Atheists are right about one thing: if religion "rouses hatred and strife it is evident that absence of religion is preferable... According to the divine will and intention religion should be the cause of love and agreement, a bond to unify all mankind for it is a message of peace and good-will to man from God."
Being a positive, unifying influence is the greatest challenge facing all religions in today's nationally, politically, culturally and economically fractured world.
Contrary to those who claim religion brings nothing but war and persecution, history also shows religion is the most powerful force we know for bringing diverse peoples together.
Political ideologies have left us in the lurch when it comes to unity. From a Baha'i perspective, now is the time for all religions to focus their hearts and minds on the one essential task in our age: the unification of humankind without the loss of valuable differences.
In short, unity in diversity.
To inspire hope and be a positive agent for bringing humankind together, religions will have to re-think their roles in the world.
Each religion must learn to think of itself as one aspect of the one universal religion that has been
revealed throughout history.
Basically, there is really only one religion and the various religions are aspects of it, reflecting
different aspects of one truth.
The Baha'i Writings teach "the essential unity of all religions," saying, All the teaching of the Prophets is one; one faith; one Divine light shining throughout the world.
Now, under the banner of the oneness of humanity all people of all creeds should turn away from prejudice and become friends and believers in all the Prophets.
From the Baha'i perspective, all the Prophets are one spirit which appears as different prophets in different times and places.
Their essential teachings are the same but with adaptations added to suit cultural circumstances.
They all originate from God and all of them have the same mission: to "be the cause of love and agreement and a bond to unify all mankind."
With this new paradigm, all religions can recognize themselves in other religions, and view them as brothers and sisters engaged in the same work of bringing peace to the fractious quarrels of humankind.
Of course, this new religious paradigm allows diversity of belief, just as we are different.
However, in this global age we must make a special effort to look upon other religions with 'the eye of unity' and emphasize similarities rather than differences.
Only that way can religions encourage the unifying mind-set that will contribute to establishing a more peaceful planet.
