1

The Kitab-i-Aqdas and the Destiny of America

2

Century of Light

3

The Glory of God

“What makes this insight possible for us is the light shed by the rising Sun of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation and the influence it has come to exercise in human affairs.”

Century of Light, Introduction

4

Revelation of the Promised Revelation of the Promised One of all agesOne of all ages

““The world’s equilibrium hath been upset The world’s equilibrium hath been upset through the vibrating influence of this through the vibrating influence of this

most great, this new World Order. most great, this new World Order. Mankind’s ordered life hath been Mankind’s ordered life hath been

revolutionized through the agency of revolutionized through the agency of this unique, this wondrous System - the this unique, this wondrous System - the

like of which mortal eyes have never like of which mortal eyes have never witnessed.”witnessed.”

Bahá’u’lláh, Kitab-i-Aqdas parag. 181Bahá’u’lláh, Kitab-i-Aqdas parag. 181

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

The RemedyThe Remedy

““That which the Lord hath ordained as That which the Lord hath ordained as the sovereign remedy and mightiest the sovereign remedy and mightiest instrument for the healing of all the instrument for the healing of all the

world is the union of its peoples in one world is the union of its peoples in one universal Cause, one common Faith.”universal Cause, one common Faith.”

Bahá’u’lláhBahá’u’lláh(Century of Light, p. 144)(Century of Light, p. 144)

17

Political Peace -Symptom Political Peace -Symptom TherapyTherapy

““Now that ye have refused the Most Great Now that ye have refused the Most Great Peace, hold ye fast unto this, the Lesser Peace, hold ye fast unto this, the Lesser Peace, that haply ye may in some degree Peace, that haply ye may in some degree

better your own condition and that of your better your own condition and that of your dependents.”dependents.”

(The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 120)(The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 120)

18

Twin Processes at work in the Twin Processes at work in the WorldWorld

The Major Plan of GodThe Major Plan of God Tumultuous in its Tumultuous in its

progressprogress Working through Working through

humanity as a wholehumanity as a whole Unconscious Unconscious Suffering and experienceSuffering and experience Tearing down barriers Tearing down barriers

towards unitytowards unity Unified body without lifeUnified body without life The Lesser PeaceThe Lesser Peace

The Minor Plan of GodThe Minor Plan of God Working through the Working through the

Bahá’í communityBahá’í community Conscious of the SourceConscious of the Source Detailed instructionsDetailed instructions Continuing divine Continuing divine

guidanceguidance Breathing life into bodyBreathing life into body Creating true unity and Creating true unity and

spiritualityspirituality The Most Great PeaceThe Most Great Peace

19

The Major Plan of GodThe Major Plan of God

"Its agency for the most part is the people who "Its agency for the most part is the people who are ignorant of its course and even are ignorant of its course and even

antagonistic towards its aim."antagonistic towards its aim." (Universal House of Justice, Ridvan 1998)(Universal House of Justice, Ridvan 1998)

Shoghi Effendi declared that God's Major Plan Shoghi Effendi declared that God's Major Plan uses "uses "both the mighty and lowly as the pawns in both the mighty and lowly as the pawns in His world-shaping game, for the fulfilment of His His world-shaping game, for the fulfilment of His

immediate purpose and the eventual immediate purpose and the eventual establishment of His Kingdom on earthestablishment of His Kingdom on earth." ." (Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of Faith, p. 140)(Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of Faith, p. 140)

20

Two Great Processes

The Lesser PeacePolitical unification

Ceasefire

Unconcious of the source, direction

Through humanity as a whole

The Major Plan of God

The Most Great PeaceThe Kingdom of God on earth

The Golden AgeBahai World Commonwealth

Consciously, detailed instructions, continuing Divine guidance

Through the Baha'is

The Minor Plan of God

Two Great Processesat work in the world

21

Twin ProcessesTwin Processes

Two PlansTwo Plans Two RevolutionsTwo Revolutions World-shaking, world-embracingWorld-shaking, world-embracing Dialectic of crisis and victoryDialectic of crisis and victory

