The Inner Reality of Religion
The inner spirit of religion — love, justice, truth, and service — transcends the outward forms that differ among traditions.
The Bahá'í writings teach that the essence of all true religion is one: love of God and love of humanity, expressed in justice, compassion, and service. The differing outward forms — rituals, laws, organizational structures — are appropriate to the time and place of each revelation but do not constitute the heart of religion.
The essence of all religions is one — love of God and love of man.
The distinction between the essence and forms of religion is a sophisticated hermeneutical principle that enables engagement with religious diversity without relativism.
The Promulgation of Universal Peace