 Doctrines of racism, nationalism, caste, social class, and gender-based hierarchy are seen as artificial impediments to unity.The Baháʼí teachings state that the unification of humanity is the paramount issue in the religious and political conditions of the present world.Shoghi Effendi, the head of the religion from 1921 to 1957, wrote the following summary of what he considered to be the distinguishing principles of Baháʼu'lláh's teachings, which, he said, together with the laws and ordinances of the "Kitáb-i-Aqdas" constitute the bedrock of the Baháʼí Faith