,"o ,common ,fai? by ,baha'i ,int]national ,community ,edition #a1 7,septemb] #bjjf7 ,,baha',i ,,t]ms ,,( ,,use ,y h p]mission to freely make & use copies ( ! text & any o!r in=mation 7,cont5t7 available on ?is ,site includ+ pr9t+1 email+1 po/+1 di/ribut+1 copy+1 d[nload+1 upload+1 transmitt+1 display+ ! ,cont5t 9 :ole or 9 "p subject to ! foll[+3 #a4 ,our copyright notice & ! s\rce ref]5ce mu/ be atta*$ to ! ,cont5t2 #b4 ,! ,cont5t may n be modifi$ or alt]$ 9 any way except to *ange ! font or appe>ance2 #c4 ,! ,cont5t mu/ be us$ solely = a non-comm]cial purpose4 ,al?\gh ?is blanket p]mission to reproduce ! ,cont5t is giv5 freely su* t no special p]mission is requir$1 ! ,bah' ,int]national ,community reta9s full copyright protection = all ,cont5t includ$ at ?is ,site "u all applicable national & int]national laws4 ,= p]mission to publi%1 transmit1 display or o!rwise use ! ,cont5t = any comm]cial purpose1 please contact u 7http3_/_/ref]5ce4bahai4org_/en_/contact 4html74 ,,cont5ts ,baha'i ,t]ms ( ,use ,,=eword ,,"o ,,common ,,fai? 8,!re is e reason = confid5ce t ! p]iod ( hi/ory n[4440 8,! reawak5$ int]e/ 9 religion is cle>ly f> f hav+ rea*$4440 8,9 addition to disillusionm5t ) ! promises ( mat]ialism1 a4440 8,?r\gh\t hi/ory1 ! prim>y ag5ts ( spiritual developm5t h4440 8,! dilemma is bo? artificial & self-inflict$4 ,! _w ord]1 if4440 8,! objection mo/ commonly rais$ aga9/ ! =ego+ conception4440 8,fre$ f ! ?ickets ) :i* !ology has h$g$ religi\s4440 8,confusion ab\t ! role ( religion 9 cultivat+ moral4440 8,! exig5cies ( ! new age ( human exp]i5ce to :i*4440 8,! p[] ?r\gh :i* ^! goals w be progressively realiz$ is4440 8,a coroll>y ( ! ab&onm5t ( fai? 9 ,god has be5 a p>alysis (4440 8,ev]y?+ 9 its hi/ory has equipp$ ! ,bah'4440 8,"o ( ! di/+ui%+ features ( mod]nity has be5 ! univ]sal4440 ,,=eword ,at ,rivn #bjjb1 we address$ an op5 lett] to ! _w's religi\s lead]s4 ,our action arose out ( aw>5ess t ! disease ( sect>ian hatr$s1 if n decisively *eck$1 ?reat5s h>r[+ consequ5ces t w leave few areas ( ! _w unaffect$4 ,! lett] ackn[l$g$ ) appreciation ! a*ievem5ts ( ! int]fai? movem5t1 to :i* ,bah's h s\ght to contribute s9ce an e>ly po9t 9 ! movem5t's em]g5ce4 ,nev]!less1 we felt we mu/ be =?right 9 say+ t1 if ! religi\s crisis is to be address$ z s]i\sly z is occurr+ ) respect to o!r prejudices afflict+ humank9d1 organiz$ religion mu/ f9d )9 itself a comp>able c\rage to rise above fix$ conceptions inh]it$ f a di/ant pa/4 ,above all1 we express$ our conviction t ! "t has come :5 religi\s lead]%ip mu/ face hone/ly & )\t fur!r evasion ! implications ( ! tru? t ,god is "o & t1 beyond all div]sity ( cultural expression & human int]pretation1 religion is likewise "o4 ,x 0 intimations ( ?is tru? t orig9ally inspir$ ! int]fai? movem5t & t h su/a9$ x ?r\gh ! vicissitudes ( ! pa/ "o hundr$ ye>s4 ,f> f *all5g+ ! validity ( any ( ! great reveal$ fai?s1 ! pr9ciple has ! capacity to ensure _! cont9u+ relevance4 ,9 ord] to ex]t its influ5ce1 h[ev]1 recognition ( ?is reality mu/ op]ate at ! he>t ( religi\s disc\rse1 & x 0 ) ?is 9 m9d t we felt t our lett] %\ld be explicit 9 articulat+ x4 ,response has be5 enc\rag+4 ,bah' in/itutions ?r\gh\t ! _w ensur$ t ?\s&s ( copies ( ! docum5t 7 deliv]$ to influ5tial figures 9 ! major fai? communities4 ,:ile x 0 p]haps n surpris+ t ! message x conta9$ 0 dismiss$ out ( h& 9 a few circles1 ,bah's report t1 9 g5]al1 !y 7 w>mly welcom$4 ,p>ticul>ly affect+ has be5 ! obvi\s s9c]ity ( _m recipi5ts' di/ress ov] ! failure ( religi\s in/itutions to assi/ humanity 9 deal+ ) *all5ges ^: ess5tial nature is spiritual & moral4 ,discussions h turn$ readily to ! ne$ = fundam5tal *ange 9 ! way ! believ+ masses ( humank9d relate to "o ano!r1 & 9 a significant numb] ( in/ances1 ^? receiv+ ! lett] h be5 mov$ to reproduce & di/ribute x to o!r cl]ics 9 _! respective traditions4 ,we feel hopeful t our initiative may s]ve z a cataly/ op5+ ! way to new und]/&+ ( religion's purpose4 ,h[ev] rapidly or sl[ly ?is *ange occurs1 ! conc]n ( ,bah's mu/ be ) _! own responsibility 9 ! matt]4 ,! task ( ensur+ t ,8 message is engag$ by p ev]y:]e is "o t ,bah'u'llh has laid prim>ily on ! %\ld]s ( ^? :o h recogniz$ ,him4 ,?is1 ( c\rse1 has be5 ! "w t ! ,bah' community has be5 pursu+ ?r\gh\t ! hi/ory ( ! ,fai?1 b ! accel]at+ breakd[n 9 social ord] calls out desp]ately = ! religi\s _s to be fre$ f ! %ackles t h s f> prev5t$ x f br++ to be> ! heal+ influ5ce ( :i* x is capable4 ,if !y are to respond to ! ne$1 ,bah's mu/ draw on a deep und]/&+ ( ! process by :i* humanity's spiritual life evolves4 ,bah'u'llh's writ+s provide insights t c help to elevate discussion ( religi\s issues above sect>ian & transi5t consid]ations4 ,! responsibility to avail oneself ( ?is spiritual res\rce is insep>able f ! gift ( fai? itself4 8,religi\s fanaticism & hatr$01 ,bah'u'llh w>ns1 8are a _w-dev\r+ fire1 ^: viol5ce none c qu5*4 ,! ,h& ( ,div9e p[] c1 alone1 deliv] mank9d f ?is desolat+ affliction44440 ,f> f feel+ unsupport$ 9 _! ef=ts to respond1 ,bah's w come increas+ly to appreciate t ! ,cause !y s]ve repres5ts ! arr[head ( an awak5+ tak+ place among p ev]y:]e1 reg>dless ( religi\s backgr\nd & inde$ among _m ) no religi\s lean+4 ,reflection on ! *all5ge has prompt$ u to commission ! comm5t>y t foll[s4 ,"o ,common ,fai?1 prep>$ "u our sup]vision1 reviews relevant passages f bo? ! writ+s ( ,bah'u'llh & ! scriptures ( o!r fai?s aga9/ ! backgr\nd ( ! contempor>y crisis4 ,we comm5d x to ! ?\ghtful /udy ( ! fri5ds4 ,! ,univ]sal ,h\se ( ,ju/ice ,naw-,rz1 #bjje ,,"o ,,common ,,fai? 8,!re is e reason = confid5ce t ! p]iod ( hi/ory n[4440 ,!re is e reason = confid5ce t ! p]iod ( hi/ory n[ op5+ w be f> m receptive to ef=ts to spread ,bah'u'llh's message ?an 0 ! case 9 ! c5tury j end$4 ,all ! signs indicate t a sea *ange 9 human consci\sness is "u way4 ,e>ly 9 ! tw5tie? c5tury1 a mat]iali/ic int]pretation ( reality _h consolidat$ itself s completely z to become ! dom9ant _w fai? ins(> z ! direction ( society 0 conc]n$4 ,9 ! process1 ! civiliz+ ( human nature _h be5 viol5tly wr5*$ out ( ! orbit x _h foll[$ = mill5nia4 ,= _m 9 ! ,we/1 ! ,div9e au?ority t _h function$ z ! focal c5tre ( guidance--h[ev] div]se ! int]pretations ( its nature--seem$ simply to h dissolv$ & vani%$4 ,9 l>ge measure1 ! individual 0 left free to ma9ta9 :atev] relation%ip he believ$ connect$ 8 life to a _w transc5d+ mat]ial exi/5ce1 b society z a :ole proce$$ ) gr[+ confid5ce to sev] dep5d5ce on a conception ( ! univ]se t 0 judg$ to be at be/ a fiction & at wor/ an opiate1 9 ei!r case inhibit+ progress4 ,humanity _h tak5 its de/9y into its own h&s4 ,x _h solv$ ?r\gh rational exp]im5tation & disc\rse--s p 7 giv5 to believe--all ( ! fundam5tal issues relat$ to human gov]nance & developm5t4 ,?is po/ure 0 re9=c$ by ! assumption t ! values1 ideals & discipl9es cultivat$ ov] ! c5turies 7 n[ reliably fix$ & endur+ features ( human nature4 ,!y ne$$ m]ely to be ref9$ by education & re9=c$ by legislative action4 ,! moral legacy ( ! pa/ 0 j t3 humanity's indefeasible inh]itance1 requir+ no fur!r religi\s int]v5tions4 ,admitt$ly1 undiscipl9$ individuals1 gr\ps or ev5 nations w\ld cont9ue to ?reat5 ! /ability ( ! social ord] & call = correction4 ,! univ]sal civilization t[>ds ! realization ( :i* all ! =ces ( hi/ory _h be5 be>+ ! human race1 h[ev]1 0 irresi/ibly em]g+1 inspir$ by secul> conceptions ( reality4 ,p's happ9ess w\ld be ! natural result ( bett] heal?1 bett] food1 bett] education1 bett] liv+ conditions--& ! atta9m5t ( ^! unque/ionably desirable goals n[ seem$ to be )9 ! rea* ( a society s+le-m9d$ly focus$ on _! pursuit4 ,?r\gh\t t "p ( ! _w :]e ! va/ majority ( ! e>?'s population live1 facile ann\ncem5ts t 8,god is ,dead0 _h pass$ l>gely unnotic$4 ,! exp]i5ce ( ! peoples ( ,africa1 ,asia1 ,lat9 ,am]ica & ! ,pacific _h long confirm$ !m 9 ! view n only t human nature is deeply influ5c$ by spiritual =ces1 b t its v id5tity is spiritual4 ,consequ5tly1 religion cont9u$1 z _h always be5 ! case1 to function z ! ultimate au?ority 9 life4 ,^! convictions1 :ile n directly confront$ by ! ideological revolution tak+ place 9 ! ,we/1 7 effectively m>g9aliz$ by x1 ins(> z int]action among peoples & nations 0 conc]n$4 ,hav+ p5etrat$ & captur$ all significant c5tres ( p[] & in=mation at ! global level1 dogmatic mat]ialism ensur$ t no compet+ voices w\ld reta9 ! ability to *all5ge projects ( _w wide economic exploitation4 ,to ! cultural damage already inflict$ by two c5turies ( colonial rule 0 add$ an agoniz+ disjunction betwe5 ! inn] & out] exp]i5ce ( ! masses affect$1 a condition invad+ virtually all aspects ( life4 ,helpless to ex]cise any real influ5ce ov] ! %ap+ ( _! futures or ev5 to pres]ve ! moral well-be+ ( _! *ildr51 ^! populations 7 plung$ into a crisis diff]5t f b 9 _m ways ev5 m deva/at+ ?an ! "o ga!r+ mom5tum 9 ,europe & ,nor? ,am]ica4 ,al?\gh reta9+ its c5tral role 9 consci\sness1 fai? appe>$ impot5t to influ5ce ! c\rse ( ev5ts4 ,z ! tw5tie? c5tury approa*$ its close1 !re=e1 no?+ seem$ less likely ?an a sudd5 resurg5ce ( religion z a subject ( consum+ global importance4 ,yet t is precisely :at has n[ occurr$ 9 ! =m ( a gr\ndswell ( anxiety & discont5t1 mu* ( x /ill only dimly consci\s ( ! s5se ( spiritual empt9ess t is produc+ x4 ,anci5t sect>ian conflicts1 app>5tly unresponsive to ! pati5t arts ( diplomacy1 h re-em]g$ ) a virul5ce z great z any?+ kn[n be=e4 ,scriptural !mes1 miracul\s ph5om5a & !ological dogmas t1 until rec5tly1 _h be5 dismiss$ z relics ( an age ( ignorance f9d !mselves solemnly1 if indiscrim9ately1 explor$ 9 influ5tial m$ia4 ,9 _m l&s1 religi\s cr$5tials take on new & compell+ significance 9 ! c&idature ( aspirants to political (fice4 ,a _w1 :i* _h assum$ t ) ! collapse ( ! ,b]l9 ,wall an age ( int]national peace _h dawn$1 is w>n$ t x is 9 ! grip ( a w> ( civilizations ^: def9+ "* is irreconcilable religi\s antipa?ies4 ,book/ores1 magaz9e /&s1 ,web sites & libr>ies /ruggle to satisfy an app>5tly inexhau/ible public appetite = in=mation on religi\s & spiritual subjects4 ,p]haps ! mo/ insi/5t factor 9 produc+ ! *ange is reluctant recognition t !re is no cr$ible replacem5t = religi\s belief z a =ce capable ( g5]at+ self-discipl9e & re/or+ commitm5t to moral behavi\r4 ,beyond ! att5tion t religion1 z =mally conceiv$1 has begun to comm& is a widespread revival ( spiritual se>*4 ,express$ mo/ commonly z an urge to discov] a p]sonal id5tity t transc5ds ! m]ely physical1 ! developm5t enc\rages a multitude ( pursuits1 bo? positive & negative 9 "*4 ,on ! "o h&1 ! se>* = ju/ice & ! promotion ( ! cause ( int]national peace t5d to h ! effect ( also ar\s+ new p]ceptions ( ! individual's role 9 society4 ,simil>ly1 al?