Baha'is honor Dr. King's vision

01/09/2003

Letter to the editor

To the editor:
   The Baha'is of Mercer County celebrate the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and call upon all to help bring the dream into reality. Dr. King raised the consciousness of our nation when he helped us find the strength to peacefully battle the evils of prejudice and racism. We pray that America will continue to evolve, as if faces purifying tests and trials, to become a land of spiritual distinction and leadership, a champion of justice and unity among all peoples and nations.
   Racism is the most challenging issue confronting America. The oneness of humanity is the pivot of all the teachings of the Baha'i Faith. The oneness of humanity is a statement of principle and an assertion of the ultimate goal of human experience on the planet. More than a century ago Baha'u'llah, the Prophet-Founder of the Baha'i Faith, wrote: "The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established." It is a principle that issues naturally from the origin and purpose of human existence.
   As we start this new year, we should look back to see what progress we have made in our national goal of justice and equality. Speculate on the progress we will achieve in advancing a culture that celebrates the oneness of humankind.
   As a nation whose ancestry includes every people on earth, whose ideals of freedom have inspired millions throughout the world, we cannot continue to harbor prejudice or disrespect for any racial or ethnic group without betraying the very soul of our society. Racism is a disease that destroys society. Progress toward racial tolerance and mutual respect has been painfully slow. The resurgence of divisive racial attitudes, increased number of racial incidents, and the despair of minorities and the poor make the need for solutions to the racial and cultural divisions in this nation ever more pressing and urgent.
   Humankind has entered the door of the new millennia that holds the hope and promise of world peace. We've grown as a civilization through the stages of infancy and turbulent adolescence. Humanity is now approaching maturity, a stage that will witness a new age of unity and cooperation around the globe. However, the key block to peace, prosperity and happiness in American and throughout the world is racism. America is in a position, like no other nation, to make the dream of unity a reality. The United States is a microcosm of the diverse populations of the world. If each individual can acknowledge that racism exists and make it a personal goal to battle the evils of racism we can all make the dream of Dr. King a reality.
   The oneness of humanity is a spiritual truth abundantly confirmed by science. Recognition of this truth compels the abandonment of all prejudices of race, color, creed, nation, and class—of everything which enables people to consider themselves superior to others. The principle of the oneness of humankind is no mere shout of ignorant emotionalism or an expression of vague and reverent hope. It is a scientific fact that will lead to an organic change in the structure of present-day society that will bring the dream of Dr. King into reality.
   For those who would like to receive a free copy of the Baha'i statement on race unity or join us in a local commemoration to honor the ideals of Dr. King on Jan. 20, please call (609) 888-1554. Additional information can be found on the Internet at http//www.bahai.org or Call 1-800-UNITE for additional information about the Baha'i Faith.

Scott McNear
Baha'i Faith
Mercer County

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