22

Major Plan of God -Major Plan of God -paradoxical qualityparadoxical quality

Arouses hopesArouses hopes Rise of democraciesRise of democracies Emancipation of womenEmancipation of women Abolition of slaveryAbolition of slavery League of NationsLeague of Nations United NationsUnited Nations Technological and Technological and

scientific advancementscientific advancement Peace movementsPeace movements

Creates fearsCreates fears First World WarFirst World War Second World WarSecond World War Weapons of mass Weapons of mass

destructiondestruction Neo-colonialismNeo-colonialism International terrorismInternational terrorism AIDS epidemicAIDS epidemic Breakdown of familyBreakdown of family Environmental pollutionEnvironmental pollution

23

The Organic Evolution of The Organic Evolution of MankindMankind

Spiritual EvolutionSpiritual Evolution InfancyInfancy

ChildhoodChildhood

AdolescenceAdolescence AdulthoodAdulthood

Social EvolutionSocial Evolution Family unitFamily unit TribesTribes City statesCity states Nation statesNation states

World unityWorld unity

24

Sun of TruthSun of Truth

Specific effect

Minor Plan of God

Individual transformation

Conscious of Source

New race of men

Convergence

The Most Great Peace

Universal effect

Major Plan of God

Universal transformation

Unconscious of Source

Advances in social

thought and sciences

The Lesser Peace

25

1. Divine Revelation is the motive power of civilisation

“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.”

Bahá'u'lláh (Gleanings CXI)

26

27

28

The testimony of Bahá'u'lláh

“Know thou that when the Son of Man yielded up His breath to God,

the whole creation wept with a great weeping. By sacrificing

Himself, however, a fresh capacity was infused into all created

things. Its evidences, as witnessed in all the peoples of the earth, are

now manifest before thee...

29

“...The deepest wisdom which the sages have uttered,

the profoundest learning which any mind hath unfolded, the arts which the ablest hands

have produced, the influence exerted by the most potent of rulers, are but manifestations

of the quickening power released by His transcendent,

His all-pervasive, and resplendent Spirit...”

Bahá'u'lláh (Gleanings XXXVI)

30

Universal Effect of Divine Revelation

“A new life is, in this age, stirring within all the

peoples of the earth, yet none hath discovered its

cause or perceived its motive.”

(Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings XCVI)

31

32

33

34

Divine Revelation is the Motive Power of Civilisation

“Verily, We behold all created things moved to bear witness unto Us. Some know Us and bear witness, while the majority bear witness, yet know Us not.”

(Lawh-i-Aqdas, Tablet to the Christians, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p15)

35

The Minor Plan of God:The Minor Plan of God:Phenomenon of Sun RisePhenomenon of Sun Rise

““In the East the light of His Revelation hath In the East the light of His Revelation hath broken; in the West have appeared the signs broken; in the West have appeared the signs of His dominion. Ponder this in your hearts, of His dominion. Ponder this in your hearts, O people…Should they attempt to conceal its O people…Should they attempt to conceal its

light on the continent, it will assuredly rear light on the continent, it will assuredly rear its head in the midmost heart of the ocean, its head in the midmost heart of the ocean,

and, raising its voice, proclaim:’I am the life-and, raising its voice, proclaim:’I am the life-giver of the world.’”giver of the world.’”

