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Paris Talks
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Pages 157-160
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NINTH PRINCIPLE--THE NON-INTERFERENCE OF RELIGION WITH POLITICS
4 Avenue de Camöens, Paris,
November 17th
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In the conduct of life, man is actuated by two main
motives: `The Hope for Reward' and `The Fear
of Punishment'.
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This hope and this fear must consequently be greatly
taken into account by those in authority who have
important posts under Government. Their business
in life is to consult together for the framing of laws,
and to provide for their just administration.
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The tent of the order of the world is raised and
established on the two pillars of `Reward and Retribution'.
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In despotic Governments carried on by men without
Divine faith, where no fear of spiritual retribution
exists, the execution of the laws is tyrannical and unjust.
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There is no greater prevention of oppression than
these two sentiments, hope and fear. They have both
political and spiritual consequences.
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If administrators of the law would take into consideration
the spiritual consequences of their decisions,
and follow the guidance of religion, `They would be
Divine agents in the world of action, the representatives
of God for those who are on earth, and they would
defend, for the love of God, the interests of His servants
as they would defend their own'. If a governor realizes
his responsibility, and fears to defy the Divine Law,
his judgments will be just. Above all, if he believes
that the consequences of his actions will follow him
beyond his earthly life, and that `as he sows so must
he reap', such a man will surely avoid injustice and
tyranny.
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7 |
Should an official, on the contrary, think that all
responsibility for his actions must end with his earthly
life, knowing and believing nothing of Divine favours
and a spiritual kingdom of joy, he will lack the incentive
to just dealing, and the inspiration to destroy oppression
and unrighteousness.
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When a ruler knows that his judgments will be
weighed in a balance by the Divine Judge, and that if
he be not found wanting he will come into the Celestial
Kingdom and that the light of the Heavenly Bounty
will shine upon him, then will he surely act with justice
and equity. Behold how important it is that Ministers
of State should be enlightened by religion!
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With political questions the clergy, however, have
nothing to do! Religious matters should not be confused
with politics in the present state of the world
(for their interests are not identical).
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10 |
Religion concerns matters of the heart, of the spirit,
and of morals.
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Politics are occupied with the material things of life.
Religious teachers should not invade the realm of
politics; they should concern themselves with the
spiritual education of the people; they should ever give
good counsel to men, trying to serve God and human
kind; they should endeavour to awaken spiritual
aspiration, and strive to enlarge the understanding and
knowledge of humanity, to improve morals, and to
increase the love for justice.
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This is in accordance with the Teaching of
Bahá'u'lláh. In the Gospel also it is written, `Render
unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto
God the things which are God's'.
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In Persia there are some amongst the important
Ministers of State who are religious, who are exemplary,
who worship God, and who fear to disobey His
Laws, who judge justly and rule their people with
Equity. Other Governors there are in this land who
have no fear of God before their eyes, who think not
of the consequences of their actions, working for their
own desires, and these have brought Persia into great
trouble and difficulty.
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Oh, friends of God, be living examples of justice!
So that by the Mercy of God, the world may see in
your actions that you manifest the attributes of justice
and mercy.
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Justice is not limited, it is a universal quality. Its
operation must be carried out in all classes, from the
highest to the lowest. Justice must be sacred, and the
rights of all the people must be considered. Desire for
others only that which you desire for yourselves. Then
shall we rejoice in the Sun of Justice, which shines from
the Horizon of God.
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Each man has been placed in a post of honour, which
he must not desert. A humble workman who commits
an injustice is as much to blame as a renowned tyrant.
Thus we all have our choice between justice and
injustice.
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I hope that each one of you will become just, and
direct your thoughts towards the unity of mankind;
that you will never harm your neighbours nor speak
ill of any one; that you will respect the rights of all
men, and be more concerned for the interests of others
than for your own. Thus will you become torches of
Divine justice, acting in accordance with the Teaching
of Bahá'u'lláh, who, during His life, bore innumerable
trials and persecutions in order to show forth to the
world of mankind the virtues of the World of Divinity,
making it possible for you to realize the supremacy of
the spirit, and to rejoice in the Justice of God.
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18 |
By His Mercy, the Divine Bounty will be showered
upon you, and for this I pray!
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