1. All people are made in the image of God and therefore born with dignity and value, worthy of respect. Whereas it is true that humanity by nature is capable of malice, it is also true that humanity by nature is capable of compassion.

2. Dehumanization of the Other is a form of violence and always precedes acts of violence. It is rooted in ignorance and one or more of the following: fear, overconsumption, and the psychological projection of our own inadequacies onto the Other.

3. The antidotes to ignorance, fear, overconsumption, and projection are truth, love, humility, selflessness, and service.

4. Nonviolent reconciliation is rooted in the common humanity shared by conflicting parties. A peacemaker must therefore assume that there is at least a shred of humanity (the image of God) in the Other.