Great Classical Liberal Says Free Thought Leads To Development.

The merit of democracy is not as a system of majority rule but rather the freedom of everyone to have the right to beliefs and opinions.

On June 16, 1912 at Central Congregational Church on Hancock Street, Brooklyn, New York Abdu'l-Baha began his talk with this theme: "Just as in the world of politics there is need for free thought, likewise in the world of religion there should be the right of unrestricted individual belief. Consider what a vast difference exists between modern democracy and the old forms of despotism. Under an autocratic government the opinions of men are not free, and development is stifled, whereas in democracy, because thought and speech are not restricted, the greatest progress is witnessed. It is likewise true in the world of religion. When freedom of conscience, liberty of thought and right of speech prevail -- that is to say, when every man according to his own idealization may give expression to his beliefs -- development and growth are inevitable." (Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 197)

Take a moment to read (or listen since there is an audio also) to the entire talk.

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Great Classical Liberal Suggests Getting Rid Of Centralization.

On June 2, 1912 during a talk at Church of the Ascension

Fifth Avenue and Tenth Street, New York Abdu'l-Baha anwered the following question: Is it not a fact that universal peace cannot be accomplished until there is political democracy in all the countries of the world?

 

Answer: "It is very evident that in the future there shall be no centralization in the countries of the world, be they constitutional in government, republican or democratic in form. The United States may be held up as the example of future government -- that is to say, each province will be independent in itself, but there will be federal union protecting the interests of the various independent states. It may not be a republican or a democratic form. To cast aside centralization which promotes despotism is the exigency of the time. This will be productive of international peace." (Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 167)

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If you know of anyone interested in ethics and economics,
or liberty and justice, please send them this link:
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Great Classical Liberal Praises Science And Freedom.

Here is an excerpt from a talk given on May 23, 1912 at Clark University, Worcester, MA: "Science can set man free from the captivity of nature, and diminish the power of nature’s negative forces. For nature, indeed, holds all things in the Universe in captivity: The earth, with its stones, trees and animals; the sun itself in all its glory—none can make the slightest departure from nature’s laws. But man—man with the aid of science—can rend asunder nature’s laws and produce a new law for nature itself to follow.

Science takes the sword from the hand of nature and uses it against nature in the service of man. Solid objects are made to fly through the air at man’s command, or to float on, or beneath, the surface of the water. The power of electricity is trapped in a glass bulb; the spoken word is held and preserved; airwaves become the carriers of messages; ships sail on land; deserts become oceans; mountains are rent asunder; North is brought closer to South; West is joined to East. And although these occurrences stand outside the realm of the law of nature, man, through science, achieves them, bringing art and industry out of obscurity and into the light.

Unless man is free, then all the Universe is in bondage to nature’s laws. Man alone has the capacity for freedom, and it is science that is the implement of his freedom. Thus, science is the highest merit of humanity; its glory endures; it has an eternal lifetime. The role of the King is temporary; that of the scientist has enduring glory. A man, though weak physically, if wise with the power of science, can discover the secret truths of the Universe and win undying fame. For the mass of men are like those drugged in sleep, and the man of science is he who is awake; the mass of men are unknown to fame, and the man of science is renowned. Science is like a candle, and the learned man like a lantern." Abdu'l-Baha (Published Source: Star of the West)

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Great Classical Liberal Indicates That Sciences Need Reformation.

On May 23, 1912 Abdu'l-Baha gave a talk at the Free Religious Association, or Unitarian Conference in Boston, Massachusetts preparing the way for the new paradigms necessary for this remarkable period of history: "All things are subject to reformation. This is a century of life and renewal. Sciences and arts, industry and invention have been reformed. Law and ethics have been reconstituted, reorganized. The world of thought has been regenerated. Sciences of former ages and philosophies of the past are useless today. Present exigencies demand new methods of solution; world problems are without precedent. Old ideas and modes of thought are fast becoming obsolete. Ancient laws and archaic ethical systems will not meet the requirements of modern conditions, for this is clearly the century of a new life, the century of the revelation of reality and, therefore, the greatest of all centuries. Consider how the scientific developments of fifty years have surpassed and eclipsed the knowledge and achievements of all the former ages combined. Would the announcements and theories of ancient astronomers explain our present knowledge of the suns and planetary systems? Would the mask of obscurity which beclouded medieval centuries meet the demand for clear-eyed vision and understanding which characterizes the world today? Will the despotism of former governments answer the call for freedom which has risen from the heart of humanity in this cycle of illumination? It is evident that no vital results are now forthcoming from the customs, institutions and standpoints of the past. In view of this, shall blind imitations of ancestral forms and theological interpretations continue to guide and control the religious life and spiritual development of humanity today? Shall man, gifted with the power of reason, unthinkingly follow and adhere to dogma, creeds and hereditary beliefs which will not bear the analysis of reason in this century of effulgent reality? Unquestionably this will not satisfy men of science, for when they find premise or conclusion contrary to present standards of proof and without real foundation, they reject that which has been formerly accepted as standard and correct and move forward from new foundations." (Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 140)

The divine economy theory is an example of this completely new scientific discovery that will revolutionize social cooperation.

For more information go to my newly renovated website.

If you know of anyone interested in ethics and economics,
or liberty and justice, please send them this link:
http://divineec.ipower.com/2/