Human responses to deviations - revolutions without divine guidance

2.3 Human responses to deviations - revolutions without divine guidance
Man who is unschooled in true spiritual matters has no base from which he may judge matters of spiritual significance. This does not prevent him from using his natural inclination towards justice in which he may determine that ills have resulted from religious deviations. This has tended to lead man to discard religion entirely without searching for truth, at times proclaiming it to be the causation of all ills.

One result of religious digression, Revolution without the guidance of Allah, may be seen as the great swing away from religion itself. Prompted by social injustice wearing the guise of religion, the swing away from “religion” after the reformation, continued in the direction of politics free of religion. In eighteenth century France, revolution took place during which time thousands of aristocrats were executed, including the King, who had claimed the Divine Right of Kings. During this time that an ugly scene was enacted wherein a prostitute was lifted high above the cheering crowds and given the title, “Goddess of Reason”.
Atheism finds ready root in this fertile soil. Other revolutions were the direct result of uprising against unjust and oppressive regimes labeled as having had Divine favour. While freedom may be the primary goal, materialism appears to transcend it, and Marx, for example, believed that freedom is nothing except consciousness of historical necessity. Although an intellectual, he never appeared to give credence to the higher essence of man, or a Higher power. As late as 1986 another former Russian President, Mikhail Gorbachev is reported as saying: We must lead a determined struggle against religion, and we must reinforce atheist propaganda” [15]
The upholding of atheistic policy, even while upholding human rights values and ethics, eventually leads to destabilisation - usually this comes about due to man’s unfailing tendency towards tyranny in order to control the multitudes.

3.1 Responses to revolutions and wars - the UN and its background.
Man’s condition without spiritual guidance has caused pain and tribulation upon the Earth. It was not without reason that Allah has instructed us of man’s many failings. The greatest of these with regard to human Society is his propensity toward tyranny and war. Therefore, Society has had to look for ways in which to curb the outcome of this evil.
As early as 1307 the French legislator, Pierre Dubois drafted a plan for forming a union of Christian nations under the lead of the King of France. However, there have always been those who have believed in unity for mankind as a whole, and in contemporary times the principle is to seek peace through global unity, irrespective of religion.
The late 19th, and early 20th centuries saw Western European efforts for prevention of war through the Hague Conferences, which proved unsuccessful with the outbreak of the First World War. In 1918, associations to prevent wars were formed in Europe and sections of early treaties, namely Westphalia and Vienna, were included in the Versaille peace treaty, as well as proposals for a League of Nations which was formalised on 1st January 1920 with a membership of 28 Allied and 14 neutral States. This membership later increased to some 60 States. The purpose was to prevent future wars by establishing relations on a basis of justice and honour, promoting co-operation and supplying material and intellectual aid. The official seat was Geneva and the official languages French and English.
As organisations before it, the League of Nations proved not only inadequate, but in some aspects its decision-making and lack of control were considered negative. Its failure is considered to have been due to cases wherein “vital interests” of powerful totalitarian nations were involved. Only the minor states were pressured to obey the League. The final Assembly was held on April 8th 1946.

UNITED NATIONS
The United Nations came about in response to the failure of the League of Nations but its aims did not change. Representatives of nations opposed to Germany, Italy and Japan, met in San Francisco in April 1945, working on what we now know to be the Charter of the United Nations which was signed in June 1945. The UN was established on October 24th, 1945 before the end of the Second World War, and before the final League of Nations Assembly.
The UN Charter has many fine aspects relating to the maintaining of peace on the basis of justice, with promotion of friendly relations and co-operation in all matters for all nations. There is also commitment to the collective encouragement for respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion. Nation Members are encouraged to settlement of disputes where peace and justice are not compromised. It is said that States that are not members are also to observe the same principles, although the UN has no jurisdiction in the internal affairs of States unless the UN Council is taking action to settle a dispute. World Health, Education, Affairs in respect of Women and Children, even of religion, receive attention in Covenants which are duly ratified by member States.
Some authors have considered the UN Charter to be approaching the excellence of civil laws relating to governance and justice, which were designed by Imam Ali (a.s.). Nevertheless, there are some UN Covenants, sections and statements which may be regarded as ambiguous, or may even translate into actions being disadvantageous, depending on perspective. Therefore, we are reminded of the fact that although of the highest degree of excellence, it is still the works of men’s hands. Looking at the personalities of men who have had the most to do with this charter and this organisation, one cannot but see that it has not been brought about through obedience to the Creator, but as a very clever interpretation of mankind’s contemporary needs.
One personality who had a great deal to do with the UN, being the first Director of UNESCO, was Sir Julian Huxley. His academic and scientific record is impeccable and many of his writings show that he was a man of intellect, a great man by human standards, an Evolutionist who advocated scientific principles to moral, social and political issues. We gauge further of his feelings on the spiritual and eternal in the following:
In the evolutionary pattern of thought, there is neither need nor room for the supernatural. The earth was not created; it evolved. So did all the animals and plants that inhabit it, including our human selves, mind and soul as well as brain and body. So did religion. The Humanist Frame (1961) p. 18

3.2 UN in practice as opposed to its charter.
While recognising the charter and its very important Human Rights statements we question: Does the UN function more effectively than earlier charters and conventions? Certainly it has remained for a longer period of time than past similar organisations.
There have been times when the UN has, as in the case of the League of Nations, been unable to withstand the contentions and actions of strong nations. In many instances it has been referred to as a “paper tiger”. This is particularly so in recent years with the growing strength of the US together with its allies. We have noted the complete rejection of the UN stand regarding certain nations, and the UN’s inability to make reply and to prevent wars. We have noted in some instances that injustice is not perceived, and rejection of its mandates goes without penalty. Or in other instances the UN has delivered a just decision and in later years this decision has been revoked by members with a different agenda.[16]
In 1850 an erudite William Penn said: Either nations will be governed by God or they will be ruled by tyrants. This is the case with nations undoubtedly, but what of the UN?