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Abdul-Baha, A Traveler’s Narrative, originally published in
1891, 87 - 92.
[To insure] freedom of conscience and tranquility of heart and soul is
one of the duties and functions of government, and is in all ages the cause
of progress in development and ascendancy over other lands. Other civilized
countries acquired not this preeminence, nor attained unto these high
degrees of influence and power, till such time as they put away the strife
of sects out of their midst, and dealt with all classes according to one
standard. All are one people, one nation, one species, one kind. The common
interest is complete equality; justice and equality amongst mankind are
amongst the chief promoters of empire and the principal means to the
extension of the skirt of conquest. From whatever section of earth's
denizens signs of contentiousness appear, prompt punishment is required by a
just government; while any person who girds up the loins of endeavor and
carries off the ball of priority is deserving of royal favors and worthy of
splendid gifts. Times are changed, and the need and fashion of the world are
changed. Interference with creed and faith in every country causes manifest
detriment, while justice and equal dealing towards all peoples on the face
of the earth are the means whereby progress is effected.
* * *
Where is this little island in the North Atlantic, and where the vast
territory of the East Indies? Can such extension be obtained save by equal
justice to all peoples and classes? At all events, by means of just laws,
freedom of conscience, and uniform dealing and equity towards all
nationalities and peoples, they have actually brought under their dominion
nearly all of the inhabited quarter of the world, and by reason of these
principles of freedom they have added day by day to the strength, power, and
extent of their empire, while most of the peoples on the face of the earth
celebrate the name of this state for its justice. As regards religious zeal
and true piety, their touchstone and proof are firmness and steadfastness in
noble qualities, virtues, and perfections, which are the greatest blessings
of the human race; but not interference with the belief of this one or that
one, demolition of edifices, and cutting off of the human race. In the
middle ages, whereof the beginning was the time of the fall of the Roman
Empire, and the end the capture of Constantinople at the hands of [the
followers of] Islám, fierce intolerance and molestation of far and near
arose in [all] the countries of Europe by reason of the paramount influence
of religious leaders. The matter came to such a pass that the edifice of
humanity seemed tottering to its fall, and the peace and comfort of chief
and vassal, king and subject, became hidden behind the veil of annihilation.
Night and day all parties were slaves to apprehension and disquietude:
civilization was utterly destroyed: the control and order of countries was
neglected: the principles and essentials of the happiness of the human race
were in abeyance: the supports of kingly authority were shaken: but the
influence and power of the heads of religion and of the monks were in all
parts complete. But when they removed these differences, persecution, and
bigotries out of their midst, and proclaimed the equal rights of all
subjects and the liberty of men's consciences, the lights of glory and power
arose and shone from the horizons of that kingdom in such wise that those
countries made progress in every direction; and whereas the mightiest
monarchy of Europe had been servile to and abased before the smallest
government of Asia, now the great states of Asia are unable to oppose the
small states of Europe. These
are effectual and sufficient proofs that the conscience of man is sacred and
to be respected; and that liberty thereof produces widening of ideas,
amendment of morals, improvement of conduct, disclosure of the secrets of
creation, and manifestation of the hidden verities of the contingent world.
Moreover, if interrogation of conscience,
which is one of the private possessions of the heart and the soul, take
place in this world, what further recompense remains for man in the court of
divine justice at the day of general resurrection? Convictions and ideas are
within the scope of the comprehension of the King of kings, not of kings;
and soul and conscience are between the fingers of control of the Lord of
hearts, not of [His] servants. So in the world of existence two persons
unanimous in all grades [of thought] and all beliefs cannot be found. `The
ways unto God are as the number of the breaths of [His] creatures' is a
mysterious truth, and `To every [people] We have appointed a [separate]
rite' [50] is one of the subtleties of the Qur'án.
"Today we have closed our eyes to every righteous act and have sacrificed the abiding happiness of
society to our own transitory profit. We regard fanaticism and zealotry as redounding to our credit and honor, and not content with
this, we denounce one another and plot each other's ruin, and whenever we wish to put on a show of wisdom and learning, of virtue and
godliness, we set about mocking and reviling this one and that.
"The ideas of such a one," we say, "are wide of the mark, and
so-and-so's behavior leaves much to be desired. The religious observances of
Zayd are few and far between, and Amr is not firm in his faith."...With
words such as these they assualt the minds of the helpless masses and disturb the hearts of the already bewildered poor, who know nothing of
the true state of affairs and the real basis for such talk and remain completely unaware of the fact that a thousand selfish purposes are
concealed behind the supposedly religious eloquence of certain individuals. They imagine that speakers of this type are motivated
by virtuous zeal, when the truth is that such individuals keep up a great hue and cry because they see their own personal ruin in the welfare of
the masses, and believe that if the people's eyes are opened their own light will go out.
Abdul-Baha, The Secret of Divine Civilization, 56-57, 1990 edition.
"Likewise, when you meet those whose opinions differ from your own, do not turn away your face from them. All are seeking truth, and there are many roads leading thereto. Truth has many aspects , but it remains always and forever one. Do not allow difference of opinion, or
diversity of thought to separate you from your fellow-men, or to be the cause of dispute, hatred and strife in your hearts."
--Abdul-Baha, Paris Talks, 53.
Truly, this is a great and revered nation. Here liberty has reached its
highest degree. The intentions of its people are most praiseworthy. They
are, indeed, worthy of being the first to build the Tabernacle of the Most
Great Peace and proclaim the oneness of mankind. I will supplicate God for
assistance [PUP p.36-37]
You are living upon the great continent of the West, enjoying the
perfect liberty, security and peace of this just government. There is no
cause for sorrow or unhappiness anywhere; every means of happiness and
enjoyment is about you,
for in this human world there is no greater blessing
than liberty. [PUP p.52]
This is the century of new and universal nationhood. Sciences have
advanced; industries have progressed; politics have been reformed;
liberty
has been proclaimed; justice is awakening. [PUP p.143]
Praise be to God! The standard of liberty is held aloft in this land.
You enjoy political liberty; you enjoy liberty of thought and speech,
religious liberty, racial and personal liberty. Surely this is worthy of
appreciation and thanksgiving.[PUP p.390]
But when they removed these differences, persecution, and bigotries out
of their midst, and proclaimed the equal rights of all subjects and the
liberty of men's consciences, the lights of glory and power arose and shone
from the horizons of that kingdom in such wise that those countries made
progress in every direction [TN p.91]
When meeting for consultation, each must use perfect liberty in stating
his views and unveiling the proof of his demonstration. [BWF p.406]
The third candle is unity in freedom which will surely come to pass. [SWA
p.32]
The honoured members must with all freedom express their own
thoughts,
and it is in no wise permissible for one to belittle the thought of another.
[SWA p.88]
[To insure] freedom of conscience and tranquility of heart and soul is
one of the duties and functions of government, and is in all ages the cause
of progress in development and ascendancy over other lands. [TNp87]
The Constitutional Government, according to the irrefutable text of the
Religion of God, is the cause of the glory and prosperity of the nation and
the civilization and freedom of the people [TAB p. 492]
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