Bahá’u’lláh, World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p.78Bahá’u’lláh, World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p.78

36

East- West PhenomenonEast- West Phenomenon

““From the beginning of time until the present From the beginning of time until the present day, the light of Divine Revelation hath risen day, the light of Divine Revelation hath risen in the East and shed its radiance upon the in the East and shed its radiance upon the

West. The illumination thus shed hath, West. The illumination thus shed hath, however, acquired in the West an however, acquired in the West an

extraordinary brilliancy. Consider the Faith extraordinary brilliancy. Consider the Faith proclaimed by Jesus. Though it first proclaimed by Jesus. Though it first

appeared in the East, yet not until its light appeared in the East, yet not until its light had been shed upon the West did the full had been shed upon the West did the full

measure of its potentialities become measure of its potentialities become manifest…”manifest…”

37

Sun RiseSun Rise

““The East hath verily been illumined with the The East hath verily been illumined with the light of the Kingdom. Ere long will this same light of the Kingdom. Ere long will this same light shed a still greater illumination upon the light shed a still greater illumination upon the West. Then will the hearts of its peoples be West. Then will the hearts of its peoples be

vivified through the potency of the teachings vivified through the potency of the teachings of God and their souls be set aglow by the of God and their souls be set aglow by the

undying fire of His love.”undying fire of His love.”

‘‘Abdu’l-Bahá, World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p.79 Abdu’l-Bahá, World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p.79

38

Two parallel processesTwo parallel processes

Closely interrelated developmentsClosely interrelated developments Associated with the dawn of world peaceAssociated with the dawn of world peace Will culminate in a single consummationWill culminate in a single consummation

39

Dawn of World PeaceDawn of World Peace

1.1. The North American Bahá’í CommunityThe North American Bahá’í Community

2.2. The USA as a nationThe USA as a nation

40

Why America? 1Why America? 1

““ALL countries, in the estimation of the one ALL countries, in the estimation of the one truetrue

God, are but one country, and all cities andGod, are but one country, and all cities and

villages are on an equal footing. Neither holdsvillages are on an equal footing. Neither holds

distinction over another. All of them are thedistinction over another. All of them are the

fields of God and the habitation of the souls offields of God and the habitation of the souls of

men…”men…”

41

Why America? 2 Why America? 2

““Through faith and certitude, and theThrough faith and certitude, and the

precedence achieved by one over precedence achieved by one over another, however,another, however,

the dweller conferreth honor upon the the dweller conferreth honor upon the dwelling,dwelling,

some of the countries achieve some of the countries achieve distinction, anddistinction, and

attain a preeminent position…”attain a preeminent position…”

42

The Holy LandThe Holy Land“…“…Palestine became the glory of allPalestine became the glory of all

nations inasmuch as all the holy and divinenations inasmuch as all the holy and divineManifestations, from the time of Abraham untilManifestations, from the time of Abraham until

the appearance of the Seal of the Prophetsthe appearance of the Seal of the Prophets(Muhammad), have lived in, or migrated to, or(Muhammad), have lived in, or migrated to, or

traveled through, that country. Likewise, Meccatraveled through, that country. Likewise, Meccaand Medina have achieved illimitable glory, asand Medina have achieved illimitable glory, as

the light of Prophethood shone forth therein. For this the light of Prophethood shone forth therein. For this reasonreason

Palestine and Hijaz have been distinguished fromPalestine and Hijaz have been distinguished fromall other countries.”all other countries.”

43

Why America? 3 Why America? 3

““Likewise, the continent of America is,Likewise, the continent of America is, in the eyes of the one true God,in the eyes of the one true God,

the land wherein the splendors of His the land wherein the splendors of His light shall be revealed, where the light shall be revealed, where the

mysteries of His Faith shall be mysteries of His Faith shall be unveiled, where the righteous will unveiled, where the righteous will

abide and the free assemble.”abide and the free assemble.”‘‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of the Divine Plan, p.61Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of the Divine Plan, p.61

44

The North American Bahá’í The North American Bahá’í CommunityCommunity

A matchless and brilliant record of serviceA matchless and brilliant record of service Cradle and stronghold of the New World Cradle and stronghold of the New World

