Readings in Nonviolence
Laws Jesus Gandhi King Stories Tips	"Non-violence is the supreme law." Gandhi Nonviolence (love) is the only path to true peace. Not to be confused with passive nonresistance, nonviolent resistance or "truth-force" is a powerful spiritual resource whose true potential has only begun to be realized. Nonviolence is able to resolve not only individual conflicts, but national conflicts as well. Using the power of nonviolence, Indians defeated the British empire; South Africans defeated Apartheid; Filipinos defeated Marcos; Polish unions defeated Soviet Communism; Serbs defeated Milosevic; and the list goes on. Gandhi said, "It is a blasphemy to say that non-violence can only be practised by individuals and never by nations which are composed of individuals." Some people practice nonviolence as a tactic without entirely renouncing violence. Others believe that nonviolence is best practiced as a lifestyle, not just a tactic. The foremost pioneers of active nonviolence -- Jesus, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King, Jr. -- taught and practiced nonviolence as a lifestyle grounded in spirituality.
	Four Spiritual Laws of Peace
	Spiritual Laws This is a concise listing of the irreducible principles of effective nonviolence.
	Jesus of Nazareth
	"Jesus was the most active resister known perhaps to history. This was non-violence par excellence." Gandhi Nonviolent Resistance Jesus taught his followers how to resist evil nonviolently. Social Revolution Jesus described his nonviolent movement in subversive terms while criticizing violent subversives.
	Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
	"Gandhi was probably the first person in history to lift the love ethic of Jesus above mere interaction between individuals to a powerful and effective social force on a large scale." Martin Luther King, Jr. The Doctrine of the Sword While reaffirming Gandhi's stated intent to remain nonviolent in his struggle for India's independence, this 1920 article also deals with the nature of nonviolence itself. Implications of 'Quit India' 'Quit India' was more than just a slogan. Peace on Earth Gandhi wrote this article in response to The Cosmopolitan. More of Gandhi's writings are available on the web site of the Mahatma Gandhi Research & Media Service.
	Martin Luther King, Jr.
	The following documents are available on the web site of the outstanding Martin Luther King, Jr. Papers Project at Stanford University. Files in secure PDF format may be viewed with Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here to download Adobe Acrobat Reader for free if you don't already have it. My Pilgrimage to Nonviolence In this article King narrates his spiritual journey to nonviolence. Loving Your Enemies This sermon is a powerful exposition of Jesus' exhortation to love our enemies. Letter from a Birmingham Jail This correspondence provides a passionate defence of civil disobedience. Available in secure pdf format. Beyond Vietnam More than an incisive commentary on the politics of the Vietnam War, this compelling sermon cuts at the spiritual roots of the conflict. Available in secure pdf format.
	Stories of Empowerment
	Principles of nonviolence are important, but how can they be put into actual practice? What are specific examples? We are surrounded by stories. We can reinforce our belief in the power of violent defense by reciting stories that create fear, but we can also cultivate our capacity for nonviolence by reciting empowering stories that create hope. Nonviolent Self-Defense Stories of individuals using nonviolent tactics to defuse violence. Nonviolent Victories Stories of conflicts resolved in whole communities and even nations by nonviolent resistance rather than armed resistance. Additional stories of empowerment may be found on the web site of the PBS documentary, A Force More Powerful. For another web site devoted to stories of nonviolence, see the Fragments home page.
	Tips on Dealing with Violent Situations
	Tips Eight tips from the Michigan Peace Team Nonviolence Training Manual.
"You are the light of the world." Jesus Your Web Servant is Mark M. Mattison This site was last revised July 2, 2007.