Building an ever advancing civilization
The Bahá'í teachings offer a vision of a united and peaceful world, Bahá'u'lláh says "All men have been created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization...."
Humanity is approaching its collective maturity. People are coming to understand that this is one planet with one people. We now have the capacity to create a global society founded on justice.
The aim of the prophet of God is to raise man to the degree of knowledge of his potentiality and to illumine him through the light of the kingdom, to transform ignorance into wisdom, injustice into justice, error into knowledge, cruelty into affection and incapability into progress. In short, to make all the attainments of existence resplendent in him.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá explains: “That which was applicable to human needs during the early history of the race can neither meet nor satisfy the demands of this day, this period of newness and consummation.” He continues: “Man must now become imbued with new virtues and powers, new moral standards, new capacities…The gifts and blessings of the period of youth, although timely and sufficient during the adolescence of mankind, are now incapable of meeting the requirements of its maturity.”
Bahá’ís are working to gradually realise this vision, with their friends, families and colleagues, by sharing sacred writings, studying spiritual teachings, and holding classes for teenagers and children.
Bahá’u’lláh’s vision empowers individuals to take into their own hands the work of building a new civilization.
"The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbor. Ponder this in thy heart; how it behooveth thee to be. Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My loving-kindness. Set it then before thine eyes."
— ‘Abdu’l-Bahá