There are many verbal definitions of prejudice. Among them: “premature and unreasonable judgment or opinion, usually unfavorable and marked by suspicion, fear, intolerance or hatred. It is formed before the facts are known, held in disregard of facts that do not support it and is often directed against other races, creeds, religions, occupations or ethnic groups.”
Another defines prejudice as “an emotional commitment to a falsehood that no amount of evidence will alter.”
Regardless of the eloquence or accuracy of the definitions, however, prejudice is most discernible in others-. “If it’s yours, it’s prejudice. If it’s mine, it’s pride! But whatever the category, ALL must be given up if mankind is to survive, especially with man’s obsession with the refinement of weaponry coupled with white and military supremacy. If this serious terminal malignancy continues to be denied, remain untreated and brought into control it is capable of causing destruction of the entire human race! Until all fences erected by prejudice are swept away it is not possible for humanity to be at peace.
Consider the prejudice of religion, of so-called devout people who choose to disobey the commandments of the God they worship with their tongues. All religions teach that we should love one another; that we should seek out our own shortcomings before we attempt to judge the faults of others; that we should not consider ourselves superior to others but rather as servants of the same God we all worship (by whatever Name) and His instruments to care for His children here on earth-–as exemplified by His Son while on earth. Who are we (individually or collectively) to judge another’s shortcomings? How shall we know who, in the sight of God (in Whom we trust, according to the seal on our national currency) is the most upright man or nation? God’s thoughts are not like our thoughts! How many men who have seemed saintly to others, fallen into greatest humiliation?
In the Holy Bible we are advised to “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” Over 2000 years later we are now admonished, in a New Era at a new stage of mankind’s maturity, that we must now “Love thy neighbor more than ourselves and place his welfare before our own! If we do this, what reason would he have to attack you?”
Let us consider also connotation of the word neighbor 2000 years ago (anyone within walking distance or by burro). A neighbor in today’s scientific and technological advancement that defies all imagination could be anyone on the face of the planet or even in outer-space in the not too distant future!
As we dwell on this let us also put it in proper perspective-–knowledge, volition and action! To be knowledgeable of any given facts is of primary importance in order to most effectively prevent or address problems, but ineffective in itself unless accompanied with willful, voluntary action! If someone or some legal action forces you to do something it will never produce amiable results. It must come from the heart through and for the love of God! Not for people who seldom appreciate anything. Therewith lies the biggest problem. If our contributions, large or small, are made to and through God for His children, we will not be affected by their appreciation (or lack of) which takes great toll on relationships.
Let us then as men and nations, “Be fair in your judgment and guarded in your speech,” according to the Baha’i Holy Scriptures for this New Day of God!
“In no other country is the promise of organic unity more immediately demonstrated than in the United States as it is the microcosm of the diverse populations of the earth!” Therefore “America’s peace, prosperity and even her standing in the international community depend on healing the wounds of racism and building a society in which people of diverse backgrounds live as members of one family,” according to a statement from the U.S. Baha’i National Spiritual Assembly issued first in 1991. Therefore “We appeal to the individual American because the transformation of a whole nation ultimately depends on the initiative and change of character of the individuals who comprise it…America’s peace, prosperity and even her standing in the international community depend on healing the wounds of racism and building a society in which people of diverse backgrounds live as members of one family.” (Investigate! – 1-800-22unite)
