A new version of the Bahá’í Reference Library is now available. This ‘old version’ of the Bahá’í Reference Library will be replaced at a later date.
The new version of the Bahá’i Reference Library can be accessed here »
A new version of the Bahá’í Reference Library is now available. This ‘old version’ of the Bahá’í Reference Library will be replaced at a later date.
The new version of the Bahá’i Reference Library can be accessed here »
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The Nonexistence of Evil |
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According to Bahá’í philosophy it follows from the doctrine
of the unity of God that there can be no such thing as positive
evil. There can only be one Infinite. If there were any other
power in the universe outside of or opposed to the One, then
the One would not be infinite. Just as darkness is but the
absence or lesser degree of light, so evil is but the absence or
lesser degree of good—the undeveloped state. A bad man is
a man with the higher side of his nature still undeveloped. If
he is selfish, the evil is not in his love of self—all love, even
self-love, is good, is divine. The evil is that he has such a poor,
inadequate, misguided love of self and such a lack of love for
others and for God. He looks upon himself as only a superior
sort of animal, and foolishly pampers his lower nature as he
might pamper a pet dog—with worse results in his own case
than in that of the dog.
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As to thy remark, that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá hath said to some
of the believers that evil never exists, nay rather, it is a
nonexistent thing, this is but truth, inasmuch as the greatest
evil is man’s going astray and being veiled from truth.
Error is lack of guidance; darkness is absence of light;
ignorance is lack of knowledge; falsehood is lack of truthfulness;
blindness is lack of sight; and deafness is lack
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of hearing. Therefore, error, blindness, deafness and ignorance
are nonexistent things.
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In creation there is no evil; all is good. Certain qualities
and natures innate in some men and apparently blameworthy
are not so in reality. For example, from the beginning
of his life you can see in a nursing child the
signs of desire, of anger, and of temper. Then, it may be
said, good and evil are innate in the reality of man, and
this is contrary to the pure goodness of nature and creation.
The answer to this is that desire, which is to ask for
something more, is a praiseworthy quality provided that it
is used suitably. So, if a man has the desire to acquire
science and knowledge, or to become compassionate,
generous and just, it is most praiseworthy. If he exercises
his anger and wrath against the bloodthirsty tyrants who
are like ferocious beasts, it is very praiseworthy; but if he
does not use these qualities in a right way, they are
blameworthy. … … It is the same with all the natural qualities of man, which constitute the capital of life; if they be used and displayed in an unlawful way, they become blameworthy. Therefore it is clear that creation is purely good.—Some Answered Questions, pp. 250, 251. |
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Evil is always lack of life. If the lower side of man’s nature
is disproportionately developed, the remedy is not less life for
that side, but more life for the higher side, so that the balance
may be restored. “I am come,” said Christ, “that ye may
have life and that ye may have it more abundantly.” That
is what we all need—life, more life, the life that is life indeed!
Bahá’u’lláh’s message is the same as Christ’s. “Today,” He
says, “this servant has assuredly come to vivify the world”
(Tablet to Ra’ís), and to His followers He says: “Come ye
after Me, that We may make you to become quickeners of
mankind.” (Tablet to the Pope.)
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