Going Postal September 02 2000

Bookmarked
After reading Luke Boggs’ article on the racist policies of William McClure and the Atlanta-Fulton County Library (“Diversity Debacle,CL, Aug. 26) I can only say, “OUTSTANDING!”

Boggs took a log, whittled it down to its core, then sharpened one end and drove it solidly through their stinking hearts. (P.S. Luke, get a little personality, you sound too much like Joe Friday.)

-- Mike D. Burns, Atlanta

Baha’i the way
I am writing this letter for a threefold purpose. First, I liked the article by Hollis Gillespie (Slugs for Snitches, CL, July 29). She is very good at finding and writing about the humor in a very difficult situation.

Second, there is in Capitol View Neighborhood a distinct increase in police presence. Deputy Chief Derrick, Council-man Bozeman and a representative from the mayor’s office all came for our last prayer vigil. I know that they are very busy people and really appreciated their show of support.

Last, a correction to the article, first concerning the phrase “pacifist Baha’i Faith.” It is a common misconception, which I will endeavor to clarify. Pacifism is the opposition to all war and armed hostility, which is not descriptive of the Baha’i Faith. As it says in the Kitab-I-Aqdas, “On the societal level, the principle of collective security enunciated by Baha’u’llah and elaborated by Shoghi Effendi does not presuppose the abolition of the use of force, but prescribes a “a system in which the Force is made the servant of Justice,” and which provides for the existence of an international peace-keeping force that “will safeguard the organic unity of the whole commonwealth.” In the Tablet of Bisharat, Baha’u’llah expresses the hope that “weapons of war throughout the world may be converted into the instruments of reconstruction and that strife and conflict may be removed from the midst of men.”

Also the phrase “her religion precludes her from abiding weapons” needs to be addressed. As the Lights of Guidance states, “From the texts you already have available it is clear that Baha’u’llah has stated that it is preferable to be killed in the path of God’s good-pleasure than to kill ... it is basically a matter of conscience ... under the present circumstances in that country [the USA] it is preferable that Baha’is do not buy nor own arms for their protection of their families.” As a matter of conscience, I choose not to use guns but turn to the authorities that have the job of the safety of the citizens of Atlanta for my protection.

I wish to thank the police officers and the city solicitor’s office for their help.

-- Bren Goode, Atlanta