Pioneers

Yesterday, we said goodbye to a friend that was leaving for China. He was returning for his fifth tour in China, teaching English as a second language. He is also a Bahá’í pioneer. We talked about, this week, how he is not able to openly teach the Bahá’í Faith. On the other hand, there have been times when he has been told to please incorporate information concerning the Bahá’í Faith into his lessons. He can hold meetings in his apartment, but can’t call them meetings and other paradoxes like these.

And yet, he is convinced, as I am, that the message of Bahá'u'lláh is being spread quickly across the vast continent of China. This has caused me to ponder how this could be happening in spite of all the roadblocks that have been put up in front of the pioneers. These individuals, who have sacrificed so much, for little or no recognition, could be the true heroes of the New World Order.

One of the thoughts I had, that the big difference between the Bahá'í pioneers and missionaries from the past, is that the Bahá'í pioneer is not trying to convert anybody. They are just learning to live with the native population, living the life, becoming “brilliant stars” which, then, gives them an opportunity to share the principles that Bahá'u'lláh gave us. They are taught to teach the principles, and for those that are curious, to teach the source. It is these principles that have already and will change peoples hearts, one heart at a time.

These principles are:

-The oneness of the world of humanity
-The foundation of all religion is one
-Religion must be the cause of unity
-Religion must be in accord with science and reason
-Independent investigation of truth
-Equality between men and women
-The abolition of all forms of prejudice
-Universal peace
-Universal education
-A universal auxiliary language
-Spiritual solution of economic problems
-An international tribunal

We, non-pioneers, could learn from these brave and sacrificial souls. We must teach these principles and for those that are curious the source. For those that are not Baha’is, but can see the sensibility and logic in these principles, they too must share these principles, until they become axiomatic in the way we, as a human race, think.

I bow to these wonderful pioneers that have taken the banner of Bahá'u'lláh up and carried it into the night to enlighten the world of the new wishes of God. God bless all of them and I pray daily for their wisdom and strength.