By Scott Hakala, Ph.D Economics
If we not only tolerate our differences but love and have fellowship despite those differences we create an environment that is mentally and spiritually healthier but also less focused on destructive and wasteful pursuits. The greatest harm is caused when people are oppressed, denied their rights, or discriminated against. It is damaging economically and the resulting conflicts are destructive and wasteful. If we focus on tolerance and peace, but even more on the Golden Rule and Greatest Commandment to love God and humanity, then mush of the waste and destruction is removed.
Think about what would happen if the resources devoted to conflicts were redirected to development of societies and economies. Think about the millions of refugees suffering from Syria, Myanmar, parts of Africa, Latin America, and other places that would not have had to flee or felt the need to seek better lives elsewhere. All that suffering and lost productivity and loss of human development (including the education of children) would be turned towards the benefit of humanity and to eliminate such suffering.
So much of the anger and hatred in the world is both caused by oppression and intolerance and reinforces and perpetuates such oppression and intolerance. Societies without oppression and intolerance and the protect fundamental rights are healthier physically, mentally, materially, and spiritually.
… before all the meetings in the West I cried out: “O ye thinkers of the world ! O ye philosophers of the Occident! O ye scholars and sages of the earth! A threatening black cloud o’ershadows, which ere long shall envelop the horizon of humanity; an impetuous tempest is ahead, which shall shatter to splinters the ships of the lives of mankind, and a turbulent, furious torrent shall soon drown the countries and nations of Europe. Awaken ye! Awaken ye! Become ye mindful! Become ye mindful! Thus in the spirit of co-operation we may all arise with the utmost magnanimity and through the Favor and Providence of God hold aloft the flag of the Oneness of Humanity, promote the essentials of Universal Peace and deliver the inhabitants of the world from this Most Great Danger! – Abdu’l-Baha, Star of the West
We beseech God to assist the kings of the earth to establish peace on earth. …
O kings of the earth! We see you increasing every year your expenditures, and laying the burden thereof on your subjects. This, verily, is wholly and grossly unjust. Fear the sighs and tears of this Wronged One, and lay not excessive burdens on your peoples. Do not rob them to rear palaces for yourselves; nay rather choose for them that which ye choose for yourselves. Thus We unfold to your eyes that which profiteth you, if ye but perceive. Your people are your treasures. Beware lest your rule violate the commandments of God, and ye deliver your wards to the hands of the robber. …
O rulers of the earth! Be reconciled among yourselves, that ye may need no more armaments save in a measure to safeguard your territories and dominions. Beware lest ye disregard the counsel of the All-Knowing, the Faithful.
Be united, O kings of the earth, for thereby will the tempest of discord be stilled amongst you, and your peoples find rest, if ye be of them that comprehend. – Baha’u’llah, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts
-Source: Quora.com
