Principles of Nonviolence

1: NONVIOLENCE IS A WAY OF LIFE FOR COURAGEOUS PEOPLE.
It is a positive force confronting the forces of injustice and utilizes the righteous indignation and spiritual, emotional, and intellectual capabilities of people as the vital force for change and reconciliation. 

2: THE BELOVED COMMUNITY IS THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE FUTURE.
The nonviolent concept is an overall effort to achieve a reconciled world by raising the level of relationships among people to a height where justice prevails and persons attain their full human potential. 

3: ATTACK FORCES OF EVIL NOT PERSONS DOING EVIL.
The nonviolent approach helps one analyze the fundamental conditions, policies and practices of the conflict rather than reacting to one’s opponents or their personalities. 

4: ACCEPT SUFFERING WITHOUT RETALIATION FOR THE SAKE OF THE CAUSE TO ACHIEVE A GOAL.
Self-chosen suffering is redemptive and helps the movement grow in a spiritual as well as a humanitarian dimension. The moral authority of voluntary suffering for a goal communicates the concern to one’s own friends and community as well as to the opponent.              

5: AVOID INTERNAL VIOLENCE OF THE SPIRIT AS WELL AS EXTERNAL PHYSICAL VIOLENCE.
The nonviolent attitude permeates all aspects of the campaign.  It provides a mirror type reflection of the reality of the condition to one’s opponent and the community at large.  Specific activities must be designed to maintain a high level of spirit and morale during a nonviolent campaign. 

6: THE UNIVERSE IS ON THE SIDE OF JUSTICE.
Truth is universal and human society and each human being is oriented to the just sense of order of the universe.  The fundamental values in all of the world’s great idealogies include the concept that the moral arc of the universe is long but it bends towards justice. For the nonviolent practitioner, nonviolence introduces a new moral context in which nonviolence is both the means and the ends.

  1. All life is one.

  2. We each have a piece of the truth and the un-truth.

  3. Human beings are more than the evil they sometimes commit.

  4. The means must be consistent with the ends.

  5. We are called to celebrate both our differences and our fundamental unity with others.

  6. We reaffirm our unity with others when we transform “us” versus “them” thinking and doing.

  7. Our oneness calls us to want, and to work for, the wellbeing of all.

  8. The nonviolent journey is a process of becoming increasingly free from fear.

  1. All life is one.

  2. We each have a piece of the truth and the un-truth.

  3. Human beings are more than the evil they sometimes commit.

  4. The means must be consistent with the ends.

  5. We are called to celebrate both our differences and our fundamental unity with others.

  6. We reaffirm our unity with others when we transform “us” versus “them” thinking and doing.

  7. Our oneness calls us to want, and to work for, the wellbeing of all.

  8. The nonviolent journey is a process of becoming increasingly free from fear.

6 Principles of Kingian Nonviolence

(in slightly nuanced language)

  1. PRINCIPLE ONE: Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people.

    • It is active nonviolent resistance to evil.

    • It is aggressive spiritually, mentally and emotionally.

  2. PRINCIPLE TWO: Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding.

    • The end result of nonviolence is redemption and reconciliation.

    • The purpose of nonviolence is the creation of the Beloved Community.

  3. PRINCIPLE THREE: Nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice not people.

    • Nonviolence recognizes that evildoers are also victims and are not evil people.

    • The nonviolent resister seeks to defeat evil not people.

  4. PRINCIPLE FOUR: Nonviolence holds that suffering can educate and transform.

    • Nonviolence accepts suffering without retaliation.

    • Unearned suffering is redemptive and has tremendous educational and transforming possibilities.

  5. PRINCIPLE FIVE: Nonviolence chooses love instead of hate.

    • Nonviolence resists violence of the spirit as well as the body.

    • Nonviolent love is spontaneous, unmotivated, unselfish and creative.

  6. PRINCIPLE SIX: Nonviolence believes that the universe is on the side of justice.

    • The nonviolent resister has deep faith that justice will eventually win.

    • Nonviolence believes that God is a God of justice.