Unity in Diversity

Unity of Humankind

The aim of the Bahá’í Faith is to unify humanity. Bahá’u’lláh teaches that we are the fruits of one tree and the leaves of one branch. Although we differ from one another physically and emotionally, although we have different talents and capacities, we all spring from the same root; we all belong to the same human family. Humanity can be likened to a vast garden in which grow side by side flowers of every form, colour and perfume. The charm and beauty of the garden lie in this diversity. We should not allow the differences that exist among us - in our physical characteristics, our temperaments, our backgrounds, our thoughts and opinions - to give rise to conflict and strife. We should see the members of the human race as beautiful flowers growing in the garden of humanity and rejoice in belonging to this garden.

Striving towards Unity

Although the oneness of humankind is an undeniable truth, the peoples of earth are so far from it that unifying them is no easy task. If you choose to join the Bahá’í community you will participate with the rest of us in our efforts to build and maintain unity. We are all striving to bring our thoughts and actions in line with our belief in the oneness of humankind.

"Bahá’u’lláh has drawn the circle of unity, He has made a design for the uniting of all the peoples, and for the gathering of them all under the shelter of the tent of universal unity. This is the work of the Divine Bounty, and we must all strive with heart and soul until we have the reality of unity in our midst as we work, so will strength be given unto us."
~`Abdu’l-Bahá

According to the Bahá’í teachings, when a thought of war enters our minds, we should immediately replace it with a thought of peace. When a feeling of hate begins to take shape in our hearts, we should immediately replace it with a feeling of love. We should do everything possible to overcome our prejudices. Prejudices of race, colour, nationality, culture, religion, and sex, these are among the greatest obstacles to building a better world. So many passages in the Bahá’í writings teach us how to walk in the ways of unity and how to help others take the same path.