Role of equality in building a peaceful world
Moral codes and values, based on sectarianism and prejudices that place one group above the other, cannot lead to social justice, and therefore to global peace.
As we celebrate International Day of Peace on 21 September, it is timely to reflect on the role that equality of rights and opportunities can play in promoting peace.
Building a peaceful world is conditioned by justice. It is a requirement of justice that everyone is treated equally and with dignity – equal before the law and with equal opportunities – and there must be a more equitable management and distribution of wealth.
Moral codes and values, based on sectarianism and prejudices that place one group above the other, cannot lead to social justice, and therefore to global peace.
It is the Bahá’í view that a new set of moral and spiritual codes and values must lead to the acceptance of our oneness as members of one human family, and to the unification of humanity. It should focus on the emergence of a world civilisation – a kind of civilisation built in a context of love and respect for those who differ from us, in terms of nationality, race, ethnic background, or beliefs.
Physical differences such as skin colour or hair texture are superficial and have nothing to do with any supposed superiority of one ethnic group over another. A new “world order”, in the Bahá’í view, “can be founded only on an unshakable consciousness of the oneness of mankind”, and when we have a clear realization that, as Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, states: “The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens.”
Adherence to the principle of oneness of mankind will not be in conflict with legitimate loyalties and will not undermine the diversity of ethnic origins that differentiate the people and nations of the world. It is a call for a wider loyalty to the human race and its watchword is “unity in diversity”.
In order to build a peaceful world, gender equality is a necessity. The Baha’i Writings state: “when women participate fully and equally in the affairs of the world … war will cease”.
There is also need to treat all races and religions with love and respect. The Bahá’í Writings state: “God maketh no distinction between the white and the black. If the hearts are pure both are acceptable unto Him”, and “Love ye all religions and all races with a love that is true and sincere and show that love through deeds and not through the tongue; for the latter hath no importance, as the majority of men are, in speech, well-wishers, while action is the best.”
Achievement of world peace, therefore, requires fundamental changes in our behaviour and the overcoming of any lingering feelings of racism and national, religious, tribal or gender prejudices that we may, consciously or unconsciously, harbour.
For feedback please contact: tshwane@bahai.org.za; or call 083-794-0819.
Websites: www.bahai.org, www.bahai.org.za
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
