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 judgement in determining when to stop in self-defence lest his action
deteriorate into retaliation.
- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter
dated 10 July 1969 to NSA of Canada; ‘Messages from the Universal House of
Justice 1963-1986’)
