I felt that it showed a lot of wisdom in addressing polarization and the need to progressively address issues according to the receptivity of the people, the root causes, and so on, which my previous post tried to support with quotations from our Writings.
However, there was also one side issue which I really wanted to address which was regarding the use of a universal auxiliary language as an example:
There are many ills needing to be healed in due time, but to focus on one or another issue prematurely would have its drawbacks. For example, we know that one of the Teachings is the adoption of a universal auxillary language, which will truly assist in uniting the peoples of the world. If the Baha'i Community were to put extended energy into promoting this Teaching at present many seekers of truth would view the Faith as impractical, as such a Teaching can only be established when the conditions are right.
Although I realize your intention was surely not to detract from promoting this principle (I apologize if the following seems like a diatribe), I wanted to emphasize how this thinking can be made harmful, especially in connection with this principle of a world language.
It is true that we do not want to put too much energy into any single teaching to the detriment of the whole package, but on the other hand we are told that pursuing God through just one of His virtues or laws will have a profound effect.
World government might be an example of our not putting TOO much energy into it (since we alone can spread this Cause), because our Writings (and the House of Justice) have made clear that, at lesat with the "Lesser Peace", it will not be brought about by us anyways (though we can, should, and really must do our part to encourage this process).
In either case (of a world government or world language) as Ruhiyyih Khanum stated, if I may paraphrase her words, although certain things may have been destined to happen (such as the suffering of the Holy Family), might we not consider whether things could have gone much more smoothly if we had been more active or loving, and so on. (my own adjectives). I think we can often use this as an excuse (even if we say that we are not doing so), by failing to put sufficient energy and forethought into it.
On the other hand, in a letter on the issue of a world language, as I recall, the House of Justice emphasized the urgency of training institutes but still encouraged that we help spread the idea of such a language.
In any case, here are a few quotations which I think indicate that it is incumbent on us to realize that we must play a much more active (and not negatively fatalistic) part in promoting the concept of a world AUXILIARY language being democratically chosen. I ask that each of us both read the quotations carefully (I have deliverately chosen the passages (even each sentence to include) to deal with the urgency and PRESENT timeliness of the matter) as well as to contemplate them as addressing not just someone who disagrees with the idea, but as addressing ourselves as individuals already convinced of their desirability, but perhaps lacking in motivation to strive duly to implement them:
The day is approaching when all the peoples of the world will have adopted one universal language and one common script. When this is achieved, to whatsoever city a man may journey, it shall be as if he were entering his own home. These things are obligatory and essential. It is incumbent upon every man of insight and understanding to strive to translate that which hath been written into reality and action.... That one indeed is a man who, today, dedicateth himself to the service of the entire human race. The Great Being saith: Blessed and happy is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and kindreds of the earth...Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and centre your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements."
(Lawh-i-Maqsud (Tablet of Maqsud) in Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, Pages 166-167) (also partially in The Proclamation of Bahá'u'lláh, Pages 249-250)
"The spread of the known facts of the human world depends upon language. The explanation of divine teachings can only be through this medium. As long as diversity of tongues and lack of comprehension of other languages continue, these glorious aims cannot be realized. Therefore, the very first service to the world of man is to establish this auxiliary international means of communication. It will become the cause of the tranquility of the human commonwealth. Through it sciences and arts will be spread among the nations, and it will prove to be the means of the progress and development of all races. We must endeavor with all our powers to establish this international auxiliary language throughout the world. It is my hope that it may be perfected through the bounties of God and that intelligent men may be selected from the various countries of the world to organize an international congress whose chief aim will be the promotion of this universal medium of speech.
(The Promulgation of Universal Peace, Pages 60-61) (also partially in#1138 Lights of Guidance, Page 340)
"What Bahá'u'lláh is referring to in the Eighth Leaf of the Exalted Paradise is a far distant time, when the world is really one country, and one language would be a sensible possibility. It does not contradict His instruction as to the need immediately for an auxiliary language."
(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, March 16, 1946) (Lights of Guidance, Page 341)
"Regarding the whole question of an International Language.... We, as Bahá'ís, are very anxious to see a universal auxiliary tongue adopted as soon as possible; we are not the protagonists of any one language to fill this post. If the governments of the world agree on an existing language, or a constructed, new tongue, to be used internationally, we would heartily support it because we desire to see this step in the unification of the human race take place as soon as possible." Shoghi Effendi, Directives of the Guardian. (Wilmette, Ill.: Bahá'í Publishing Trust.) p.39.
In addition to projects to be initiated at the World Centre, these ideas include:... Calling upon local and national Bahá'í communities to sponsor a wide range of activities which will engage the attention of people from all walks of life to various topics relevant to peace, such as...the adoption of a world auxiliary language... Mounting a publicity campaign which will make use of such themes as ..."world peace through world language," ...--a campaign which could lead to discussion of these subjects in small or large gatherings, at local or national levels, and perhaps in collaboration with organizations promoting such ideas... (Universal House of Justice, A Wider Horizon, Pages 31-32)
I think from these quotations it can be seen that Baha'u'llah has stated for us to "strive to translate that which is written into reality and action"....The conditons are right when we assist to make them right. And the fact that He has given us this directive now is even further indication that the condition is right.
It is because of such quotations as above that http://onetongue.org was born, where we seek, through a each-one-teach-two word-of-mouth campaign (bolstered by a website which tracks its progress), to better spread the idea. Already volunteers have joined in to help translate the page (now into Spanish, and beginning in French, Dutch, and Esperanto). We could use more volunteer translators, incidentally (hint, hint)...We'd love to have as many language as possible if we are going to reach and involve enough people.
Let's get passionate about this!
Brett
(Edited a few typos)