\gh focus$ on ! mobilization ( support = *anges 9 social decision-mak+1 movem5ts l environm5talism & fem9ism induce a re-exam9ation ( p's s5se ( !mselves & ( _! purpose 9 life4 ,a reori5tation occurr+ 9 all ! major religi\s communities is ! accel]at+ migration ( believ]s f traditional bran*es ( ! p>5t fai?s to sects t atta* prim>y importance to ! spiritual se>* & p]sonal exp]i5ces ( _! memb]s4 ,at ! opposite pole1 extrat]re/rial sight+s1 8self-discov]y0 regim5s1 wild]ness retreats1 *>ismatic exaltation1 v>i\s ,new ,age en?usiasms1 & ! consci\sness-rais+ efficacy attribut$ to n>cotics & halluc9og5s attract foll[+s f> l>g] & m div]se ?an any?+ enjoy$ by spiritualism or !osophy at a simil> hi/orical turn+ po9t a c5tury ago4 ,= a ,bah'1 ! prolif]ation ev5 ( cults & practices t may ar\se av]sion 9 ! m9ds ( _m s]ves prim>ily z a rem9d] ( ! insight embodi$ 9 ! anci5t tale ( ,majnn1 :o sift$ ! du/ 9 8 se>* = ! belov$ ,layl1 al?\gh aw>e t %e 0 pure _s3 8,i seek h] ev]y:]e2 haply some:]e ,i %all f9d h]407#a7 8,! reawak5$ int]e/ 9 religion is cle>ly f> f hav+ rea*$4440 ,! reawak5$ int]e/ 9 religion is cle>ly f> f hav+ rea*$ its peak1 9 ei!r its explicitly religi\s or its less def9able spiritual manife/ations4 ,on ! contr>y4 ,! ph5om5on is ! product ( hi/orical =ces t /eadily ga!r mom5tum4 ,_! common effect is to erode ! c]ta9ty1 bequea!d to ! _w by ! tw5tie? c5tury1 t mat]ial exi/5ce repres5ts ultimate reality4 ,! mo/ obvi\s cause ( ^! re-evaluations has be5 ! bankruptcy ( ! mat]iali/ ent]prise itself4 ,= well ov] a hundr$ ye>s1 ! idea ( progress 0 id5tifi$ ) economic developm5t & ) its capacity to motivate & %ape social improvem5t4 ,^? diff]5ces ( op9ion t exi/$ did n *all5ge ?is _w view1 b only conceptions z to h[ its goals might be/ be atta9$4 ,its mo/ extreme =m1 ! iron dogma ( 8sci5tific mat]ialism01 s\ght to re9t]pret e aspect ( hi/ory & human behavi\r 9 its own n>r[ t]ms4 ,:atev] humanit>ian ideals may h inspir$ "s ( its e>ly propon5ts1 ! univ]sal consequ5ce 0 to produce regimes ( totalit>ian control prep>$ to use any means ( co]cion 9 regulat+ ! lives ( hapless populations subject$ to !m4 ,! goal held up z ju/ification ( su* abuses 0 ! creation ( a new k9d ( society t w\ld ensure n only fre$om f want b fulfilm5t = ! human _s4 ,at ! end1 aft] eight decades ( m\nt+ folly & brutality1 ! movem5t collaps$ z a cr$ible guide to ! _w's future4 ,o!r sy/ems ( social exp]im5tation1 :ile repudiat+ rec\rse to inhumane me?ods1 nev]!less d]iv$ _! moral & intellectual ?ru/ f ! same limit$ conception ( reality4 ,! view took root t1 s9ce p 7 ess5tially self-int]e/$ actors 9 matt]s p]ta9+ to _! economic well-be+1 ! build+ ( j & prosp]\s societies c\ld be ensur$ by "o or ano!r s*eme ( :at 0 describ$ z mod]nization4 ,! clos+ decades ( ! tw5tie? c5tury1 h[ev]1 sagg$ "u a m\nt+ burd5 ( evid5ce to ! contr>y3 ! breakd[n ( family life1 so>+ crime1 dysfunctional educational sy/ems1 & a catalogue ( o!r social pa?ologies t br+ to m9d ! sombre words ( ,bah'u'llh's w>n+ ab\t ! imp5d+ condition ( human society3 8,su* %all be its plight1 t to disclose x n[ w\ld n be meet & seemly407#b7 ,! fate ( :at ! _w has le>n$ to call social & economic developm5t has left no d\bt t n ev5 ! mo/ ideali/ic motives c correct mat]ialism's fundam5tal flaws4 ,born 9 ! wake ( ! *aos ( ! ,second ,_w ,w>1 8developm5t0 became by f> ! l>ge/ & mo/ ambiti\s collective und]tak+ on :i* ! human race has ev] emb>k$4 ,its humanit>ian motivation mat*$ its enorm\s mat]ial & te*nological inve/m5t4 ,fifty ye>s lat]1 :ile ackn[l$g+ ! impressive b5efits developm5t has br\ght1 ! ent]prise mu/ be adjudg$1 by its own /&>ds1 a di%e>t5+ failure4 ,f> f n>r[+ ! gap betwe5 ! well-be+ ( ! small segm5t ( ! human family :o enjoy ! b5efits ( mod]nity & ! condition ( ! va/ populations mir$ 9 hopeless want1 ! collective ef=t t began ) su* high hopes has se5 ! gap wid5 into an abyss4 ,consum] culture1 today's inh]itor by default ( mat]ialism's gospel ( human bett]m5t1 is unemb>rass$ by ! ephem]al nature ( ! goals t inspire x4 ,= ! small m9ority ( p :o c af=d !m1 ! b5efits x (f]s are imm$iate1 & ! rationale unapologetic4 ,embold5$ by ! breakd[n ( traditional morality1 ! advance ( ! new cre$ is ess5tially no m ?an ! triumph ( animal impulse1 z in/9ctive & bl9d z appetite1 releas$ at long la/ f ! re/ra9ts ( sup]natural sanctions4 ,its mo/ obvi\s casualty has be5 language4 ,t5d5cies once univ]sally ca/igat$ z moral fail+s mutate into necessities ( social progress4 ,selfi%ness becomes a priz$ comm]cial res\rce2 falsehood re9v5ts itself z public in=mation2 p]v]sions ( v>i\s k9ds unaba%$ly claim ! /atus ( civil rights4 ,"u appropriate euphemisms1 gre$1 lu/1 indol5ce1 pride--ev5 viol5ce--acquire n m]ely broad acceptance b social & economic value4 ,ironically1 z words h be5 dra9$ ( mean+1 s h ! v mat]ial com=ts & acquisitions = :i* tru? has be5 casually sacrific$4 ,cle>ly1 mat]ialism's error has la9 n 9 ! laudable ef=t to improve ! conditions ( life1 b 9 ! n>r[ness ( m9d & unju/ifi$ self-confid5ce t h def9$ its mission4 ,! importance bo? ( mat]ial prosp]ity & ( ! sci5tific & te*nological advances necess>y to its a*ievem5t is a !me t runs ?r\gh ! writ+s ( ! ,bah' ,fai?4 ,z 0 inevitable f ! outset1 h[ev]1 arbitr>y ef=ts to dis5gage su* physical & mat]ial well-be+ f humanity's spiritual & moral developm5t h end$ by =feit+ ! allegiance ( ! v populations ^: int]e/s a mat]iali/ic culture purports to s]ve4 8,witness h[ ! _w is be+ afflict$ ) a fre% calamity e day01 ,bah'u'llh w>ns4 8,its sickness is approa*+ ! /age ( utt] hopelessness1 inasmu* z ! true ,physician is deb>r$ f adm9i/]+ ! rem$y1 :il/ unskill$ practition]s are reg>d$ ) fav\r1 & are accord$ full fre$om to act407#c7 8,9 addition to disillusionm5t ) ! promises ( mat]ialism1 a4440 ,9 addition to disillusionm5t ) ! promises ( mat]ialism1 a =ce ( *ange und]m9+ ! misconceptions ab\t reality t humanity br\ght into ! tw5ty-fir/ c5tury is global integration4 ,at ! simple/ level1 x takes ! =m ( advances 9 communication te*nologies t op5 broad av5ues ( int]action among ! planet's div]se populations4 ,along ) facilitat+ int]p]sonal & int]social ex*anges1 g5]al access to in=mation has ! effect ( transmut+ ! cumulative le>n+ ( ! ages1 until rec5tly ! pres]ve ( privileg$ elites1 into ! patrimony ( ! entire human family1 )\t di/9ction ( nation1 race or culture4 ,) all ! gross inequities t global integration p]petuates--inde$ int5sifies--no in=m$ obs]v] c fail to ackn[l$ge ! /imulus to reflection ab\t reality t su* *anges h produc$4 ,) reflection has come a que/ion+ ( all e/abli%$ au?ority1 no long] m]ely t ( religion & morality1 b also ( gov]nm5t1 academia1 comm]ce1 ! m$ia &1 increas+ly1 sci5tific op9ion4 ,ap>t f te*nological factors1 unification ( ! planet is ex]t+ o!r1 ev5 m direct effects on ?\ght4 ,x w\ld be impossible to exagg]ate1 = example1 ! trans=mative impact on global consci\sness t has result$ f mass travel on an int]national scale4 ,great] /ill h be5 ! consequ5ces ( ! enorm\s migrations t ! _w has witness$ dur+ ! c5tury & a half s9ce ! ,bb decl>$ ,8 mission4 ,millions ( refugees flee+ f p]secution h swept l tidal waves back & =? across ! ,european1 ,african & ,asiatic cont95ts1 p>ticul>ly4 ,amid ! suff]+ su* turmoil has caus$1 "o p]ceives ! progressive integration ( ! _w's races & cultures z ! citiz5ry ( a s+le global homel&4 ,z a result1 p ( e backgr\nd h be5 expos$ to ! cultures & norms ( o!rs ab\t :om _! =efa!rs knew little or no?+1 excit+ a se>* = mean+ t _c be evad$4 ,x is impossible to imag9e h[ diff]5t ! hi/ory ( ! pa/ c5tury & a half w\ld h be5 _h any ( ! lead+ arbit]s ( _w affairs address$ by ,bah'u'llh sp>$ "t = reflection on a conception ( reality support$ by ! moral cr$5tials ( its ,au?or1 moral cr$5tials ( ! k9d !y pr(ess$ to hold 9 ! highe/ reg>d4 ,:at is unmi/akable to a ,bah' is t1 despite su* failure1 ! trans=mations ann\nc$ 9 ,bah'u'llh's message are resi/lessly accompli%+ !mselves4 ,?r\gh %>$ discov]ies & %>$ travails1 peoples ( div]se cultures are br\ght face to face ) ! common humanity ly+ j b5ea? ! surface ( imag9$ diff]5ces ( id5tity4 ,:e!r /ubbornly oppos$ 9 "s societies or welcom$ else:]e z a release f mean+less & suffocat+ limitations1 ! s5se t ! e>?'s inhabitants are inde$ 8! leaves ( "o tree07#d7 is sl[ly becom+ ! /&>d by :i* humanity's collective ef=ts are n[ judg$4 ,loss ( fai? 9 ! c]ta9ties ( mat]ialism & ! progressive globaliz+ ( human exp]i5ce re9=ce "o ano!r 9 ! long+ !y inspire = und]/&+ ab\t ! purpose ( exi/5ce4 ,basic values are *all5g$2 p>o*ial atta*m5ts are surr5d]$2 once un?9kable dem&s are accept$4 ,x is ?is univ]sal upheaval1 ,bah'u'llh expla9s1 = :i* ! scriptures ( pa/ religions employ$ ! imag]y ( 8! ,day ( ,resurrection03 8,! %\t ha? be5 rais$1 & ! p h come =? f _! graves1 & aris+1 are gaz+ ar\nd !m407#e7 ,b5ea? all ( ! dislocation & suff]+1 ! process is ess5tially a spiritual "o3 8,! breeze ( ! ,all-,m]ciful ha? waft$1 & ! s\ls h be5 quick5$ 9 ! tombs ( _! bodies407#f7 8,?r\gh\t hi/ory1 ! prim>y ag5ts ( spiritual developm5t h4440 ,?r\gh\t hi/ory1 ! prim>y ag5ts ( spiritual developm5t h be5 ! great religions4 ,= ! majority ( ! e>?'s p1 ! scriptures ( ea* ( ^! sy/ems ( belief h s]v$1 9 ,bah'u'llh's words1 z 8! ,city ( ,god017#g7 a s\rce ( a k t totally embraces consci\sness1 "o s compell+ z to end[ ! s9c]e ) 8a new eye1 a new e>1 a new he>t1 & a new m9d047#h7 ,a va/ lit]ature1 to :i* all religi\s cultures h contribut$1 records ! exp]i5ce ( transc5d5ce report$ by g5]ations ( seek]s4 ,d[n ! mill5nia1 ! lives ( ^? :o respond$ to intimations ( ! ,div9e h inspir$ brea?tak+ a*ievem5ts 9 music1 ar*itecture1 & ! o!r arts1 endlessly replicat+ ! s\l's exp]i5ce = millions ( _! fell[ believ]s4 ,no o!r =ce 9 exi/5ce has be5 able to elicit f p comp>able qualities ( h]oism1 self-sacrifice & self-discipl9e4 ,at ! social level1 ! result+ moral pr9ciples h repeat$ly translat$ !mselves into univ]sal codes ( law1 regulat+ & elevat+ human relation%ips4 ,view$ 9 p]spective1 ! major religions em]ge z ! prim>y driv+ =ces ( ! civiliz+ process4 ,to argue o!rwise is surely to ignore ! evid5ce ( hi/ory4 ,:y1 !n1 does ?is imm5sely ri* h]itage n s]ve z ! c5tral /age = today's reawak5+ ( spiritual que/8 ,on ! p]iph]y1 e>ne/ attempts are be+ made to re=mulate ! tea*+s t gave rise to ! respective fai?s1 9 ! hope ( imbu+ !m ) new appeal1 b ! great] "p ( ! se>* = mean+ is diffus$1 individuali/ic & incoh]5t 9 "*4 ,! scriptures h n *ang$2 ! moral pr9ciples !y conta9 h lo/ none ( _! validity4 ,no "o :o s9c]ely poses que/ions to ,heav51 if he p]si/s1 w fail to detect an answ]+ voice 9 ! ,psalms or 9 ! ,upani%ads4 ,anyone ) "s intimation ( ! ,reality t transc5ds ?is mat]ial "o w be t\*$ to ! he>t by ! words 9 :i* ,jesus or ,buddha speaks s intimately ( x4 ,! ,qur'n's apocalyptic visions cont9ue to provide compell+ assurance to its read]s t ! realization ( ju/ice is c5tral to ! ,div9e purpose4 ,nor1 9 _! ess5tial features1 d ! lives ( h]oes & sa9ts seem any less mean+ful ?an !y did :5 ^? lives 7 liv$ c5turies ago4 ,= _m religi\s p1 !re=e1 ! mo/ pa9ful aspect ( ! curr5t crisis ( civilization is t ! se>* = tru? has n turn$ ) confid5ce into religion's famili> av5ues4 ,! problem is1 ( c\rse1 tw(old4 ,! rational s\l does n m]ely occupy a private sph]e1 b is an active p>ticipant 9 a social ord]4 ,al?