Wendi’s Wanders

The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established. Baha’u'llah, Baha’i writings

Like so many people, six years ago today I watched the events in New York and Washington unfold on television. It was a horrible day.

Today, remembering the people who died and were hurt on 9/11, thinking of their families and friends, and recalling all the children around the world who die needlessly, the millions who suffer, the people who are victims of continued injustice, I wonder how it is that we, as a world society, allow this to continue. Why are we still unable to just get along with each other?

Here is a pretty good description of the present situation:

`The recrudescence of religious intolerance, of racial animosity, and of patriotic arrogance; the increasing evidences of selfishness, of suspicion, of fear and of fraud; the spread of terrorism, of lawlessness, of drunkenness and of crime; the unquenchable thirst for, and the feverish pursuit after, earthly vanities, riches and pleasures; the weakening of family solidarity; the laxity in parental control; the lapse into luxurious indulgence; the irresponsible attitude towards marriage and the consequent rising tide of divorce; the degeneracy of art and music, the infection of literature, and the corruption of the press; the extension of the influence and activities of those “prophets of decadence” . . . — these appear as the outstanding characteristics of a decadent society, a society that must either be reborn or perish.’

A good description of today’s world - only it was written when my mother was 8 years old, in 1936, by Shoghi Effendi, the head of the Baha’i Faith at the time.

But pointing out what is wrong is one thing; providing a viable solution is another. If we are not to perish, literally, how can our society be reborn?

Most people are `good’, they do not hate, they want to get along with others, they wish everyone well, they see the need for peace and social justice, they desire happiness and freedom and prosperity for everyone. They just think that these are unattainable goals. But if it is true that most people are like this, then what prevents us from attaining them?

Baha’is believe we need to work on our unity. If we are trying to do a huge task alone, of course it is difficult and probably not achievable. But if we have help, and everyone pitches in, then the impossible becomes much easier. Changing the world for the better is perfectly possible if we work at it together. At the moment, a tiny minority, working together for a common goal of destruction, are making the world un-live-inable. Surely the vast majority can come together to work for a world of peace, security and justice. We have the technology - we just need the will.

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