Spiritual education is the indispensable foundation of all other knowledge and therefore must be systematic and ongoing.
All things change, some quickly, others more gradually with gradual change usually a little easier to accept. In nature all things have their degree or stage of maturity prior to reaching their peak, then starting their inevitable decline. Making the slowest change over the longest period of time, however, must surely be the minds of men who alone of all created things, possess the free will to resist it.
The entire world of humanity passes through its degrees of infancy, childhood, youth, and is now entering its long awaited period of maturity therefore the requirements and conditions of former periods have changed and are incapable of meeting and satisfying the needs and demands of mankind in its young adulthood. Among its deficiencies we find spiritual malnutrition that manifests itself in innumerable ways. Among them selfishness, greed and total disrespect and disregard for the welfare, property and lives of others within our immediate family and subsequently throughout the worldwide family of man. The infantile tribal and “small world” mentality of modern man is too problematic and dangerous in the global context of today’s advanced science and technology.
Closer to home, however, we’re finding ourselves caught in the throws of the most frightening and dangerous manifestation of spiritual infancy – racism, a malignant disease that affects people throughout society in both conscious and unconscious ways. It affects the way we think, the way we act, the way we treat others and the way we are treated by others. Although it is readily apparent how victims of racism have been adversely affected by social injustice, it is less apparent that members of the perpetrating race are deeply scarred emotionally by conscious or unconscious racist thoughts and practices.
In view of the heightening racial tensions, both overt and covert, emanating from the current presidential election there’s a strong need to reinstitute regular meetings of the group that began in 1991 as The Institute for the Healing of Racism. The group met regularly for many years, changing the name to People Uniting Against Racism, and finally simply to the E’Racism group.
The meetings were designed to provide a safe, loving and respectful atmosphere for people of diverse races and backgrounds to unite on some common, regular voluntary basis and come to grips with our own prejudices without fear of verbal attacks and to better learn appreciation of differences in others through association.
“Spiritual education is the foundation of human happiness,” state the Baha’i Holy Writings. It involves striving to attain balance between material, intellectual and spiritual education. Its purpose is to bring into being a New Race of Men.
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