This Gathering Inspires Hope

This photo is for everyone who has lost faith in humanity and feels society will forever be polarized. The photo was taken at the Bahá'í International Convention, a gathering like no other on the planet. And it brings me hope.

It’s a gathering where more than 1,300 representatives from over 166 nations on earth unite to elect the international governing body of the Bahá'ís of the world.

The photo depicts members of almost every nation and territory on the planet, standing together in love and unity. They come from all cultures, from all religious backgrounds, from all economic circumstances.

There are women and men; they’re young and old, wealthy and poor, black and white. And they are all standing together, united in a common vision of building a peaceful world together: starting in their own local community first.

There’s no electioneering or campaigning, no posturing, no competition: those who are elected have no individual power, status, wealth, or authority. Their only mandate is service to humanity.

This photo is proof that the recognition that we’re essentially members of the same human family has the power to break down the barriers of religious, racial, and class prejudice in every corner of the planet... barriers that have long prevented people from working together for the common good.

There is no ‘them.’ There is only ‘us.’

ARE YOU IN SEARCH OF HOPE?

The Baha’is of Peachtree Corners host an interfaith devotional gathering on a different virtue each month. The virtue for January is “Hope.” The gathering is a safe space where all are welcome, and you can join from the comfort of your own home via Zoom. For more information and to RVSP, https://nextdoor.com/events/4214000/.