Sandra,
Here is the information again:
"Should anyone intentionally destroy a house by fire, him also shall ye burn;
should anyone deliberately take another's life, him also shall ye put to
death."
-- Baha'u'llah, Aqdas: Notes, p.203
------------
The law of Baha'u'llah prescribes the death penalty for murder and arson, with
the alternative of life imprisonment (see note 87).
In His Tablets Abdu'l-Baha explains the difference between revenge and
punishment. He affirms that individuals do not have the right to take revenge,
that revenge is despised in the eyes of God, and that the motive for punishment
is not vengeance, but the imposition of a penalty for the committed offence.
In Some Answered Questions, He confirms that it is the right of society to
impose punishments on criminals for the purpose of protecting its members and
defending its existence.
With regard to this provision, Shoghi Effendi in a letter written on his
behalf gives the following explanation:
In the Aqdas Baha'u'llah has given death as the penalty
for murder. However, He has permitted life imprisonment
as an alternative. Both practices would be in
accordance with His Laws. Some of us may not be able to
grasp the wisdom of this when it disagrees with our own
limited vision; but we must accept it, knowing His
Wisdom, His Mercy and His Justice are perfect and for
the salvation of the entire world. If a man were falsely
condemned to die, can we not believe Almighty God
would compensate him a thousandfold, in the next
world, for this human injustice? You cannot give up a
salutary law just because on rare occasions the innocent
may be punished.
The details of the Baha'i law of punishment for murder and arson, a law
designed for a future state of society, were not specified by Baha'u'llah. The
various details of the law, such as degrees of offence, whether extenuating
circumstances are to be taken into account, and which of the two prescribed
punishments is to be the norm are left to the Universal House of Justice to
decide in light of prevailing conditions when the law is to be in operation.
The manner in which the punishment is to be carried out is also left to the
Universal House of Justice to decide.
In relation to arson, this depends on what "house" is burned. There is
obviously a tremendous difference in the degree of offence between the person
who burns down an empty warehouse and one who sets fire to a school full of
children.
87. Should ye condemn the arsonist and the murderer
to life imprisonment, it would be permissible according
to the provisions of the Book. # 62
Shoghi Effendi, in response to a question about this verse of the Aqdas,
affirmed that while capital punishment is permitted, an alternative, "life
imprisonment", has been provided "whereby the rigours of such a condemnation
can be seriously mitigated". He states that "Baha'u'llah has given us a choice
and has, therefore, left us free to use our own discretion within certain
limitations imposed by His law". In the absence of specific guidance
concerning the application of this aspect of Baha'i law, it remains for the
Universal House of Justice to legislate on the matter in the future.
Kitab-i-Aqdas: Notes, pp.203-205
Regards, Mark A. Foster • http://markfoster.net • [EMAIL PROTECTED]
"Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburger." ---- Abbie Hoffman
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