72: ...the Baha'i Faith aims to eliminate all war, including nuclear. The
fundamental...
...the Baha'i Faith aims to eliminate all war, including nuclear. The
fundamental purpose of our Faith is unity and the establishment of peace.
This goal, which is the longing of people throughout an increasingly
insecure world, can only be achieved through the Teachings of Baha'u'llah.
Since it is only the Baha'is who can give these Teachings to mankind, the
friends must weigh carefully how they will spend their time and energy and
guard against associating with activities which unduly distract them from
their primary responsibility of sharing the Message of Baha'u'llah.
(4 July 1982 to an individual believer) [72]
73: At the present time, the subject of nuclear disarmament has become
very...
At the present time, the subject of nuclear disarmament has become very
much a political issue, with demonstrations taking place not only in the
United States but also in England and some western European countries. To
single out nuclear disarmament falls short of the Baha'i position and
would involve the Faith in the current disputes between nations. It is
very clear that Baha'is believe disarmament, not only of nuclear weapons
but of biological, chemical and all other forms, is essential...
(12 January 1983 to an individual believer) [73]
74: Concerning the transition from the present system of national
sovereignty...
Concerning the transition from the present system of national sovereignty
to a system of world government, the House of Justice fully agrees with
your view that the Baha'is must now do all in their power to promote this
transition. This requires several related activities, all of which are
goals of the present Seven Year Plan. One is the establishment as rapidly
as possible of firmly grounded efficiently functioning Local Spiritual
Assemblies in every part of the world, so that seekers everywhere will
have a point of reference to which they can turn for guidance and for the
Teachings of the Faith. A second is the deepening of the believers, of all
ages, in their understanding of and obedience to the Teachings. A third is
the proclamation of the Faith to all strata of society, and in particular
to those in authority and to leaders of thought so that those who hold the
direction of peoples in their hands will learn accurately about the nature
and tenets of the Faith and will grow to respect it and implement its
principles. A fourth is the promotion of Baha'i scholarship, so that an
increasing number of believers will be able to analyse the problems of
mankind in every field and to show how the Teachings solve them. A fifth
is the development of relations between the Baha'i International Community
and the United Nations both directly with the highest UN institutions and
at a grass-roots level in areas of rural development, education, etc.
As you are no doubt aware, the Guardian indicated that the development of
mankind from its present chaotic condition to the stage of the Baha'i
World Commonwealth would be a long and gradual one. The coming into
existence of a World Authority and the initiation of the Lesser Peace, is
one major transformation in this process, and will be followed by other
stages of the development of the Faith as outlined by Shoghi Effendi in
his writings. Undoubtedly, as these developments are taking place, the
counsel the institutions of the Faith can give to governments, the pattern
of world administration offered by the Baha'i community and the great
humanitarian projects which will be launched under the aegis of the
Universal House of Justice, will exercise a great influence on the course
of progress.
(19 January 1983 to an individual believer) [74]
75: It is true that Baha'is are not pacifists since we uphold the use of
force in...
It is true that Baha'is are not pacifists since we uphold the use of force
in the service of justice and upholding law. But we do not believe that
war is ever necessary and its abolition is one of the essential purposes
and brightest promises of Baha'u'llah's revelation. His specific command
to the kings of the earth is: "Should any one among you take up arms
against another, rise ye all against him, for this is naught but manifest
justice." (Tablet to Queen Victoria, "The Proclamation of Baha'u'llah", p.
13) The beloved Guardian has explained that the unity of mankind implies
the establishment of a world commonwealth, a world federal system,
"...liberated from the curse of war and its miseries in which Force is
made the servant of Justice..." whose world executive "backed by an
international Force,...will safeguard the organic unity of the whole
commonwealth." This is obviously not war but the maintenance of law and
order on a world scale. Warfare is the ultimate tragedy of disunity among
nations where no international authority exists powerful enough to
restrain them from pursuing their own limited interests. Baha'is therefore
ask to serve their countries in non-combatant ways during such fighting;
they will doubtless serve in such an international Force as Baha'u'llah
envisions, whenever it comes into being.
(11 September 1984 to an individual believer) [75]
76: Baha'u'llah's principal mission in appearing at this time in human
history
Baha'u'llah's principal mission in appearing at this time in human history
is the realization of the oneness of mankind and the establishment of
peace among the nations; therefore, all the forces which are focused on
accomplishing these ends are influenced by His Revelation. We know,
however, that peace will come in stages. First, there will come the Lesser
Peace, when the unity of nations will be achieved, then gradually the Most
Great Peace--the spiritual as well as social and political unity of
mankind, when the Baha'i World Commonwealth, operating in strict
accordance with the laws and ordinances of the Most Holy Book of the
Baha'i Revelation, will have been established through the efforts of the
Baha'is.
As to the Lesser Peace, Shoghi Effendi has explained that this will
initially be a political unity arrived at by decision of the governments
of various nations; it will not be established by direct action of the
Baha'i community. This does not mean, however, that the Baha'is are
standing aside and waiting for the Lesser Peace to come before they do
something about the peace of mankind. Indeed, by promoting the principles
of the Faith, which are indispensable to the maintenance of peace, and by
fashioning the instruments of the Baha'i Administrative Order, which we
are told by the beloved Guardian is the pattern for future society, the
Baha'is are constantly engaged in laying the groundwork for a permanent
peace, the Most Great Peace being their ultimate goal.
The Lesser Peace itself will pass through stages; at the initial stage the
governments will act entirely on their own without the conscious
involvement of the Faith; later on, in God's good time, the Faith will
have a direct influence on it in ways indicated by Shoghi Effendi in his
"The Goal of a New World Order". In connection with the steps that will
lead to this latter stage, the Universal House of Justice will certainly
determine what has to be done, in accordance with the guidance in the
Writings, such as the passage you quoted from "Tablets of Baha'u'llah",
page 89. In the meantime, the Baha'is will undoubtedly continue to do all
in their power to promote the establishment of peace.
(31 January 1985 to an individual believer) [76]