The claims of Baha’ism

The claims of Baha’ism in regard to its relation to the movement for peace and arbitration require consideration.

Abdul Baha at Boston [1] said: “Bahaullah spread the teaching of Universal Peace sixty years ago, when it was not even thought of by the people. He sent tablets to kings advising this.” He wrote to Mr. Smiley of Lake Mohonk, “The matter of International Peace was instituted by His Holiness, Bahaullah, sixty years ago in Persia.”

Dreyfus [2] says:

“Long before these ideas, i. e., peace, brotherhood and arbitration, had taken form among
us, at a time when the Bab himself had sometimes excused the use of arms for the propagation of religion, Bahaullah had made these high principles the one basis of his religion.” Remey [3] states this claim yet more strongly, saying: “Peace, arbitration, in fact universal civilization were unthought-of when over half a century ago these teachers (Bahaullah and Abdul Baha) announced their message.” Again, “Christ states that His dispensation is to be a militant one, which would be followed by another of peace. Bahaullah has now brought that peace to the world. He is the Prince of Peace who has established the foundations of peace on earth.” [4] Now as to the facts. Bahaism certainly does advocate peace and arbitration, in common with Tolstoism, socialism and many schools of thought.

Baha said to Professor Browne at Acca, in 1886: “This fruitless strife these ruinous wars shall pass away and the Most Great Peace shall come. These strifes and this bloodshed and discord must cease and all men be as one kindred and one family.” In accordance with this, Abdul Baha declares [5] universal peace and an international Court of Arbitration to be fundamental principles of Baha’ism. The Court will be called the House of Justice and will be composed entirely of Baha’is. “Disputes will find a final sentence of absolute justice . . . before the Baha’i House of Justice. War will be suppressed.” [6]

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1. S.W., July 13, 1923, p. 122.
2. “The Universal Religion.”

3. Baha’i Movement,” p. 75.
4. Page 54. In Dealy’s “Dawn of Knowledge,” the chapter on Bahaulah is entitled “Prince of Peace.”
5. S.W, vol. IV, pp. 6, 8 and 254.

6. “Answered Questions,” p. 74;” Tablet of the World,” p. 28.

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