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Concerning
the prejudice of race; it is an illusion, a superstition pure and simple,
for God created us all of one race. ... In the beginning also there were
no limits and boundaries between the different lands; no part of the earth
belonged more to one people than to another. In the sight of God there
is no different between the various races. Why should man invent such
a prejudice? How can we uphold war caused by such an illusion? God has
not created men that they should destroy one another. All races, tribes,
sects and classes share equally in the bounty of their Heavenly Father.
The only real difference
lies in the degree of faithfulness, of obedience to the laws of God. There
are some who are as lighted torches; there are others who shine as stars
in the sky of humanity.
The lovers of mankind,
these are the superior men, of whatever nation, creed or color they may
be.
(Dr.
J.E. Esslemont, Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era, p. 160 - 161)
View of the mountains where Bahá’u’lláh stayed in Sulaymaniyyih. (David Toeg, 1940) 
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11 December 2009, MELBOURNE, Australia — How can interfaith dialogue and religious freedom flourish when one religion declares that another is not a religion? Are tolerance and cooperation only possible among people who share the same doctrinal view of the world?
These questions were posed by a representative of the Australian Baha'i community at one of the sessions at the Parliament of the World's Religions, which has come to an end after a week of speeches, panel discussions, devotional programs, and artistic presentations.
Dr. Natalie Mobini made her remarks during a 30-minute presentation on the fifth day of the parliament, within a session on religious conflict and persecution that focused on Myanmar, Thailand, and Iran.
Reflecting on the origins of the interfaith movement – in particular the first Parliament of Religions in 1893 – Dr. Mobini related how its principal organizer believed that it had "emancipated the world from bigotry."
"The interfaith movement has continued to be inspired by the vision of a world in which the followers of different faiths are able not merely to engage with one another in a spirit of tolerance and respect but also to collaborate in contributing to the advancement of society," she said.
"At the same time, the havoc that religious intolerance is continuing to wreak in our world now poses a more serious threat to humanity's progress and well-being than at any previous time in history."
Read the entire story.
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