Covenant-breakers - respect of rights
From Bahai9
Civil rights of Covenant-breakers must be scrupulously upheld (e.g., debts) and can meet if necessary for formal business
"Personal relations with Covenant-breakers, however, such as personal contact or entering into correspondence with one is strictly forbidden. In this connection, however, it is important to remember two qualifications:
"First, the civil rights of Covenant-breakers must be scrupulously upheld. For example, if a Bahá'í owes a debt to a person who breaks the Covenant he must be sure that it is repaid and that his obligations are met.
"Secondly, although the believers are required to avoid, if possible, all contact with Covenant-breakers it sometimes happens that contact on business matters cannot be avoided. For example, in one city the head of the rate collection department was a Covenant-breaker. In such situations the believers should restrict their contact with the Covenant-breaker to a purely formal business level and to an absolute minimum."
- (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly, October 29, 1974; in Lights of Guidance, no. 611)
Must fulfill any civic obligations toward
"You must of course send Avarih (a Covenant-breaker) his title deed through the Qamsar Local Spiritual Assembly, as it is his right. The friends must have full regard for his rights inasmuch as civil rights have no relation whatsoever to the beliefs of individuals. The Bahá'ís must be free and sanctified from religious prejudice and from ignorant fanaticism."
- (From a letter to a Local Spiritual Assembly dated 15 February 1929 -- Translated from the Persian, in Non-Association with Covenant-breakers, no. 6)