\gh ! receiv$ tru?s ( ! great fai?s rema9 valid1 ! daily exp]i5ce ( an individual 9 ! tw5ty-fir/ c5tury is unimag9ably remov$ f ! "o t he or %e w\ld h kn[n 9 any ( ^? ages :5 ?is guidance 0 reveal$4 ,democratic decision-mak+ has fundam5tally alt]$ ! relation%ip ( ! individual to au?ority4 ,) gr[+ confid5ce & gr[+ success1 wom5 ju/ly insi/ on _! "r to full equality ) m54 ,revolutions 9 sci5ce & te*nology *ange n only ! function+ b ! conception ( society1 inde$ ( exi/5ce itself4 ,univ]sal education & an explosion ( new fields ( creativity op5 ! way to insights t /imulate social mobility & integration1 & create opportunities ( :i* ! rule ( law enc\rages ! citiz5 to take full advantage4 ,/em cell rese>*1 nucle> en]gy1 sexual id5tity1 ecological /ress & ! use ( weal? raise1 at ! v lea/1 social que/ions t h no prec$5t4 ,^!1 & ! c\ntless o!r *anges affect+ e aspect ( human life1 h br\ght into be+ a new _w ( daily *oices = bo? society & its memb]s4 ,:at has n *ang$ is ! inescapable requirem5t ( mak+ su* *oices1 :e!r = bett] or worse4 ,x is "h t ! spiritual nature ( ! contempor>y crisis comes into %>pe/ focus because mo/ ( ! decisions call$ = are n m]ely practical b moral4 ,9 l>ge "p1 !re=e1 loss ( fai? 9 traditional religion has be5 an inevitable consequ5ce ( failure to discov] 9 x ! guidance requir$ to live ) mod]nity1 successfully & ) assurance4 ,a second b>ri] to a re-em]g5ce ( inh]it$ sy/ems ( belief z ! answ] to humanity's spiritual ye>n+s is ! effects already m5tion$ ( global integration4 ,?r\gh\t ! planet1 p rais$ 9 a giv5 religi\s frame ( ref]5ce f9d !mselves abruptly ?r[n into close association ) o!rs ^: beliefs & practices appe> at fir/ glance irreconcilably diff]5t f _! own4 ,! diff]5ces c & (t5 d give rise to def5siv5ess1 simm]+ res5tm5ts & op5 conflict4 ,9 _m cases1 h[ev]1 ! effect is r to prompt a reconsid]ation ( receiv$ doctr9e & to enc\rage ef=ts at discov]+ values held 9 common4 ,! support enjoy$ by v>i\s int]fai? activities d\btless owes a great deal to response ( ?is k9d among ! g5]al public4 ,inevitably1 ) su* approa*es comes a que/ion+ ( religi\s doctr9es t inhibit association & und]/&+4 ,if p ^: beliefs appe> to be fundam5tally diff]5t f "o's own nev]!less live moral lives t des]ve admiration1 :at is x t makes "o's own fai? sup]ior to !irs8 ,alt]natively1 if all ( ! great religions %>e c]ta9 basic values 9 common1 d n sect>ian atta*m5ts run ! risk ( m]ely re9=c+ unwant$ b>ri]s betwe5 an individual & 8 neighb\rs8 ,few today among ^? :o h "s degree ( objective famili>ity ) ! subject are likely1 !re=e1 to ent]ta9 an illusion t any "o ( ! e/abli%$ religi\s sy/ems ( ! pa/ c assume ! role ( ultimate guide = humank9d 9 ! issues ( contempor>y life1 ev5 9 ! improbable ev5t t its disp>ate sects %\ld come toge!r = t purpose4 ,ea* "o ( :at ! _w reg>ds z indep5d5t religions is set 9 ! m\ld creat$ by its au?oritative scripture & its hi/ory4 ,z x _c refa%ion its sy/em ( belief 9 a mann] to d]ive legitimacy f ! au?oritative words ( its ,f\nd]1 x likewise _c adequately answ] ! multitude ( que/ions pos$ by social & intellectual evolution4 ,di/ress+ z ?is may appe> to _m1 x is no m ?an an inh]5t feature ( ! evolution>y process4 ,attempts to =ce a rev]sal ( "s k9d c lead only to /ill great] dis5*antm5t ) religion itself & exac]bate sect>ian conflict4 8,! dilemma is bo? artificial & self-inflict$4 ,! _w ord]1 if4440 ,! dilemma is bo? artificial & self-inflict$4 ,! _w ord]1 if x c be s describ$1 )9 :i* ,bah's today pursue ! "w ( %>+ ,bah'u'llh's message is "o ^: misconceptions ab\t bo? human nature & social evolution are s fundam5tal z to sev]ely inhibit ! mo/ intellig5t & well-int5tion$ endeav\rs at human bett]m5t4 ,p>ticul>ly is ?is true ) respect to ! confusion t surr\nds virtually e aspect ( ! subject ( religion4 ,9 ord] to respond adequately to ! spiritual ne$s ( _! neighb\rs1 ,bah's w h to ga9 an 9-dep? und]/&+ ( ! issues involv$4 ,! ef=t ( imag9ation ?is *all5ge requires c be appreciat$ f ! advice t is p]haps ! mo/ frequ5tly & urg5tly reit]at$ admonition 9 ! writ+s ( _! ,fai?3 to 8m$itate01 to 8pond]01 to 8reflect04 ,a commonplace ( popul> disc\rse is t by 8religion0 is int5d$ ! multitude ( sects curr5tly 9 exi/5ce4 ,n surpris+ly1 su* a sugge/ion at once ar\ses prote/ 9 o!r qu>t]s t by religion is int5d$ r "o or ano!r ( ! great1 indep5d5t belief sy/ems ( hi/ory t h %ap$ & inspir$ :ole civilizations4 ,?is po9t ( view1 9 turn1 h[ev]1 runs up aga9/ ! inevitable qu]y z to :]e "o w f9d ^! hi/oric fai?s 9 ! contempor>y _w4 ,:]e1 precisely1 are 8,judaism01 8,buddhism01 8,*ri/ianity01 8,islm0 & ! o!rs1 s9ce !y obvi\sly _c be id5tifi$ ) ! irreconcilably oppos$ organizations t purport to speak au?oritatively 9 _! names8 ,nor does ! problem end !re4 ,yet ano!r response to ! enquiry w almo/ c]ta9ly be t by religion is int5d$ simply an attitude to life1 a s5se ( relation%ip ) a ,reality t transc5ds mat]ial exi/5ce4 ,religion1 s conceiv$1 is an attribute ( ! individual p]son1 an impulse n susceptible ( organization1 an exp]i5ce univ]sally available4 ,aga91 h[ev]1 su* an ori5tation w be se5 by a majority ( religi\sly m9d$ p]sons z lack+ ! v au?ority ( self-discipl9e & ! unify+ effect t give religion mean+4 ,"s objectors w\ld ev5 argue t1 on ! contr>y1 religion signifies ! life/yle ( p]sons :o1 l !mselves1 h adopt$ sev]e regim5s ( daily ritual & self-d5ial t set !m entirely ap>t f ! re/ ( society4 ,:at all su* diff]+ conceptions h 9 common is ! ext5t to :i* a ph5om5on t is ackn[l$g$ to completely transc5d human rea* has nev]!less gradually be5 imprison$ )9 conceptual limits--:e!r organizational1 !ological1 exp]i5tial or rituali/ic--( human inv5tion4 ,! tea*+s ( ,bah'u'llh cut ?r\gh ?is tangle ( inconsi/5t views &1 9 do+ s1 re=mulate _m tru?s :i*1 :e!r explicitly or implicitly1 h la9 at ! he>t ( all ,div9e revelation4 ,al?\gh 9 no way a compreh5sive read+ ( ,8 int5t1 ,bah'u'llh makes x cle> t attempts to capture or sugge/ ! ,reality ( ,god 9 cate*isms & cre$s are ex]cises 9 self-deception3 8,to e disc]n+ & illum9$ he>t x is evid5t t ,god1 ! unkn[able ,ess5ce1 ! div9e ,be+1 is imm5sely exalt$ beyond e human attribute1 su* z corporeal exi/5ce1 asc5t & desc5t1 egress & regress4 ,f> be x f ,8 glory t human tongue %\ld adequately rec\nt ,8 praise1 or t human he>t compreh5d ,8 fa?omless my/]y407#i7 ,! in/rum5tality ?r\gh :i* ! ,creator ( all ?+s int]acts ) ! ev]-evolv+ creation ,he has br\ght into be+ is ! appe>ance ( prophetic ,figures :o manife/ ! attributes ( an inaccessible ,div9ity3 8,! door ( ! k ( ! ,anci5t ( ,days be+ ?us clos$ 9 ! face ( all be+s1 ! ,s\rce ( inf9ite grace 444 ha? caus$ ^? lum9\s ,gems ( ,hol9ess to appe> out ( ! realm ( ! _s1 9 ! noble =m ( ! human temple1 & be made manife/ unto all m51 t !y may imp>t unto ! _w ! my/]ies ( ! un*angeable ,be+1 & tell ( ! subtleties ( ,8 imp]i%able ,ess5ce407#aj7 ,to presume to judge among ! ,mess5g]s ( ,god1 exalt+ "o above ! o!r1 w\ld be to give 9 to ! delusion t ! ,et]nal & ,all-,embrac+ is subject to ! vag>ies ( human pref]5ce4 8,x is cle> & evid5t to !e01 are ,bah'u'llh's precise words1 8t all ! ,prophets are ! ,temples ( ! ,cause ( ,god1 ,:o h appe>$ clo!d 9 div]s attire4 ,if ?\ wilt obs]ve ) discrim9at+ eyes1 ?\ wilt behold ,!m all abid+ 9 ! same tab]nacle1 so>+ 9 ! same heav51 seat$ ^u ! same ?rone1 utt]+ ! same spee*1 & proclaim+ ! same ,fai?407#aa7 ,to imag9e1 fur!r1 t ! nature ( ^! unique ,figures c be--or ne$s to be--encompass$ )9 !ories borr[$ f physical exp]i5ce is equally presumptu\s4 ,:at is meant by 8k ( ,god01 ,bah'u'llh expla9s1 is k ( ! ,manife/ations ,:o reveal ,8 w & attributes1 & x is "h t ! s\l comes into intimate association ) a ,creator ,:o is o!rwise beyond bo? language & appreh5sion3 8,i be> witness01 is ,bah'u'llh's ass]tion ab\t ! /ation ( ! ,manife/ation ( ,god1 8444t ?r\gh ,?y beauty ! beauty ( ! ,ador$ ,"o ha? be5 unveil$1 & ?r\gh ,?y face ! face ( ! ,desir$ ,"o ha? %one =?444407#ab7 ,religion1 ?us conceiv$1 awak5s ! s\l to pot5tialities t are o!rwise unimag9able4 ,to ! ext5t t an individual le>ns to b5efit f ! influ5ce ( ! revelation ( ,god = 8 age1 8 nature becomes progressively imbu$ ) ! attributes ( ! ,div9e _w3 8,?r\gh ! ,tea*+s ( ?is ,day ,/> ( ,tru?01 ,bah'u'llh expla9s1 8e man w advance & develop until he 444 c manife/ all ! pot5tial =ces ) :i* 8 inmo/ true self ha? be5 end[$407#ac7 ,z humanity's purpose includes ! c>ry+ =w>d ( 8an ev]-advanc+ civilization017#ad7 n ! lea/ ( ! extraord9>y p[]s t religion possesses has be5 its ability to free ^? :o believe f ! limitations ( "t itself1 elicit+ f !m sacrifices on behalf ( g5]ations c5turies into ! future4 ,inde$1 because ! s\l is immortal1 its awak5+ to its true nature emp[]s x1 n only 9 ?is _w b ev5 m directly 9 ^? worlds t lie beyond1 to s]ve ! evolution>y process3 8,! light :i* ^! s\ls radiate01 ,bah'u'llh ass]ts1 8is responsible = ! progress ( ! _w & ! advancem5t ( its peoples4444 ,all ?