OrderOrder

45

Historical PerspectiveHistorical Perspective

Appreciation of west-ward expansion Appreciation of west-ward expansion vital vital for for present-day Bahá’ís:present-day Bahá’ís: Abstract ourselves from culture of coarse and intrusive Abstract ourselves from culture of coarse and intrusive

communicationcommunication Gentleness of the Master in teaching human nature and Gentleness of the Master in teaching human nature and

societysociety His use of metaphors or historical examplesHis use of metaphors or historical examples Indirectness of His approachIndirectness of His approach His limitless patienceHis limitless patience The spiritual greatness of those who responded to HimThe spiritual greatness of those who responded to Him

Century of Light, p.17Century of Light, p.17

46

The American Community 2The American Community 2

Lacking talent, rank or Lacking talent, rank or richesriches

Tender ageTender age Tiny numbersTiny numbers Limited experienceLimited experience Grave crisesGrave crises

Inspired wisdomInspired wisdom United willUnited will Incorruptible loyalty of Incorruptible loyalty of

its administrators and its administrators and teachersteachers

47

The American Community 3The American Community 3

“…“…Achieved the distinction of an undisputed Achieved the distinction of an undisputed leadership among its sister communities of leadership among its sister communities of

East and West in hastening the advent of the East and West in hastening the advent of the Golden Age anticipated by Bahá’u’lláh.”Golden Age anticipated by Bahá’u’lláh.”

Shoghi Effendi, World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 72Shoghi Effendi, World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 72

48

History of American Bahá’í History of American Bahá’í CommunityCommunity

1893-19031893-1903 Pilgrimages of American believers to the shrine of Pilgrimages of American believers to the shrine of

Bahá’u’lláhBahá’u’lláh 1903-19131903-1913

Tests and trialsTests and trials ‘‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to AmericaAbdu’l-Bahá’s visit to America

1913-19231913-1923 ConsolidationConsolidation Birth of Bahá’í AdministrationBirth of Bahá’í Administration

1923-19331923-1933 Expansion of international activitiesExpansion of international activities Completion of Mashriqu’l-AdhkarCompletion of Mashriqu’l-Adhkar

49

1893-19031893-1903

Epoch-making visit of first American Epoch-making visit of first American pilgrims pilgrims “fired the souls of its members “fired the souls of its members with a love and zeal which no amount of with a love and zeal which no amount of adversity could quench”adversity could quench”

50

Historic PilgrimagesHistoric Pilgrimages

15 believers, 10 December 189815 believers, 10 December 1898 Intimate personal contact with ‘Abdu’l-Intimate personal contact with ‘Abdu’l-

BaháBahá God-intoxicated pilgrimsGod-intoxicated pilgrims

May Bolles returns to Paris - first European May Bolles returns to Paris - first European communitycommunity

Others return to AmericaOthers return to America

51

52

53

54

Crisis and VictoryCrisis and Victory

Defection of Ibrahim Khayru’llahDefection of Ibrahim Khayru’llah ‘‘Abdu’l-Bahá dispatched teachersAbdu’l-Bahá dispatched teachers 1899 - first council of 7 officers in Kenosha1899 - first council of 7 officers in Kenosha 1902 - Bahá’í Publishing Society in Chicago1902 - Bahá’í Publishing Society in Chicago Publication of “Star of the West”Publication of “Star of the West” Translation & publication of literature in EnglishTranslation & publication of literature in English Emergence of travel teachersEmergence of travel teachers Preparation for erection of Mother Temple of the Preparation for erection of Mother Temple of the

WestWest

55

1903-19131903-1913

Tests and trials - agitated, cleansed, Tests and trials - agitated, cleansed, energized believersenergized believers

‘‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s memorable visit -arrival in Abdu’l-Bahá’s memorable visit -arrival in New York on 11 April 1912New York on 11 April 1912 40 cities in North America40 cities in North America 19 in Europe 19 in Europe

56

57

‘‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to the Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to the WestWest

Proclamation of the oneness of mankindProclamation of the oneness of mankind Proclamation of the Covenant of Proclamation of the Covenant of

