Flora Teckie
We will be celebrating another International Day of Peace on September 21. Considering the escalating level of conflicts and wars in many parts of the world, we might be wondering if enduring peace is only a dream?
According to a statement from the Universal House of Justice, the governing council of the Bahá’í international community, “World peace is not only possible but inevitable. It is the next stage in the evolution of this planet.”
Of course, the abolition of war is not simply a matter of signing treaties and protocols. In order to achieve peace, we need to overcome several barriers that make achievement of peace unlikely. What are the barriers?
According to the Universal House of Justice, one of the major barriers to peace is racism. Can we have a peaceful world while racism continues to divide societies in many parts of the world?
The Universal House of Justice, in its statement titled “The Promise of World Peace”, says: “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.”
In its recent statement to the UN, titled “Embracing Interdependence”, the Bahá’í International Community says: “Without full acceptance of this principle (the oneness of humankind), lasting peace and prosperity will remain a distant hope, and even systems of global governance will tend to reinforce division, deepen inequalities and prioritise the interests of certain groups over the common good of all. It is our belief that placing the oneness of humankind at the heart of international affairs is a necessary prerequisite to stave off further catastrophe and secure lasting peace and harmony.”
Acceptance of, and adherence to, the principle of the oneness of humanity, of course, does not imply suppressing cultural and intellectual diversity or undermining national autonomy. It is rather to broaden the basis of the foundations of society by calling for a wider loyalty, a loyalty to the human race and its watchword being “unity in diversity”.
The Universal House of Justice, emphasising the need to love people of all nations, says: “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 … 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.”
Other barriers to peace, include: religious fanaticism and strife, gender inequality, lack of universal access to education, extremes of wealth and poverty, or not being able to communicate with people of different linguistic backgrounds.
According to the governing council of the Bahá’í international community: “It is through love for all people, and by subordinating lesser loyalties to the best interests of humankind, that the unity of the world can be realised and the infinite expressions of human diversity find their highest fulfilment.”
Teckie is a professional architect, a Bahá’í Faith follower, and spiritual columnist.
The Star