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World peace is a goal of most peoples and many nations. It's an idea we hear a
lot about, especially these days, but how can we reach this goal? The Bahá’í
vision of world peace is both: long-term and immediate; individual and global;
practical and spiritual.
Peace is the major focus of the Bahá’í Faith, therefore there is a lot in the
Bahá’í writings about it. It begins with the idea that true peace is not an
absence of war; it is a commitment that individuals make to peace-building
thoughts, words, and behaviors. When a majority of individuals are practicing
these principals, real progress will be possible. There are numerous
components to building world peace spelled out in the Sacred Writings of the
Bahá’í Faith.
Individuals can do their part by:
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Eliminating of prejudice of all
kinds (racial, gender, national, economic, religious, etc.), as prejudice
and the lack of understanding behind it are the cause of many conflicts.
“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.”
~Bahá'u'lláh, The Arabic Hidden Words
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Recognition of the fundamental
unity and fellowship of all the peoples of the earth. This is not only a
mindset but ties in to the Golden Rule, found in all major religions and
philosophies.
"Blessed is he who preferreth his brother before himself. "
~Bahá’u’lláh,
Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, 71
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Acceptance of our individual
responsibilities, such as holding a job, being an informed citizen, being
loyal to our government while being non-partisan, and taking charge of our
own spiritual progress by regularly saying prayers, reading scripture and
participating in the spiritual community's activities.
Responsibilities of governments and leaders include:
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Choosing a language that will
be the universal secondary language around the world.
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Establishing a world tribunal
that the nations may take their cases to for judging; this would include a
court and a lawmaking body at the international level. The United Nations
became a first step towards this idea. More recently the International
Criminal Court has begun operations in The Hague.
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Making sure that education is
part of every person's upbringing. Ignorance is the root of prejudice and
conflict.
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Maintaining only the armaments
necessary for internal conflicts and to join with other nations in handling
international threats.
The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.
~ Bahá’u’lláh,
Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 250
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