What do official Bahá’í Writings say about racism?
- Some examples:
- O CHILDREN OF MEN! Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created. Since We have created you all from one same substance it is incumbent on you to be even as one soul, to walk with the same feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell in the same land, that from your inmost being, by your deeds and actions, the signs of oneness and the essence of detachment may be made manifest. Such is My counsel to you, O concourse of light! Heed ye this counsel that ye may obtain the fruit of holiness from the tree of wondrous glory.
– Hidden Words, Baha’u’llah, Prophet Founder of the Bahai Faith - Racism, one of the most baneful and persistent evils, is a major barrier to peace. Its practice perpetrates too outrageous a violation of the dignity of human beings to be countenanced under any pretext. Racism retards the unfoldment of the boundless potentialities of its victims, corrupts its perpetrators, and blights human progress. Recognition of the oneness of mankind, implemented by appropriate legal measures, must be universally upheld if this problem is to be overcome.
– The Promise of World Peace, Universal House of Justice, the international governing body of the Bahai Faith. -
Freedom from racial prejudice, in any of its forms, should, at such a time as this when an increasingly large section of the human race is falling a victim to its devastating ferocity, be adopted as the watchword of the entire body of the American believers, in whichever state they reside, in whatever circles they move, whatever their age, traditions, tastes, and habits. It should be consistently demonstrated in every phase of their activity and life, whether in the Bahá’í community or outside it, in public or in private, formally as well as informally, individually as well as in their official capacity as organized groups, committees and Assemblies. It should be deliberately cultivated through the various and everyday opportunities, no matter how insignificant, that present themselves, whether in their homes, their business offices, their schools and colleges, their social parties and recreation grounds, their Bahá’í meetings, conferences, conventions, summer schools and Assemblies.
– The Advent of Divine Justice, Shoghi Effendi, great grandson of Baha’u’llah
- O CHILDREN OF MEN! Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created. Since We have created you all from one same substance it is incumbent on you to be even as one soul, to walk with the same feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell in the same land, that from your inmost being, by your deeds and actions, the signs of oneness and the essence of detachment may be made manifest. Such is My counsel to you, O concourse of light! Heed ye this counsel that ye may obtain the fruit of holiness from the tree of wondrous glory.
- Link to the online library of Bahá’í Writings
Some Quick Facts
- WHAT’S THE BAHÁ’Í FAITH?
Only the newest and fastest-growing world religion. It’s the emerging global faith of social and spiritual transformation. - WHAT DO YOU DO?
Our mission is to unite our earth into one human family, far beyond all the politics and prejudices. We want to create a happy and just community, one neighborhood at a time. - DOES THE BAHÁ’Í FAITH HAVE CLERGY?
- WHY SHOULD I CARE?
We want to be of service to YOU! We offer a variety of events, from children’s activities to discussions on topics important for today’s world to simple prayer gatherings where all are welcome. We believe that the point of religion is not to divide people, but to bring people together—and we worship together with folks of all faiths. Let us know how we can help make Santa Monica a more awesome place, together!
- SO THERE’S A BUNCH OF YOU IN SANTA MONICA?
Yup, currently about 250, in our beautiful (and solar-powered!) Center on Colorado Avenue. Email us at info@santamonicabahai.org to say “hi.”
- BET YOU CAN’T SUM UP YOUR BELIEFS IN THREE SENTENCES.
You’re on! We believe there’s one God, who progressively reveals one religion over time, like episodes of a single Netflix series. On a social level, the plot of this current episode is to unite an often-fractious world. On a spiritual level, we see the entire universe as a mirror that reflects God—so we try to honor that reflection, and make it clearer in ourselves.
- HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?
Check out our Calendar of Events, give us a call, or shoot us an email using the contact info below! Everyone is welcome, and we’re excited to meet you.