Unity in Submission to God’s Counsels.

[idea]

Yes.
Unity in truth. We agree on what the speed of light is. We agree on the value of work, the value of education. The population has reached over 8 billion through agreement and working together.

 

[Trailblazer]

Unless 'unity' is defined in some definitive way understood by all, this will not reflect my thoughts.

Unity would need to be defined in order for me to answer that question yes or no.

 

[Trailblazer]

Well, I was right behind you. My excuse is Covid recovery brain fog.

Sorry you got Covid. I got it for the first time last August and I was in the hospital ICU for a week.

My excuse is that I was looking for some well-deserved entertainment. I just spent over an hour responding to a post from my dear friend @Brian2, and that was after talking on the phone for over an hour to the customer service rep of my insurance company about how my rental house does not meet the underwriting guidelines, so my policy will be cancelled unless my tenant gets some things whipped into shape!

 

[Trailblazer]

I think first things first, we have to work on individual levels, and get it where folks care about the next guy as much as themselves.

or care about the next guy more than themselves.

 

[Trailblazer]

as I see God is the source of virtues and morals.

I agree, but good luck getting people to really believe that and live accordingly!

 

[Trailblazer]

For that reason, I will be out.

You are leaving the party? Party pooper.
but I do understand. I am not much for parties myself.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

I agree, but good luck getting people to really believe that and live accordingly!

I do not see it will need luck, I think people will look for and desire change.

Regards Tony

 

[Trailblazer]

I do not see it will need luck, I think people will look for and desire change.

Regards Tony

Double optimistic.
I don't think that will happen withing our lifetimes but I think it will happen eventually.
I don't like to be too optimistic these days since I know it will lead to disappointment.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

Double optimistic.
I don't think that will happen withing our lifetimes but I think it will happen eventually.
I don't like to be too optimistic these days since I know it will lead to disappointment.

It may be that we live in the age where the days are shortened, the event prior to the Lesser Peace can be anytime.

Meanwhile we live and teach the oneness of humanity.

Regards Tony

 

[flowerpower]

That's it, to me, plain and simple it is a No.

I see the peace and security of humanity is unattainable, unless and until Unity is firmly established and that unity is not possible while humanity as a majority do not follow the Counsels given by God.

All faiths given of God, do have Counsels given of God, so what are they?

I think the one to start with is Love as in John 15:12 "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you."

"Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship . . . This goal excelleth every other goal, and this aspiration is the monarch of all aspirations." Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 288

Please discuss in the light that is Love.

Regards Tony

You're going to have to define "unity" and "god's counsels" if you're going to get an answer out of me.

But, on face value, unity of the human species seems like an extremely absurd concept to begin with.

Then you bring god into it...

 

[Mock Turtle]

Perhaps as others have mentioned - it might be possible, but being as to which God belief and which counsels? Personally, I doubt this will be possible with or without any religious beliefs interfering, and mainly due simply to the nature of humans and as to how they tend to prefer short-term gains over longer term ones. And is why we tend to have so many issues produced by these short-term gains - appalling treatment of non-human life, plastic pollution, resource deletion, space junk, etc., being many of such. So not such an intelligent species after all.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

That's it, to me, plain and simple it is a No.

I see the peace and security of humanity is unattainable, unless and until Unity is firmly established and that unity is not possible while humanity as a majority do not follow the Counsels given by God.

All faiths given of God, do have Counsels given of God, so what are they?

I think the one to start with is Love as in John 15:12 "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you."

"Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship . . . This goal excelleth every other goal, and this aspiration is the monarch of all aspirations." Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 288

Please discuss in the light that is Love.

Regards Tony

Religion is inherently divisive. It can never be a foundation of unity.

That being said, people thinking "humanity could work together so much better if everyone just accepted my religion" have been around as long as religion has.

Religion - including your religion - doesn't help unity between people. It just gets in the way.

 

[loverofhumanity]

You're going to have to define "unity" and "god's counsels" if you're going to get an answer out of me.

But, on face value, unity of the human species seems like an extremely absurd concept to begin with.

Then you bring god into it...

By unity i would say a strong bond between the races, religions and nations based on our common humanity that cannot be broken. We are all human and this planet is our home. By unity also is meant to get rid of this ‘us vs them’ mentality and for all humanity to be as one family. For those who are ‘religious’ God’s counsels would be mainly to love one another which even after it was uttered thousands of years ago, we still cause untold cruelty to one another.

So from whatever standpoint, unity means to stop the wars and help the poor and medicines for the needy. A better world where the monies once invested in war will go to universal free education including university level, all people looked after medically and all having adequate food and shelter. With an attitude of reconciliation being fostered we can achieve unity and humankind can experience peace and prosperity.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

Religion is inherently divisive. It can never be a foundation of unity.

