of God and acted in opposition to the plan of God.
Therefore, from the beginning of history to the present time the world of
humanity has had no lasting rest; warfare and strife have continuously
prevailed, and hearts have manifested hatred toward each other. The cause
of bloodshed and battle, strife and hatred throughout the past has been
either religious, racial, patriotic or political prejudice. Therefore, the
world of humanity has ever been in torment. These prejudices are more
pronounced in the Orient, where freedom is restricted. In the nineteenth
century the nations of the East were restless and in a state of inner
commotion. The darkness of imitations and forms had enveloped religious
belief. The people of religions were in constant warfare, filled with
enmity, hatred and bitterness. In the midst of these conditions
Baha'u'llah appeared. He proclaimed the oneness of the world of humanity
and announced that all are the servants of God. He taught that all the
religions are beneath the shadow and protection of the Almighty, that God
is compassionate and loving to all, that the revelations of all the
Prophets of the past have been in perfect unity and agreement, that the
heavenly Books have confirmed each other; therefore, why should contention
and strife exist among the people?

As all mankind have been created by the one God, we are sheep under the
care and protection of one Shepherd. Therefore, as His sheep we must
associate in accord and agreement. If one single lamb becomes separated
from the flock, the thoughts and efforts of all the others must be to
bring it back again. Consequently, Baha'u'llah proclaimed that, inasmuch
as God is the one heavenly Shepherd and all mankind are the sheep of His
fold, the religion or guidance of God must be the means of love and
fellowship in the world. If religion proves to be the source of hatred,
enmity and contention, if it becomes the cause of warfare and strife and
influences men to kill each other, its absence is preferable. For that
which is productive of hatred amongst the people is rejected by God, and
that which establishes fellowship is beloved and sanctioned by Him.
Religion and divine teachings are like unto a remedy. A remedy must
produce the condition of health. If it occasions sickness, it is wiser and
better to have no remedy whatever. This is the significance of the
statement that if religion becomes the cause of warfare and bloodshed,
irreligion and the abse