There are people who find pleasure in breeding discord, who constantly endeavour to goad their country into making war upon other nations--and why? They think to advantage their own country to the detriment of all others. They send armies to harass and destroy the land, in order to become famous in the world, for the joy of conquest. That it may be said: `Such a country has defeated another, and brought it under the yoke of their stronger, more superior rule'. This victory, bought at the price of much bloodshed, is not lasting! The conqueror shall one day be conquered; and the vanquished ones victorious! Remember the history of the past: did not France conquer Germany more than once-- then did not the German nation overcome France?
We learn also that France conquered England; then was the English nation victorious over France!
These glorious conquests are so ephemeral! Why attach so great importance to them and to their fame, as to be willing to shed the blood of the people for their attainment? Is any victory worth the inevitable train of evils consequent upon human slaughter, the grief and sorrow and ruin which must overwhelm so many homes of both nations? For it is not possible that one country alone should suffer.
Oh! why will man, the disobedient child of God, who should be an example of the power of the spiritual law, turn his face away from the Divine Teaching and put all his effort into destruction and war?
My hope is that in this enlightened century the Divine Light of love will shed its radiance over the whole world, seeking out the responsive heart's intelligence of every human being; that the light of the Sun of Truth will lead politicians to shake off all the claims of prejudice and superstition, and with freed minds to follow the Policy of God: for Divine Politics are mighty, man's politics are feeble! God has created all the world, and bestows His Divine Bounty upon every creature.
Are we not the servants of God? Shall we neglect to follow our Master's Example, and ignore His Commands?
I pray that the Kingdom shall come on Earth, and that all darkness shall
be driven away by the effulgence of the Heavenly Sun.
Man has two aspects: the physical, which is subject to nature, and the
merciful or divine, which is connected with God. If the physical or
natural disposition in him should overcome the heavenly and merciful, he
is, then, the most degraded of animal beings; and if the divine and
spiritual should triumph over the human and natural, he is, verily, an
angel. The Prophets come into the world to guide and educate humanity so
that the animal nature of man may disappear and the divinity of his powers
become awakened. The divine aspect or spiritual nature consists of the
breaths of the Holy Spirit. The second birth of which Jesus has spoken
refers to the appearance of this heavenly nature in man. It is expressed
in the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and he who is baptized by the Holy
Spirit is a veritable manifestation of divine mercy to mankind. Then he
becomes just and kind to all humanity; he entertains prejudice and ill
will toward none; he shuns no nation or people.
But there is need of a superior power to overcome human prejudices, a power which nothing in the world of mankind can withstand and which will overshadow the effect of all other forces at work in human conditions. That irresistible power is the love of God. It is my hope and prayer that it may destroy the prejudice of this one point of distinction between you and unite you all permanently under its hallowed protection. Bahá'u'lláh has proclaimed the oneness of the world of humanity. He has caused various nations and divergent creeds to unite. He has declared that difference of race and color is like the variegated beauty of flowers in a garden. If you enter a garden, you will see yellow, white, blue, red flowers in profusion and beauty--each radiant within itself and although different from the others, lending its own charm to them. Racial difference in the human kingdom is similar. If all the flowers in a garden were of the same color, the effect would be monotonous and wearying to the eye.
Therefore, Bahá'u'lláh hath said that the various races of
humankind lend a composite harmony and beauty of color to the whole. Let
all associate, therefore, in this great human garden even as flowers grow
and blend together side by side without discord or disagreement between
them.
The Sun of Divinity and of Reality has revealed itself in various mirrors. Though these mirrors are many, yet the Sun is one. The bestowals of God are one; the reality of the divine religion is one. Consider how one and the same light has reflected itself in the different mirrors or manifestations of it. There are certain souls who are lovers of the Sun; they perceive the effulgence of the Sun from every mirror. They are not fettered or attached to the mirrors; they are attached to the Sun itself and adore it, no matter from what point it may shine. But those who adore the mirror and are attached to it become deprived of witnessing the light of the Sun when it shines forth from another mirror. For instance, the Sun of Reality revealed itself from the Mosaic mirror. The people who were sincere accepted and believed in it. When the same Sun shone from the Messianic mirror, the Jews who were not lovers of the Sun and who were fettered by their adoration of the mirror of Moses did not perceive the lights and effulgences of the Sun of Reality resplendent in Jesus; therefore, they were deprived of its bestowals. Yet the Sun of Reality, the Word of God, shone from the Messianic mirror through the wonderful channel of Jesus Christ more fully and more wonderfully. Its effulgences were manifestly radiant, but even to this day the Jews are holding to the Mosaic mirror. Therefore, they are bereft of witnessing the lights of eternity in Jesus.