Bahá’u’lláh in New York CityBahá’u’lláh in New York City His personal example - ‘Abdu’l-Bahá His personal example - ‘Abdu’l-Bahá waswas

the Bahá’í Causethe Bahá’í Cause

58

1913-19231913-1923

1914-18 First World War1914-18 First World War 1916-17 1916-17 Tablets of the Divine PlanTablets of the Divine Plan

One of the 3 Charters of the CauseOne of the 3 Charters of the Cause North American believers summoned to North American believers summoned to

assume leadership in promoting the Causeassume leadership in promoting the Cause

59

1923 - present1923 - present

Completion of the Mother Temple of the Completion of the Mother Temple of the WestWest

Defense of the rights of the oppressed Defense of the rights of the oppressed Bahá’ísBahá’ís

Fountainhead of travel teachersFountainhead of travel teachers Cradle of Administrative OrderCradle of Administrative Order

60

61

62

63

Abdu'l-Baha, Compilation on Women 64

A special feature of the rise of A special feature of the rise of the Cause in the Westthe Cause in the West

““In America the women have outdone the In America the women have outdone the men in this regard and have taken he lead men in this regard and have taken he lead in this field. They strive harder in guiding in this field. They strive harder in guiding

the peoples of the world, and their the peoples of the world, and their endeavours are greater. They are endeavours are greater. They are confirmed by divine bestowals and confirmed by divine bestowals and

blessings.”blessings.”

Citadel of Faith, p. 28 65

Destiny of the North American Destiny of the North American Bahá’í CommunityBahá’í Community

““The moment this Divine Message is carried The moment this Divine Message is carried forward by the American believers from the forward by the American believers from the shores of America, and is propagated through shores of America, and is propagated through the continents of Europe, of Asia, of Africa and the continents of Europe, of Asia, of Africa and of Australia, and as far back as the islands of the of Australia, and as far back as the islands of the Pacific, this community will find itself securely Pacific, this community will find itself securely established upon the throne of an everlasting established upon the throne of an everlasting dominion. Then will all the peoples of the world dominion. Then will all the peoples of the world witness that this community is spiritually witness that this community is spiritually illumined and divinely guided…”illumined and divinely guided…”

66

Summons of the Lord of Summons of the Lord of HostsHosts

““Issue forth from your cities, O peoples of the Issue forth from your cities, O peoples of the West and aid God ere the Day when the Lord of West and aid God ere the Day when the Lord of mercy shall come down unto you in the shadow mercy shall come down unto you in the shadow

of the clouds with the angels circling around of the clouds with the angels circling around Him…Him…

Become as true brethren in the one and Become as true brethren in the one and indivisible religion of God, free from distinction, indivisible religion of God, free from distinction, for verily God desireth that your hearts should for verily God desireth that your hearts should

become mirrors unto your brethren in the Faith, become mirrors unto your brethren in the Faith, so that ye find yourselves reflected in them, and so that ye find yourselves reflected in them, and

they in you.”they in you.”The Báb, Selection from the Writings, p.56 The Báb, Selection from the Writings, p.56

67

The American nation 1The American nation 1

NotNot “for some mysterious purpose or by any “for some mysterious purpose or by any reason of inherent excellence or special merit”reason of inherent excellence or special merit”

““Precisely by reason of patent evils engendered Precisely by reason of patent evils engendered by materialism”:by materialism”: A people immersed in a sea of materialismA people immersed in a sea of materialism A prey to one of the most virulent and long-standing A prey to one of the most virulent and long-standing

forms of racial prejudiceforms of racial prejudice Notorious for its political corruption, lawlessness and Notorious for its political corruption, lawlessness and

laxity in moral standardslaxity in moral standards

68

The American nation 2The American nation 2

““Virtues and qualities which the nation as Virtues and qualities which the nation as a whole so conspicuously displays”:a whole so conspicuously displays”: High intelligenceHigh intelligence YouthfulnessYouthfulness Unbounded initiativeUnbounded initiative EnterpriseEnterprise

