The traditional definition of non-violence may best be provided
by Jesus in Matthew 5: "That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall
smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also."
Both Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. implemented
this approach to violence in grand fashion, assembling large
gatherings of people in parades and marches, which were greeted
by police violence. When this violence came, they did not
respond violently, and many were injured.
The Dalai Lama in Tibet offers another example. When his
temples were being overrun by the Chinese army, he chose
to flee rather than fight to preserve them.
But there is another approach to the concept of non-violence.
This approach comes from the martial art Aikido, as I was
taught it.
I was taught that each person has a right to a sacred space
around their body. If someone goes to punch you, you have
a right to prevent them from hurting you.
Aikido teaches you to meet an incoming attack with enough
force to redirect and neutralize the attack, doing the least
amount of damage to *yourself*, those around you, and
the attacker as well. This takes tremendous skill, practice,
and awareness.
How does this differ from the "turn the other cheek" approach
to non-violence? If we apply Jesus' philosophy, and the
attacker hits us twice, we are allowing violence to occur:
to ourselves! Is this truly non-violent?
In the Aiki example, we are meeting forceful energy with
forceful energy, and if it is done skillfully, *no-one* will
be injured. One will dissolve the violent energy before
it has a chance to create pain.
Every time I see violence, two images flash through
my mind: the Dalai Lama, and the Aikido master.
It is never clear to me which is the most non-violent.
In the short term, yes, violence can stop or end other violence. The use of force in opposition to violence can be both very effective, and possibly even less damaging than allowing the original violence to continue.
However, the major problem with violence is that it almost never solves the underlying issues which led to the original outbreak of violence in the first place. Absent a total annihilation of the opposition, violence cannot "solve" anything other than a temporary pause in violent behavior.
So, in the long term, violence cannot ever prevent future violence. Only directly addressing the root causes in society of the original violence can future violence be prevented. That is, to end violence, political, social and possibly religious reform is required; violence itself is no answer, only a temporary bandage which becomes less useful the more it is employed.
No, violence is not the answer.
No, see an adult.
Because of the volatility and nature of domestic violence calls.
They Were expired the vviolence
none of this made him respond with violence. his christian beliefs told him that violence and hatred could only be conquered by love and forgiveness.
The international community failed to respond to violence in the region.
it sent army troops to help state police stop the violence
It sent army troops to help state police stop the violence.
It sent army troops to help state police stop the violence.
unions responded with large strikes that sometimes sparked violence.
It sent army troops to help state police stop the violence.
Using the words of Jesus, ""But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you." Luke 6:27-31 (New International Version) (Do not respond to violence with violence, but respond with love.)
Using the words of Jesus, ""But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you." Luke 6:27-31 (New International Version) (Do not respond to violence with violence, but respond with love.)
Putos