Introduction

Introduction: God has created us, one and all, so live together, in unity and harmony.  

 the greatest name-12pixBaha’i Faith: “God has created us, one and all, why do we act in opposition to His wishes, when we are all His children and love the same Father? All these divisions we see on all sides, all these disputes and opposition are caused because men cling to ritual and outward observances, and forget the simple, underlying truth. It is the outward practices of religion that are so different, and it is they that cause disputes and enmity — while the reality is always the same, and one.” the greatest name 8 pix “The fundamental basis of the revealed religion of God is immutable, unchanging throughout the centuries, not subject to the varying conditions of the human world.” “Therefore it is our duty in this radiant century to investigate the essential (teachings) of divine religion (and) seek the realities underlying the oneness of the world of humanity and discover the source of fellowship and agreement, which will unite mankind in the heavenly bond of love.” 

(Bahá’í Faith, Abdu’l-Baha, Paris Talks p. 120 and Baha’i World Faith – Abdu’l-Baha Section, pp. 229 and 275) 

The shrine-17pix Babi Religion:You who are His spiritual children must by your deeds exemplify His (Gods) virtues, and witness to His glory.” “Become as true brethren in the one and indivisible religion of God, free from distinction, for verily God desireth that your hearts, should become mirrors unto your brethren in the Faith, so that ye find yourselves reflected in them, and they in you. This is the true Path of God, The Almighty, and He is indeed watchful over your actions.” 

(The Bab, Selections from the Writings of the Bab, pp. 56 and 91) 

the cross-25pix CHRISTIANITY: 2 Peter: 3:1 “I stir up your, (mankinds) pure minds by way of remembrance: 3:2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets,” 3:4 “…as they were from the beginning of the creation.” Colossians: 2:8 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men.” For we are all, in reality, the children of the same Spiritual Father and therefore must search and seek out the truth found in the writings of God, least we become deterred by the ritual and outward observances, of man made religions, that have long since lost their conformity with the true religion of God. Matthew: 5:44 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” 1 Corinthians: 1:10 “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” Romans: 15:5 “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:” Romans: 15:6 “That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Galatians: 6:10 “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men (in unity).” Jewish symbols star-8pix JUDAISM: Sirach: 36:15 “Give testimony unto those that Thou (God) hast possessed from the beginning, and raise up prophets that have been in Thy name.” (Deuterocanonical Apocrypha) Hosea: 12:9 “And I that Am The LORD thy God; I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions and used similitude’s, by the ministry of the prophets.” The prophets have all taught the same messages, but similitude’s (allegories) sent down from God to test the  spiritual receptiveness of mankind, has made the teachings appear to differ, when the spiritual content was, in reality, the same, but the spiritually, unreceptive people of that time couldn’t see this, and after a time the outward observances of religion started to change causing the other religions of God to appear to differ from one another, which caused even more divisions to appear, when, in reality, these religions all come from the very same God, and all try to teach all of humanity the same immutable truths. Malachi: 2:10 “Have we not all one Father? hath not one God created us?Deuteronomy: 10:19 “Love ye therefore the stranger; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.’ Leviticus: And 19:18 ‘thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am The LORD.” Psalms: 133:1 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”  

Islamic symbol-10 pix Islam: “Those who have the same religion as you have; they are brothers to you, and those who have religions other than that of yours, they are human beings like you. Men of either category suffer from the same weaknesses and disabilities that human beings are inclined to, they commit sins, indulge in vices either intentionally or foolishly and unintentionally without realizing the enormity of their deeds. Let your mercy and compassion come to their rescue and help in the same way and to the same extent that you expect Allah (God) to show mercy and forgiveness to you.”  

          (Ali b. Abi Taalib, Letters from Nahjul Balaagh)  

Islamic symbol-5pix 3. “The same religion has He (Allah, God) established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah, the which, We have sent by inspiration to thee and that which We have enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: Namely, that ye should remain steadfast in Religion, and make no divisions therein:” 106. “None of Our revelations do We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, but We substitute something better or similar; knowest thou not that Allah hath power over all things?(thus, we should live in harmony with all of these people) and to those who worship other things than Allah, hard is the (way) to which thou callest them, for Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him).”  

          (The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surahs 2 and 42)  

Islamic symbol-5pix 62. “Those who believe (followers of Islam) and those who follow the Jewish (Scriptures), and the Christian (Scriptures) and the Magians, (the followers of Zarathustra, (Zoroaster) and the Sabians, (Sabean, the writings of Adam (the father of mankind) and his 3rd son Seth) and who believe in Allah (God) and the last day, and who work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” For we are all, in reality, the children of the same spiritual father (God), and the brothers and sisters of one human family.

