On Fri, 21 Jan 2005 12:19:31 EST, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> In a message dated 1/21/2005 9:44:56 A.M. Central Standard Time, > [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > "So whatever it means to "blot out holy war" it doesn't absolutely > exclude the possibility that Bahais would take up arms to defend > themselves and fight non-Bahais." > Dear Gilberto, > They cannot do so in defense of their religion. They might be able to do so > in defense of their country under these circumstances, but I can't say for > sure. Pretty much every discussion of physical jihad I've seen from a traditional/orthodox persepctive talks about it in the context of defending Muslim lands and lives, typically under a proper khalifah. So I honestly think it is difficult to clearly distinguish between "defending the religion" and "defending the country". And since you aren't certain whether the Bahai faith would permit a Bahai country to defend itself or not in the hypothetical scenario I described, then that would be a significant area concrete where you really can't say for sure that Bahai teachings are any more peaceful or closer to pacifism than Islamic teachings on jihad. Peace Gilberto "My people are hydroponic" __________________________________________________ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:archive@mail-archive.com To unsubscribe, send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, use subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Web - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
