In light of the events in Sri Lanka and previously those in New Zealand, we wanted to devote several posts to the theme of religious unity and tolerance.  As we’ve presented on this site, Baha’u’llah taught that all the great religions stem from the same source and all people are under the shadow of one God.  He did that from an exalted perspective, within the claim of bearing the message of God for all humanity at our time in history.

Baha’u’llah’s teaching is  strikingly different from the perspectives of people who claim to speak for religion, or their particular religion, but promote intolerance, hatred, division, and persecution of others.  For Baha’is, one is regarded as being the Voice of God himself, the other from the veiled ideas of people who are using religion to mask intolerance and hatred.  Baha’u’llah referred to those kinds of ideas as “idle fancies’ and “vain imaginings” and made a clear distinction from them and true reality of God and His religion as taught by the Messengers of God throughout the centuries. 

We would like to share those passages from Baha’u’llah’s Tablets, as well as excerpts from the talks and writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’, bearing on this critical issue.  We hope that you find that they promote healing in the face of such overwhelming tragedy. The passages below are from Baha’u’llah and may be found in the text “Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah”. 

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.Exert yourselves that ye may attain this transcendent and most sublime station, the station that can ensure the protection and security of all mankind. This goal excelleth every other goal, and this aspiration is the monarch of all aspirations. So long, however, as the thick clouds of oppression, which obscure the day star of justice, remain undispelled, it would be difficult for the glory of this station to be unveiled to men’s eyes….

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….