Bahá’í World/Volume 8/Bahá’ís and War
11.
BAHÁ’ÍS AND WAR
BY DAVID HOFMAN
THE Bahá’í attitude to war is of immediate importance to the English Bahá’í community, and particularly to those individual members who are liable for military service under the new conscription laws passed by Parliament this year. Upon this fundamental matter the Guardian’s interpretation was clear and practical.
“It is still his firm conviction that the believers, while expressing their readiness to unreservedly obey any directions that the authorities may issue concerning national service in time of war, should also, and while there is yet no outbreak of hostilities, appeal to the government for exemption from active military service in a combatant capacity, stressing the fact that in doing so they are not prompted by any selfish considerations but by the sole and supreme motive of upholding the Teachings of their Faith, which make it a moral obligation for them to desist from any act that would involve them in direct warfare with their fellow-humans of any other race or nation.”
"There are many other avenues through which the believers can assist in times of war by enlisting in services of a non-combatant nature—services that do not involve the direct shedding of blood—such as ambulance work, anti-air raid precaution service, office and administrative works, and it is for such types of national service that they should volunteer.”
“It is immaterial whether such activity would still expose them to dangers, either at home or in the front, since their desire is not to protect their lives, but to desist from any acts of wilful murder.”
“The friends should consider it their conscientious duty, as loyal members of the Faith, to apply for such exemption, even though there may be slight prospect of their obtaining the consent and approval of the authorities to their petition. It is most essential that in times of such national excitement and emergency as those through which so many countries in the world are now passing that the believers should not allow themselves to be carried away by the passions agitating the masses, and act in a manner that would make them deviate from the path of wisdom and moderation, and lead them to violate, however reluctantly and indirectly, the spirit as well as the letter of the Teachings.”
(Letter from Shoghi Effendi, June 4th, 1939.)
The National Spiritual Assembly took this matter up vigorously with the friends and ascertained the channels provided by the government through which we could follow the Guardian’s instructions. As a first step many of the believers volunteered for national defense work before the outbreak of war, and are now engaged in those services. It was found that the Government would not entertain applications for exemption until the country was at war (except in the case of conscripts—conscription was introduced a few months before war broke out) and was planning to consider individual applications by specially constituted tribunals. It does not entertain applications from a body or community, but judges each case on individual merit from the personal statement of the applicant.
A point arose here which
required compromise by the friends.
Bahá’ís are not conscientious
objectors; we do not object to the
use of force, in fact we uphold it as the
servant of justice, neither do we oppose
our individual consciences to the
requirements of the state; we ask for exemption
from combatant military service, and if this
is not granted will obey the government.
This attitude is apparently unique. The
government provides for appeals only on
the grounds of conscientious objection, and
therefore, if the believers are to appeal and
uphold the principles of the Faith they
must register as conscientious objectors, in
[Page 857]
spite of the fact
that they cannot really be
so called. There are three categories for
registering, the third being the
one applicable to Bahá’ís
objection to combatant
service but readiness to
undertake non-combatant service.
In urging the friends to apply in the way required, the National Spiritual Assembly wrote as follows: “It is our sacred duty to act in obedience and unreserved loyalty to the Government of the land. On this point the Pen of Bahá’u’lláh, the voice of the Master, and the ruling of the Guardian, are most emphatic. The Faith of Bahá’u’lláh does not countenance sedition, political intrigue, or partisan denunciation. We must keep clear of ALL political or partisan controversy. We must also, as loyal servants of Bahá’u’lláh, remain faithful to the path He has laid down for us, which is clearly illumined by the Guardian’s instruction. We may well be thankful that the opportunity is given us to serve our country and our Faith at the same time.”
Shortly after the outbreak of war, a young believer from Bradford, Philip Hainsworth, having registered in accordance with the request of the National Spiritual Assembly, was summoned to appear before a tribunal in Leeds. The following is an account of the proceedings as accurately as I remember them; it was written down shortly after leaving the Court.
“Peter Wilkinson and Mr. Hurst were there and we heard the proceedings in about a dozen cases. Hardly any of the applicants were clear or definite as to what their consciences demanded, and certainly had very little conception of their relationship to society. When Philip was called the Judge asked me to step up, and who and what I was. I said, "Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the British Isles.” A minute or two were spent in writing it down correctly and spelling 'Bahá’í.’ They had never heard of it.
To me:
“What is Bahá’í?”
"It’s a world religion, sir.”
“Is it Christian?”
“We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
“Then it is Christian?”
“We believe that all the revealed religions are the Word of God.”
“What do you think of Buddha?”
"His Revelation is the Word of God.”
“Confucius?”
“A very wise man.”
"Muḥammad?”
"He is the Prophet of God.”
"It’s a sort of comprehensive omnibus” (slightly amused but kindly).
"No sir. An independent world religion. Its central theme is the oneness of mankind.”
"When was it founded?”
"The original declaration was made in 1844.”
“Is this name Indian?”
"No sir; Persian.”
“Is it a Persian religion?”
"No sir, it’s a world religion for all mankind.”
“The Founder was Persian?”
“Yes sir.”
To Philip:
“What do you object to?”
“I seek exemption from combatant military service, as it is inconsistent with the teaching of Bahá’u’lláh to kill my fellow men.”
"Do you recognise any duty to the State?”
“Yes, of course. We are commanded to obey our governments.”
"Well, this seems an opportunity of obeying by accepting military service.”
“I’m obeying the government by registering as a conscientious objector.”
"Supposing you were in Germany?”
“There are Bahá’ís in Germany. They are suppressed and some of them are in the army.”
“There you are then.”
"The Government allows me to apply for exemption.”
To me:
"Have you a branch in Bradford?”
“Yes sir.”
“How many members?”
“About seventeen.”
“Your Faith recognises civil authority?”
“Yes.”
“It asks you to obey the law?”
“Yes.”
[Page 858]
“It does not ask
you to refuse military service?”
“It asks us to uphold certain principles
. . .”
“Naturally.”
“One of these is to refrain from killing our fellow men, by seeking exemption from combatant military service. We are ready to serve in any non-combatant capacity.”
"Suppose exemption is refused?”
“Then we are in the same position as anyone else.”
"Do you believe in transmigration?”
"No, sir.”
To Philip:
“Are your parents of the same religion as you?”
“Not yet.”
“You hope they will be?”
“Yes, they are very interested.”
“How long have you known about this?”
“Just over a year.”
“What have you done about it?”
“I investigated the teachings, declared myself a Bahá’í, and am trying to propagate the Faith. I was an absolute pacifist before.”
“You were absolute?” (with some astonishment).
“Yes. I had to give up many of my ideas to conform with Bahá’í teaching.”
The tribunal was unanimous in granting exemption from combatant service, and made the applicant liable for non-combatant service.
The local newspapers contained various accounts, one having a large headline which read: “Persian Religion Modifies Man’s Pacifism.”