Dear Friends,
Can someone please point out where any type of warfare is condoned?
It occurs to this mind that many statements have been made opposing war, such as
“In the new age Baha'o'llah has prohibited war.”
(Abdu'l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 45)
“Every war is against the good pleasure of the Lord of mankind, for man is the edifice of God and war destroys the divine edifice.”
(Abdu'l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 85)
“Had the principles of unity, taught by the Christ, remained in the hearts, men would have refrained from war.”
(Abdu'l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 100)
“Now, in such a shining age when the realities have become manifest and the mysteries of the universe are disclosed, the morn of Truth has dawned and the world is illuminated - is it allowable that such dreadful war should occur to throw the world of humanity into manifest loss? No, by God!”
(Abdu'l-Baha, Letter to Martha Root)
“A Supreme Tribunal shall be elected by the peoples and governments of every nation, where members from each country and government shall assemble in unity. All disputes shall be brought before this Court, its mission being to prevent war.”
(Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 132)
The following quote is often used to suggest that there is such thing as a “just” war:
“The fundamental principle underlying this solemn Pact should be so fixed that if any government later violate any one of its provisions, all the governments on earth should arise to reduce it to utter submission, nay the human race as a whole should resolve, with every power at its disposal, to destroy that government. Should this greatest of all remedies be applied to the sick body of the world, it will assuredly recover from its ills and will remain eternally safe and secure.”
(Abdu'l-Baha, The Secret of Divine Civilization, p. 64)
But to this mind, as strong as that quote is (“with every power at its disposal, to destroy that government”), it does not specifically mention “war.” Is it not possible that jointly enforced sanctions could be intended? Or are there some other quotations that this one has overlooked that specifically sanction war?
Does “arise” equate to “war against.”?
James
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