(The Qur’án Yu-suf Ali, Surahs 2 and 22)

Islamic symbol-5pix 25. “The Sacred Mosque, which We have made (open) to (all) men; equal is the dweller there and the visitor from the country.” 52. “Verily this Brotherhood of yours is a single Brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher: therefore fear Me (and no other).” “Hold fast, all together, by the rope (of Love) which Allah stretches out for you, and be not divided among yourselves, (but live together in unity and harmony); and remember with gratitude Allah’s favor on you.”

         (The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surahs 3, 22 and 23) 

Zoroastrian symbol-12pix Zoroastrianism: “The path, O Ahura (God), which You told me to be of conscience, and which happens to be the religion of all the prophets, and which, by good deeds promotes rectitude as well, and which brings to the righteous recompense of which You are the giver; the way of all the saints (saoshyants) may be said to be only one. For in essential matters, there is no difference between one prophet and another. In as much as the same God is worshiped everywhere. All of them are different phases of the same religion.” All religions appear to differ do to differing outward observances and understandings of the teachings, but are, in reality, one and the same. (ZOROASTER, Hymns of Atharvan pp. 314 thru 316)  

Zoroastrian symbol-5pix “No one should make a distinction between himself and another person. All men should be treated as equals. No one should claim for himself an exception.” “Zarathustra (Zoroaster) enjoins love for the whole of mankind. One, who does not love man, does not really love God. It should be realized that one soul resides in all. Thus one should be a friend to everyone. This social service, which is the concrete of the life of the individual, is not to be confined to any particular country but should extend throughout the world to the whole of humanity.” (ZOROASTER, Hymns of Atharvan pp. 547, 548 and 634) 

Ahura Mazda symbol-8pix “All of us are equally subject to desire, anger, fear, greed, grief, anxiety, hunger, and fatigue. What is the good of division into different castes?” “Harmony of the world (making the world one) is the ideal that the prophet teaches. Harmony of the world should be the aim of the selfless worker.”(be united) (ZOROASTER, Hymns of Atharvan pp. 238 and 760)

Ahura Mazda symbol-8pix “Mazda is not the God of any particular tribe. The doors of Mazda are not closed to foreigners. So soon as anyone of them becomes fit he is to be included in the fold.” “Love of God is calculated to remove the distinction between one nation and another.” (Zoroaster, Hymns of Atharvan pp. 542 and 544)

Hindu symbol-10pix Hinduism: “I come, and go, and come. When Righteousness Declines, O Bharata! when Wickedness Is strong, I rise, from age to age, and take on the Visible shape, and move a man with men, Succouring the good, thrusting the evil back, And setting Virtue on her seat again.”  “As I before have been So will I be again for thee; with lightened heart behold! Once more I am thy Krishna, (Noah, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, Baha’u’llah) the form thou knew’st of old!” Thus, “be united in harmony, in affection, Radiant, with kindly thought Clothed in good and strength, United have I made your minds, your ordinances and your hearts.”

(Hindu, Bhagavad Gita (Edwin Arnold tr) chapters 4 and 9 and Vedas, Yajur Veda – Kanda IV) 

Hindu symbol 5-pix “The world is overcome- aye! even here! By such as fix their faith on Unity. The sinless Brahma (God) dwells in Unity, And they in Brahma.” “He who thus vows His soul to the Supreme Soul, quitting sin, passes unhindered to the endless bliss Of unity with Brahma.”

(Hindu, Bhagavad Gita (Edwin Arnold tr) chapters 5 and 6)

Hindu symbol 5-pix “Be united,’ with four (verses) he unites them together; the metres are four, Agni’s dear body is the metres; verily with his dear body he puts them in order. ‘Be united, he says;” 1. “Unity of heart, and unity of mind, freedom from hatred, do I procure for you. Do ye take delight in one another, as a cow in her (new) born calf!” “Be united, be in harmony, in affection, Radiant, with kindly thought, Clothed in food and strength, United have I made your minds, your ordinances, your hearts.”