Shoghi Effendi, ADJ p.16Shoghi Effendi, ADJ p.16

69

The American nation 3The American nation 3

Process of unification of the United StatesProcess of unification of the United States Intense opposition and skepticismIntense opposition and skepticism Apparently insuperable barriersApparently insuperable barriers Achieved through intense suffering: civil warAchieved through intense suffering: civil war

Establishment of the Federation of Establishment of the Federation of Mankind to follow same pattern as the Mankind to follow same pattern as the federation of United States of Americafederation of United States of America

70

The making of the Great The making of the Great Republic of the WestRepublic of the West

Discovery and Colonization (1000-1764) The Period of the Revolution (1765-1786) The Making of the Constitution to the Civil

War (1787-1860) The Civil War and Our Own Times (1861-

1904)

71

Bahá’u’lláh’s Mandate to the Bahá’u’lláh’s Mandate to the USA 1USA 1

““Hearken ye, O Rulers of America and the Hearken ye, O Rulers of America and the Presidents of the Republics therein, unto Presidents of the Republics therein, unto

that which the Dove is warbling on the that which the Dove is warbling on the Branch of Eternity:’There is none other Branch of Eternity:’There is none other

God but Me, the Ever-Abiding, the God but Me, the Ever-Abiding, the Forgiving, the All-Bountiful.’ Adorn ye the Forgiving, the All-Bountiful.’ Adorn ye the temple of dominion with the ornament of temple of dominion with the ornament of

justice and of the fear of God, and its head justice and of the fear of God, and its head with the crown of the remembrance of your with the crown of the remembrance of your

Lord…”Lord…”

72

Bahá’u’lláh’s Mandate to the Bahá’u’lláh’s Mandate to the USA 2USA 2

“…“…The Promised One hath appeared in The Promised One hath appeared in this glorified station, whereat all beings, this glorified station, whereat all beings, both seen and unseen, have rejoiced. both seen and unseen, have rejoiced. Take ye advantage of the Day of God. Take ye advantage of the Day of God.

Verily, to meet Him is better for you than Verily, to meet Him is better for you than all that whereon the sun shineth, could ye all that whereon the sun shineth, could ye

but know it…”but know it…”

73

Bahá’u’lláh’s Mandate to the Bahá’u’lláh’s Mandate to the USA 3USA 3

““Bind ye the broken with the hands of Bind ye the broken with the hands of justice, and crush the oppressor who justice, and crush the oppressor who

flourisheth with the rod of the flourisheth with the rod of the commandments of your Lord, the commandments of your Lord, the

Ordainer, the All-Wise.”Ordainer, the All-Wise.”

Kitab-i-Aqdas, para. 88Kitab-i-Aqdas, para. 88

74

The destiny of the USA as the The destiny of the USA as the founder of Universal Peacefounder of Universal Peace

‘‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s counsel:Abdu’l-Bahá’s counsel:““You can best serve your country if you strive, in You can best serve your country if you strive, in your capacity as a citizen of the world, to assist your capacity as a citizen of the world, to assist in the eventual application of the principle of in the eventual application of the principle of federalism underlying the government of your federalism underlying the government of your own country to the relationships now existing own country to the relationships now existing between the peoples and nations of the world.”between the peoples and nations of the world.”

President Woodrow Wilson’s formulation of President Woodrow Wilson’s formulation of “Fourteen Points”“Fourteen Points”

75

76

President Wilson’s Speech -President Wilson’s Speech -18 January 191818 January 1918

“It will be our wish and purpose that the processes of peace, when they are begun, shall be absolutely open and that they shall involve and permit henceforth no secret understandings of any kind… The day of conquest and aggrandizement is gone by; so is also the day of secret covenants entered into in the interest of particular governments…”

77

“What we demand in this war, therefore, is nothing peculiar to ourselves. It is that the world be made fit and safe to live in; and particularly that it be made safe for every peace-loving nation which, like our own, wishes to live its own life, determine its own institutions, be assured of justice and fair dealing by the other peoples of the world as against force and selfish aggression.”

