Difference between revisions of "Nonresistance"
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| − | *[ | + | *[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_century 1643] |
==Definition== | ==Definition== | ||
*1: the principles or [[practice]] of passive submission to constituted [[authority]] even when unjust or [[oppressive]]; also : the principle or practice of not resisting [[violence]] by [[force]] | *1: the principles or [[practice]] of passive submission to constituted [[authority]] even when unjust or [[oppressive]]; also : the principle or practice of not resisting [[violence]] by [[force]] | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | '''Nonresistance''' (or non-resistance) is a [[philosophy]] and [[strategy]] for [[social]] [[change]] that discourages [[physical]] [[resistance]] to an [[enemy]]. It is considered as a subdivision of [[nonviolence]]. Practitioners of nonresistance may refuse to retaliate against an [[opponent]] or offer any form of [ | + | '''Nonresistance''' (or non-resistance) is a [[philosophy]] and [[strategy]] for [[social]] [[change]] that discourages [[physical]] [[resistance]] to an [[enemy]]. It is considered as a subdivision of [[nonviolence]]. Practitioners of nonresistance may refuse to retaliate against an [[opponent]] or offer any form of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-defense self-defense]. In the modern times, this has been used as a [[tool]] for [[social]] [[protest]]. A well known example is the nonviolent resistance movement led by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohandas_Gandhi Mohandas Gandhi] in the struggle for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Independence Indian Independence]. |
| − | <center>For lessons on the [[topic]] of '''''Nonresistance''''', follow [ | + | <center>For lessons on the [[topic]] of '''''Nonresistance''''', follow [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Nonresistance '''''this link'''''].</center> |
==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | Perhaps the oldest recorded [[statement]] of nonresistance [[philosophy]] is that of [[Socrates]] around 399 BC. An influential ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates was [ | + | Perhaps the oldest recorded [[statement]] of nonresistance [[philosophy]] is that of [[Socrates]] around 399 BC. An influential ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates was [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trial_of_Socrates sentenced to death] by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athenian_democracy Athenian democracy] for teaching his [[students]] to question [[authority]] and [[think]] for themselves. [[Socrates]] accepted his fate on reasons of [[morality]] and [[justice]], rather than [[accept]] help from his supporters to flee [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_Athens Athens] and escape execution. There are few if any other accounts of nonresistance which have been so [[influential]] throughout the history of the [[Western world]]. |
| − | The term nonresistance was later used to refer to the [ | + | The term nonresistance was later used to refer to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Established_Church Established Church] during the religious troubles in England following the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Civil_War English Civil War] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Act_of_Settlement_1701 Protestant Succession]. In the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anabaptism Anabaptist churches], the term is defined in [[contrast]] with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacifism pacifism]. Advocates of non-resistance view pacifism as a more [[liberal]] [[theology]] since it advocates only [[physical]] nonviolence and allows its followers to actively [[oppose]] an enemy. In the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century 20th century], there has been [[differences]] of [[opinion]] between and within [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amish Amish] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mennonite Mennonite] churches, as they disagreed on the ethics of nonresistance and pacifism. |
| − | [ | + | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Tolstoy Leo Tolstoy], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adin_Ballou Adin Ballou] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohandas_Gandhi Mohandas Gandhi] were notable advocates of nonresistance. However, Gandhi's [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satyagraha Satyagraha] movement did not believe in using non-resistance as an [[alternative]] to [[cowardice]]. 'I do believe,' he wrote, 'that where there is only a choice between cowardice and [[violence]], I would advise violence.'"[1] |
==Christian theology== | ==Christian theology== | ||
