Well written and beautifully expressed. The Bab indeed brought some new ideas to the humanity. You may want to incorporate chapter 5:5 of the Persian Bayan in your existing article or write a separate one where He talks about the universality of each religion of the past.
"In the 'Bayán (5:5) the Báb says that every religion of the past was fit to become universal. The only reason why they failed to attain that mark was the incompetence of their followers. He then proceeds to give a definite promise that this would not be the fate of the revelation of 'Him Whom God would make manifest,' that it will become universal and include all the people of the world. This shows that we will ultimately succeed.
But could we not, through our shortcomings, failures to sacrifice and reluctance to concentrate our efforts in spreading the Cause, retard the realization of that ideal? And what would that mean? It shall mean that we will be held responsible before God, that the race will remain longer in its state of waywardness, that wars would not be so soon averted, that human suffering will last longer."
(From a letter dated 20 February 1932 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, cited in the Compilation on Living the Life)
You're right, that is most definitely a fascinating chapter in an underexplored Vahid of the Bayan (I believe only 5 excerpts are available in Selections from the Writings...). Thankfully we do have a number of provisional translations from other scholars. I agree that the latent universality of past revelations adds a critical insight into the vision of Religion articulated by the Bab and Baha'u'llah. It is extremely useful, in my view, for the art of comparative religion, since that thesis helps us see the features of past religions in a new light, in light of their potential to encompass a much wider scope than they may have historically embraced.
Although not discussed in the Writings, the example of the Manichaen faith stands out as a strong example of this.
Excellent presentation and fascinating topic Aaron.
Dear Aaron,
Well written and beautifully expressed. The Bab indeed brought some new ideas to the humanity. You may want to incorporate chapter 5:5 of the Persian Bayan in your existing article or write a separate one where He talks about the universality of each religion of the past.
"In the 'Bayán (5:5) the Báb says that every religion of the past was fit to become universal. The only reason why they failed to attain that mark was the incompetence of their followers. He then proceeds to give a definite promise that this would not be the fate of the revelation of 'Him Whom God would make manifest,' that it will become universal and include all the people of the world. This shows that we will ultimately succeed.
But could we not, through our shortcomings, failures to sacrifice and reluctance to concentrate our efforts in spreading the Cause, retard the realization of that ideal? And what would that mean? It shall mean that we will be held responsible before God, that the race will remain longer in its state of waywardness, that wars would not be so soon averted, that human suffering will last longer."
(From a letter dated 20 February 1932 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, cited in the Compilation on Living the Life)
Dear Mohammad,
You're right, that is most definitely a fascinating chapter in an underexplored Vahid of the Bayan (I believe only 5 excerpts are available in Selections from the Writings...). Thankfully we do have a number of provisional translations from other scholars. I agree that the latent universality of past revelations adds a critical insight into the vision of Religion articulated by the Bab and Baha'u'llah. It is extremely useful, in my view, for the art of comparative religion, since that thesis helps us see the features of past religions in a new light, in light of their potential to encompass a much wider scope than they may have historically embraced.
Although not discussed in the Writings, the example of the Manichaen faith stands out as a strong example of this.