+s mu/ ne$s h a cause1 a motive p[]1 an animat+ pr9ciple4 ,^! s\ls & symbols ( deta*m5t h provid$1 & w cont9ue to provide1 ! supreme mov+ impulse 9 ! _w ( be+407#ae7 ,belief is ?us a necess>y & inext+ui%able urge ( ! species t has be5 describ$ by an influ5tial mod]n ?9k] z 8evolution become consci\s ( itself047#af7 ,if1 z ! ev5ts ( ! tw5tie? c5tury provide sad & compell+ evid5ce1 ! natural expression ( fai? is artificially block$1 x w inv5t objects ( wor%ip h[ev] unwor?y--or ev5 debas$--t may 9 "s measure appease ! ye>n+ = c]titude4 ,x is an impulse t w n be d5i$4 ,9 %ort1 ?r\gh ! ongo+ process ( revelation1 ! ,"o ,:o is ! ,s\rce ( ! sy/em ( k we call religion demon/rates t sy/em's integrity & its fre$om f ! contradictions impos$ by sect>ian ambitions4 ,! "w ( ea* ,manife/ation ( ,god has an autonomy & an au?ority t transc5d appraisal2 x is also a /age 9 ! limitless unfold+ ( a s+le ,reality4 ,because ! purpose ( ! successive revelations ( ,god is ! awak5+ ( humank9d to its capacities & responsibilities z ! tru/ee ( creation1 ! process is n simply repetitive1 b progressive1 & is fully appreciat$ only :5 p]ceiv$ 9 ?is context4 ,9 no s5se c ,bah's pr(ess to h grasp$ at ?is e>ly h\r m ?an a m9ute portion ( ! tru?s inh]5t 9 ! revelation on :i* _! ,fai? is bas$4 ,) ref]5ce1 = example1 to ! evolution ( ! ,cause1 ! ,gu>dian said1 8,all we c reasonably v5ture to attempt is to /rive to obta9 a glimpse ( ! fir/ /reaks ( ! promis$ ,dawn t mu/1 9 ! fullness ( "t1 *ase away ! gloom t has encircl$ humanity407#ag7 ,ap>t f enc\rag+ humility1 ?is fact %\ld s]ve also z a con/ant rem9d] t ,bah'u'llh has n br\ght into exi/5ce a new religion to /& beside ! pres5t multiplicity ( sect>ian organizations4 ,r has ,he reca/ ! :ole conception ( religion z ! pr9cipal =ce impell+ ! developm5t ( consci\sness4 ,z ! human race 9 all its div]sity is a s+le species1 s ! int]v5tion by :i* ,god cultivates ! qualities ( m9d & he>t lat5t 9 t species is a s+le process4 ,its h]oes & sa9ts are ! h]oes & sa9ts ( all /ages 9 ! /ruggle2 its successes1 ! successes ( all /ages4 ,?is is ! /&>d demon/rat$ 9 ! life & "w ( ! ,ma/] & exemplifi$ today 9 a ,bah' community t has become ! inh]itor ( humanity's entire spiritual legacy1 a legacy equally available to all ! e>?'s peoples4 ,! recurr+ pro( ( ! exi/5ce ( ,god1 !re=e1 is t f "t immemorial ,he has repeat$ly manife/$ ,himself4 ,9 ! l>g] s5se1 z ,bah'u'llh expla9s1 ! va/ epic ( humanity's religi\s hi/ory repres5ts ! fulfilm5t ( ! 8,cov5ant01 ! endur+ promise by :i* ! ,creator ( all ?+s assures ! race ( ! unfail+ guidance ess5tial to its spiritual & moral developm5t1 & calls on x to int]nalize & give expression to ^! values4 ,"o is free to dispute ?r\gh hi/orici/ int]pretations ( ! evid5ce ! unique role ( ?is or t ,mess5g] ( ,god1 if t is "o's purpose1 b su* speculation is ( no help 9 acc\nt+ = developm5ts t h trans=m$ ?\ght & produc$ *anges 9 human relation%ips critical to social evolution4 ,at int]vals s r>e t ! kn[n in/ances c be c\nt$ on "o's f+]s1 ! ,manife/ations ( ,god h appe>$1 h ea* be5 explicit z to ! au?ority ( ,8 tea*+s & h ea* ex]t$ an influ5ce on ! advance ( civilization incomp>ably beyond t ( any o!r ph5om5on 9 hi/ory4 8,consid] ! h\r at :i* ! supreme ,manife/ation ( ,god reveale? ,himself unto m501 ,bah'u'llh po9ts out3 8,ere t h\r come?1 ! ,anci5t ,be+1 ,:o is /ill unkn[n ( m5 & ha? n z yet giv5 utt]ance to ! ,^w ( ,god1 is ,himself ! ,all-,kn[] 9 a _w devoid ( any man t ha? kn[n ,him4 ,he is inde$ ! ,creator )\t a creation407#ah7 8,! objection mo/ commonly rais$ aga9/ ! =ego+ conception4440 ,! objection mo/ commonly rais$ aga9/ ! =ego+ conception ( religion is ! ass]tion t ! diff]5ces among ! reveal$ fai?s are s fundam5tal t to pres5t !m z /ages or aspects ( "o unifi$ sy/em ( tru? does viol5ce to ! facts4 ,giv5 ! confusion surr\nd+ ! nature ( religion1 ! reaction is und]/&able4 ,*iefly1 h[ev]1 su* an objection (f]s ,bah's an invitation to set ! pr9ciples review$ "h m explicitly 9 ! evolution>y context provid$ 9 ,bah'u'llh's writ+s4 ,! diff]5ces ref]r$ to fall into ! categories ( ei!r practice or doctr9e1 bo? ( !m pres5t$ z ! int5t ( ! relevant scriptures4 ,9 ! case ( religi\s cu/oms gov]n+ p]sonal life1 x is helpful to view ! subject aga9/ ! backgr\nd ( comp>able features ( mat]ial life4 ,x is mo/ unlikely t div]sity 9 hygi5e1 dress1 m$ic9e1 diet1 transportation1 w>f>e1 con/ruction or economic activity1 h[ev] /rik+1 w\ld any long] be s]i\sly advanc$ 9 support ( a !ory t humanity does n 9 fact con/itute "o p1 s+le & unique4 ,until ! op5+ ( ! tw5tie? c5tury1 su* simpli/ic argum5ts 7 commonplace1 b hi/orical & an?ropological rese>* n[ provides a seamless panorama ( ! process ( cultural evolution by :i* ^! & c\ntless o!r expressions ( human creativity came into exi/5ce1 7 transmitt$ ?r\gh successive g5]ations1 und]w5t gradual metamorphoses & (t5 spread to enri* ! lives ( peoples 9 f> di/ant l&s4 ,t pres5t-day societies repres5t a wide spectrum ( su* ph5om5a1 !re=e1 does n 9 any way def9e a fix$ & immutable id5tity ( ! peoples conc]n$1 b m]ely di/+ui%es ! /age ?r\gh :i* giv5 gr\ps are--or at lea/ until rec5tly h be5--pass+4 ,ev5 s1 all su* cultural expressions are n[ 9 a /ate ( fluidity 9 consequ5ce ( ! pressures ( planet>y integration4 ,a simil> evolution>y process1 ,bah'u'llh indicates1 has *>act]iz$ ! religi\s life ( humank9d4 ,! def9+ diff]5ce lies 9 ! fact t1 r ?an repres5t+ simply ! accid5ts ( hi/ory's ongo+ me?od ( trial & error1 su* norms 7 explicitly prescrib$ 9 ea* case1 z integral features ( "o or ano!r revelation ( ! ,div9e1 embodi$ 9 scripture1 _! integrity scrupul\sly ma9ta9$ ov] a p]iod ( c5turies4 ,:ile c]ta9 features ( ea* code ( conduct w\ld ev5tually fulfil _! purpose & 9 "t be ov]%ad[$ by conc]ns ( a diff]5t nature br\ght on by ! process ( social evolution1 ! code itself w\ld lose none ( its au?ority dur+ ! long /age ( human progress 9 :i* x play$ a vital role 9 tra9+ behavi\r & attitudes4 8,^! pr9ciples & laws1 ^! firmly-e/abli%$ & mighty sy/ems01 ,bah'u'llh ass]ts1 8h proce$$ f "o ,s\rce1 & are ! rays ( "o ,light4 ,t !y diff] "o f ano!r is to be attribut$ to ! v>y+ requirem5ts ( ! ages 9 :i* !y 7 promulgat$407#ai7 ,to argue1 !re=e1 t diff]5ces ( regulations1 obs]vances & o!r practices con/itute any significant objection to ! idea ( reveal$ religion's ess5tial on5ess is to miss ! purpose t ^! prescriptions s]v$4 ,m s]i\sly1 x misses ! fundam5tal di/9ction betwe5 ! et]nal & ! transitory features ( religion's function4 ,! ess5tial message ( religion is immutable4 ,x is1 9 ,bah'u'llh's words1 8! *angeless ,fai? ( ,god1 et]nal 9 ! pa/1 et]nal 9 ! future047#bj7 ,its role 9 op5+ ! way = ! s\l to ent] into an ev]more mature relation%ip ) its ,creator--& 9 end[+ x ) an ev]-great] measure ( moral autonomy 9 discipl9+ ! animal impulses ( human nature--is n at all irreconcilable ) its provid+ auxili>y guidance t enhances ! process ( civilization build+4 ,! concept ( progressive revelation places ! ultimate emphasis on recognition ( ! revelation ( ,god at its appe>ance4 ,! failure ( ! g5]ality ( humank9d 9 ?is respect has1 "t & aga91 condemn$ entire populations to a rituali/ic repetition ( ord9ances & practices long aft] ^! latt] h fulfill$ _! purpose & n[ m]ely /ultify moral advance4 ,sadly1 9 ! pres5t day1 a relat$ consequ5ce ( su* failure has be5 to trivialize religion4 ,at precisely ! po9t 9 its collective developm5t :]e humanity began to /ruggle ) ! *all5ges ( mod]nity1 ! spiritual res\rce on :i* x _h pr9cipally dep5d$ = moral c\rage & enlight5m5t 0 fa/ becom+ a subject ( mock]y1 fir/ at ^? levels :]e decisions 7 be+ made ab\t ! direction society %\ld take1 & ev5tually 9 ev]-wid5+ circles ( ! g5]al population4 ,!re is little cause = surprise1 !n1 t ?is mo/ deva/at+ ( ! _m betrayals ( tru/ f :i* human confid5ce has suff]$ %\ld1 9 ! c\rse ( "t1 und]m9e ! f\ndations ( belief itself4 ,s x is t ,bah'u'llh repeat$ly urges ,8 read]s to ?9k deeply ab\t ! lesson taught by su* repeat$ failures3 8,pond] = a mom5t1 & reflect ^u t :i* has be5 ! cause ( su* d5ial444407#ba7 8,:at c\ld h be5 ! reason = su* d5ial & avoidance444807#bb7 8,:at c\ld h caus$ su* cont5tion444807#bc7 8,reflect1 :at c\ld h be5 ! motive444807#bd7 ,m detrim5tal /ill to religi\s und]/&+ has be5 !ological presumption4 ,a p]si/5t feature ( religion's sect>ian pa/ has be5 ! dom9ant role play$ by cl]gy4 ,9 ! abs5ce ( scriptural texts t e/abli%$ un>guable in/itutional au?ority1 cl]ical elites succe$$ 9 arrogat+ to !mselves exclusive control ov] int]pretation ( ! ,div9e int5t4 ,h[ev] div]se ! motives1 ! tragic effects h be5 to imp$e ! curr5t ( inspiration1 disc\rage indep5d5t intellectual activity1 focus att5tion on ! m9utiae ( rituals & too (t5 eng5d] hatr$ & prejudice t[>ds ^? foll[+ a diff]5t sect>ian pa? f t ( self-appo9t$ spiritual lead]s4 ,:ile no?+ c\ld prev5t ! creative p[] ( ,div9e int]v5tion f cont9u+ its "w ( progressively rais+ consci\sness1 ! scope ( :at c\ld be a*iev$1 9 any age1 became increas+ly limit$ by su* artificially contriv$ ob/acles4 ,ov] "t1 !ology succe$$ 9 con/ruct+ 9 ! he>t ( ea* "o ( ! great fai?s an au?ority p>allel )1 & ev5 inimical 9 _s to1 ! reveal$ tea*+s on :i* ! tradition 0 bas$4 ,jesus' famili> p>able ( ! l&[n] :o s[$ se$ 9 8 field addresses bo? ! issue & its implications = ! pres5t "t3 8,b :ile m5 slept1 8 enemy came & s[$ t>es among ! :eat1 & w5t 8 way407#be7 ,:5 8 s]vants propos$ to uproot !m1 ! l&[n] repli$1 8,nay2 le/ :ile ye ga!r up ! t>es1 ye root up also ! :eat ) !m4 ,let bo? gr[ toge!r until ! h>ve/3 & 9 ! "t ( h>ve/ ,i w say to ! reap]s1 ,ga!r ye toge!r fir/ ! t>es1 & b9d !m 9 bundles to burn !m3 b ga!r ! :eat into my b>n407#bf7 ,?r\gh\t its pages1 ! ,qur'n res]ves its sev]e/ condemnation = ! spiritual h>m caus$ by ?is compet+ hegemony3 8,say3 ,! ?+s t my ,"l ha? inde$ =bidd5 are3 %ameful de$s1 :e!r op5 or secret2 s9s & trespasses aga9/ tru? or reason2 assign+ ( p>tn]s to ,god1 = :i* he ha? giv5 no au?ority2 & say+ ?+s ab\t ,god ( :i* ye h no k407#bg7 ,to ! mod]n m9d x is ! greate/ ( ironies t g5]ations ( !ologians1 ^: impositions on religion embody precisely ! betrayal s /rongly d5\nc$ 9 ^! texts1 %\ld seek to use ! w>n+ itself z a weapon 9 suppress+ prote/ aga9/ _! usurpation ( ,div9e au?ority4 ,9 effect1 ea* new /age 9 ! progressively unfold+ revelation ( spiritual tru? 0 froz5 9 "t & 9 an array ( lit]ali/ic images & int]pretations1 _m ( !m borr[$ f cultures :i* 7 !mselves morally exhau/$4 ,:atev] _! value at e>li] /ages 9 ! evolution ( consci\sness1 conceptions ( physical resurrection1 a p>adise ( c>nal delights1 re9c>nation1 pan!i/ic prodigies1 & ! l1 today raise walls ( sep>ation & conflict 9 an age :5 ! e>? has lit]ally become "o homel& & human be+s mu/ le>n to see !mselves z its citiz5s4 ,9 ?is context "o c appreciate ! reasons = ! vehem5ce ( ,bah'u'llh's w>n+s ab\t ! b>ri]s t dogmatic !ology creates 9 ! pa? ( ^? seek+ to und]/& ! w ( ,god3 8,o lead]s ( religion6 ,weigh n ! ,book ( ,god ) su* /&>ds & sci5ces z are curr5t among/ y1 = ! ,book itself is ! un]r+ ,balance e/abli%$ among/ m5407#bh7 ,9 ,8 ,tablet to ,pope ,pius ,,ix1 ,he advises ! pontiff t ,god has 9 ?is day 8/or$ away 444 9 ! vessels ( ju/ice0 :atev] is endur+ 9 religion & 8ca/ into fire t :i* befitte? x047#bi7 8,fre$ f ! ?ickets ) :i* !ology has h$g$ religi\s4440 ,fre$ f ! ?ickets ) :i* !ology has h$g$ religi\s und]/&+ ab\t1 ! m9d is able to explore famili> scriptural passages ?r\gh ! eyes ( ,bah'u'llh4 8,pe]less is ?is ,day10 ,he ass]ts1 8= x is z ! eye to pa/ ages & c5turies1 & z a light unto ! d>kness ( ! times407#cj7 ,! mo/ /rik+ obs]vation t results f tak+ advantage ( ?is p]spective is ! unity ( purpose & pr9ciple runn+ ?r\gh\t ! ,hebrew scriptures1 ! ,gospel & ! ,qur'n1 p>ticul>ly1 al?