| − | [[Christian]] nonresistance is based on a reading of the [ | + | [[Christian]] nonresistance is based on a reading of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sermon_on_the_Mount Sermon on the Mount], in which [[Jesus]] says, :"But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also... [[Love]] your enemies and [[pray]] for those who persecute you ...".[2] |
| − | Members of the Anabaptist (Mennonite, Amish, Hutterite and Schwarzenau Brethren/German Baptist) denominations and other peace churches like the [ | + | Members of the Anabaptist (Mennonite, Amish, Hutterite and Schwarzenau Brethren/German Baptist) denominations and other peace churches like the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quaker Quakers] have [[interpreted]] this passage to mean that Christians should do nothing to [[physically]] resist an enemy. According to this [[belief]], only [[God]] has the [[right]] to [[execute]] [[punishments]]. Non-resistance Christians note that [[sacrificial]] [[love]] of [[Jesus]] resulted in his submission to [[crucifixion]] rather than [[vengeance]]. |
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*'''''[[Resistance]]''''' | *'''''[[Resistance]]''''' | ||
==Footnotes== | ==Footnotes== | ||
# R. K. Prabhu & U. R. Rao, editors; from section “Between Cowardice and Violence,” of the book The Mind of Mohandas Gandhi, Ahemadabad, India, Revised Edition, 1967. | # R. K. Prabhu & U. R. Rao, editors; from section “Between Cowardice and Violence,” of the book The Mind of Mohandas Gandhi, Ahemadabad, India, Revised Edition, 1967. | ||
| − | # [ | + | # [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_matthew#Chapter_5 Matthew 5] |
[[Category: Religion]] | [[Category: Religion]] | ||
[[Category: Political Science]] | [[Category: Political Science]] | ||
Latest revision as of 01:21, 13 December 2020
Definition
- 1: the principles or practice of passive submission to constituted authority even when unjust or oppressive; also : the principle or practice of not resisting violence by force
Description
Nonresistance (or non-resistance) is a philosophy and strategy for social change that discourages physical resistance to an enemy. It is considered as a subdivision of nonviolence. Practitioners of nonresistance may refuse to retaliate against an opponent or offer any form of self-defense. In the modern times, this has been used as a tool for social protest. A well known example is the nonviolent resistance movement led by Mohandas Gandhi in the struggle for Indian Independence.
History
Perhaps the oldest recorded statement of nonresistance philosophy is that of Socrates around 399 BC. An influential ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates was sentenced to death by the Athenian democracy for teaching his students to question authority and think for themselves. Socrates accepted his fate on reasons of morality and justice, rather than accept help from his supporters to flee Athens and escape execution. There are few if any other accounts of nonresistance which have been so influential throughout the history of the Western world.
The term nonresistance was later used to refer to the Established Church during the religious troubles in England following the English Civil War and Protestant Succession. In the Anabaptist churches, the term is defined in contrast with pacifism. Advocates of non-resistance view pacifism as a more liberal theology since it advocates only physical nonviolence and allows its followers to actively oppose an enemy. In the 20th century, there has been differences of opinion between and within Amish and Mennonite churches, as they disagreed on the ethics of nonresistance and pacifism.
Leo Tolstoy, Adin Ballou and Mohandas Gandhi were notable advocates of nonresistance. However, Gandhi's Satyagraha movement did not believe in using non-resistance as an alternative to cowardice. 'I do believe,' he wrote, 'that where there is only a choice between cowardice and violence, I would advise violence.'"[1]
Christian theology
Christian nonresistance is based on a reading of the Sermon on the Mount, in which Jesus says, :"But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also... Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you ...".[2]
Members of the Anabaptist (Mennonite, Amish, Hutterite and Schwarzenau Brethren/German Baptist) denominations and other peace churches like the Quakers have interpreted this passage to mean that Christians should do nothing to physically resist an enemy. According to this belief, only God has the right to execute punishments. Non-resistance Christians note that sacrificial love of Jesus resulted in his submission to crucifixion rather than vengeance.
See also
Footnotes
- R. K. Prabhu & U. R. Rao, editors; from section “Between Cowardice and Violence,” of the book The Mind of Mohandas Gandhi, Ahemadabad, India, Revised Edition, 1967.
- Matthew 5