(Hindu, Vedas, Yajur Veda – Kanda IV, V and Atharva Veda

Buddhist wheel symbol-10 pix Buddhism: “The womb of the Tathagata, (The Buddha) the highest perfect wisdom of the all-embracing Mirror. Though these are all different in name yet in nature they are all pure and perfect whether they use the same name or some other different name:” Muhammad, Krishna, Jesus, The Bab and Baha’u’llah, to name just a few. (Buddha, Surangama Sutra)  

 Dharma wheel Buddhist symbols-5pix “Among all the Buddhas there is a sameness of Buddha-nature, there is no distinction among them except as they manifest all the various transformations according to the different dispositions of the beings who are to be disciplined and emancipated by various means. In the Ultimate Essence which is Dharmakaya, all the Buddhas of the past, present and future, are of one sameness.” “The self-realization of Noble Wisdom by all the Tathagatas is the same as my own self-realization of Noble Wisdom; there is no more, no less, no difference.” Only their outward religious practices seem to differ, due to the exigencies of time. (Buddha, Lankavatara Sutra)  

Dharma wheel Buddhist symbols-5pix “Owing to their original vows they (mankind/humanity) are transported by emotions of love and compassion as they become aware of the part they are to perform in the carrying out their vows for the emancipation of all beings (all mankind). Thus they do not enter into Nirvana, but, in truth, they too are already in Nirvana because in their emotions of love and compassion (for all beings), there is no rising of discrimination; henceforth, with them, discrimination no more takes place.” For all humanity in one in nature and should therefore live in unity. (Buddha, Lankavatara Sutra)

Dharma wheel Buddhist symbols-5pix “After they (mankind) attain self-realization they will find themselves reacting spontaneously to the impulses of a great and compassionate heart endowed with skillful and boundless means and sincerely and wholly devoted to the emancipation (and unity) of all beings.” “Not until all discrimination is abandoned is their perfect emancipation (and unity for all of mankind achieved).” (Buddha, Lankavatara Sutra) 

Mandaean symbol-15pix Sabeanism: “To you do I call and (you) do I teach; men who have received the Sign. Certainly have ye held to established truth, ye have held to the certainty about which I instructed you. I call to my chosen ones (all of mankind), so that Ye may not turn your thought away from Me.” “In the Name of The Great Life (Haiyi, God). Vines shone in the water, And in the Jordan mighty they grew. Ye are flourishing offshoots. Messengers hither I bring you.” “Establishing Your likeness and giving us light, Let Your radiance shine upon us.” “Arise (mankind) and worship and praise The Great Life (Haiyi/God); and praise His Counterpart that is the image of the Life (God).” (Adam, the manifestation of Haiyi/God, the Image of God on this earth) (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapters 89, 114, 177 and 382)  

Mandaean symbol1 “We will pray with Thee the ‘Uthras’ a prayer and ask of Thee, of The Great Life (Haiyi/God), a petition for ourselves, for our friends, for our friends’ friends and for those who love the great Family of Life.” “I will come and will fly And will reach the sons of my Name, the sons of my Sign, And the sons of the great Family of Life.” “Diffuse Thy light over all who love.” For Thy sake do we love all that liveth, humanity is one in love.“Praise Thee, for amongst them all hatred, Envy and dissensions exist not. The Place which is all portals of radiance, light and glory Praiseth Thee.” “Any man who is not steadfast, whose mind is turned against me, whose mind is turned from me, Great and not small will be his hurt.” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapters 75, 76 and 89)  

The shrine-17pix Babi Religion: “The chief aim of Bábísm is still however the unity of every religion. It advocates therefore toleration of all creeds (all mankind), abolition of polygamy, emancipation of females, and other reforms in the world.”  

       (Bábí and Baha’i Religions, p. 363)

The shrine10 pix “O ye that are invested with the Bayan! Denounce ye not one another, ere the Day-Star of ancient eternity shineth forth above the horizon of His sublimity. We have created you from one tree and have caused you to be as the leaves and fruit of the same tree, that haply ye may become a source of comfort to one another. Regard ye not others save as ye regard your own selves, that no feeling of aversion may prevail amongst you so as to shut you out from Him Whom God shall make manifest on the Day of Resurrection. It behooveth you all to be one indivisible people; thus should ye return unto Him Whom God shall make manifest.”

(The Bab, Selections from the Writings of the Bab, p. 127)

The shrine10 pix “Those (The Babis) who invite them (everyone) to enter a flock the different members of which love each other so bitterly (in unity).”

(The Bab, Shoghi Effendi, The Dawn-Breakers, p. 663)

the greatest name-12pixBaha’i Faith: “The principle or teaching of Bahá’u’lláh is the proclamation of the oneness of the world of humanity — that all are servants of God and belong to one family; that God has created all and, therefore, His bestowals are universal; and that His providence, training, sustenance and loving-kindness surround all mankind.”  

(Bahá’í Faith, Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 106)

the greatest name 8 pix“As the East and the West are illumined by one sun, so all races, nations, and creeds shall be seen as the servants of the One God. The whole earth is one home, and all peoples, did they but know it, are bathed in the oneness of Gods mercy. God created all. He gives sustenance to all. He guides and trains all under the shadow of his bounty. We must follow the example God Himself gives us, and do away with all disputations and quarrels.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Abdu’l-Baha, Abdu’l-Baha in London, p. 38)