|
Paris Talks
|
Pages 160-163
|
|
THE TENTH PRINCIPLE--EQUALITY OF SEX
4 Avenue de Camöens, Paris,
November 14th
| |
1 |
The Tenth Principle of the teaching of Bahá'u'lláh
is the equality of the sexes.
| |
2 |
God has created all creatures in couples. Man,
beast, or vegetable, all the things of these three kingdoms
are of two sexes, and there is absolute equality
between them.
| |
3 |
In the vegetable world there are male plants and
female plants; they have equal rights, and possess an
equal share of the beauty of their species; though indeed
the tree that bears fruit might be said to be
superior to that which is unfruitful.
| |
4 |
In the animal kingdom we see that the male and the
female have equal rights; and that they each share the
advantages of their kind.
| |
5 |
Now in the two lower kingdoms of nature we have
seen that there is no question of the superiority of one
sex over the other. In the world of humanity we find
a great difference; the female sex is treated as though
inferior, and is not allowed equal rights and privileges.
This condition is due not to nature, but to education.
In the Divine Creation there is no such distinction.
Neither sex is superior to the other in the sight of God.
Why then should one sex assert the inferiority of the
other, withholding just rights and privileges as though
God had given His authority for such a course of
action? If women received the same educational advantages
as those of men, the result would demonstrate
the equality of capacity of both for scholarship.
| |
6 |
In some respects woman is superior to man. She is
more tender-hearted, more receptive, her intuition is
more intense.
| |
7 |
It is not to be denied that in various directions woman
at present is more backward than man, also that this
temporary inferiority is due to the lack of educational
opportunity. In the necessity of life, woman is more
instinct with power than man, for to her he owes his
very existence.
| |
8 |
If the mother is educated then her children will be
well taught. When the mother is wise, then will the
children be led into the path of wisdom. If the mother
be religious she will show her children how they should
love God. If the mother is moral she guides her little
ones into the ways of uprightness.
| |
9 |
It is clear therefore that the future generation depends
on the mothers of today. Is not this a vital responsibility
for the woman? Does she not require every
possible advantage to equip her for such a task?
| |
10 |
Therefore, surely, God is not pleased that so important
an instrument as woman should suffer from
want of training in order to attain the perfections
desirable and necessary for her great life's work!
Divine Justice demands that the rights of both sexes
should be equally respected since neither is superior to
the other in the eyes of Heaven. Dignity before God
depends, not on sex, but on purity and luminosity of
heart. Human virtues belong equally to all!
| |
11 |
Woman must endeavour then to attain greater
perfection, to be man's equal in every respect, to make
progress in all in which she has been backward, so that
man will be compelled to acknowledge her equality of
capacity and attainment.
| |
12 |
In Europe women have made greater progress than
in the East, but there is still much to be done! When
students have arrived at the end of their school term
an examination takes place, and the result thereof
determines the knowledge and capacity of each student.
So will it be with woman; her actions will show her
power, there will no longer be any need to proclaim it
by words.
| |
13 |
It is my hope that women of the East, as well as their
Western sisters, will progress rapidly until humanity
shall reach perfection.
| |
14 |
God's Bounty is for all and gives power for all
progress. When men own the equality of women there
will be no need for them to struggle for their rights!
One of the principles then of Bahá'u'lláh is the equality
of sex.
| |
15 |
Women must make the greatest effort to acquire
spiritual power and to increase in the virtue of wisdom
and holiness until their enlightenment and striving
succeeds in bringing about the unity of mankind. They
must work with a burning enthusiasm to spread the
Teaching of Bahá'u'lláh among the peoples, so that
the radiant light of the Divine Bounty may envelop
the souls of all the nations of the world!
| |
|