\gh e*oes c readily be disc]n$ 9 ! scriptures ( o!rs among ! _w's religions4 ,repeat$ly1 ! same organiz+ !mes em]ge f ! matrix ( precept1 exhortation1 n>rative1 symbolism & int]pretation 9 :i* !y are set4 ,( ^! f\ndational tru?s1 by f> ! mo/ di/9ctive is ! progressive articulation & emphatic ass]tion ( ! on5ess ( ,god1 ,creator ( all exi/5ce :e!r ( ! ph5om5al _w or ( ^? realms t transc5d x4 8,i am ! ,"l10 ! ,bible decl>es1 8& !re is none else1 !re is no ,god beside me017#ca7 & ! same conception und]p9s ! lat] tea*+s ( ,*ri/ & ,muammad4 ,humanity--focal po9t1 inh]itor & tru/ee ( ! _w--exi/s to "k its ,creator & to s]ve ,8 purpose4 ,9 its highe/ expression1 ! innate human impulse to respond takes ! =m ( wor%ip1 a condition entail+ :olehe>t$ submission to a p[] t is recogniz$ z des]v+ ( su* homage4 8,n[ unto ! ,k+ et]nal1 immortal1 invisible1 ! only wise ,god1 be hon\r & glory = ev] & ev]407#cb7 ,insep>able f ! _s ( rev]5ce itself is its expression 9 s]vice to ! ,div9e purpose = humank9d4 8,say3 ,all b\nties are 9 ! h& ( ,god3 ,he grante? !m to :om ,he please?3 & ,god c>e? = all1 & ,he kn[e? all ?+s407#cc7 ,illum9$ by ?is und]/&+1 ! responsibilities ( humanity are cle>3 8,x is n righte\sness t ye turn y\r faces t[>ds ,ea/ or ,we/01 ! ,qur'n /ates1 8b x is righte\sness--to believe 9 ,god 444 to sp5d ( y\r sub/ance1 out ( love = ,him1 = y\r k91 = orphans1 = ! ne$y1 = ! wayf>]1 = ^? :o ask444407#cd7 8,ye are ! salt ( ! e>?017#ce7 ,*ri/ impresses on ^? :o respond to ,8 call4 8,ye are ! light ( ! _w407#cf7 ,summ>iz+ a !me t recurs "t & aga9 ?r\gh\t ! ,hebrew scriptures & w subsequ5tly reappe> 9 ! ,gospel & ! ,qur'n1 ! prophet ,micah asks1 8444:at do? ! ,"l require ( !e1 b to d ju/ly1 & to love m]cy1 & to walk humbly ) ?y ,god807#cg7 ,!re is equal agreem5t 9 ^! texts t ! s\l's ability to atta9 to an und]/&+ ( its ,creator's purpose is ! product n m]ely ( its own ef=t1 b ( int]v5tions ( ! ,div9e t op5 ! way4 ,! po9t 0 made ) memorable cl>ity by ,jesus3 8,i am ! way1 ! tru?1 & ! life3 no man come? unto ! ,fa!r1 b by me407#ch7 ,if "o is n to see 9 ?is ass]tion m]ely a dogmatic *all5ge to o!r /ages ( ! "o ongo+ process ( ,div9e guidance1 x is obvi\sly ! expression ( ! c5tral tru? ( reveal$ religion3 t access to ! unkn[able ,reality t creates & su/a9s exi/5ce is possible only ?r\gh awak5+ to ! illum9ation %$ f t ,realm4 ,"o ( ! mo/ *]i%$ ( ! ,qur'n's surihs takes up ! metaphor3 8,god is ! ,light ( ! heav5s & ! e>?4444 ,light ^u ,light6 ,god do? guide :om ,he w to ,8 ,light407#ci7 ,9 ! case ( ! ,hebrew prophets1 ! ,div9e int]m$i>y t 0 lat] to appe> 9 ,*ri/ianity 9 ! p]son ( ! ,son ( ,man & 9 ,islm z ! ,book ( ,god assum$ ! =m ( a b9d+ ,cov5ant e/abli%$ by ! ,creator ) ,abraham1 ,patri>* & ,prophet3 8,& ,i w e/abli% my cov5ant betwe5 me & !e & ?y se$ aft] !e 9 _! g5]ations = an ev]la/+ cov5ant1 to be a ,god unto !e1 & to ?y se$ aft] !e407#dj7 ,! succession ( revelations ( ! ,div9e also appe>s z an implicit--& usually explicit--feature ( all ! major fai?s4 ,"o ( its e>lie/ & cle>e/ expressions occurs 9 ! ,bhagavad-,gita3 8,i come1 & g1 & come4 ,:5 ,righte\sness decl9es1 ,o ,bh>ata6 ,:5 ,wick$ness is /rong1 ,i rise1 f age to age1 & take visible %ape1 & move a man ) m51 succ\r+ ! good1 ?ru/+ ! evil back1 & sett+ ,virtue on h] seat aga9407#da7 ,?is ongo+ drama con/itutes ! basic /ructure ( ! ,bible1 ^: sequ5ce ( books rec\nts ! missions n only ( ,abraham & ( ,moses--8:om ! ,"l knew face to face07#db7--;b ( ! l9e ( less] prophets :o develop$ & consolidat$ ! "w t ^! prim>y ,au?ors ( ! process _h set 9 motion4 ,simil>ly1 no am\nt ( cont5ti\s & fanta/ical speculation ab\t ! precise nature ( ,jesus c\ld succe$ 9 sep>at+ ,8 mission f ! trans=mative influ5ce ex]t$ on ! c\rse ( civilization by ! "w ( ,abraham & ,moses4 ,he ,himself w>ns t x is n ,he ,:o w condemn ^? :o reject ! message ,he be>s1 b ,moses 89 :om ye tru/4 ,= _h ye believ$ ,moses1 ye w\ld h believ$ me3 = he wrote ( me4 ,b if ye believe n 8 writ+s1 h[ %all ye believe my words807#dc7 ,) ! revelation ( ! ,qur'n1 ! !me ( ! succession ( ! ,mess5g]s ( ,god becomes c5tral3 8,we believe 9 ,god1 & ! revelation giv5 to u1 & to ,abraham1 ,ism#8l1 ,isaac1 ,jacob 444 & t giv5 to ,moses & ,jesus1 & t giv5 to 7all7 ,prophets f _! ,"l444407#dd7 ,= a sympa!tic & objective read] ( su* passages :at em]ges is a recognition ( ! ess5tial on5ess ( religion4 ,s x is t ! t]m 8,islm0 7lit]ally 8submission0 to ,god7 designates n m]ely ! p>ticul> disp5sation ( ,provid5ce inaugurat$ by ,muammad b1 z ! words ( ! ,qur'n make unmi/akably cle>1 religion itself4 ,:ile x is true to speak ( ! unity ( all religions1 und]/&+ ( ! context is vital4 ,at ! deepe/ level1 z ,bah'u'llh emphasizes1 !re is b "o religion4 ,religion is religion1 z sci5ce is sci5ce4 ,! "o disc]ns & articulates ! values unfold+ progressively ?r\gh ,div9e revelation2 ! o!r is ! in/rum5tality ?r\gh :i* ! human m9d explores & is able to ex]t its influ5ce ev] m precisely ov] ! ph5om5al _w4 ,! "o def9es goals t s]ve ! evolution>y process2 ! o!r assi/s 9 _! atta9m5t4 ,toge!r1 !y con/itute ! dual k sy/em impell+ ! advance ( civilization4 ,ea* is hail$ by ! ,ma/] z an 8effulg5ce ( ! ,sun ( ,tru?047#de7 ,x is1 !re=e1 an inadequate recognition ( ! unique /ation ( ,moses1 ,buddha1 ,zoroa/]1 ,jesus1 ,muammad--or ( ! succession ( ,avat>s :o inspir$ ! ,h9du scriptures--to depict _! "w z ! f\nd+ ( di/9ct religions4 ,r are !y appreciat$ :5 ackn[l$g$ z ! spiritual ,educators ( hi/ory1 z ! animat+ =ces 9 ! rise ( ! civilizations ?r\gh :i* consci\sness has fl[]$3 8,he 0 9 ! _w10 ! ,gospel decl>es1 8& ! _w 0 made by him444407#df7 ,t _! p]sons h be5 held 9 a rev]5ce inf9itely above ^? ( any o!r hi/orical figures reflects ! attempt to articulate o!rwise inexpressible feel+s ar\s$ 9 ! he>ts ( unnumb]$ millions ( p by ! bless+s _! "w has conf]r$4 ,9 lov+ !m humanity has progressively le>n$ :at x means to love ,god4 ,!re is1 reali/ically1 no o!r way to d s4 ,!y are n hon\r$ by fumbl+ ef=ts to capture ! ess5tial my/]y ( _! nature 9 dogmas inv5t$ by human imag9ation2 :at hon\rs !m is ! s\l's uncondition$ surr5d] ( its w to ! trans=mative influ5ce !y m$iate4 8,confusion ab\t ! role ( religion 9 cultivat+ moral4440 ,confusion ab\t ! role ( religion 9 cultivat+ moral consci\sness is equally app>5t 9 popul> und]/&+ ( its contribution to ! %ap+ ( society4 ,p]haps ! mo/ obvi\s example is ! inf]ior social /atus mo/ sacr$ texts assign to wom54 ,:ile ! result+ b5efits enjoy$ by m5 7 no d\bt a major factor 9 consolidat+ su* a conception1 moral ju/ification 0 unque/ionably suppli$ by p's und]/&+ ( ! int5t ( ! scriptures !mselves4 ,) few exceptions1 ^! texts address !mselves to m51 assign+ to wom5 a supportive & subord9ate role 9 ! life ( bo? religion & society4 ,sadly1 su* und]/&+ made x deplorably easy to atta* prim>y blame to wom5 = failure 9 ! discipl9+ ( ! sexual impulse1 a vital feature ( moral advancem5t4 ,9 a mod]n frame ( ref]5ce1 attitudes ( ?is k9d are readily recogniz$ z prejudic$ & unju/4 ,at ! /ages ( social developm5t at :i* all ( ! major fai?s came into exi/5ce1 scriptural guidance s\ght prim>ily to civilize1 to ! ext5t possible1 relation%ips result+ f intractable hi/orical circum/ances4 ,x ne$s little insight to appreciate t cl++ to primitive norms 9 ! pres5t day w\ld defeat ! v purpose ( religion's pati5t cultivation ( moral s5se4 ,comp>able consid]ations h p]ta9$ 9 relations betwe5 societies4 ,! long & ardu\s prep>ation ( ! ,hebrew p = ! mission requir$ ( !m is an illu/ration ( ! complexity & /ubborn "* ( ! moral *all5ges involv$4 ,9 ord] t ! spiritual capacities appeal$ to by ! prophets might awak5 & fl\ri%1 ! inducem5ts (f]$ by neighb\r+ idolatr\s cultures _h1 at all co/s1 to be resi/$4 ,scriptural acc\nts ( ! condign puni%m5ts t befell bo? rul]s & subjects :o violat$ ! pr9ciple illu/rat$ ! importance atta*$ to x by ! ,div9e purpose4 ,a some:at comp>able issue arose 9 ! /ruggle ( ! newborn community f\nd$ by ,muammad to survive attempts by pagan ,arab tribes to ext+ui% x--& 9 ! b>b>ic cruelty & rel5tless _s ( v5detta animat+ ! attack]s4 ,no "o famili> ) ! hi/orical details w h difficulty 9 und]/&+ ! sev]ity ( ! ,qur'n's injunctions on ! subject4 ,:ile ! mono!i/ic beliefs ( ,jews & ,*ri/ians 7 to be accord$ respect1 no compromise ) idolatry 0 p]mitt$4 ,9 a relatively brief space ( "t1 ?is draconian rule _h succe$$ 9 unify+ ! tribes ( ! ,arabian ,p59sula & laun*+ ! newly =g$ community on well ov] five c5turies ( moral1 intellectual1 cultural & economic a*ievem5t1 unmat*$ be=e or s9ce 9 ! spe$ & scope ( its expansion4 ,hi/ory t5ds to be a /]n judge4 ,ultimately1 9 its uncompromis+ p]spective1 ! consequ5ces to ^? :o w\ld h bl9dly /rangl$ su* ent]prises 9 ! cradle w always be set (f aga9/ ! b5efits accru+ to ! _w z a :ole f ! triumph ( ! ,bible's vision ( human possibilities & ! advances made possible by ! g5ius ( ,islamic civilization4 ,among ! mo/ cont5ti\s ( su* issues 9 und]/&+ society's evolution t[>ds spiritual maturity has be5 t ( crime & puni%m5t4 ,:ile diff]5t 9 detail & degree1 ! p5alties prescrib$ by mo/ sacr$ texts = acts ( viol5ce aga9/ ei!r ! commonweal or ! rights ( o!r individuals t5d$ to be h>%4 ,moreov]1 !y frequ5tly ext5d$ to p]mitt+ retaliation aga9/ ! (f5d]s by ! injur$ p>ties or by memb]s ( _! families4 ,9 ! p]spective ( hi/ory1 h[ev]1 "o may reasonably ask :at practical alt]natives exi/$4 ,9 ! abs5ce n m]ely ( pres5t-day programmes ( behavi\ral modification1 b ev5 ( rec\rse to su* co]cive options z prisons & polic+ ag5cies1 religion's conc]n 0 to impress indelibly on g5]al consci\sness ! moral unacceptability--& practical co/s--( conduct ^: effect w\ld o!rwise h be5 to demoralize ef=ts at social progress4 ,! :ole ( civilization has s9ce be5 ! b5efici>y1 & x w\ld be less ?an hone/ n to ackn[l$ge ! fact4 ,s x has be5 ?r\gh\t all ( ! religi\s disp5sations ^: orig9s h surviv$ 9 writt5 records4 ,m5dicancy1 slav]y1 autocracy1 conque/1 e?nic prejudices & o!r undesirable features ( social int]action h gone un*all5g$--or be5 explicitly indulg$--z religion s\ght to a*ieve re=mations ( behavi\r t 7 consid]$ m imm$iately ess5tial at giv5 /ages 9 ! advance ( civilization4 ,to condemn religion because any "o ( its successive disp5sations fail$ to address ! :ole range ( social wrongs w\ld be to ignore ev]y?