’Idál, 07 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur), 181 B.E.
The Twin Manifestations
Quote for Reflection:
The One true God beareth Me witness, and His creatures will testify, that not for a moment did I allow Myself to be hidden from the eyes of men, nor did I consent to shield My person from their injury. Before the face of all men I have arisen, and bidden them fulfill My pleasure. My object is none other than the betterment of the world and the tranquillity of its peoples. The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established. This unity can never be achieved so long as the counsels which the Pen of the Most High hath revealed are suffered to pass unheeded. — Bahá’u’lláh 1
Question for Consideration:
The unification of all the peoples of the world in one universal family is, we know, among the goals to be achieved in this age. What are a few others? 2
Google Gemini Response:
The unification of humanity is a central tenet of the Bahá’í Faith, but it’s not the only goal. Here are a few other core goals outlined in the Bahá’í teachings:
- Eliminating prejudice and discrimination: This includes dismantling barriers based on race, religion, ethnicity, nationality, gender, or social class. Bahá’í teachings emphasize the oneness of humanity and the importance of treating all people with dignity and respect.
- Promoting world peace: This involves working towards peaceful resolutions of conflict, fostering understanding between different cultures, and addressing the root causes of war, such as poverty and injustice.
- Establishing a just world order: This envisions a global system that prioritizes the well-being of all people, promotes cooperation and collaboration between nations, and ensures equitable resource distribution.
- Equality of men and women: The Bahá’í Faith advocates for the full participation of women in all aspects of society, including leadership roles. Gender equality is seen as essential for achieving a just and peaceful world.
- Harmony between science and religion: The Bahá’í teachings promote the pursuit of both scientific knowledge and spiritual understanding, viewing them as complementary paths to truth.
- Independent investigation of truth: Bahá’ís encourage individuals to seek their truth by studying various religions and philosophies with an open mind.
- Universal education: The Bahá’í Faith emphasizes the importance of education for all, regardless of background, as a key to individual and societal progress.
These are just some of the primary goals outlined in the Bahá’í teachings. Ultimately, the Faith envisions a world transformed by unity, justice, peace, and the pursuit of knowledge.
ChatGPT-4o Response:
Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, set forth several core goals for humanity to achieve in this age, aiming for the betterment and unification of the world. Here are a few prominent ones:
- Elimination of Prejudices: This includes eradicating all forms of prejudice—racial, religious, national, and gender-based. Bahá’u’lláh emphasized the oneness of humanity and the need for universal acceptance and love among all people.
- Universal Education: Ensuring that education is accessible to everyone is crucial. Bahá’u’lláh highlighted the importance of education for personal development and the progress of society. Education is seen as a means to uplift and empower individuals and communities.
- Equality of Men and Women: Promoting the equality of the sexes is a fundamental principle. Bahá’u’lláh called for women’s full participation in all aspects of society, recognizing their vital role in building a balanced and just world.
- World Peace: Achieving global peace is a central aim. This involves not only the cessation of war but also the establishment of a sustainable peace through justice, economic equity, and the rule of law.
- Harmony of Science and Religion: Bahá’u’lláh taught that science and religion are in harmony and are essential for advancing civilization. This principle encourages the reconciliation of scientific understanding with spiritual truths.
- Global Governance: Establishing a global governance system to maintain peace and order worldwide is a significant goal. Bahá’u’lláh envisioned a world commonwealth of nations working together in unity to address global challenges.
- Spiritual and Moral Development: Spiritual and moral growth is essential alongside material progress. Bahá’u’lláh emphasized the importance of developing virtues such as truthfulness, justice, and compassion.
These goals, among others, form a comprehensive vision for transforming society and creating a just, peaceful, and united world.
Claude 3 Sonnet Response:
According to the Baha’i teachings, some other core goals to be achieved in this age include:
- Establishing world peace and the elimination of warfare between nations.
- Promoting justice, equality, and human rights for everyone regardless of race, gender, or nationality.
- Achieving universal education and the eradication of ignorance and prejudice.
- Harmonizing science and religion, recognizing their essential harmony.
- Developing a global system of governance with the capacity to maintain collective security and prosperity for all nations.
- Revitalizing religious faith and unfolding the spiritual capacities latent within human beings.
- Advancing a sustainable global economy and the equitable distribution of the world’s resources.
- Raising the status of women and their full participation in all fields of human endeavor.
The Baha’i teachings envision a gradual but fundamental reorganization of humanity’s social, political, economic, and religious affairs to create a united, peaceful, and just global civilization.
Pi Response:
In addition to the unification of humanity, Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings emphasize several other fundamental goals and principles to be achieved in this age, including:
- Elimination of Prejudice: Bahá’u’lláh calls for eliminating all forms of prejudice—including racial, religious, gender, and national prejudice—and promotes the oneness of humankind.
- Equality of Men and Women: The Bahá’í Faith emphasizes the equality of men and women, advocating for equal opportunities in education, employment, and social and family life.
- Universal Education: Bahá’u’lláh stresses the importance of universal education, urging every individual to acquire knowledge and skills that contribute to personal growth and the betterment of society.
- Harmony of Science and Religion: The Bahá’í teachings assert that religion and science are complementary and that true religion must be in harmony with reason and scientific knowledge.
- Elimination of Extremes of Wealth and Poverty: Bahá’u’lláh advocates for eradicating poverty and narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor, promoting economic justice and equity.
- Universal Peace: Bahá’u’lláh envisions a world free from war and violence, where collective security is established through cooperation, understanding, and peaceful conflict resolution.
- Spiritualization of Human Nature: Bahá’u’lláh emphasizes the spiritual development of individuals and the fostering of spiritual qualities such as love, unity, justice, and compassion, thereby transforming human nature and advancing civilization.
These goals and principles are interrelated and interdependent. They aim to create a more united, just, and peaceful world in which all humanity’s spiritual and material well-being is realized.
- Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library, 1935. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/7#877770890. ↩
- Ruhi Institute. The Twin Manifestations. 2.1.21.PE December 2021. Vol. Book 4. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2021, 3. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#TWM.
Frameworks for Understanding the World 