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-Baha, 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.
- 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’)