In brief, the sun is one sun, the light is one light which shines upon all phenomenal beings. Every creature has a portion thereof, but the pure mirror can reveal the story of its bounty more fully and completely. Therefore, we must adore the light of the Sun, no matter through what mirror it may be revealed. We must not entertain prejudice, for prejudice is an obstacle to realization. Inasmuch as the effulgence is one effulgence, the human realities must all become recipients of the same light, recognizing in it the compelling force that unites them in its illumination.
As this is the radiant century, it is my hope that the Sun of Truth may
illumine all humanity. May the eyes be opened and the ears become
attentive; may souls become resuscitated and consort together in the
utmost harmony as recipients of the same light. Perchance, God will remove
this strife and warfare of thousands of years. May this bloodshed pass
away, this tyranny and oppression cease, this warfare be ended. May the
light of love shine forth and illumine hearts, and may human lives be
cemented and connected until all of us may find agreement and tranquillity
beneath the same tabernacle and with the standard of the Most Great Peace
above us move steadily onward.
Other wars are caused by purely imaginary racial differences; for
humanity is one kind, one race and progeny, inhabiting the same globe. In
the creative plan there is no racial distinction and separation such as
Frenchman, Englishman, American, German, Italian or Spaniard; all belong
to one household. These boundaries and distinctions are human and
artificial, not natural and original. All mankind are the fruits of one
tree, flowers of the same garden, waves of one sea. In the animal kingdom
no such distinction and separation are observed. The sheep of the East and
the sheep of the West would associate peacefully. The Oriental flock would
not look surprised as if saying, "These are sheep of the Occident;
they do not belong to our country." All would gather in harmony and
enjoy the same pasture without evidence of local or racial distinction.
The birds of different countries mingle in friendliness. We find these
virtues in the animal kingdom. Shall man deprive himself of these virtues?
Man is endowed with superior reasoning power and the faculty of
perception; he is the manifestation of divine bestowals. Shall racial
ideas prevail and obscure the creative purpose of unity in his kingdom?
Shall he say, "I am a German," "I am a Frenchman" or
an "Englishman" and declare war because of this imaginary and
human distinction? God forbid! This earth is one household and the native
land of all humanity; therefore, the human race should ignore distinctions
and boundaries which are artificial and conducive to disagreement and
hostility. We have come from the East. Praise be to God! We find this
continent prosperous, the climate salubrious and delightful, the
inhabitants genial and courteous, the government equitable and just. Shall
we entertain any other thought and feeling than that of love for you?
Shall we say, "This is not our native land; therefore, everything is
objectionable"? This would be gross ignorance to which man must not
subject himself. Man is endowed with powers to investigate reality, and
the reality is that humanity is one in kind and equal in the creative
plan. Therefore, false distinctions of race and native land, which are
factors and causes of warfare, must be abandoned.
Sixty years ago Bahá'u'lláh was in Persia. Seventy years
ago the Báb appeared there. These two Blessed Souls devoted Their
lives to the foundation of international peace and love among mankind.
They strove with heart and soul to establish the teachings by which
divergent people might be brought together and no strife, rancor or hatred
prevail. Bahá'u'lláh, addressing all humanity, said that
Adam, the parent of mankind, may be likened to the tree of nativity upon
which you are the leaves and blossoms. Inasmuch as your origin was one,
you must now be united and agreed; you must consort with each other in joy
and fragrance. He pronounced prejudice--whether religious, racial,
patriotic, political--the destroyer of the body politic. He said that man
must recognize the oneness of humanity, for all in origin belong to the
same household, and all are servants of the same God. Therefore, mankind
must continue in the state of fellowship and love, emulating the
institutions of God and turning away from satanic promptings, for the
divine bestowals bring forth unity and agreement, whereas satanic leadings
induce hatred and war.
