ts. As long as there is affinity
and cohesion among these constituent elements, strength and life are
manifest; but when dissension and repulsion arise among them,
disintegration follows. This is proof that peace and amity, which God has
willed for His children, are the saving factors of human society, whereas
war and strife, which violate His ordinances, are the cause of death and
destruction. Therefore, God has sent His Prophets to announce the message
of goodwill, peace and life to the world of mankind.

Inasmuch as the essential reality of the religions is one and their
seeming variance and plurality is adherence to forms and imitations which
have arisen, it is evident that these causes of difference and divergence
must be abandoned in order that the underlying reality may unite mankind
in its enlightenment and upbuilding. All who hold fast to the one reality
will be in agreement and unity. Then shall the religions summon people to
the oneness of the world of humanity and to universal justice; then will
they proclaim equality of rights and exhort men to virtue and to faith in
the loving mercy of God. The underlying foundation of the religions is
one; there is no intrinsic difference between them. Therefore, if the
essential and fundamental ordinances of the religions be observed, peace
and unity will dawn, and all the differences of sects and denominations
will disappear.

And now let us consider the various peoples of the world. All the
nations--American, British, French, German, Turkish, Persian, Arab--are
children of the same Adam, members of the same human household. Why should
dissension exist among them? The surface of the earth is one native land,
and that native land was provided for all. God has not set these
boundaries and race limitations. Why should imaginary barriers which God
has not originally destined be made a cause of contention? God has created
and provided for all. He is the Preserver of all, and all are submerged in
the ocean of His mercy. Not a single soul is deprived. Inasmuch as we have
such a loving God and Creator, why should we be at war with each other?
Now that His light is shining universally, why should we cast ourselves
into darkness? As His table is spread for all His children, why should we
deprive each other of its sustenance? As His effulgence is shining upon
all, why should we seek to live among the shadows? There is no doubt that
the only cause is ignorance and that the result i