Virtues | Unity

Religion Not a Tool for Politics

Source: Vignettes from the Life of Abdu’l-Baha

The Japanese Ambassador to a European capital (Viscount Arawaka – Madrid) was staying at the Hotel d’Jena (in Paris). This gentleman and his wife had been told of Abdu’l-Baha’s presence in Paris and the latter was anxious to have the privilege of meeting Him.

“I am very sad.” said Her Excellency, “I must not go out this evening as my cold is severe, and I leave early in the morning for Spain. If only there were a possibility of seeing Him.’ “This was told to the Master, Who has just returned after a long, tiring day. “Tell the lady and her husband that as she is unable to come to me, I will call upon her. Accordingly, though the hour was late, through the cold and the rain He came, with His smiling courtesy, bringing joy to us all, as we awaited Him in the Tapestry Room of the Hotel D’Jena. 

Abdu’l-Baha talked with the ambassador and his wife of conditions in Japan, of the great international importance of that country, of the vast service to mankind, of the work for the abolition of war, of the need for improving conditions of life for the worker, of the necessity of educating girls and boys equally. “The religious ideal is the soul of all plans for the good of mankind. Religion must never be used as a tool by party politicians. God’s politics are mighty, man’s politics are feeble.” “Speaking of religion and science, the two great wings with which the bird of humankind is able to soar, He said “Scientific discoveries have increased material civilization. There is in existence a stupendous force, as yet, happily, undiscovered by man. Let us supplicate God, the Beloved, that this force be not discovered by science until spiritual civilization shall dominate the human mind. In the hands of men of lower material nature, this power would be able to destroy the whole earth.” His words proved prophetic, but it would be decades before they could be better understood.