President Wilson's 14 Points 78

“All the peoples of the world are in effect partners in this interest, and for our own part we see very clearly that unless justice be done to others it will not be done to us. The programme of the world's peace, therefore, is our programme; and that programme, the only possible programme, as we see it, is this:

President Wilson's 14 Points 79

President Wilson’s 14 PointsPresident Wilson’s 14 Points

I. Open covenants of peace…after which there shall be no private international understandings of any kind but diplomacy shall proceed always frankly and in the public view.

II. Absolute freedom of navigation upon the seas

President Wilson's 14 Points 80

III. The removal, so far as possible, of all economic barriers and the establishment of an equality of trade conditions among all the nations

IV. Adequate guarantees given and taken that national armaments will be reduced to the lowest point consistent with domestic safety

President Wilson's 14 Points 81

V. A free, open-minded, and absolutely impartial adjustment of all colonial claims, based upon… the principle that … the interests of the populations concerned must have equal weight with the …claims of the government whose title is to be determined.

President Wilson's 14 Points 82

VI. Evacuation of all Russian territory and such a settlement of all questions affecting Russia…

VII. Belgium… must be evacuated and restored

VIII. All French territory should be freed, and the wrong done to France by Prussia…, should be righted

President Wilson's 14 Points 83

IX. A readjustment of the frontiers of Italy

X. The peoples of Austria-Hungary… should be accorded the freest opportunity to autonomous development.

XI. Rumania, Serbia, and Montenegro should be evacuated; occupied territories restored… and the relations of the several Balkan states to one another determined by friendly counsel…

President Wilson's 14 Points 84

XII. The turkish portion of the present Ottoman Empire should be assured a secure sovereignty, but the other nationalities which are now under Turkish rule should be assured an undoubted security of life and an absolutely unmolested opportunity of autonomous development

XIII. An independent Polish state should be erected

President Wilson's 14 Points 85

XIV. A general association of nations must be formed under specific covenants for the purpose of affording mutual guarantees of political independence and territorial integrity to great and small states alike.

President Wilson's 14 Points 86

“In regard to these essential rectifications of wrong and assertions of right we feel ourselves to be intimate partners of all the governments and peoples associated together against the Imperialists. We cannot be separated in interest or divided in purpose. We stand together until the end.”

President Wilson's 14 Points 87

“For such arrangements and covenants we are willing to fight and to continue to fight until they are achieved; but only because we wish the right to prevail and desire a just and stable peace such as can be secured only by removing the chief provocations to war, which this programme does remove. We have no jealousy of German greatness, and there is nothing in this programme that impairs it…We wish her only to accept a place of equality among the peoples of the world - the new world in which we now live - instead of a place of mastery.”

88

League of NationsLeague of Nations

Stillborn:Stillborn: Untrammeled national sovereigntyUntrammeled national sovereignty Excluded Germany and RussiaExcluded Germany and Russia USA refused to joinUSA refused to join

““Dawn of the Most Great Peace”Dawn of the Most Great Peace”

89

90

Second World WarSecond World War

Untold sufferingUntold suffering Perversion of human naturePerversion of human nature Establishment of the United NationsEstablishment of the United Nations New York as the seatNew York as the seat Increasing involvement of USA in world Increasing involvement of USA in world

affairsaffairs

91

The destiny of the USAThe destiny of the USA

““The world is moving on. Its events are The world is moving on. Its events are unfolding ominously and with bewildering unfolding ominously and with bewildering rapidity. The whirlwind of its passions is swift rapidity. The whirlwind of its passions is swift and alarmingly violent. The New World is and alarmingly violent. The New World is insensibly drawn into its vortex…insensibly drawn into its vortex…

