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6/19/10

Prejudices -- whether religious, racial, patriotic or political -- are destructive to the foundations of human development

They [Teachings of Baha’u’llah] abrogate and nullify religious, racial, political, patriotic and economic prejudices and the like. (Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 108)

Bahá'u'lláh also taught that prejudices -- whether religious, racial, patriotic or political -- are destructive to the foundations of human development. Prejudices of any kind are the destroyers of human happiness and welfare. Until they are dispelled, the advancement of the world of humanity is not possible; yet racial, religious and national biases are observed everywhere. For thousands of years the world of humanity has been agitated and disturbed by prejudices. As long as it prevails, warfare, animosity and hatred will continue. Therefore, if we seek to establish peace, we must cast aside this obstacle; for otherwise, agreement and composure are not to be attained. (Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 181)

Let them see no one as their enemy, or as wishing them ill, but think of all humankind as their friends; regarding the alien as an intimate, the stranger as a companion, staying free of prejudice, drawing no lines. (Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 1)