Foundations of World Unity

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Foundations of World Unity by 'Abdu'l-Bahá

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Title: Foundations of World Unity
Author: 'Abdu'l-Bahá
Release Date: September 2006 [Ebook #19238]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO 8859-1
***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOUNDATIONS OF WORLD UNITY***

Foundations of World Unity
by 'Abdu'l-Bahá

Edition 1, (September 2006)

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CONTENTS
Baha'i Terms of Use THE TRUE MODERNISM THE SOURCE OF REALITY THE DAWN OF PEACE THE CAUSE OF STRIFE UNIVERSAL PEACE THE PROPHETS AND WAR FOUNDATIONS OF WORLD UNITY RACIAL HARMONY THE SPIRIT OF JUSTICE COOPERATION "The question of socialization is very important. It will not be..." THE CRITERIONS OF TRUTH MAN AND NATURE THE MICROCOSM AND THE MACROCOSM THE UNIVERSAL CYCLES EDUCATION THE HOLY SPIRIT SCIENCE SPIRITUAL SPRINGTIME ETERNAL UNITY THE DARKENED LIGHTS THE NEED OF DIVINE EDUCATION RELIGION: ESSENTIAL AND NON-ESSENTIAL RELIGION RENEWED DIVINE LOVE THE FOUNDATION OF RELIGION THE QUICKENING SPIRIT THE LAW OF GOD CONTINUITY OF REVELATION

THE TRUE MODERNISM
All created things have their degree or stage of maturity. The period of maturity in the life of a tree is the time of its fruit-bearing. The maturity of a plant is the time of its blossoming and flower. The animal attains a stage of full growth and completeness, and in the human kingdom man reaches his maturity when the lights of intelligence have their greatest power and development.
From the beginning to the end of his life man passes through certain periods or stages each of which is marked by certain conditions peculiar to itself. For instance during the period of childhood his conditions and requirements are characteristic of that degree of intelligence and capacity. After a time he enters the period of youth in which his former conditions and needs are superseded by new requirements applicable to the advance in his degree. His faculties of observation are broadened and deepened, his intelligent capacities are trained and awakened, the limitations and environment of childhood no longer restrict his energies and accomplishments. At last he passes out of the period of youth and enters the stage or station of maturity which necessitates another transformation and corresponding advance in his sphere of life-activity. New powers and perceptions clothe him, teaching and training commensurate with his progression occupy his mind, special bounties and bestowals descend in proportion to his increased capacities and his former period of youth and its conditions will no longer satisfy his matured view and vision.
Similarly there are periods and stages in the life of the aggregate world of humanity which at one time was passing through its degree of childhood, at another its time of youth but now has entered its long presaged period of maturity, the evidences of which are everywhere visible and apparent. Therefore the requirements and conditions of former periods have changed and merged into exigencies which distinctly characterize the present age of the world of mankind. That which was applicable to human needs during the early history of the race could neither meet nor satisfy the demands of this day and period of newness and consummation. Humanity has emerged from its former degrees of limitation and preliminary training. Man must now become imbued with new virtues and powers, new moralities, new capacities. New bounties, bestowals and perfections are awaiting and already descending upon him. The gifts and graces of the period of youth although timely and sufficient during the adolescence of the world of mankind, are now incapable of meeting the requirements of its maturity. The playthings of childhood and infancy no longer satisfy or interest the adult mind.
From every standpoint the world of humanity is undergoing a re-formation. The laws of former governments and civilizations