Dangers, undreamt of and unpredictable, Dangers, undreamt of and unpredictable, threaten it both from within and from without. Its threaten it both from within and from without. Its governments and peoples are being gradually governments and peoples are being gradually enmeshed in the coils of the world’s recurrent enmeshed in the coils of the world’s recurrent crises and fierce controversies…”crises and fierce controversies…”

Shoghi Effendi, Advent od Divine Justice

92

The destiny of the USAThe destiny of the USA

““The world is contracting into a neighbourhood. The world is contracting into a neighbourhood. America, willingly or unwillingly, must face and America, willingly or unwillingly, must face and grapple with this new situation, For purposes of grapple with this new situation, For purposes of national security, let alone any humanitarian national security, let alone any humanitarian motive, she must assume the obligations motive, she must assume the obligations imposed by this newly created neighbourhood. imposed by this newly created neighbourhood. Paradoxical as it may seem, her only hope of Paradoxical as it may seem, her only hope of extricating herself from the perils gathering extricating herself from the perils gathering around her is to become entangled in that very around her is to become entangled in that very web of international association which the Hand web of international association which the Hand of an inscrutable wisdom is weaving.”of an inscrutable wisdom is weaving.”

Messages the Universal House of Justice, 1963-86, p.284

93

“…“…Even those who are concerned to improve Even those who are concerned to improve conditions are therefore reduced to combating conditions are therefore reduced to combating every apparent evil that takes their attention. every apparent evil that takes their attention. Willingness to fight against evils, whether in the Willingness to fight against evils, whether in the form of conditions or embodied in evil men, has form of conditions or embodied in evil men, has thus become for most people the touchstone by thus become for most people the touchstone by which they judge a person's moral worth…which they judge a person's moral worth…To To enter into the quixotic tournament of demolishing enter into the quixotic tournament of demolishing one by one the evils in the world is, to a Baha'i, one by one the evils in the world is, to a Baha'i, a vain waste of time and effort.”a vain waste of time and effort.”

94

Don Quixote of Don Quixote of LamanchaLamancha

95

96

Twin ProcessesTwin Processes

““None must contend with those who None must contend with those who wield authority over the people; leave wield authority over the people; leave

unto them that which is theirs, and unto them that which is theirs, and direct your attention to men’s direct your attention to men’s

hearts.”hearts.”Bahá’u’lláh, Kitab-i-Aqdas parg.95Bahá’u’lláh, Kitab-i-Aqdas parg.95

97

The Ultimate RemedyThe Ultimate Remedy

““The well-being of mankind, its The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are peace and security, are

unattainable unless and until its unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly establishedunity is firmly established.”.”

Bahá’u’lláh Bahá’u’lláh

98

“ ...The Faith of God is the sole source of salvation for mankind today. The true cause of the ills of humanity is its disunity. No matter how perfect may be the machinery devised by the leaders of men for the political unity of the world, it will still not provide the antidote to the poison sapping the vigour of present-day society. These ills can be cured only through the instrumentality of God’s Faith.”

99

The Divine RemedyThe Divine Remedy

“… There are many well-wishers of mankind who devote their efforts to relief work and charity and to the material well-being of man, but only Bahá’ís can do the work which God most wants done. When we devote ourselves to the work of the Faith we are doing a work which is the greatest aid and only refuge for a needy and divided world…”

(Universal House of Justice letter to the National Spiritual Assemblies of Africa, February , 1970)

100

Prayer of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Prayer of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

““May this American Democracy be the May this American Democracy be the first nation to establish the foundation first nation to establish the foundation of international agreement. May it be of international agreement. May it be

the first nation to proclaim the unity of the first nation to proclaim the unity of mankind. May it be the first to unfurl mankind. May it be the first to unfurl

the standard of the Most Great Peace.”the standard of the Most Great Peace.”

101

102