Question:
How can people of faith be good examples for peace?
Answer: The
short answer is by being active in the cause of peace. All of us desire
peace and realize war is an offence to God and the greatest destroyer
of human happiness. But the essential thing is action. Being active in
the cause of peace can be expressed in any number of ways, both
individually and collectively. To be an example of peace, one must be
at peace with oneself. To achieve peace of mind, the Bahá’í teachings
counsel contentment with the conditions of one’s life and thankfulness
for spiritual blessings received. Peace in the heart will help us to
radiate peace to our family, friends and relations.
The
5.5-million, worldwide Bahá’í community is at peace with itself and
represents a microcosm of humanity. It is not divided up into
contending, hostile sects. Through the provisions of its firm Covenant,
it remains organically and spiritually one. People of various former
religious and secular backgrounds — Christian, Muslim, Jewish,
Buddhist, Hindu, Zoroastrian, Communist and atheist — live together
harmoniously as a model of a peaceful and progressive society. This
great feat has been achieved through the divine teachings of the
Prophet-Founder, Bahá’u’lláh (Glory of God) (1817-1892), God’s latest
emissary.
One may join societies and organizations dedicated to
the cause of world peace such as Education for Peace. One may found or
join model United Nations clubs or plan a career with one of the
agencies of the UN or UNESCO or work for development in the developing
world.
Global peace should be viewed as the end-result of the
vigorous application of many other divine teachings such as
non-violence, the equality of women and men, universal education,
interfaith harmony, elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty,
social justice, voluntary sharing, and the elimination of prejudices of
all kinds.
-
Jack
McLean