That being said, people thinking "humanity could work together so much better if everyone just accepted my religion" have been around as long as religion has.

Religion - including your religion - doesn't help unity between people. It just gets in the way.

I see that is the world we live in, it is part of having choices, good choice, bad choice, it is our choices that have divide us.

I see history shows Religion has united Billions across many Nations, it has fulfilled that purpose, but to date not reached its full potential. Religious predudices have sapped its full potential and I see God has never made religion exclusive.

It is the choice of many not to join the unity offered by those faiths, and it is the choice of many once they embrace it, not to be inclusive of others.

This was on the list of Counsels posted above, that need to be embraced, the removal of religious predudices.

Regards Tony

 

[TransmutingSoul]

We can use the following definition to initiate what Counsels may need to be embraced.

Maybe they are all part of the list required?

Unity of all humanity, where the interests of the individual to basic life necessities are protected, free of predudices of gender, race, nation and religion.

So the list would already be.

Love.
Individual right to basic life necessities.
Elimination of predudices of gender, race, nation and religion.

With Love, that would also require the two virtues of Trustworthiness and Truthfulness, as Love is impossible without those two virtues.

Regards Tony

You're going to have to define "unity" and "god's counsels" if you're going to get an answer out of me.

But, on face value, unity of the human species seems like an extremely absurd concept to begin with.

Then you bring god into it...

By unity i would say a strong bond between the races, religions and nations based on our common humanity that cannot be broken. We are all human and this planet is our home. By unity also is meant to get rid of this ‘us vs them’ mentality and for all humanity to be as one family. For those who are ‘religious’ God’s counsels would be mainly to love one another which even after it was uttered thousands of years ago, we still cause untold cruelty to one another.

So from whatever standpoint, unity means to stop the wars and help the poor and medicines for the needy. A better world where the monies once invested in war will go to universal free education including university level, all people looked after medically and all having adequate food and shelter. With an attitude of reconciliation being fostered we can achieve unity and humankind can experience peace and prosperity.

@flowerpower I have quoted two replies that can give a starting point. I see I need to bring God into it, as I see mankind can unite in no other way, but by God given Counsels.

The Counsels of God's we need to follow is what this OP is about. My thoughts are based on this piece of advice.

"...The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established. This unity can never be achieved so long as the counsels which the Pen of the Most High hath revealed are suffered to pass unheeded..." Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, CXXXI

I personally see we have been given those Counsels, but I have never to date started considering what they all are, thus this OP and a chance to discuss it with a wider diversity of people. There is this advice as well.

"...O ye that dwell on earth! The distinguishing feature that marketh the preeminent character of this Supreme Revelation consisteth in that We have ... laid down the essential prerequisites of concord, of understanding, of complete and enduring unity. Well is it with them that keep My statutes". (“Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh”, p. 97)

So that says we have already been given "the essential prerequisites of concord, of understanding, of complete and enduring unity."

That passage ties into what could be the Counsel that may be on top of the list.

Spoiler: Is this the answer

The Great Being, wishing to reveal the prerequisites of the peace and tranquillity of the world and the advancement of its peoples, hath written: The time must come when the imperative necessity for the holding of a vast, an all-embracing assemblage of men will be universally realized. The rulers and kings of the earth must needs attend it, and, participating in its deliberations, must consider such ways and means as will lay the foundations of the world’s Great Peace amongst men. Such a peace demandeth that the Great Powers should resolve, for the sake of the tranquillity of the peoples of the earth, to be fully reconciled among themselves. Should any king take up arms against another, all should unitedly arise and prevent him. If this be done, the nations of the world will no longer require any armaments, except for the purpose of preserving the security of their realms and of maintaining internal order within their territories. This will ensure the peace and composure of every people, government and nation. We fain would hope that the kings and rulers of the earth, the mirrors of the gracious and almighty name of God, may attain unto this station, and shield mankind from the onslaught of tyranny.… The day is approaching when all the peoples of the world will have adopted one universal language and one common script. When this is achieved, to whatsoever city a man may journey, it shall be as if he were entering his own home. These things are obligatory and absolutely essential. It is incumbent upon every man of insight and understanding to strive to translate that which hath been written into reality and action.... That one indeed is a man who, today, dedicateth himself to the service of the entire human race. The Great Being saith: Blessed and happy is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and kindreds of the earth. In another passage He hath proclaimed: It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.

(“Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh”, pp. 249-250)

Regards Tony

 

[TransmutingSoul]

Perhaps as others have mentioned - it might be possible, but being as to which God belief and which counsels? Personally, I doubt this will be possible with or without any religious beliefs interfering, and mainly due simply to the nature of humans and as to how they tend to prefer short-term gains over longer term ones. And is why we tend to have so many issues produced by these short-term gains - appalling treatment of non-human life, plastic pollution, resource deletion, space junk, etc., being many of such. So not such an intelligent species after all.

