Comments on: Non-Violent Resistance

By: Dave Everly

Dave Everly — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 02:48:00 +0000

For me, an option for the oppressed cannot be an option against the oppressor. I can’t use offense as an excuse for violence or hate or non-peace. The challenge is to take the side of the oppressed without taking sides against the oppressors; how to oppose without denouncing; how to ‘be with’ without ‘being against’. Gandhi’s example, to me, is spot on: he stood firmly with the oppressed, but he never hated, humiliated or spoke badly about the British. Violence in any form will only perpetuate violence and postpone the Kingdom and peace. There are always difficult decisions to be made in extreme circumstances. But, if I decide, in everyday life, to refuse the violence of force in any form (hate, judgment, physical, emotional, etc), I become, as Jesus, one who is truly a peace-bearer. Even in criticism and the denouncement of others, I show my departure from peace. Actions that impose or force change upon that which is denounced as unjust or evil are violent. “In this world hatred is not dispelled by hatred; by love alone is hatred dispelled.” Loving our enemies is probably the most difficult way to live.

By: Ezrocket

Ezrocket — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 22:48:00 +0000

Seems like it’s been awhile since this was posted. But I would say there is something Marshall Rosenberg calls “the protective use of force.” I tend to agree with him. When it comes to protecting life we can use force. There is a difference between violently striking back and using force to protect your life or the life of others. nnWhat Jesus is talking about is not only seeing the humanity in the offender but also doing something creative to encourage the offender to see the humanity in us. Martin Luther King modeled this well as did Ghandi. Walter Wink talks about this as well in Jesus and Nonviolence and The Powers that Be.

By: Jonathan Brink

Jonathan Brink — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:50:30 +0000

Thank you Storm. You have dislodge a post about this. It is a legitimate question and one I've wrestled with. I think I've finally found the answer. Should be up sometime in the next couple of days.

By: Jonathan Brink

Jonathan Brink — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:50:30 +0000

Thank you Storm. You have dislodge a post about this. It is a legitimate question and one I've wrestled with. I think I've finally found the answer. Should be up sometime in the next couple of days.

By: Storms

Storms — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:12:41 +0000

What if that person is attempting to hurt someone else, say a child? Should we fight to protect the innocent?

By: Storms

Storms — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:12:41 +0000

What if that person is attempting to hurt someone else, say a child? Should we fight to protect the innocent?

By: kylejnolan

kylejnolan — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:09:21 +0000

Read Walter Wink's Jesus and Nonviolence, or the part of Jesus for President referring to Wink's work about Jesus' teaching on turning the other cheek.

Not only is Jesus calling us to recognize the humanity of the one who has initiated violence, he's calling us to force them to recognize our own humanity.

By: kylejnolan

kylejnolan — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:09:21 +0000

Read Walter Wink's Jesus and Nonviolence, or the part of Jesus for President referring to Wink's work about Jesus' teaching on turning the other cheek.

Not only is Jesus calling us to recognize the humanity of the one who has initiated violence, he's calling us to force them to recognize our own humanity.