The coming of a new millennium has stirred up a certain amount of expectation among many
people. To Christians it is obviously an important landmark but for many people the fact that one
of the world’s most widespread calendars is starting its third millennium has generated the idea
that this time is one of significance. The rapid developments over the last two centuries have left
humanity feeling that things should continue to get better - there is a general expectation that in
some way, the new millennium will be an improvement upon the old one. Celebration is the order
of the day, but there is a great danger that this will be followed by widespread dissatisfaction and
disillusionment, because without some sort of blueprint for the new millennium, it is likely that we
will find that nothing has really changed at all.
The Role of Religion
Over the last 200 years, religion has gradually ceased to be the guiding light of society, the point
round which people can unite. Religious fanaticism is now seen as a very negative force. During
this last century, substitutes for religion, such as communism, racism and extreme nationalism,
have tried to fill the void but, lacking a spiritual basis, they have all failed to bring happiness, justice
and peace to the world. They are now largely discredited and discarded but there is nothing
obvious to take their place. There is still no focal point for unity. Twin Forces
There are at present two apparently opposing forces at work in the world. On the one hand, the
disintegration of society as a unit, and the morals on which society is based, seem to signal
despair. When individuals think only of themselves and their own needs, no-one is happy. Greed,
corruption, dishonesty, lack of family responsibility, all lead to unhappiness for all involved. The
reality is that there is a lack of unity and order in the world. On a global scale this shows itself in
many ways: in civil wars, terrorism, political rivalry, widespread poverty, homelessness and
starvation, global warming and in disruption in the financial world.
On the other hand, there has been movement towards world civilisation. There is no longer
ignorance of the suffering of people in distant parts of the world and it is understood that problems
in one country can affect the world as a whole. Many people see the effects of poverty, injustice
and war, and wish for genuine peace and for the resources of the world to be shared more
equally.
World Peace
In recent years, there have been signs of an increasing agreement among the peoples of the world
about the rights of minorities, and in the application of human rights in general. In conflicts in
Africa, the Middle East and Europe, other countries have felt that by virtue of their common
humanity, they have the right to apply force from outside. The old idea that no one has the right to
intervene in the affairs of a sovereign state is rapidly disappearing. We are increasingly seeing
mankind as one family. Over 100 years ago, Bahá’u’lláh, the Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, urged
the world leaders to convene a world peace conference, which would fix boundaries, limit
armaments, and lay down rules to govern international relationships. Any government breaking the
resulting agreement should be toppled by the united action of all the other countries of the world.
Bahá’ís understand that this political peace will be introduced early in the new millennium, and it
will coincide with the time when the elected Bahá’í institutions are successfully evolving into
examples of a new method of administration. These Bahá’í bodies are working to develop a
system of consultation, following the guidance of Bahá’u’lláh, where many decisions are made at
a local level but where the good of the world as a whole is seen as paramount and everyone’s
voice can be heard. During this new millennium, Bahá’ís believe that mankind will evolve towards
a Golden Age of world civilisation, united in a world guided by the principles of justice and
compassion. Before humanity can take the next step on this path, peace needs to be established
throughout the world. It is this vision of the Golden Age which poets and philosophers have dreamt
of for centuries, which religions have promised and humanity as a whole hopes for, but has never
before seen a practical way to achieve. The Bahá’í Faith offers a solution to this. The Bahá’í
Principles
The Bahá’í Faith began in the mid-nineteenth century and became a worldwide community during
the twentieth, but it has clearly been designed for the new millennium. The list of Bahá’í principles,
although 150 years old, is an agenda for the coming years. Among them are the following:
All religions should be seen as part of one universal truth. We should look for the points of
agreement, and build on them. All human beings should be seen as part of one human race.
Irrespective of language, level of education, colour, gender, creed or background, all should be
accepted as part of one family. A world language should be chosen, to be used for international
communication. Everyone should be educated so that prejudice will disappear and people can
make judgements for themselves. A more just economic system should be introduced, based on a
world currency and free trade. Science and religion should be seen as different aspects of the
same reality. Neither religion nor science can explain everything we see or experience.
The Meaning of the Millennium
Two thousand years after the birth of Christ, we have come to a turning point in the future of the
world. It is time to look again for the meaning of life and our purpose on this earth.We can decide
to work together to bring justice and peace to the world, or we can face the consequences of
continuing strife and injustice. Bahá’ís believe that humanity is now coming of age and has the
ability to make the new millennium a happier one for everyone on earth.
What we need at this stage in our development is one religion to bind us together. The Bahá’í
Faith is designed to do just this. All the religions of the past have promised a great World Teacher
who would bring an Age of Peace. Bahá’ís believe that Bahá’u’lláh was that Teacher and that
His teachings provide the guiding light for the new millennium. If you wish to investigate this claim,
Bahá’ís will be happy to assist.
The text of all these leaflets remains the copyright of Warwick Bahá'í Bookshop. The Bookshop is happy for people to download individual copies for their own purposes. Printed copies can be purchased from the Warwick Bookshop. Individuals or communities wishing to translate or print these leaflets in other countries please contact the Bookshop for permission.
