Spiritual Perspectives
World Religion Day

The Baha'i Community of Gallup
Special to The Independent

World Religion Day is observed on January 16, 2005. It was initiated in 1950 by the national administrative body of the Baha'is of the United States.

The purpose of World Religion Day is to call attention to the harmony of spiritual principles and the oneness of the world's religions and to emphasize that world religion is the motivating force for world unity. As stated in Baha'i scripture "...religion should be the cause of love and agreement, a bond to unify all mankind for it is a message of peace and goodwill to man from God." "Religion is the greatest of all means for the establishment of order in the world and for the peaceful contentment of all that dwell therein."

Baha'u'llah, Prophet-Founder of the Baha'i Faith, taught all true religion came from one source through successive messengers which have included Abraham, Moses, Christ, Krishna, Buddha, Zoroaster, and Muhammad.

In accordance with that principle, the worldwide Baha'i community has, since its earliest days, participated in interfaith activities, thereby working to promote harmony among the world's faiths and their followers. Baha'is believe that their understanding of the relationship between the various religions and of the purpose of inter-religious dialogue represents a significant step towards unity. The foundation of the Baha'hi approach arises from a conviction that "the religion of God is one, but it must ever be renewed."

"There can be no doubt whatever that the peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly Source, and are the subjects of one God," wrote Baha'u'llah. "These principles and laws, these firmly-established and mighty systems, have proceeded from one Source, and are the rays of one Light. That they differ one from another is to be attributed to the varying requirements of the ages in which they were promulgated."

Thus, from the Baha'i perspective, the intent of the Founders of the world's great religions Moses, Buddha, Zoroaster, Krishna, Christ, Muhammad was to progressively awaken a wider range of spiritual and moral capacities in humanity.

Baha'is believe that humanity now stands at the beginning of a great new era, an era of peace and prosperity, as promised in the scriptures of all of the world's religions. The key to fulfillment of this expectation, Baha'is believe, lies in recognizing the essential unity of the truth found at the heart of the religions of the world.

As Baha'u'llah affirms: "That the divers communions of the earth, and the manifold systems of religious belief, should never be allowed to foster the feelings of animosity among men, is, in this Day, of the essence of the Faith of God and His Religion."

Since its beginning in the United States, the celebration of World Religion Day, which is observed on the third Sunday of January, has spread to many other countries. In 1985, the government of Sri Lanka issued a postage stamp in commemoration of the day, which is particularly touching, to all of us today as all people of good faith are responding to help relieve the suffering caused by that country's recent catastrophic event. It is unfortunate that it is only during times of great natural disaster that we are reminded of our common humanity in the global village. Perhaps this is a clue to answer the question, "Why do these things happen?"

The Baha'is of Gallup can be contacted at Box 1822, Gallup, NM 87305; 505-863-4377; 1- 800-22unite; or www.us.bahai.org.

This column is the result of a desire by community members, representing different faith communities, wishing to share their ideas about bringing a spiritual perspective into our daily lives and community issues.

For information about contributing a guest column, contact Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola at the Independent: (505) 863-8611, ext. 218 or lizreligion01@yahoo.com.