Daily Frameworks for 10 January 2024

’Idál, 11 Sharaf (Honor), 180 B.E.

Arising to Serve

Quote for Reflection:

Consider the increase and improvement in the weapons of war. God has created us all human, and all countries of the world are parts of the same globe. We are all His servants. He is kind and just to all. Why should we be unkind and unjust to each other? He provides for all. Why should we deprive one another? He protects and preserves all. Why should we kill our fellow creatures? If this warfare and strife be for the sake of religion, it is evident that it violates the spirit and basis of all religion. All the divine Manifestations have proclaimed the oneness of God and the unity of mankind. They have taught that men should love and mutually help each other in order that they might progress. Now if this conception of religion be true, its essential principle is the oneness of humanity. The fundamental truth of the Manifestations is peace. This underlies all religion, all justice. The divine purpose is that men should live in unity, concord and agreement and should love one another. Consider the virtues of the human world and realize that the oneness of humanity is the primary foundation of them all. Read the Gospel and the other Holy Books. You will find their fundamentals are one and the same. Therefore, unity is the essential truth of religion and, when so understood, embraces all the virtues of the human world. Praise be to God! This knowledge has been spread, eyes have been opened, and ears have become attentive. Therefore, we must endeavor to promulgate and practice the religion of God which has been founded by all the Prophets. And the religion of God is absolute love and unity. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ¹

Question for Consideration:

What are some of the truths common to all religions? ²

Google Bard Response:

According to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, despite the diverse forms and expressions of religions across the world, they share several fundamental truths:

Oneness of humanity:

• All humans are created by God and exist as part of one global family. This universality transcends differences in cultural background, nationality, or beliefs.
• We are all connected as God’s servants, deserving of kindness, justice, and protection. Depriving or harming others contradicts the core principle of shared humanity.
  

Universal love and unity:

• All religions, at their core, advocate for love and unity among human beings. The divine purpose is for us to live in harmony, cooperation, and mutual support.
• This love should not be limited to fellow believers but extended to all people, fostering a sense of global community and brotherhood/sisterhood.
  

Peace as the essential principle:

• True religion promotes peace as the foundation for individual and societal well-being. Warfare and conflict are violations of the core message of harmony and understanding.
• This pursuit of peace extends beyond the absence of war, encompassing social justice, economic equality, and efforts to address the root causes of conflict.
  

Shared foundational truths:

• While specific rituals and doctrines may differ, the core messages of love, unity, and peace are found in the holy books of all major religions.
• Examining the Gospels and other scriptures reveals fundamental truths that resonate across traditions, highlighting the common ground and potential for interfaith dialogue.
  

Unity as the path to all virtues:

• True religion becomes the foundation for all desirable human qualities when understood as love and unity. Compassion, justice, forgiveness, and service to others naturally flow from this core principle.
• By embracing our shared humanity and working towards unity, we can cultivate a world that reflects the divine qualities of love, harmony, and progress.
  

These are just some of the common truths highlighted by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Recognizing these shared values can offer a foundation for interfaith dialogue, promoting understanding and collaboration across diverse religious communities.

Remember, this is one perspective on common truths among religions. Different faiths and scholars may have their interpretations and emphasize other aspects. As always, approaching such topics with respect and a willingness to learn can foster a more profound understanding and appreciation for the diversity of human beliefs and values.

1. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912. Edited by Howard MacNutt. 2nd ed. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1982, 31-32. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/2#018105204. ↩
2. Ruhi Institute. Arising to Serve. 2.1.1.PE September 2020. Vol. Book 2. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2020, 21. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#AS. ↩