The Baha'i Studies Listserv
> Islam certainly gives limited approval to the use of force. In fact,
> neither the Bahai faith nor Islam are pacifist religions. Shoghi
> Effendi actually criticizes pacifism as anti-social and (presumably
> Gandhi's) non-cooperation philosophy is criticized as too passive.

No, it would not be. There is nothing wrong with Gandhi's method as a
technique. What is anti-social is to refuse ta government summons o
serve in the military based on ones individual conscience. I might add
that Gandhi did serve, in an ambulance brigade, the same kind of
service Baha'is seek in time of war.

> So it would be dishonest to suggest that you are really opposed to all
> forms of violence and bloodshed.

The Guardian stated that we should avoid combat service whenever
possible, and while you are right that the Baha'i Teachings do not
eliminate all forms of violence and bloodshed the definition of what
constitutes a 'just war' is much more limited than it has been in the
previous dispensations.

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