On Human Nature: Reflecting the Divine

"Human nature is also a reflection of the Divine nature. Just as the essence of God is unknowable, there are deep and mysterious aspects in our nature, which in some ways make our own nature 'unknowable' to us. Each of us reflects something of the Divine, and yet we all have our lower, more selfish and egotistical qualities. When these lower qualities are bad enough we call them 'evil.' Our challenge in life is to struggle against our lower nature as we reach for the higher. The Divine teachings help us approach God, as we 'overcome' ourselves. Every human being has the potential to overcome himself, and thus transcend the material world. Ultimately human nature is 'spiritual,' but the degree to which we can perfect ourselves, or improve ourselves in many ways depends on the extent to which we have access or exposure to the teachings of the Prophets, the Founders of the world's major religions. These teachings have provided the ennobling and civilizing influences in our world, down through history, despite the terrible things humans have done in the name of religion. The influence of the Prophets is direct if you study their teachings, and the concepts of virtue and nobility in every society can be traced back to some Divine Teacher or Educator. The latter is an indirect influence, but it has enabled civilizations to distinguish between right and wrong, establish laws and human rights, etc. Without these divine Eduacators, the human conscience alone cannot make these distinctions. Every society has had these divine Teachers sent to them. God has never left humanity-- His creation-- alone, without guidance."

Gregory Watson, "My Answer to GeoCities Survey 'What is the Baha'i Faith?'"