October is the anniversary of the formation of the United Nations – 81 years ago. The primary purpose of the United Nations is to maintain international peace and security, prevent large-scale conflicts, and foster global cooperation. It’s purpose is the desire of the vast majority of the human race.
Pope Leo XIV wrote in May: “…To those who have the honor and responsibility of governing, I would like to repeat the words that I spoke at the start of my Pontificate: “The peoples of our world desire peace, and to their leaders I appeal with all my heart: Let us meet, let us talk, let us negotiate! War is never inevitable. Weapons can and must be silenced, for they do not resolve problems but only increase them. Those who make history are the peacemakers, not those who sow seeds of suffering. Our neighbors are not first our enemies, but our fellow human beings; not criminals to be hated, but other men and women with whom we can speak. Let us reject the Manichean notions so typical of that mindset of violence that divides theworld into those who are good and those who are evil.”
‘Abdu’l-Bahá said, “Peace is the impetus for development, war brings destruction.” The Universal House of Justice puts it, ”The establishment of peace is a duty to which the entire human race is called.”
Bahá’u’lláh sees lasting peace as a multidimensional structure of social relations that includes a culture of peace, democracy, collective security, and social justice, among other elements. These are not random variables or opposed concepts; rather, for Bahá’u’lláh all are inseparable, interdependent, and harmonious expressions of His spiritual definition of human reality. “We have enjoined upon all mankind to establish the Most Great Peace—the surest of all means for the protection of humanity. The sovereigns of the world should, with one accord, hold fast thereunto, for this is the supreme instrument that can ensure the security and welfare of all peoples and nations.”
In fact, the nobility and dignity of humanity is embraced by Bahá’u’lláh’s admonition: “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.”
In describing the Bahá’í Faith’s strong prohibition on waging war, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, stated that Bahá’u’lláh “abrogated contention and conflict, and even rejected undue insistence. He exhorted us instead to ‘consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship.’ He ordained that we be loving friends and well-wishers of all peoples and religions and enjoined upon us to demonstrate the highest virtues in our dealings with the kindreds of the earth….”
“Let not a man glory in this, that he loves his country; let him rather glory in this, that he loves his kind” Bahá’ú’lláh