Fourteenth Reflection

emergent characteristic that belongs to the new age, and it is the requirement of this age. Baha’u’llah’s culture of peace is precisely the unity of these opposites. On the one hand, all humans have always been one because all humans are reflections of divine attributes. In other words, the eternal organic character of humanity is nothing but the spiritual nature of human reality. It is this spiritual consciousness that defines all humans as noble, beautiful, sacred and one. Living a life that is a reflection of our spiritual truth is the ultimate truth of peace, a primordial harmony between our inner and outer realities. On the other hand, the dynamic character of spirit requires recognition of the emergent needs of this ever- advancing human civilization. Therefore, at this stage, Baha’u’llah proclaims, the world has entered a global stage of its development. Realization of peace is therefore, dependent on the emergence of this spiritual culture of the organic unity of the world. Baha’u’llah’s culture of peace is expressed in many of his teachings. Unity of all religions, oneness of humankind, a universal auxiliary language, equality of men and women (emphasized at the beginning of the letters by symbolizing the truth of Baha’u’llah as a feminine figure), culture of intimate association and communication, rejection of all prejudices, defining human being as one who serves the entire human race, and his reinterpretation of the concept of honor, are just few examples of his culture of peace. 2. Political Democracy In his letters to the leaders of the world, Baha’u’llah praises consultative democracy as a condition for tranquility and strength of state. Democracy as consultation is a really a spiritual orientation that sees all people as noble, equal and beloved. That is why it is replacing violence with peaceful consultation and voting. Existing forms of party politics are just immature forms of democracy. Such weakness is again a product of the absence of the spiritual culture. In the context of the Most Great Peace, democracy is consultation. In the absence of the Most Great Peace, democracy is likely to be accompanied with mutual demonization and disputes of contending political parties. In his letter to the Queen Victoria he writes: Thou hast entrusted the reins of counsel into the hands of the representatives of the people. Thou, indeed, hast done well, for thereby the foundations of the edifice of thine affairs will be strengthened, and the hearts of all that are beneath thy shadow, whether high or low, will be tranquillized . (The Summons) 3. Social Justice One of the most important issues discussed in Baha’u’llah’s message of peace to the leaders of the world is the necessity of social and economic justice, which requires both safeguarding individual freedom, and elimination of poverty and corruption. This central idea is frequently discussed throughout the writings of Baha’u’llah. Within the message of Baha’u’llah to the leaders of the world, One of the moving expressions of this point is this paragraph: O kings of the earth! We see you increasing every year your expenditures, and laying the burden thereof on your subjects. This, verily, is wholly and grossly unjust. Fear the sighs and tears of this Wronged One, and lay not excessive burdens on your peoples. Do not rob them to rear palaces for yourselves; nay rather choose for them that which ye choose for yourselves. Thus We unfold to your eyes that which