Pacifism
Pacifism refers to "the belief that any violence, including war, is unjustifiable under any circumstances, and that all disputes should be settled by peaceful means"[1]. Although Bahá’u’lláh identified the promotion of peace as "imperative" and "absolutely essential",[2] He also approved the use of force for the purpose of collective security.[3] Because of this, the Bahá’í teachings are not compatible with what Shoghi Effendi termed "absolute pacifism", although they do affirm the belief that peaceful solutions are always preferable to conflict and violence. In discussing pacifism and conscientious objectors Shoghi Effendi wrote:
| “ | With reference to the absolute pacifists or conscientious objectors to war: their attitude, judged from the Bahá’í standpoint, is quite anti-social and due to its exaltation of the individual conscience leads inevitably to disorder and chaos in society. Extreme pacifists are thus very close to anarchists, in the sense that both of these groups lay an undue emphasis on the rights and merits of the individual. The Bahá’í conception of social life is essentially based on the subordination of the individual will to that of society. It neither suppresses the individual nor does it exalt him to the point of making him an anti-social creature, a menace to society. As in everything, it follows the “golden mean.” The only way society can function is for the minority to follow the will of the majority.
The other main objection to the conscientious objectors is that their method of establishing peace is too negative. Noncooperation is too passive a philosophy to become an effective way for social reconstruction. Their refusal to bear arms can never establish peace. There should first be a spiritual revitalization which nothing, except the Cause of God, can effectively bring to every man’s heart. |
” |
| — Shoghi Effendi, 21 Nov 1935[4] | ||
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Notes[edit]
- ↑ Oxford Languages
- ↑ First: It is incumbent upon the ministers of the House of Justice to promote the Lesser Peace so that the people of the earth may be relieved from the burden of exorbitant expenditures. This matter is imperative and absolutely essential, inasmuch as hostilities and conflict lie at the root of affliction and calamity. Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh Revealed After the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. https://www.bahai.org/r/452861545
- ↑ "Should any one among you take up arms against another, rise ye all against him, for this is naught but manifest justice." Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 253-254.
- ↑ Baha'i News (1938). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada. No 113, Pg(s) 2-23 December 2020. View as PDF.