God’s word brings about change
May 14 2008 11:23:56:470AM  - (SA)  
Flora Teckie

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It is such diversity that makes our rainbow nation special. Differences are not only in the human family, but are apparent throughout the whole of nature.

A beautiful garden normally has flowers of different colours, charm and beauty and shrubs and trees of different types and sizes.

Similarly the variety of colour and culture enriches the world.

According to the Bahá’í scriptures: “The diversity in the human family should be the cause of love and harmony, as it is in music where many different notes blend together in the making of a perfect chord.”

It emphasises that: “If you meet those of different race and colour from yourself, do not mistrust them and withdraw yourself into your shell of conventionality, but rather be glad and show them kindness.

“Think of them as different roses growing in the beautiful garden of humanity, and rejoice to be among them.”

The unity of humanity, as Bahá’ís view it, is a unity in diversity rather than uniformity.

It is not by suppression of differences that one will arrive at unity, but rather, by an increased awareness of and respect for the values of each culture, and indeed of each individual.

What is currently causing division hatred, warfare and bloodshed in many parts of the world is prejudice.

Prejudice comes from the belief that one group or a part of humanity is superior to another.

In order to promote unity and mutual understanding among the various segments of the human family we need to confront and eliminate all forms of prejudice, be it religious, racial, patriotic or tribal.

With unity – a unity that embraces and honours the full diversity of humankind – our problems can be solved.

Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í faith says: “The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established.”

His further testimony is: “So powerful is the light of unity, that it can illuminate the whole earth.”

In the Bahá’í view the recognition of the fundamental oneness of the human race is the key to overcoming our prejudices.

At the same time we are encouraged to value our diversity and the unique gifts of each individual and group identities.

Belief in the oneness of humanity provides both a unifying vision and the basis for a new system of values.

It has the power to inspire the transformation of individual attitudes and behaviour.

It can, at the same time, help chart the structural changes necessary for the emergence of a peaceful, harmonious, and prosperous global society.

Acceptance of the concept of unity in diversity implies the development in the individual of a global consciousness and a love for humanity as a whole.

Overcoming our prejudice requires a profound change of heart and a new mind-set.

It is the power of the Word of God that can produce such a necessary transformation.

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