+ t has be5 le>n$ ab\t ! nature ( human developm5t4 ,inevitably1 ana*roni/ic ?9k+ ( ?is k9d mu/ also create sev]e psy*ological h&icaps 9 appreciat+ & fac+ ! requirem5ts ( "o's own "t4 ,! issue is n ! pa/1 b ! implications = ! pres5t4 ,problems arise :]e foll[]s ( "o ( ! _w's fai?s prove unable to di/+ui% betwe5 its et]nal & transitory features1 & attempt to impose on society rules ( behavi\r t h long s9ce accompli%$ _! purpose4 ,! pr9ciple is fundam5tal to an und]/&+ ( religion's social role3 8,! rem$y ! _w ne$e? 9 its pres5t-day afflictions c nev] be ! same z t :i* a subsequ5t age may require01 ,bah'u'llh po9ts out4 8,be anxi\sly conc]n$ ) ! ne$s ( ! age ye live 91 & c5tre y\r delib]ations on its exig5cies & requirem5ts407#dg7 8,! exig5cies ( ! new age ( human exp]i5ce to :i*4440 ,! exig5cies ( ! new age ( human exp]i5ce to :i* ,bah'u'llh summon$ ! political & religi\s rul]s ( ! n9ete5? c5tury _w h n[ be5 l>gely adopt$1 at lea/ z ideals1 by _! successors & by progressive m9ds ev]y:]e4 ,by ! "t ! tw5tie? c5tury _h drawn to a close1 pr9ciples t _h1 only %ort decades e>li]1 be5 patroniz$ z vision>y & hopelessly unreali/ic _h become c5tral to global disc\rse4 ,buttress$ by ! f9d+s ( sci5tific rese>* & ! conclusions ( influ5tial commissions--(t5 lavi%ly fund$--!y direct ! "w ( p[]ful ag5cies at int]national1 national & local levels4 ,a va/ body ( s*ol>ly lit]ature 9 _m languages is devot$ to explor+ practical means = _! implem5tation1 & ^? programmes c c\nt on m$ia att5tion on five cont95ts4 ,mo/ ( ^! pr9ciples are1 alas1 also widely fl\t$1 n only among recogniz$ enemies ( social peace1 b 9 circles pr(ess$ly committ$ to !m4 ,:at is lack+ is n conv9c+ te/imony z to _! relevance1 b ! p[] ( moral conviction t c implem5t !m1 a p[] ^: only demon/rably reliable s\rce ?r\gh\t hi/ory has be5 religi\s fai?4 ,z late z ! inception ( ,bah'u'llh's own mission1 religi\s au?ority /ill ex]cis$ a significant degree ( social influ5ce4 ,:5 ! ,*ri/ian _w 0 mov$ to break ) mill5nia ( unque/ion+ conviction & address at la/ ! evil ( slav]y1 x 0 to ,biblical ideals t ! e>ly ,briti% re=m]s s\ght to appeal4 ,subsequ5tly1 9 ! def9+ address he gave reg>d+ ! c5tral role play$ by ! issue 9 ! great conflict 9 ,am]ica1 ! presid5t ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates w>n$ t if 8e drop ( blood drawn ) ! la% %all be paid by ano!r drawn ) ! sword1 z 0 said ?ree ?\s& ye>s ago1 s /ill x mu/ be said '! judgem5ts ( ! ,"l are true & righte\s altoge!r'407#dh7 ,t era1 h[ev]1 0 swiftly draw+ to a close4 ,9 ! upheavals t foll[$ ! ,second ,_w ,w>1 ev5 s influ5tial a figure z ,moh&as ,g&hi prov$ unable to mobilize ! spiritual p[] ( ,h9duism 9 support ( 8 ef=ts to ext+ui% sect>ian viol5ce on ! ,indian subcont95t4 ,nor 7 lead]s ( ! ,islamic community any m effective 9 ?is respect4 ,z prefigur$ 9 ! ,qur'n's metaphorical vision ( 8,! ,day t ,we roll up ! heav5s l a scroll017#di7 ! once un*all5geable au?ority ( ! traditional religions _h ceas$ to direct humanity's social relations4 ,x is 9 ?is context t "o beg9s to appreciate ,bah'u'llh's *oice ( imag]y ab\t ! w ( ,god = a new age3 8,?9k n t ,we h reveal$ unto y a m]e code ( laws4 ,nay1 r1 ,we h unseal$ ! *oice ,w9e ) ! f+]s ( might & p[]407#ej7 ,?r\gh ,8 revelation1 ! pr9ciples requir$ = ! collective com+ ( age ( ! human race h be5 inve/$ ) ! "o p[] capable ( p5etrat+ to ! roots ( human motivation & ( alt]+ behavi\r4 ,= ^? :o h recogniz$ ,him1 equality ( m5 & wom5 is n a sociological po/ulate1 b reveal$ tru? ab\t human nature1 ) implications = e aspect ( human relations4 ,! same is true ( ,8 tea*+ ( ! pr9ciple ( racial on5ess4 ,univ]sal education1 fre$om ( ?\ght1 ! protection ( human rights1 recognition ( ! e>?'s va/ res\rces z a tru/ = ! :ole ( humank9d1 society's responsibility = ! well-be+ ( its citiz5ry1 ! promotion ( sci5tific rese>*1 ev5 s practical a pr9ciple z an int]national auxili>y language t w advance integration ( ! e>?'s peoples--= all :o respond to ,bah'u'llh's revelation1 ^! & simil> precepts c>ry ! same compell+ au?ority z d ! injunctions ( scripture aga9/ idolatry1 !ft & false witness4 ,:ile intimations ( "s c be p]ceiv$ 9 e>li] sacr$ writ+s1 _! def9ition & prescription _h necess>ily to wait until ! planet's het]og5e\s populations c\ld set out toge!r on ! discov]y ( _! nature z a s+le human race4 ,?r\gh spiritual emp[]m5t br\ght by ,bah'u'llh's revelation ! ,div9e /&>ds c be appreciat$1 n z isolat$ pr9ciples & laws1 b z facets ( a s+le1 all-embrac+ vision ( humanity's future1 revolution>y 9 purpose1 intoxicat+ 9 ! possibilities x op5s4 ,integral to ^! tea*+s are pr9ciples t address ! adm9i/ration ( humanity's collective affairs4 ,a widely quot$ passage 9 ,bah'u'llh's ,tablet to ,que5 ,victoria expresses emphatic praise ( ! pr9ciple ( democratic & con/itutional gov]nm5t1 b is also an admonition ab\t ! context ( global responsibility 9 :i* t pr9ciple mu/ op]ate if x is to realize its purpose 9 ?is age3 8,o ye ! elect$ repres5tatives ( ! p 9 e l&6 ,take ye c\nsel toge!r1 & let y\r conc]n be only = t :i* pr(ite? mank9d & bett]e? ! condition !re(1 if ye be ( !m t scan he$fully4 ,reg>d ! _w z ! human body :i*1 ?\gh at its creation :ole & p]fect1 ha? be5 afflict$1 ?r\gh v>i\s causes1 ) grave disord]s & maladies4 ,n = "o day did x ga9 ease1 nay its sickness wax$ m sev]e1 z x fell "u ! treatm5t ( ignorant physicians1 :o gave full re9 to _! p]sonal desires & h err$ griev\sly4 ,& if1 at "o "t1 ?r\gh ! c>e ( an able physician1 a memb] ( t body 0 heal$1 ! re/ rema9$ afflict$ z be=e407#ea7 ,9 o!r passages1 ,bah'u'llh spells out "s ( ! practical implications4 ,! gov]nm5ts ( ! _w are call$ ^u to conv5e an int]national consultative body z ! f\ndation1 9 ! words ( ! ,gu>dian1 ( 8a _w f$]al sy/em07#eb7 emp[]$ to safegu>d ! autonomy & t]ritory ( its /ate memb]s1 resolve national & regional disputes & coord9ate programmes ( global developm5t = ! good ( ! entire human race4 ,significantly1 ,bah'u'llh attributes to ?is sy/em1 once e/abli%$1 ! "r to suppress by =ce acts ( aggression by "o /ate aga9/ ano!r4 ,address+ ! rul]s ( ,8 day1 ,he ass]ts ! cle> moral au?ority ( su* action3 8,%\ld any "o among y take up arms aga9/ ano!r1 rise ye all aga9/ him1 = ?is is naught b manife/ ju/ice407#ec7 8,! p[] ?r\gh :i* ^! goals w be progressively realiz$ is4440 ,! p[] ?r\gh :i* ^! goals w be progressively realiz$ is t ( unity4 ,al?\gh to ,bah's ! mo/ obvi\s ( tru?s1 its implications = ! curr5t crisis ( civilization appe> to escape mo/ contempor>y disc\rse4 ,few w disagree t ! univ]sal disease sapp+ ! heal? ( ! body ( humank9d is t ( disunity4 ,its manife/ations ev]y:]e cripple political w1 debilitate ! collective urge to *ange1 & poison national & religi\s relation%ips4 ,h[ /range1 !n1 t unity is reg>d$ z a goal to be atta9$1 if at all1 9 a di/ant future1 aft] a ho/ ( disord]s 9 social1 political1 economic & moral life h be5 address$ & someh[ or o!r resolv$4 ,yet ! latt] are ess5tially symptoms & side effects ( ! problem1 n its root cause4 ,:y has s fundam5tal an inv]sion ( reality come to be widely accept$8 ,! answ] is presumably because ! a*ievem5t ( g5u9e unity ( m9d & he>t among peoples ^: exp]i5ces are deeply at v>iance is ?\ght to be entirely beyond ! capacity ( society's exi/+ in/itutions4 ,:ile ?is tacit admission is a welcome advance ov] ! und]/&+ ( processes ( social evolution t prevail$ a few decades ago1 x is ( limit$ practical assi/ance 9 respond+ to ! *all5ge4 ,unity is a condition ( ! human _s4 ,education c support & enhance x1 z c legislation1 b !y c d s only once x em]ges & has e/abli%$ itself z a compell+ =ce 9 social life4 ,a global intellig5tsia1 its prescriptions l>gely %ap$ by mat]iali/ic misconceptions ( reality1 cl+s t5aci\sly to ! hope t imag9ative social eng9e]+1 support$ by political compromise1 may indef9itely po/pone ! pot5tial disa/]s t few d5y loom ov] humanity's future4 8,we c well p]ceive h[ ! :ole human race is encompass$ ) great1 ) incalculable afflictions01 ,bah'u'llh /ates4 8,!y t are intoxicat$ by self-conceit h int]pos$ !mselves betwe5 x & ! ,div9e & infallible ,physician4 ,witness h[ !y h entangl$ all m51 !mselves includ$1 9 ! me% ( _! devices4 ,!y c nei!r discov] ! cause ( ! disease1 nor h !y any k ( ! rem$y407#ed7 ,z unity is ! rem$y = ! _w's ills1 its "o c]ta9 s\rce lies 9 ! re/oration ( religion's influ5ce 9 human affairs4 ,! laws & pr9ciples reveal$ by ,god1 9 ?is day1 ,bah'u'llh decl>es1 8are ! mo/ pot5t in/rum5ts & ! sure/ ( all means = ! dawn+ ( ! light ( unity among/ m5407#ee7 8,:atsoev] is rais$ on ?is f\ndation1 ! *anges & *ances ( ! _w c nev] impair its /r5g?1 nor w ! revolution ( c\ntless c5turies und]m9e its /ructure407#ef7 ,c5tral to ,bah'u'llh's mission1 !re=e1 has be5 ! creation ( a global community t w\ld reflect ! on5ess ( humank9d4 ,! ultimate te/imony t ! ,bah' community c summon 9 v9dication ( ,8 mission is ! example ( unity t ,8 tea*+s h produc$4 ,z x ent]s ! tw5ty-fir/ c5tury1 ! ,bah' ,cause is a ph5om5on unlike any?+ else ! _w has se54 ,aft] decades ( ef=t1 9 :i* surges ( gr[? alt]nat$ ) long /ret*es ( consolidation1 (t5 %ad[$ by setbacks1 ! ,bah' community today comprises sev]al million p repres5tative ( virtually e e?nic1 cultural1 social & religi\s backgr\nd on e>?1 adm9i/]+ _! collective affairs )\t ! int]v5tion ( a cl]gy1 ?r\gh democratically elect$ in/itutions4 ,! _m ?\s&s ( localities 9 :i* x has put d[n its roots are to be f\nd 9 e c\ntry1 t]ritory & significant isl& gr\p1 f ! ,arctic to ,ti]ra del ,fuego1 f ,africa to ! ,pacific4 ,! ass]tion t ?is community may already con/itute ! mo/ div]se & geographically widespread ( any simil>ly organiz$ body ( p on ! planet is unlikely to be *all5g$ by "o famili> ) ! evid5ce4 ,! a*ievem5t calls out = und]/&+4 ,conv5tional explanations--access to weal?1 ! patronage ( p[]ful political int]e/s1 invocations ( ! occult or aggressive programmes ( proselytism t in/il fe> ( ,div9e wra?