Likewise, the divine religions of the holy Manifestations of God are in
reality one, though in name and nomenclature they differ. Man must be a
lover of the light, no matter from what dayspring it may appear. He must
be a lover of the rose, no matter in what soil it may be growing. He must
be a seeker of the truth, no matter from what source it come. Attachment
to the lantern is not loving the light. Attachment to the earth is not
befitting, but enjoyment of the rose which develops from the soil is
worthy. Devotion to the tree is profitless, but partaking of the fruit is
beneficial. Luscious fruits, no matter upon what tree they grow or where
they may be found, must be enjoyed. The word of truth, no matter which
tongue utters it, must be sanctioned. Absolute verities, no matter in what
book they be recorded, must be accepted. If we harbor prejudice, it will
be the cause of deprivation and ignorance. The strife between religions,
nations and races arises from misunderstanding. If we investigate the
religions to discover the principles underlying their foundations, we will
find they agree; for the fundamental reality of them is one and not
multiple. By this means the religionists of the world will reach their
point of unity and reconciliation. They will ascertain the truth that the
purpose of religion is the acquisition of praiseworthy virtues, the
betterment of morals, the spiritual development of mankind, the real life
and divine bestowals. All the Prophets have been the promoters of these
principles; none of Them has been the promoter of corruption, vice or
evil. They have summoned mankind to all good. They have united people in
the love of God, invited them to the religions of the unity of mankind and
exhorted them to amity and agreement.
And among the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh is that religious,
racial, political, economic and patriotic prejudices destroy the edifice
of humanity. As long as these prejudices prevail, the world of humanity
will have no rest. For a period of six thousand years history informs us
about the world of humanity. During these six thousand years the world of
humanity has not been free from war, strife, murder and bloodthirstiness.
In every period war has been waged in one country or another, and that war
was due to either religious prejudice, racial prejudice, political
prejudice or patriotic prejudice. It has, therefore, been ascertained and
proved that all prejudices are destructive of the human edifice. As long
as these prejudices persist, the struggle for existence must remain
dominant, and bloodthirstiness and rapacity continue. Therefore, even as
was the case in the past, the world of humanity cannot be saved from the
darkness of nature, and cannot attain illumination, except through the
abandonment of prejudices and the acquisition of the morals of the
Kingdom....
Today I am most happy, for I see here [Howard University] a gathering of the servants of God. I see the white and colored people together. In the estimation of God there is no distinction of color; all are one in the color and beauty of servitude to Him. Color is not important; the heart is all-important. It matters not what the exterior may be if the heart be pure and white within. God does not behold differences of hue and complexion; He looks at the hearts. He whose morals and virtues are praiseworthy is preferred in the presence of God; he who is devoted to the Kingdom is most beloved. In the realm of genesis and creation the question of color is of least importance.
The mineral kingdom abounds with many-colored substances and compositions but we find no strife among them on that account. In the kingdom of the plant and vegetable, distinct and variegated hues exist but the fruit and flowers are not in conflict for that reason. Nay, rather, the very fact that there is difference and variety lends a charm to the garden. If all were of the same color the effect would be monotonous and depressing. 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. In the animal kingdom also we find variety of color. See how the doves differ in beauty yet they live together in perfect peace, and love each other. They do not make difference of color a cause of discord and strife. They view each other as the same species and kind. They know they are one in kind. Often a white dove soars aloft with a black one. Throughout the animal kingdom we do not find the creatures separated because of color. They recognize unity of species and oneness of kind. If we do not find color 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.
Therefore today I am exceedingly glad that both white and colored people have gathered here and I hope the time will come when they shall live together in the utmost peace, unity and friendship. I wish to say one thing of importance to both in order that the white race may be just and kind to the colored and that the colored race may in turn be grateful and appreciative toward the white. The great proclamation of liberty and emancipation from slavery was made upon this continent. A long bloody war was fought by white men for the sake of colored people. These white men forfeited their possessions and sacrificed their lives by thousands in order that colored men might be freed from bondage. The colored population of the United States of America are possibly not fully informed of the wide-reaching effect of this freedom and emancipation upon their colored brethren in Asia and Africa where even more terrible conditions of slavery existed. Influenced and impelled by the example of the United States, the European powers proclaimed universal liberty to the colored race and slavery ceased to exist. This effort and accomplishment by the white nations should never be lost sight of. Both races should rejoice in gratitude, for the institution of liberty and equality here became the cause of liberating your fellow-beings elsewhere. The colored people of this country are especially fortunate, for, Praise be to God! conditions here are so much higher than in the East and comparatively few differences exist in the possibility of equal attainments with the white race. May both develop toward the highest degree of equality and altruism. May you be drawn together in friendship and may extraordinary development make brotherhood a reality and truth. I pray in your behalf that there shall be no name other than that of humanity among you.
