In the Age of Scepticism

An Editorial from J&K Bahá'í Bulletin

In the Age of Skepticism

We are living in the age of skepticism, in a civilization which has lost its faith and is adrift and rootless in the universe, in a world where 'God died a century ago', and where the only question of importance left is, 'Why not commit suicide?' Under these circumstances, it is but natural that the fundamental concepts which formed the very foundation of civilization till recent times should have been fully challenged.

In light of the above, we, the Bahá'ís, are indeed particularly gifted to have been able to Manifestation in form of the Blessed Beauty-Bahà'u'llàh. However, this, in itself, is not sufficient. We must arise and serve humanity with such dedication in these days of great turmoil and universal suffering as few others may hope to compare. First of all, we must be able to convince our compatriots of the truth of our Cause, if we want the mankind as a whole to be redeemed and left in peace.

Fortunately for us, our beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, has explicitly stated the purpose which should govern all our efforts in the process of realization of this all important goal. Writes the Beloved Guardian, "Not by the force of numbers, not by the mere exposition of a set of new and noble principles, not by an organized campaign of teaching-no matter how worldwide and elaborate in its character-not even by the staunchness of our faith or the exaltation of our enthusiasm, can we ultimately hope to vindicate in the eyes of a CRITICAL AND SKEPTICAL AGE the supreme claim of Abha Revelation. One thing and only one thing will unfailingly and alone secure the undoubted triumph of this sacred Cause, namely, the extent to which our own inner life and private character mirror forth in their manifold aspects the splendor of those eternal principles proclaimed by Bahà'u'llàh."

Greater efforts are, then, required on the part of each one of us, wherever we may be, in the Amazon jungles, the vast Sahara, the great metropolis of the West, the frugal huts of Decca India or the hilly terrains of the mighty Himalayas, to conform our conduct and life style to the redemptive words of the beloved Guardian. Only then it will be possible for us to become the sole cause of an unprecedented and complete spiritual regeneration of the whole of mankind.