--none h play$ any role 9 ! ev5ts involv$4 ,adh]5ts ( ! ,fai? h a*iev$ a s5se ( id5tity z memb]s ( a s+le human race1 an id5tity t %apes ! purpose ( _! lives & t1 cle>ly1 is n ! expression ( any intr9sic moral sup]iority on _! own "p3 8,o p ( ,bah6 ,t !re is none to rival y is a sign ( m]cy407#eg7 ,a fair-m9d$ obs]v] is compell$ to ent]ta9 at lea/ ! possibility t ! ph5om5on may repres5t ! op]ation ( influ5ces entirely diff]5t 9 nature f ! famili> ones--influ5ces t c prop]ly be describ$ only z spiritual--capable ( elicit+ extraord9>y feats ( sacrifice & und]/&+ f ord9>y p ( e backgr\nd4 ,p>ticul>ly /rik+ has be5 ! fact t ! ,bah' ,cause has be5 able to ma9ta9 ! unity ?us a*iev$1 unbrok5 & unimpair$1 ?r\gh ! mo/ vuln]able e>ly /ages ( its exi/5ce4 ,"o w se>* 9 va9 = ano!r association ( human be+s 9 hi/ory--political1 religi\s1 or social--t has successfully surviv$ ! p]5nial blight ( s*ism & faction4 ,! ,bah' community1 9 all its div]sity1 is a s+le body ( p1 "o 9 its und]/&+ ( ! int5t ( ! revelation ( ,god t gave x bir?1 "o 9 its devotion to ! ,adm9i/rative ,ord] t its ,au?or creat$ = ! gov]nance ( its collective affairs1 "o 9 its commitm5t to ! task ( dissem9at+ ,8 message ?r\gh\t ! planet4 ,ov] ! decades ( its rise1 sev]al individuals1 "s ( !m highly plac$ & all ( !m driv5 by ! spur ( ambition1 did _! utmo/ to create sep>ate foll[+s loyal to !mselves or to ! p]sonal int]pretations !y _h impos$ on ,bah'u'llh's writ+s4 ,at e>li] /ages 9 ! evolution ( religion1 simil> attempts _h prov$ successful 9 splitt+ ! newborn fai?s into compet+ sects4 ,9 ! case ( ! ,bah' ,cause1 h[ev]1 su* intrigues h fail$1 )\t exception1 to produce m ?an transi5t outbur/s ( controv]sy ^: net effect has be5 to deep5 ! community's und]/&+ ( its ,f\nd]'s purpose & its commitm5t to x4 8,s p[]ful is ! light ( unity01 ,bah'u'llh assures ^? :o recognize ,him1 8t x c illum9ate ! :ole e>?407#eh7 ,human nature be+ :at x is1 "o c readily appreciate ! ,gu>dian's anticipation t ?is purify+ process w long cont9ue--p>adoxically b necess>ily-- to be an integral feature ( ! maturation ( ! ,bah' community4 8,a coroll>y ( ! ab&onm5t ( fai? 9 ,god has be5 a p>alysis (4440 ,a coroll>y ( ! ab&onm5t ( fai? 9 ,god has be5 a p>alysis ( ability to address effectively ! problem ( evil or1 9 _m cases1 ev5 to ackn[l$ge x4 ,:ile ,bah's d n attribute to ! ph5om5on ! objective exi/5ce x 0 assum$ at e>li] /ages ( religi\s hi/ory to possess1 ! negation ( ! good t evil repres5ts1 z ) d>kness1 ignorance or disease1 is sev]ely crippl+ 9 its effect4 ,few publi%+ seasons pass t d n (f] ! educat$ read] a range ( new & imag9ative analyses ( ! "* ( "s ( ! mon/r\s figures :o1 dur+ ! tw5tie? c5tury1 sy/ematically tortur$1 degrad$ & ext]m9at$ millions ( _! fell[ human be+s4 ,"o is invit$ by s*ol>ly au?ority to pond] ! weight t %\ld be giv51 v>i\sly1 to pat]nal abuse1 social rejection1 pr(essional disappo9tm5ts1 pov]ty1 inju/ice1 w> exp]i5ces1 possible g5etic impairm5t1 nihili/ic lit]ature--or v>i\s comb9ations ( ! =ego+--9 seek+ to und]/& ! obsessions fuell+ an app>5tly bottomless hatr$ ( humank9d4 ,conspicu\sly miss+ f su* contempor>y speculation is :at exp]i5c$ comm5tators1 ev5 z rec5tly z a c5tury ago1 w\ld h recogniz$ z spiritual disease1 :atev] its accompany+ features4 ,if unity is inde$ ! litmus te/ ( human progress1 nei!r hi/ory nor ,heav5 w readily =give ^? :o *oose delib]ately to raise _! h&s aga9/ x4 ,9 tru/+1 p l[] _! def5ces & op5 !mselves to o!rs4 ,)\t do+ s1 !re is no way 9 :i* !y c commit !mselves :olehe>t$ly to %>$ goals4 ,no?+ is s deva/at+ z sudd5ly to discov] t1 = ! o!r p>ty1 commitm5ts made 9 good fai? h repres5t$ no m ?an an advantage ga9$1 a means ( a*iev+ conceal$ objectives diff]5t f1 or ev5 inimical to1 :at _h o/5sibly be5 und]tak5 toge!r4 ,su* betrayal is a p]si/5t ?read 9 human hi/ory t f\nd "o ( its e>lie/ record$ expressions 9 ! anci5t tale ( ,ca9's jeal\sy ( ! bro!r ^: fai? ,god _h *os5 to confirm4 ,if ! appall+ suff]+ endur$ by ! e>?'s peoples dur+ ! tw5tie? c5tury has left a lesson1 x lies 9 ! fact t ! sy/emic disunity1 inh]it$ f a d>k pa/ & poison+ relations 9 e sph]e ( life1 c\ld ?r[ op5 ! door 9 ?is age to demonic behavi\r m be/ial ?an any?+ ! m9d _h dream$ possible4 ,if evil has a "n1 x is surely ! delib]ate violation ( ! h>d-won cov5ants ( peace & reconciliation by :i* p ( goodwill seek to escape ! pa/ & to build toge!r a new future4 ,by its v nature1 unity requires self-sacrifice4 8444self-love01 ! ,ma/] /ates1 8is knead$ into ! v clay ( man407#ei7 ,! ego1 t]m$ by ,him ! 8insi/5t self017#fj7 resi/s in/9ctively con/ra9ts impos$ on :at x conceives to be its fre$om4 ,to will+ly =go ! satisfactions t lic5ce af=ds1 ! individual mu/ come to believe t fulfilm5t lies else:]e4 ,ultimately1 x lies1 z x has always done1 9 ! s\l's submission to ,god4 ,failure to meet ! *all5ge ( su* submission has manife/$ itself ) especially deva/at+ consequ5ces ?r\gh\t ! c5turies 9 betrayal ( ! ,mess5g]s ( ,god & ( ! ideals !y taught4 ,?is discussion is n ! place = a review ( ! nature & provisions ( ! specific ,cov5ant by means ( :i* ,bah'u'llh has successfully pres]v$ ! unity ( ^? :o recognize ,him & s]ve ,8 purpose4 ,x is suffici5t to note ! /r5g? ( ! language ,he res]ves = its delib]ate violation by ^? :o simultane\sly pret5d allegiance to x3 8,!y t h turn$ away !refrom are reckon$ among ! inmates ( ! ne!rmo/ fire 9 ! sight ( ?y ,"l1 ! ,almighty1 ! ,uncon/ra9$407#fa7 ,! reason = ! sev]ity ( ?is condemnation is obvi\s4 ,few p h difficulty 9 recogniz+ ! dang] to social well-be+ ( su* famili> crimes z murd]1 rape or fraud1 nor ! ne$ = society to take effective measures ( self-protection4 ,b h[ are ,bah's to ?9k ab\t a p]v]sity :i*1 if un*eck$1 w\ld de/roy ! v means ess5tial to ! creation ( unity--w\ld1 9 ! uncompromis+ words ( ! ,ma/]1 8become ev5 z an axe /rik+ at ! v root ( ! ,bless$ ,tree087#fb7 ,! issue is n "o ( intellectual diss5t1 nor ev5 ( moral weakness4 ,_m p are resi/ant to accept+ au?ority ( "o k9d or ano!r1 & ev5tually di/ance !mselves f circum/ances t require x4 ,p]sons :o h be5 attract$ to ! ,bah' ,fai? b :o decide1 = :atev] reason1 to leave x are entirely free to d s4 ,cov5ant-break+ is a ph5om5on fundam5tally diff]5t 9 nature4 ,! impulse x ar\ses 9 ^? "u its influ5ce is n simply to pursue freely :atev] pa? !y believe leads to p]sonal fulfilm5t or contribution to society4 ,r1 are su* p]sons driv5 by an app>5tly ungov]nable det]m9ation to impose _! p]sonal w on ! community by any means available to !m1 )\t reg>d = ! damage done & )\t respect = ! solemn und]tak+s !y ent]$ into on be+ accept$ z memb]s ( t community4 ,ultimately1 ! self becomes ! ov]rid+ au?ority1 n only 9 ! individual's own life1 b 9 :atev] o!r lives c be successfully influ5c$4 ,z long & tragic exp]i5ce has demon/rat$ all too c]ta9ly1 end[m5ts su* z di/+ui%$ l9eage1 intellect1 education1 piety or social lead]%ip c be h>ness$1 equally1 to ! s]vice ( humanity or to t ( p]sonal ambition4 ,9 ages pa/1 :5 spiritual priorities ( a diff]5t nature 7 ! focus ( ! ,div9e purpose1 ! consequ5ces ( su* rebellion did n vitiate ! c5tral message ( any ( ! successive revelations ( ,god4 ,today1 ) ! imm5se opportunities & horrific dang]s t physical unification ( ! planet has br\ght ) x1 commitm5t to ! requirem5ts ( unity becomes ! t\*/one ( all pr(essions ( devotion to ! w ( ,god or1 = t matt]1 to ! well-be+ ( humank9d4 8,ev]y?+ 9 its hi/ory has equipp$ ! ,bah'4440 ,ev]y?+ 9 its hi/ory has equipp$ ! ,bah' ,cause to address ! *all5ge fac+ x4 ,ev5 at ?is relatively e>ly /age ( its developm5t--& relatively limit$ z its res\rces pres5tly are--! ,bah' ent]prise is fully des]v+ ( ! respect x is w9n+4 ,an onlook] ne$ n accept its claims to ,div9e orig9 9 ord] to appreciate :at is be+ accompli%$4 ,tak5 simply z ?is-worldly ph5om5a1 ! nature & a*ievem5ts ( ! ,bah' community are _! own ju/ification = att5tion on ! "p ( anyone s]i\sly conc]n$ ) ! crisis ( civilization1 because !y are evid5ce t ! _w's peoples1 9 all _! div]sity1 c le>n to live & "w & f9d fulfilm5t z a s+le race1 9 a s+le global homel&4 ,?is fact und]l9es1 if fur!r emphasis 7 ne$$1 ! urg5cy ( ! successive ,plans devis$ by ! ,univ]sal ,h\se ( ,ju/ice = ! expansion & consolidation ( ! ,fai?4 ,! re/ ( humanity has e "r to expect t a body ( p g5u9ely committ$ to ! vision ( unity embodi$ 9 ! writ+s ( ,bah'u'llh w be an increas+ly vigor\s contributor to programmes ( social bett]m5t t dep5d = _! success precisely on ! =ce ( unity4 ,respond+ to ! expectation w require ! ,bah' community to gr[ at an ev]-accel]at+ pace1 greatly multiply+ ! human & mat]ial res\rces inve/$ 9 its "w & div]sify+ /ill fur!r ! range ( tal5ts t equip x to be a useful p>tn] ) l-m9d$ organizations4 ,along ) ! social objectives ( ! ef=t mu/ g an appreciation ( ! long+ ( millions ( equally s9c]e p1 z yet unaw>e ( ,bah'u'llh's mission b inspir$ by _m ( its ideals1 = an opportunity to f9d lives ( s]vice t w h endur+ mean+4 ,! culture ( sy/ematic gr[? tak+ root 9 ! ,bah' community w\ld seem1 !re=e1 by f> ! mo/ effective response ! fri5ds c make to ! *all5ge discuss$ 9 ^! pages4 ,! exp]i5ce ( an int5se & ongo+ imm]sion 9 ! ,creative ,^w progressively frees "o f ! grip ( ! mat]iali/ic assumptions--:at ,bah'u'llh t]ms 8! allusions ( ! embodim5ts ( satanic fancy07#fc7--t p]vade society & p>alyze impulses = *ange4 ,x develops 9 "o a capacity to assi/ ! ye>n+ = unity on ! "p ( fri5ds & acqua9tances to f9d mature & intellig5t expression4 ,! nature ( ! core activities ( ! curr5t ,plan--*ildr5's classes1 devotional meet+s & /udy circles--p]mits gr[+ numb]s ( p]sons :o d n yet reg>d !mselves z ,bah's to feel free to p>ticipate 9 ! process4 ,! result has be5 to br+ into exi/5ce :at has be5 aptly t]m$ a 8community ( int]e/04 ,z o!rs b5efit f p>ticipation & come to id5tify ) ! goals ! ,cause is pursu+1 exp]i5ce %[s t !y1 too1 are incl9$ to commit !mselves fully to ,bah'u'llh z active ag5ts ( ,8 purpose4 ,ap>t f its associat$ objectives1 !re=e1 :olehe>t$ prosecution ( ! ,plan has ! pot5tiality ( amplify+ enorm\sly ! ,bah' community's contribution to public disc\rse on :at has become ! mo/ dem&+ issue fac+ humank9d4 ,if ,bah's are to fulfil ,bah'u'llh's m&ate1 h[ev]1 x is obvi\sly vital t !y come to appreciate t ! p>allel ef=ts ( promot+ ! bett]m5t ( society & ( tea*+ ! ,bah' ,fai? are n activities compet+ = att5tion4 ,r1 are !y reciprocal features ( "o coh]5t global programme4 ,diff]5ces ( approa* are det]m9$ *iefly by ! diff]+ ne$s & diff]+ /ages ( inquiry t ! fri5ds enc\nt]4 ,because free w is an inh]5t end[m5t ( ! s\l1 ea* p]son :o is drawn to explore ,bah'u'llh's tea*+s w ne$ to f9d 8 own place 9 ! nev]-end+ cont9uum ( spiritual se>*4 ,he w ne$ to det]m9e1 9 ! privacy ( 8 own consci5ce & )\t pressure1 ! spiritual responsibility ?is discov]y entails4 ,9 ord] to ex]cise ?is autonomy intellig5tly1 h[ev]1 he mu/ ga9 bo? a p]spective on ! processes ( *ange 9 :i* he1 l ! re/ ( ! e>?'s population1 is caught up & a cle> und]/&+ ( ! implications = 8 own life4 ,! obligation ( ! ,bah' community is to d ev]y?