"Liberalism Is What Is Needed" Declares 'Abdu'l-Baha.

As the central theme for the farewell address given to America and published in the Washington DC Star on November 24, 1912 'Abdu'l-Baha declares: "Liberalism is what is needed."

"Praise be to God, the standard of liberty is held aloft in this land. You enjoy political liberty, you enjoy liberty at large of thought, you enjoy religious liberty, and you enjoy racial and sectarian liberty, and you enjoy personal liberty. Surely, this is worth thanksgiving!

As to the warm welcome which has been extended, I wish to reciprocate the same fully and completely.

Surely, men who are leaders of thought should follow the example of those who have welcomed me. Liberalism is what is needed. They must be kind to all nations. They must not be limited, because God is unlimited. The love of God is unlimited. And whoever is the servant of the threshold of God must likewise be free from limitations. The world of existence is an emanation of the merciful attribute of God. God has shone forth upon phenomena through is effulgence of mercy, and He is clement and kind to all of His creation.

Therefore the world of humanity must ever be the recipient of the bounties from His Majesty the Eternal Lord. Even as His Holiness Christ has declared, “Be ye as your Father who is in heaven.” For surely His sun shineth upon the just and upon the unjust."
 

And then the rest of the farewell address expands upon the spirit of liberalism, infusing it with both logic and an understanding of the power of the spiritual capacity of human beings.

Having this great classical liberal (and the Center of the Covenant of Baha'u'llah) in America for 239 days will be recognized as one of the greatest historical events in the West once mankind awakens from its slumber that is characteristic of these - the Dark Ages of Economics.

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/

Reality? Subjectivism Over Objectivism.

All value is subjective and exists; because humans exist and make that assessment!

"When we consider the world of existence, we find that the essential reality underlying any given phenomenon is unknown. Phenomenal, or created, things are known to us only by their attributes. Man discerns only manifestations, or attributes, of objects, while the identity, or reality, of them remains hidden. For example, we call this object a flower. What do we understand by this name and title? We understand that the qualities appertaining to this organism are perceptible to us, but the intrinsic elemental reality, or identity, of it remains unknown. Its external appearance and manifest attributes are knowable; but the inner being, the underlying reality or intrinsic identity, is still beyond the ken and perception of our human powers. Inasmuch as the realities of material phenomena are impenetrable and unknowable and are only apprehended through their properties or qualities, how much more this is true concerning the reality of Divinity, that holy essential reality which transcends the plane and grasp of mind and man?"

And so it is - if we are to be fair in our judgment - absurd to limit our understanding of economics to narrow and limiting paradigms.

"That which comes within human grasp is finite, and in relation to it we are infinite because we can grasp it. Assuredly, the finite is lesser than the infinite; the infinite is ever greater. If the reality of Divinity could be contained within the grasp of human mind, it would after all be possessed of an intellectual existence only -- a mere intellectual concept without extraneous existence, an image or likeness which had come within the comprehension of finite intellect. The mind of man would be transcendental thereto. How could it be possible that an image which has only intellectual existence is the reality of Divinity, which is infinite? Therefore, the reality of Divinity in its identity is beyond the range of human intellection because the human mind, the human intellect, the human thought are limited, whereas the reality of Divinity is unlimited. How can the limited grasp the unlimited and transcend it? Impossible. The unlimited always comprehends the limited. The limited can never comprehend, surround nor take in the unlimited. Therefore, every concept of Divinity which has come within the intellection of a human being is finite, or limited, and is a pure product of imagination, whereas the reality of Divinity is holy and sacred above and beyond all such concepts." Abdu'l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 421)

Follow me on Twitter @DivineEconomy

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/

 

 

 

What is the Best Means?

The science of economics is the study of the means to attain the ends chosen; and the ultimate goal is to find the best means. The best means would be considered the optimal, the highest, and the most efficient of all of the various means.

Now, when science is blind to the human reality and atheistic it is impossible for the best means to ever be found or even fathomed! Those with the mindset of the empiricists or the atheists cannot comprehend the conjunction of science and religion and so one of the fatal flaws of their science is the separation of ethics from economics and from other disciplines. Is there any wonder why the killing of human beings is so prevalent, for example?

But why waste our thoughts on such barbarism?

Instead it is our wish to find the best means. The concept of means and ends being in harmony with the human reality necessitates an understanding of the divine nature of humans and of the institutions reflecting human actions.

The groundwork is now laid for the introduction of the best means: Love of God is the best means since all other means are limited whereas the love of God is infinite and everlasting. Social cooperation of the highest degree occurs (functioning as a means) when there is the love of God present and the highest degree of social cooperation occurs (as the ends) when the love of God is present.

The last paragraph requires thoughtful consideration and an understanding of the difference between means and ends. It also requires thoughtful consideration of the meaning of the love of God (freed from prejudices associated with religious strife).

Now go to this list of practical ethics applicable to this period of maturity in the life of the human world and contemplate how the love of God (afterall, it is the best means) can facilitate the attainment of these ethical values.

