Palmdale,
CA, November 5th, 2002- Concerned about the spread of religious
prejudice, the Bahá'í community of Palmdale
has joined hundreds of others across the world to appeal
to religious leaders to help overcome religious intolerance.
Focal point of the effort is the presentation of a letter
by the world governing body of the Baha'i Faith. In its
seven-page message, the Universal House of Justice asserts
that religion constitutes the chief civilizing force of
history and that its spiritual influence is needed for the
advancement of humankind. It is not sufficient merely to
appeal for religious tolerance. Instead, religions must
accept the reality that they are equal in validity and that
spiritual life is equally accessible to all of humanity.
It warns about the danger that "the rising fires of
religious prejudice will ignite a worldwide conflagration
the consequences of which are unthinkable".
Hundreds of leaders in the U.S., representing a broad array
of religious organizations and academic institutions, have
received this historic challenge to renounce the notion
of exclusive access to truth that has caused much violence
and hatred. The list of recipients includes cardinals, bishops,
ministers, rabbis, imams and others. Locally the message
has been presented to the Antelope Valley Interfaith Council
and is currently being sent to religious leaders in Palmdale.
Just as the pernicious biases of gender, race, and nation
began to give way over the course of the 20th century, religious
prejudice must be urgently addressed if humankind is to
achieve peace and security. All too often, organized religion
has lent "credibility to fanaticism." Violent
eruptions of such fanaticism "shame the name of religion."
The letter goes on to state, "We feel a responsibility,
as the governing council of one of the world religions,
to urge earnest consideration of the challenge this poses
for religious leadership."
Religious leaders are invited to make common cause to reduce
biases, lessen conflict, and promote unity throughout the
world. Along with their counterparts in other countries
they are called upon to promote the underlying truth that
"God is one and that, beyond all diversity of cultural
expression and human interpretation, religion is likewise
one."
(Full text at:
http://www.bahai.org/article-1-1-0-1.html)
