“Unity has never meant uniformity.” — Dr. Martin Luther King
Dr. King recognized that to be in unity does not mean that everyone must think the same.
Indeed, the definition of unity is, “the state of being united or joined as a whole”. Perhaps a better definition is, “a heartfelt condition of peace, love and harmony in human relations, free of conflict, contention, dissension, and the struggle for dominance.” Throughout human history there have been uncounted religions with just as many prophets. However, the vast majority of religious teaching has held to one fundamental concept: love and kindness toward one another.
The Baha’i Faith teaches that we are all one human family, with a goal of uniting all humanity in the loving embrace of our global unity. When we view each other as sisters and daughters, sons and brothers, mothers and fathers, the Golden Rule attains the true depth of belonging and the height of love and compassion. The prophets of all our familiar major religions have taught the same principle:
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you; this sums up the Law and the Prophets” — Christianity
“What is hateful to you, do not unto your fellow man. That is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary.” — Judaism
“No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.” — Islam
“Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.” — Buddhism
“This is the sum of duty: do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you.” — Hinduism
“And if thine eyes be turned toward justice, choose thou for thy neighbor that which thou choosest for thyself.” — Baha’i
Unity indeed. It is not complicated; love one another with kindness and compassion. If our prayers use different names for the Divine, it is still the same ideal we strive toward, that of being the best person we can be. If I call it blue and you call it azure or cobalt, it is still the same color perceived by our individual eyes with our cultural experiences and references.
With the goal of awakening humanity to the reality of our global unity, Baha’is created a day to celebrate all the world’s religions. In 1950 the United Nations also recognized this day as a reminder of the need for harmony and understanding between religions and faith systems.
Since then, nations all over the world have adopted this time to learn from each other and to acknowledge the value of all spiritual work. Many things have been said and done that do not follow this most basic teaching of the many prophets, but when one studies the real intent of these divinely inspired counsels, it all comes to the same thing. Peace will come when we all accept each other as part of one family, “the leaves of one tree and the fruit of one branch.”
Celebrate unity in diversity. Learn about another religion and what we share, where our different beliefs come together. Respect and encourage each other’s spiritual path.
If you would like to learn more about the Baha’i Faith you are welcome to join us for Family Devotions on the first and third Sundays of each month, 10 a.m. at the White Salmon Grange, 1085 N. Main St. We look forward to meeting you. You can also learn more by visiting www.bahai.us.
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