Follow me on Twitter @DivineEconomy

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/

Great Classical Liberal Gives Advice That Would Have Prevented The Holocaust.

On November 9, 1912 during a talk at home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur J. Parsons, 1700 Eighteenth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 'Abdu'l-Baha repeated the content of the conversation with the rabbi of the synagogue of the previous night's address.

War and strife are not good for anyone and one of the easiest preventatives would be to discard religious prejudices!

"What harm, then, could come from your declaration that Jesus of Nazareth was a great man of Israelitish birth and, therefore, we love Him? That we have given to the world a great man indeed? That this mighty Personage, Whose Word has spread throughout the world, Who has conquered the East and the West, was an Israelite? Should you not be proud of Him? When you glorify and honor the memory of Christ, rest assured that the Christians will take your hands in real fellowship. All difficulty, hesitancy and restraint will vanish. Consider the troubles and persecutions heaped upon you in Russia for your fanaticism of unbelief. And you must not think that this is ended.

This humiliation will continue forever. The time may come when in Europe itself they will arise against the Jews. But your declaration that Christ was the Word of God will end all such trouble. My advice is that in order to become honorable, protected and secure among the nations of the world, in order that the Christians may love and safeguard the Israelitish people, you should be willing to announce your belief in Christ, the Word of God. This is a complete statement; there is nothing more. Is it not thoughtless, ignorant prejudice which restrains you from doing so? Declare that, verily, the Word of God was realized in Him, and all will be right."

Follow me on Twitter @DivineEconomy

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/

Great Classical Liberal Says Ethical Development Of Humanity Is Dependent On Religion.

Listen to this remarkable exposition given by 'Abdu'l-Baha on November 8, 1912. The talk was given at the Eighth Street Temple Synagogue in Washington, D.C.

Another tidbit, hinting at the origin of Aristotlean logic, that should entice you to read (and or listen) to this talk is (when speaking of the influence of Moses):

"They became renowned throughout the ancient world until finally in the zenith and splendor of their new civilization the glory of the sovereignty of Solomon was attained. Through the guidance and training of Moses these slaves and captives became the dominating people amongst the nations. Not only in physical and military superiority were they renowned, but in all the degrees of arts, letters and refinement their fame was widespread. Even the celebrated philosophers of Greece journeyed to Jerusalem in order to study with the Israelitish sages, and many were the lessons of philosophy and wisdom they received. Among these philosophers was the famous Socrates. He visited the Holy Land and studied with the prophets of Israel, acquiring principles of their philosophical teaching and a knowledge of their advanced arts and sciences. After his return to Greece he founded the system known as the unity of God. The Greek people rose against him, and at last he was poisoned in the presence of the king. Hippocrates and many other Greek philosophers sat at the feet of the learned Israelitish doctors and absorbed their expositions of wisdom and inner truth." (Abdu'l-Baha, Foundations of World Unity, p. 94)


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/

 

Great Classical Liberal Praises Liberalism And The Reconciliation Of Religion, Reason And Science.

On November 6, 1912 at a talk at the Universalist Church, Thirteenth and L Streets, NW, Washington, D.C. 'Abdu'l-Baha fervently pronounced: "Liberalism is essential in this day — justness and equity toward all nations and people."

And what exactly is the meaning of liberalism? This is the definition of liberalism current at the time of 'Abdu'l-Baha but altered since then by the ego-driven interpreters and the ego-driven interventionists.

Later in the talk 'Abdu'l-Baha gives a clear indication of the kind of processes necessary for minds to be moderate and well-informed:

Furthermore, religion must conform to reason and be in accord with the conclusions of science. For religion, reason and science are realities; therefore, these three, being realities, must conform and be reconciled. A question or principle which is religious in its nature must be sanctioned by science. Science must declare it to be valid, and reason must confirm it in order that it may inspire confidence. If religious teaching, however, be at variance with science and reason, it is unquestionably superstition. The Lord of mankind has bestowed upon us the faculty of reason whereby we may discern the realities of things. How then can man rightfully accept any proposition which is not in conformity with the processes of reason and the principles of science? Assuredly such a course cannot inspire man with confidence and real belief. (The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 394.)

Follow me on Twitter @DivineEconomy

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/

Great Classical Liberal Says Socialists Cause Disorder.

On November 1, 1912 in Chicago, IL 'Abdu'l-Baha said:

 

"If the socialists succeed they would seize the world’s wealth and then divide it. But the Bahá’ís sacrifice their lives and properties. Socialist principles would annul class differences and distinctions and thus cause disorder in the system. But Bahá’u’lláh has laid down a great foundation for a system which, although it advocates the oneness of humanity and upholds the common weal, will preserve the various ranks. Every rank should perform its duties. Rights should be equal and all are the servants of one kind God. He who performs righteous acts is nearer to God and he whose efforts are more virtuous is more bountifully confirmed."

 

Follow me on Twitter @DivineEconomy

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/