Therefore strive earnestly and put forth your greatest endeavor toward
the accomplishment of this fellowship and the cementing of this bond of
brotherhood between you. Such an attainment is not possible without will
and effort on the part of each; from one, expressions of gratitude and
appreciation; from the other kindliness and recognition of equality. 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 and remain no longer. I am pleased to see you at this gathering,
white and dark, and I praise God that I have had this opportunity of
seeing you loving each other, for this is the means of the glory of
humanity. This is the means of the good-pleasure of God and of eternal
bliss in His Kingdom. Therefore I pray in your behalf that you may attain
to the fullest of love and that the day may come when all differences
between you may disappear.
My admonition and exhortation to you is this: Be kind to all people,
love humanity, consider all mankind as your relations and servants of the
most high God. Strive day and night that animosity and contention may pass
away from the hearts of men, that all religions shall become reconciled
and the nations love each other, so that no racial, religious or political
prejudice may remain and the world of humanity behold God as the beginning
and end of all existence. God has created all and all return to God.
Therefore love humanity with all your heart and soul. If you meet a poor
man, assist him; if you see the sick, heal him; reassure the affrighted
one, render the cowardly noble and courageous, educate the ignorant,
associate with the stranger. Emulate God. Consider how kindly, how
lovingly He deals with all and follow His example. You must treat people
in accordance with the divine precepts; in other words, treat them as
kindly as God treats them, for this is the greatest attainment possible
for the world of humanity.
Racism, one of the most baneful and persistent evils, is a major barrier to peace. Its practice perpetrates too outrageous a violation of the dignity of human beings to be countenanced under any pretext. Racism retards the unfoldment of the boundless potentialities of its victims, corrupts its perpetrators, and blights human progress. Recognition of the oneness of mankind, implemented by appropriate legal measures, must be universally upheld if this problem is to be overcome...
Unbridled nationalism, as distinguished from a sane and legitimate patriotism, must give way to a wider loyalty, to the love of humanity as a whole. Bahá'u'lláh's statement is: "The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens." The concept of world citizenship is a direct result of the contraction of the world into a single neighbourhood through scientific advances and of the indisputable interdependence of nations. Love of all the world's peoples does not exclude love of one's country. The advantage of the part in a world society is best served by promoting the advantage of the whole. Current international activities in various fields which nurture mutual affection and a sense of solidarity among peoples need greatly to be increased.
Religious strife, throughout history, has been the cause of innumerable wars and conflicts, a major blight to progress, and is increasingly abhorrent to the people of all faiths and no faith. Followers of all religions must be willing to face the basic questions which this strife raises, and to arrive at clear answers. How are the differences between them to be resolved, both in theory and in practice? The challenge facing the religious leaders of mankind is to contemplate, with hearts filled with the spirit of compassion and a desire for truth, the plight of humanity, and to ask themselves whether they cannot, in humility before their Almighty Creator, submerge their theological differences in a great spirit of mutual forbearance that will enable them to work together for the advancement of human understanding and peace...
The cause of universal education, which has already enlisted in its service an army of dedicated people from every faith and nation, deserves the utmost support that the governments of the world can lend it. For ignorance is indisputably the principal reason for the decline and fall of peoples and the perpetuation of prejudice. No nation can achieve success unless education is accorded all its citizens. Lack of resources limits the ability of many nations to fulfil this necessity, imposing a certain ordering of priorities. The decision-making agencies involved would do well to consider giving first priority to the education of women and girls, since it is through educated mothers that the benefits of knowledge can be most effectively and rapidly diffused throughout society. In keeping with the requirements of the times, consideration should also be given to teaching the concept of world citizenship as part of the standard education of every child.
A fundamental lack of communication between peoples seriously undermines efforts towards world peace. Adopting an international auxiliary language would go far to resolving this problem and necessitates the most urgent attention...
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, recognize 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.
Acceptance of the oneness of mankind is the first fundamental
prerequisite for reorganization and administration of the world as one
country, the home of humankind. Universal acceptance of this spiritual
principle is essential to any successful attempt to establish world peace.
It should therefore be universally proclaimed, taught in schools, and
constantly asserted in every nation as preparation for the organic change
in the structure of society which it implies.