One must see in every human being only that which is worthy of praise. When this is done, one can be a friend to the whole human race.
This is the passage from the Baha’i Writings that one age group of children has been working on for the past two weeks during children’s classes held each Sunday between 10:00 a.m. and 12 noon in Salem. The tiny group of approximately a dozen children ranging in age from 2-11 years represents three continents and five different ethnic groups. Although in this country only a few years, the African and Iranian children, ages 5, 8, and 10, all read and speak English fluently although, like Americans of all ages, their understanding of the words which they pronounce amazingly well, is limited. Therefore artwork, games, and role-playing (on an exemplary diverse playing field) are all part of the methods which help them to understand the meaning of words and phrases. Imagine, if practiced by people of all ages, races, and religions, what a positive impact this would have on the whole world if we were to “… see in every human being only that which is worthy of praise. When this is done, one (individual, one administration one nation) can be a friend to the whole human race.”
What a simple childlike formula (in theory), but one practically impossible to realistically achieve upon reaching adulthood, regardless of one’s religious, political, or societal status. A similar example in the Baha’i Writings is: “If a person has nine bad qualities and one good one, cling to the one and forget the nine,” for it has been historically proven that people tend to live up or down to expectations.
An entire chapter in one book of Writings is dedicated to the detriment of criticism, fault-finding, gossip, lies, slander, and backbiting, which is “forbidden.” On no subject are the Baha’i teachings more emphatic than on the necessity to abstain from fault-finding and backbiting while being ever eager to discover and root out our own faults and overcome our own failings. “If, however, we look at people from the standpoint of their faults, then being a friend to them is a formidable task,” the opening passage continues–and the same applies in reverse.
When we see the condition the world is in today it is evident, “We must surely forget these utterly insignificant internal disturbances and rush unitedly to the rescue of humanity. . . Now is certainly not the time for any man to think of himself or busy himself with the weaknesses of his brother. Each of us is immeasurably far from being perfect and the task of perfecting our own life and character is one that requires all our attention, our willpower, and energy.”
If we show love and patience toward the weakness of others, if we seek to never criticize but rather encourage, others will do likewise and we will have elevated them through our example and spiritual strength.
Dare to be different. Dare to be a thermostat, not just another thermometer. Dare to investigate.
