The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Canada
Dear Bahá’í Friends,
We have reviewed your letter of April 11th, asking about the
teachings of the Faith on self-defense and any guidance on individual conduct
in the face of increasing civil disorder in North American cities.
From the texts you already have available it is clear that
Bahá’u’lláh has stated that it is preferable to be killed in the path of God’s
good pleasure than to kill, and that organized religious attack against Bahá’ís
should never turn into any kind of warfare, as this is strictly prohibited in
our Writings.
A hitherto untranslated Tablet from ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá, however, points out that in the case of attack by robbers
and highwaymen, a Bahá’í should not surrender himself,
but should try, as far as circumstances permit, to defend himself, and later on
lodge a complaint with the government authorities. In a letter written on
behalf of the Guardian, he also indicates that in an emergency when there is no
legal force at hand to appeal to, a Bahá’í is justified in defending his life.
In another letter the Guardian has further pointed out that the assault of an
irresponsible assailant upon a Bahá’í should be resisted by the Bahá’í, who
would be justified, under such circumstances, in protecting his life.
The House of Justice does not wish at the present time to go
beyond the guidelines given in the above-mentioned statements. The question is
basically a matter of conscience, and in each case the Bahá’í involved must use
his judgment in determining when to stop in self-defense lest his action
deteriorate into retaliation.
Of course the above principles apply also in cases when a
Bahá’í finds himself involved in situations of civil disorder. We have,
however, advised the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States that
under the present circumstances in that country it is preferable that Bahá’ís
do not buy nor own arms for their protection or the protection of their
families.
With loving Bahá’í greetings,
[signed: The Universal House of Justice]
(From
a letter to the National Spiritual Assembly
of Canada, May 26, 1969: ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice, 1968 –
1973’)