New world order (Bahá'í)

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For other uses, see New World Order.

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 religion, that Bahá'ís believe embodies God's divinely appointed scheme for the unification of mankind in this age.[1] Among the beliefs it includes is the eventual establishment of a world commonwealth based on principles of equity and justice, a commonwealth as vital spiritually as it would be materially. This vision of a world commonwealth is looked at by the Bahá'ís as having no particular partisan political agenda. Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith, has stated the the structure, importance, implications, benefits, and possibilities of the New World Order cannot be understood at the current time, and that only through time will it become obvious.[1] Instead, he states, that only the guiding principles underlying the New World Order can be generally outlined.[1]

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.[2] ”

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.[3] ”

Some of the principles outlined in the New World Order include universal peace; 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 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 system of world commerce through the establishment of an equitable economic system where the economic security of the individual is assured.[4][5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c 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 0877432317. 
  2. ^ Bahá'u'lláh [1873] (1992). The Kitáb-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Book. Wilmette, Illinois, USA: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, pp. 85. ISBN 0853989990. 
  3. ^ Bahá'u'lláh (1976). Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh. Wilmette, Illinois, USA: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, pp. 6-7. ISBN 0877431876. 
  4. ^ Cobb, Stanwood (2003-09-05). The Unity of Nations. bahai-library.org. Retrieved on 2006-09-29.
  5. ^ Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Warwick (2003-10-12). The New World Order: Warwick Leaflet. bahai-library.org. Retrieved on 2006-09-29.
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