Istijlál, 19 Jamál (Beauty), 182 B.E.
Social Action: Underlying Concepts and Principles
Quotes for Reflection:
… though world unity is possible—nay, inevitable—it ultimately cannot be achieved without unreserved acceptance of the oneness of humankind, described by the Guardian as “the pivot round which all the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh revolve”. With what insight and eloquence did he expound upon the far-reaching implications of this cardinal principle! Plainly he saw, amidst the turbulence of world affairs, how the reality that humanity is one people must be the starting point for a new order. The vast array of relations among nations—and within them—all need to be re-envisaged in this light.
The realization of such a vision will require, sooner or later, an historic feat of statesmanship from the leaders of the world. Alas, the will to attempt this feat is still wanting. Humanity is gripped by a crisis of identity, as various peoples and groups struggle to define themselves, their place in the world, and how they should act. Without a vision of shared identity and common purpose, they fall into competing ideologies and power struggles. Seemingly countless permutations of “us” and “them” define group identities ever more narrowly and in contrast to one another. Over time, this splintering into divergent interest groups has weakened the cohesion of society itself. Rival conceptions about the primacy of a particular people are peddled to the exclusion of the truth that humanity is on a common journey in which all are protagonists. Consider how radically different such a fragmented conception of human identity is from the one that follows from a recognition of the oneness of humanity. In this perspective, the diversity that characterizes the human family, far from contradicting its oneness, endows it with richness. Unity, in its Bahá’í expression, contains the essential concept of diversity, distinguishing it from uniformity. It is through love for all people, and by subordinating lesser loyalties to the best interests of humankind, that the unity of the world can be realized and the infinite expressions of human diversity find their highest fulfilment. — The Universal House of Justice 1 2
Question for Consideration
How does “unity, in its Bahá’í expression, contains the essential concept of diversity, distinguishing it from uniformity?”
Perplexity Pro Response 3
Unity in diversity is a foundational principle in the Bahá’í Faith, distinct from the concept of uniformity. This principle asserts that true unity is not achieved by erasing differences, but by harmonizing and celebrating the rich diversity inherent within humanity.
Unity in Diversity: Not Uniformity
The Bahá’í teachings emphasize that unity does not mean sameness or uniformity. Instead, it is “unity in diversity” that is sought, where the differences among peoples-race, culture, language, temperament-are seen as a source of strength and beauty, not division [2] [6] [7].
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, son of Bahá’u’lláh, used the analogy of a garden: “the flowers of a garden: though differing in kind, colour, form and shape, yet…this diversity increaseth their charm, and addeth unto their beauty.” When diverse people are brought together under a unifying purpose, “the beauty and glory of human perfection will be revealed and made manifest” [6] [7].
The Bahá’í writings consistently reject the notion that unity requires suppressing or assimilating differences. Instead, they teach that “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” [5].
How Unity Embraces Diversity
Protection and Encouragement of Diversity
The Bahá’í community actively safeguards the rights of minorities and encourages the preservation and flourishing of cultural identities, provided these do not contravene the principles of the Faith [2] [3] [5]. The Faith upholds the right of indigenous peoples and minorities to develop and take pride in their own languages and traditions [3].
Organic Unity
The Bahá’í vision likens humanity to a single body or a garden, where each part or flower has a unique role and beauty, but all are interdependent and contribute to the well-being of the whole [1] [4] [6]. This organic unity requires that the prosperity of each individual and group is sought within the context of the prosperity of all.
Consultation and Participation
The Bahá’í administrative system is designed to ensure the participation of all, regardless of background, and to protect freedom of opinion and the rights of minorities [2] [3]. Consultation is not about imposing uniformity, but about drawing on diverse perspectives to reach collective understanding and action.
No Forced Assimilation
The oneness of humanity, as envisioned by Bahá’u’lláh, “will not be based on forced assimilation, but upon protection of cultural diversity” [3]. The Faith seeks a vigorous complementarity, where unity in fundamental principles coexists with infinite diversity in secondary characteristics.
Contrast with Uniformity
| Aspect | Bahá’í Unity in Diversity | Uniformity |
|---|---|---|
| Approach to Difference | Values and celebrates differences; diversity is essential to unity | Seeks to minimize or erase differences |
| Social Organization | Encourages participation and protection of minorities; organic integration | Imposes sameness; often suppresses minority voices |
| Outcome | Richness, strength, and resilience through complementarity | Monotony, potential for oppression or stagnation |
Implications for Society
The Bahá’í model of unity in diversity calls for a “complete reconceptualization of the relationships that sustain society,” moving beyond “us” versus “them” mentalities to a recognition that “the diversity that characterizes the human family, far from contradicting its oneness, endows it with richness” [1].
This vision requires subordinating lesser loyalties (such as those to race, nation, or class) to the best interests of humankind, fostering a world where “the infinite expressions of human diversity find their highest fulfilment” [1].
The Bahá’í community is thus a microcosm of this principle, striving to build communities where unity is achieved not by erasing differences, but by integrating them into a harmonious and purposeful whole [3] [4] [5].
Conclusion
In summary, from a Bahá’í perspective, unity is not the suppression of difference, but its harmonious integration. Diversity is not a problem to be solved, but a treasure to be cherished. The Bahá’í teachings envision a world where the oneness of humanity is the foundation, and diversity is the adornment-each person and culture contributing uniquely to the advancement and flourishing of civilization [1] [2] [3] [6] [7].
Citations:
[2] Consultation and the Protection of Diversity – The Bahá’í Faith
[3] Cultural Diversity in the Age of Maturity – Bahá’í Library Online
[4] What is the oneness of humanity? – Bahá’ís of the United States
[5] Unity in diversity – Bahaipedia
[7] Baháʼí Faith and the unity of humanity – Wikipedia
[8] Unity in Diversity – Bahá’í Quotes
[9] Oneness of Humanity – BahaiTeachings.org
[10] Does the Baha’i Faith encourage uniformity? – Reddit
[11] Unity in Diversity—But First, Justice – BahaiTeachings.org
[12] What is the oneness of God? – Bahá’ís of the United States
[14] Unity Through Diversity: A Bahá’í Principle – The Bahá’í World
[15] Oneness of Humanity – Bahá’í Quotes
[16] Unity in Diversity – The Shining Lamp
[17] A Spiritual Path to Unity & Social Justice – Bahá’ís of the United States
[18] One Human Family: Living the Principle of Oneness – The Bahá’í Faith
[19] Unity in diversity – Shareable Bahá’í Resources
[20] Unity in Diversity and Racial Identification – BahaiTeachings.org
[21] Unity in Diversity – Bahá’ís of Portland/Vancouver Metro
Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity
- How does the Bahá’í concept of unity differ from other religious or philosophical views on unity?
- What are some practical steps individuals can take to promote the oneness of humanity?
- How does the Bahá’í perspective on unity address the issue of cultural diversity?
- Can you provide examples of how the principle of unity has been applied in Bahá’í communities?
- How does the Bahá’í concept of unity relate to the idea of global citizenship?
- Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Social Action.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 2020. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/compilations/social-action/2#123273608. ↩
- Universal House of Justice. “18 January 2019 – To the Bahá’ís of the World.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed May 14, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20190118_001/1#382171341. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “Unity and Diversity in the Bahá’í Perspective.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. May 14, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/though-world-unity-is-possible-WfFMkMrATO6ACPTTpU.MSA. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 