+ 9 its p[] to assi/ all /ages ( humanity's univ]sal movem5t t[>ds reunion ) ,god4 ,! ,div9e ,plan bequea!d x by ! ,ma/] is ! means by :i* ?is "w is c>ri$ out4 ,h[ev] c5tral ! ideal ( ! on5ess ( religion unque/ionably is1 !re=e1 ! task ( %>+ ,bah'u'llh's message is obvi\sly n an int]fai? project4 ,:ile ! m9d seeks intellectual c]ta9ty1 :at ! s\l longs = is ! atta9m5t ( c]titude4 ,su* inn] conviction is ! ultimate goal ( all spiritual seek+1 reg>dless ( h[ rapid or gradual ! process may be4 ,= ! s\l1 ! exp]i5ce ( conv]sion is n an extrane\s or incid5tal feature ( ! exploration ( religi\s tru?1 b ! pivotal issue t mu/ ev5tually be address$4 ,!re is no ambiguity ab\t ,bah'u'llh's words on ! subject & !re c be none 9 ! m9ds ( ^? :o seek to s]ve ,him3 8,v]ily ,i say1 ?is is ! ,day 9 :i* mank9d c behold ! ,face1 & he> ! ,voice1 ( ! ,promis$ ,"o4 ,! ,call ( ,god ha? be5 rais$1 & ! light ( ,8 c\nt5ance ha? be5 lift$ up ^u m54 ,x behove? e man to blot out ! trace ( e idle ^w f ! tablet ( 8 he>t1 & to gaze1 ) an op5 & unbias$ m9d1 on ! signs ( ,8 ,revelation1 ! pro(s ( ,8 ,mission1 & ! tok5s ( ,8 glory407#fd7 8,"o ( ! di/+ui%+ features ( mod]nity has be5 ! univ]sal4440 ,"o ( ! di/+ui%+ features ( mod]nity has be5 ! univ]sal awak5+ ( hi/orical consci\sness4 ,an outcome ( ?is revolution>y *ange 9 p]spective t greatly enhances ! tea*+ ( ,bah'u'llh's message is ! ability ( p1 giv5 ! *ance1 to recognize t ! :ole body ( humanity's sacr$ texts places ! drama ( salvation itself squ>ely 9 ! context ( hi/ory4 ,b5ea? ! surface language ( symbol & metaphor1 religion1 z ! scriptures reveal x1 op]ates n ?r\gh ! arbitr>y dictates ( magic b z a process ( fulfilm5t unfold+ 9 a physical _w creat$ by ,god = t purpose4 ,9 ?is respect1 ! texts speak ) "o voice3 religion's goal is humanity's atta9m5t ( ! age ( 89-ga!r+017#fe7 ( 8"o fold1 & "o %eph]d027#ff7 ! great age to come :5 8! ,e>? w %9e ) ! glory ( its ,"l07#fg7 & ! w ( ,god is c>ri$ out 89 e>?1 z x is 9 heav5027#fh7 8! promis$ ,day07#fi7 :5 ! 8holy city07#gj7 w desc5d 8out ( heav51 f 444 ,god017#ga7 :5 8! m\nta9 ( ! ,"l's h\se %all be e/abli%$ 9 ! top ( ! m\nta9s1 & %all be exalt$ above ! hills2 & all nations %all fl[ unto x017#gb7 :5 ,god w dem& to "k 8:at mean ye t ye beat my p to pieces1 & gr9d ! faces ( ! poor027#gc7 ! ,day :5 scriptures t h be5 8seal$ till ! "t ( ! end07#gd7 w\ld be op5$ & union ) ,god w f9d expression 9 8a new "n1 :i* ! m\? ( ! ,"l %all "n027#ge7 an age utt]ly beyond any?+ humanity w h exp]i5c$1 ! m9d conceiv$ or language z yet encompass$3 8ev5 z ,we produc$ ! fir/ ,creation1 s %all ,we produce a new "o3 a promise ,we h und]tak53 truly %all ,we fulfil x407#gf7 ,! decl>$ purpose ( hi/ory's s]ies ( prophetic revelations1 !re=e1 has be5 n only to guide ! individual seek] on ! pa? ( p]sonal salvation1 b to prep>e ! :ole ( ! human family = ! great es*atological ,ev5t ly+ ahead1 ?r\gh :i* ! life ( ! _w w itself be entirely trans=m$4 ,! revelation ( ,bah'u'llh is nei!r prep>atory nor prophetic4 ,x is t ,ev5t4 ,?r\gh its influ5ce1 ! /up5d\s ent]prise ( lay+ ! f\ndations ( ! ,k+dom ( ,god has be5 set 9 motion1 & ! population ( ! e>? has be5 end[$ ) ! p[]s & capacities equal to ! task4 ,t ,k+dom is a univ]sal civilization %ap$ by pr9ciples ( social ju/ice & enri*$ by a*ievem5ts ( ! human m9d & _s beyond any?+ ! pres5t age c conceive4 8,?is is ! ,day01 ,bah'u'llh decl>es1 89 :i* ,god's mo/ excell5t fav\rs h be5 p\r$ out ^u m51 ! ,day 9 :i* ,8 mo/ mighty grace ha? be5 infus$ into all creat$ ?+s4444 ,soon w ! pres5t-day ord] be roll$ up1 & a new "o spread out 9 its /ead407#gg7 ,s]vice to ! goal calls = an und]/&+ ( ! fundam5tal diff]5ce di/+ui%+ ! mission ( ,bah'u'llh f political & ideological projects ( human design4 ,! moral vacuum t produc$ ! horrors ( ! tw5tie? c5tury expos$ ! out]mo/ limits ( ! m9d's unaid$ capacity to devise & con/ruct an ideal society1 h[ev] great ! mat]ial res\rces h>ness$ to ! ef=t4 ,! suff]+ entail$ has engrav$ ! lesson indelibly on ! consci\sness ( ! e>?'s peoples4 ,religion's p]spective on humanity's future1 !re=e1 has no?+ 9 common ) sy/ems ( ! pa/--& only relatively little relation%ip ) ^? ( today4 ,its appeal is to a reality 9 ! g5etic code1 if x c be s describ$1 ( ! rational s\l4 ,! ,k+dom ( ,heav51 ,jesus taught two ?\s& ye>s ago1 is 8)9047#gh7 ,8 organic analogies ( a 8v9ey>d017#gi7 ( 8se$ s[n into ! good gr\nd017#hj7 ( ! 8good tree t br+e? =? good fruit07#ha7 speak ( a pot5tiality ( ! human species t has be5 nurtur$ & tra9$ by ,god s9ce ! dawn ( "t z ! purpose & lead+ edge ( ! creative process4 ,! ongo+ "w ( pati5t cultivation is ! task t ,bah'u'llh has entru/$ to ! company ( ^? :o recognize ,him & embrace ,8 ,cause4 ,little wond]1 !n1 at ! exalt$ language 9 :i* ,he speaks ( a privilege s great3 8,ye are ! />s ( ! heav5 ( und]/&+1 ! breeze t /irre? at ! break ( day1 ! s(t-fl[+ wat]s ^u :i* mu/ dep5d ! v life ( all m5444407#hb7 ,! process be>s )9 itself ! assurance ( its fulfilm5t4 ,= ^? ) eyes to see1 ! new creation is today ev]y:]e em]g+1 9 ! same way t a se$l+ becomes 9 "t a fruit-be>+ tree or a *ild rea*es adul?ood4 ,successive disp5sations ( a lov+ & purposeful ,creator h br\ght ! e>?'s inhabitants to ! ?re%old ( _! collective com+-(-age z a s+le p4 ,bah'u'llh is n[ summon+ humanity to ent] on its inh]itance3 8,t :i* ! ,"l ha? orda9$ z ! sov]eign rem$y & mightie/ in/rum5t = ! heal+ ( all ! _w is ! union ( all its peoples 9 "o univ]sal ,cause1 "o common ,fai?407#hc7 ,,footnotes #a ,bah'u'llh ref]s to ! anci5t ,p]sian & ,arabian /ory ( ,majnn & ,layl1 ,! ,sev5 ,valleys & ,! ,f\r ,valleys 7,wilmette3 ,bah' ,publi%+ ,tru/1 #aiia71 page #f4 #b ,glean+s f ! ,writ+s ( ,bah'u'llh 7,wilmette3 ,bah' ,publi%+ ,tru/1 #aihc71 section ,,lxi4 #c ibid41 section ,,xvi4 #d ,tablets ( ,bah'u'llh reveal$ aft] ! ,kitb-i-,aqdas 7,wilmette3 ,bah' ,publi%+ ,tru/1 #aihh71 page #bg4 #e ,glean+s1 section ,,xvii4 #f ,bah'u'llh1 ,epi/le to ! ,son ( ! ,wolf 7,wilmette3 ,bah' ,publi%+ ,tru/1 #aihh71 page #acc4 #g ,bah'u'llh1 ,! ,kitb-i-qn 7,wilmette3 ,bah' ,publi%+ ,tru/1 #aiic71 p>agraph #baf4 #h ibid4 #i ibid41 p>agraph #ajd4 #aj ibid41 p>agraph #ajf4 #aa ,glean+s1 section ,,xxii4 #ab ,pray]s & ,m$itations by ,bah'u'llh 7,wilmette3 ,bah' ,publi%+ ,tru/1 #aihg71 page #caa4 #ac ,glean+s1 section ,,xxvii4 #ad ibid41 section ,,cix4 #ae ibid41 section ,,lxxxi4 #af ,julian ,huxley1 cit$ by ,pi]re ,teilh>d de ,*>d91 ,! ,ph5om5on ( ,man 7,london3 ,william ,coll9s ,sons ,co4 ,ltd41 #aiei71 page #bdc4 ,see also ,julian ,huxley1 ,k1 ,morality1 & ,de/9y 7,new ,york3 ,h>p] ,bro!rs1 #aieg71 page #ac4 #ag ,%oghi ,eff5di1 ,! ,_w ,ord] ( ,bah'u'llh3 ,select$ ,lett]s 7,wilmette3 ,bah' ,publi%+ ,tru/1 #aiia71 page #ce4 #ah ,glean+s1 section ,,lxxviii4 #ai ibid41 section ,,cxxxii4 #bj ,bah'u'llh1 ,! ,kitb-i-,aqdas3 ,! ,mo/ ,holy ,book 7,wilmette3 ,bah' ,publi%+ ,tru/1 #aiic71 p>agraph #ahb4 #ba ,bah'u'llh1 ,! ,kitb-i-qn1 p>agraph #d4 #bb ibid41 p>agraph #h4 #bc ibid41 p>agraph #ac4 #bd ibid41 p>agraph #ad4 #be ,/4 ,mat!w #ac4be1 ,au?oriz$ ,k+ ,james ,v]sion4 #bf ibid41 #ac4bi-cj4 #bg ,qur'n1 surih #g1 v]se #cc1 ,abdullah ,yusuf ,ali translation1 ?ird edition1 7n4p43 #aich74 #bh ,bah'u'llh1 ,! ,kitb-i-,aqdas1 p>agraph #ii4 #bi ,! ,summons ( ! ,"l ( ,ho/s3 ,tablets ( ,bah'u'llh 7,haifa3 ,bah' ,_w ,c5tre1 #bjjb71 p>agraph #abf4 #cj ,bah'u'llh1 quot$ 9 ,%oghi ,eff5di1 ,! ,adv5t ( ,div9e ,ju/ice 7,wilmette3 ,bah' ,publi%+ ,tru/1 #aiij71 page #gi4 #ca ,isaiah #de4e4 #cb ,timo?y #a4ag4 #cc ,qur'n1 surih #c1 v]se #gc4 #cd ibid41 surih #b1 v]se #agg4 #ce ,/4 ,mat!w #e4ac4 #cf ibid41 #e4ad4 #cg ,micah #f4h4 #ch ,/4 ,john #ad4f4 #ci ,qur'n1 surih #bd1 v]se #ce4 #dj ,g5esis #ag4g4 #da ,bhagavad-,gita1 *apt] ,,iv1 ,sir ,edw9 ,arnold translation4 #db ,deut]onomy #cd4aj4 #dc ,/4 ,john #e4de-dg4 #dd ,qur'n1 surih #b1 v]se #acf4 #de ,! ,promulgation ( ,univ]sal ,peace3 ,talks ,deliv]$ by #8,abdu'l-,bah dur+ ,8 ,visit to ! ,unit$ ,/ates & ,canada 9 #aiab1 revis$ edition 7,wilmette3 ,bah' ,publi%+ ,tru/1 #aiie71 page #cbf4 #df ,/4 ,john #a4aj4 #dg ,glean+s1 section ,,cvi4 #dh ,abraham ,l9coln1 quot$ 9 ,inaugural ,addresses ( ! ,presid5ts ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates 7,wa%+ton1 ,d4,c43 ,u4,s4 ,gov]nm5t ,pr9t+ ,(fice1 #aihi74 #di ,qur'n1 surih #ba1 v]se #ajd4 #ej ,bah'u'llh1 ,! ,kitb-i-,aqdas1 p>agraph #e4 #ea ,! ,summons ( ! ,"l ( ,ho/s1 p>agraph #agd4 #eb ,%oghi ,eff5di1 ,! ,_w ,ord] ( ,bah'u'llh1 page #bjd4 #ec ,bah'u'llh1 quot$ 9 ,%oghi ,eff5di1 ,! ,_w ,ord] ( ,bah'u'llh1 page #aib4 #ed ,glean+s1 section ,,cvi4 #ee ,tablets ( ,bah'u'llh1 page #abi4 #ef ,bah'u'llh1 quot$ 9 ,%oghi ,eff5di1 ,! ,_w ,ord] ( ,bah'u'llh1 pages #bjb-bjc4 #eg ,bah'u'llh1 quot$ 9 ,%oghi ,eff5di1 ,! ,adv5t ( ,div9e ,ju/ice1 page #hd4 #eh ,glean+s1 section ,,cxxxii4 #ei #8,abdu'l-,bah1 ,! ,secret ( ,div9e ,civilization 7,wilmette3 ,bah' ,publi%+ ,tru/1 #aiij71 page #if4 #fj ,selections f ! ,writ+s ( #8,abdu'l-,bah 7,haifa3 ,bah' ,_w ,c5tre1 #aiig71 page #bef4 #fa ,bah'u'llh1 f a previ\sly untranslat$ ,tablet4 #fb ,w & ,te/am5t ( #8,abdu'l-,bah 7,wilmette3 ,bah' ,publi%+ ,tru/1 #aidd71 page #be4 #fc ,bah'u'llh1 ,! ,kitb-i-qn1 p>agraph #bac4 #fd ,glean+s1 section ,,vii4 #fe ,! ,summons ( ! ,"l ( ,ho/s1 p>agraph #abf4 #ff ,/4 ,john #aj4af4 #fg ,qur'n1 surih #ci1 v]se #fi4 #fh ,/4 ,mat!w #f4aj4 #fi ,qur'n1 surih #he1 v]se #b4 #gj ,revelation #ba4b4 #ga ibid41 #c4ab4 #gb ,isaiah #b4b4 #gc ibid41 #c4ae4 #gd ,daniel #ab4i4 #ge ,isaiah #fb4b4 #gf ,qur'n1 surih #ba1 v]se #ajd4 #gg ,glean+s1 section ,,iv4 #gh ,/4 ,luke #ag4ba4 #gi ,/4 ,mat!w #ba4cc4 #hj ibid41 #ac4bc4 #ha ibid41 #g4ag4 #hb ,glean+s1 section ,,xcvi4 #hc ibid41 section ,,cxx4