I see it is possible and I see it will commence without religion, it will need to happen. The only thing I can add to that is that the way it needs to happen has already been given to us. So when humanity does commence the process, it will have to follow those guidelines, otherwise it will eventually break down and will not work.

Humanity has twice tried to foster a global peace based on National unities. First the League of Nations and secondly the United Nations. Both were founded on some of the Councels God has already given, but the mandates did not cover then all, thus they were always going to fall short of what they wanted to acheive.

This passage from Baha'u'llah contains a significant amount of Counsels that I see will ensure the peace and security of all humanity.

"...The Great Being, wishing to reveal the prerequisites of the peace and tranquillity of the world and the advancement of its peoples, hath written: The time must come when the imperative necessity for the holding of a vast, an all-embracing assemblage of men will be universally realized. The rulers and kings of the earth must needs attend it, and, participating in its deliberations, must consider such ways and means as will lay the foundations of the world’s Great Peace amongst men. Such a peace demandeth that the Great Powers should resolve, for the sake of the tranquillity of the peoples of the earth, to be fully reconciled among themselves. Should any king take up arms against another, all should unitedly arise and prevent him. If this be done, the nations of the world will no longer require any armaments, except for the purpose of preserving the security of their realms and of maintaining internal order within their territories. This will ensure the peace and composure of every people, government and nation. We fain would hope that the kings and rulers of the earth, the mirrors of the gracious and almighty name of God, may attain unto this station, and shield mankind from the onslaught of tyranny.… The day is approaching when all the peoples of the world will have adopted one universal language and one common script. When this is achieved, to whatsoever city a man may journey, it shall be as if he were entering his own home. These things are obligatory and absolutely essential. It is incumbent upon every man of insight and understanding to strive to translate that which hath been written into reality and action.... That one indeed is a man who, today, dedicateth himself to the service of the entire human race. The Great Being saith: Blessed and happy is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and kindreds of the earth. In another passage He hath proclaimed: It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens."

(“Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh”, pp. 249-250)

I think people can see the wisdom contained in that passage, the more the world tends towards conflict, the more that wisdom stands out.

Regards Tony

 

[Trailblazer]

It may be that we live in the age where the days are shortened, the event prior to the Lesser Peace can be anytime.

What do you think that event will be?

Meanwhile we live and teach the oneness of humanity.

I live and teach that Baha'u'llah has come. That's my only job aside from my day job. Those who have heard that can take it from there.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I see that is the world we live in, it is part of having choices, good choice, bad choice, it is our choices that have divide us.

I see history shows Religion has united Billions across many Nations, it has fulfilled that purpose, but to date not reached its full potential. Religious predudices have sapped its full potential and I see God has never made religion exclusive.

Exactly which "billions across nations" do you think have been "unified"? Please name the specific group(s).

 

[TransmutingSoul]

I am glad I posted this OP, I am learning lots by contemplating what Counsel's will need to be adopted by humanity.

I see that in itself is a great challenge, as the wisdom of what has already been given must be adopted and it appears that religion is the key.

"Our hope is that the world’s religious leaders and the rulers thereof will unitedly arise for the reformation of this age and the rehabilitation of its fortunes. Let them, after meditating on its needs, take counsel together and, through anxious and full deliberation, administer to a diseased and sorely-afflicted world the remedy it requireth.

The Great Being saith: The heaven of divine wisdom is illumined with the two luminaries of consultation and compassion. Take ye counsel together in all matters, inasmuch as consultation is the lamp of guidance which leadeth the way, and is the bestower of understanding." (“Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas”, p. 168)

I found a lot of the Counsels, that assist us in this age, have been compiled. So I offer a link to Peace.

Peace | Bahá’í Reference Library

A Compilation Prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

www.bahai.org

Regards Tony

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I am glad I posted this OP, I am learning lots by contemplating what Counsel's will need to be adopted by humanity.

I see that in itself is a great challenge, as the wisdom of what has already been given must be adopted and it appears that religion is the key.

"Our hope is that the world’s religious leaders and the rulers thereof will unitedly arise for the reformation of this age and the rehabilitation of its fortunes. Let them, after meditating on its needs, take counsel together and, through anxious and full deliberation, administer to a diseased and sorely-afflicted world the remedy it requireth.

The Great Being saith: The heaven of divine wisdom is illumined with the two luminaries of consultation and compassion. Take ye counsel together in all matters, inasmuch as consultation is the lamp of guidance which leadeth the way, and is the bestower of understanding." (“Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas”, p. 168)

I found a lot of the Counsels, that assist us in this age, have been compiled. So I offer a link to Peace.

Peace | Bahá’í Reference Library

A Compilation Prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

www.bahai.org

Regards Tony

I can't count how many times I've thought of this cartoon while reading posts from our Baha'i members: