New world order (Bahá'í)
The phrase "New world order" in the Bahá'í Faith refers to a system of teachings, enunciated by Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í Faith, that Bahá'ís believe embodies God's divinely appointed scheme for the unification of mankind and world peace in this age.[1] Later on his successors, `Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi, interpreted "unification of mankind" as the eventual establishment of a world commonwealth, later as a democratic elected world government based on principles of equity and justice, a commonwealth as vital spiritually as it would be materially.[2]
Apolitical
This vision of a world commonwealth is regarded by Bahá'ís as having no particular partisan political agenda. The members are not supposed to get involved in politics. Shoghi Effendi, the head of the Bahá'í Faith in the first half of the 20th century, has stated that the structure, importance, implications, benefits and possibilities of the New world order cannot be understood at the current time, but that only through time will it become obvious.[1] Instead, he states, only the guiding principles underlying the New world order can be generally outlined.[1]
Principles
Some of the principles outlined in the New world order include:
- universal peace based on global collective security;
- the unity of religion;
- the setting up a world government which could enact laws required to satisfy the needs of all people;
- an elected world parliament;
- a world code of law: based on justice for individuals and justice for nations.
- a binding world tribunal;
- a world police force;
- a universal bill of human rights;
- the universal right to education;
- the setting up of an auxiliary universal language;
- the continued diversity of culture;
- a world currency;
- a system of world commerce through the establishment of an equitable economic system where the economic security of the individual is assured;[3][4]
- elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty.
Sources
The phrase "New world order" was first used in the sacred texts of the Bahá'í Faith by its founder Bahá'u'lláh in the late 19th century. In the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, considered the most holy of the Bahá'í Faith's many texts, Bahá'u'lláh states,
| “ | The world's equilibrium hath been upset through the vibrating influence of this most great, this new World Order. Mankind's ordered life hath been revolutionized through the agency of this unique, this wondrous System – the like of which mortal eyes have never witnessed.[5] | ” |
In another text, Bahá'u'lláh stated,
| “ | Soon will the present-day order be rolled up, and a new one spread out in its stead.[6] | ” |
See also
Notes
- 1 2 3 Effendi, Shoghi (1938). "The Goal of a New World Order". The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. Wilmette, Illinois, USA: Bahá'í Publishing Trust. pp. 34–35. ISBN 0-87743-231-7.
- ↑ Esslemont, John E. (1980). Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era. US Bahá’í Publishing Trust. pp. 133–174. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
- ↑ Cobb, Stanwood (2003-09-05). "The Unity of Nations". Baha'i Library Online. Retrieved 2006-09-29.
- ↑ Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Warwick (2003-10-12). "The New World Order: Warwick Leaflet". Baha'i Library Online. Retrieved 2006-09-29.
- ↑ Bahá'u'lláh (1992) [1873]. The Kitáb-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Book. Wilmette, Illinois, USA: Bahá'í Publishing Trust. p. 85. ISBN 0-85398-999-0.
- ↑ Bahá'u'lláh (1976). Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh. Wilmette, Illinois, USA: Bahá'í Publishing Trust. pp. 6–7. ISBN 0-87743-187-6.
Further reading
- Nakhjavání, Alí (2005). Towards World Order. Baha'i Publications Australia. ISBN 1-876322-93-4.
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