By: Duane L Herrmann

When ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (Head of the Bahá’í Faith, 1892-1921) was speaking in the United States, He used the comparison of a writer’s ability to write as proof of the existence of God – an intelligent creator.  For many people, the existence of God, which cannot be seen or known by physical evidence, has been a major problem.  ‘Abdu’l-Bahá simply explained: “Consider the lady beside me who is writing in this little book. It seems a very trifling, ordinary matter; but upon intelligent reflection you will conclude that what has been written presupposses and proves the existence of a writer. These words have not written themselves, and these letters have not come together of their own volition. It is evident there must be a writer.” 1.

Then He expanded the analogy: “And now consider this infinite universe. Is it possible that it could have been created without a Creator? Or that the Creator and cause of this infinite congeries of worlds should be without intelligence? Is the idea tenable that the Creator has no comprehension of what is manifested in creation? Man, the creature, has volition and certain virtues. Is it possible that his Creator is deprived of these? A child could not accept this belief and statement. It is perfectly evident that man did not create himself and that he cannot do so.” 2. Therefore, our human existence is evidence of a Creator.

Bahá’í sacred scripture describes the Creator simply by saying: “To every discerning and illumined heart it is evident that God, the unknowable Essence, the divine Being, is immensely exalted beyond every human attribute, such as corporeal existence, ascent and descent, egress and regress.” 3.

We are further assured that guidance, described as a “city,” comes from this unknowable Essence: “That city is none other than the Word of God revealed in every age and dispensation…  In these cities spiritual sustenance is bountifully provided, and incorruptible delights have been ordained. The food they bestow is the bread of heaven, and the Spirit they impart is God’s imperishable blessing. Upon detached souls they bestow the gift of Unity, enrich the destitute, and offer the cup of knowledge unto them who wander in the wilderness of ignorance. All the guidance, the blessings, the learning, the understanding, the faith, and certitude, conferred upon all that is in heaven and on earth, are hidden and treasured within these Cities.” 4.

Thus, this imponderable question of the existence of God has a simple explanation: humans write, therefore a Creator, an unknowable Essence, created us with the ability to write.  And that Creator, logically, must be greater than us.  We need not concern ourselves about this matter any longer, we can simply write.

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Notes:

            1. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Talk at Hotel Plaza Chicago, 2 May 1912, Illinois; The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 82.

            2. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, ditto.

            3.  Bahá’u’lláh, Kitáb-i-Iqán, p. 97.

            4.  Bahá’u’lláh, p. 199-200.

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Duane L Herrmann lives in Kansas and often writes about spiritual subjects.  His work has been published since 1969 and can be found in print and online, in over 100 periodical publications and more than fifty anthologies.