What is Nonviolence?
“Nonviolence is an active and creative power for justice and the well-being of all that uses neither passivity nor violence. Nonviolence is a process that seeks to break the cycle of escalating and retaliatory violence; to reach out to the opponent and to potential allies; to focus on the issue at hand; and to seek to reveal more clearly the truth and justice of the situation. Nonviolence is organized love.”
A worldview means that nonviolence is a way of seeing what and who we are, and of being and living in the world. It is a way of behaving – toward ourselves, others, and the world. And a path to personal and social transformation. And while it is also an active force, a methodology, or as some would say - a tool of Truth and Love - it is not primarily a tactic. It is confrontation and compassion woven together. It is the third way between passivity and violence.​​
"It is a way of living and being and expressing the truth of your soul in the world.” – Daniel Berrigan
What is Violence?
“Violence is any physical, emotional, verbal, institutional, structural, or spiritual behavior, attitude, policy, or condition that diminishes, dominates, dehumanizes, or destroys ourselves or others.”
Violence disrupts authentic relationships; it separates us from other beings. It is often motivated by fear, anger, and greed to increase domination or power. And it often comes out of the conviction that it is overcoming a prior violence or injustice. Instead, it provokes new violence. Violence dehumanizes us so we forget who we are; brothers and sisters. Violence isn't always direct or even intentional. It includes our apathy and indifference in the face of relievable suffering. Our willingness to defend our possessions and self-interests has harmful effects on others.
Misconceptions about violence
People define violence differently; including its severity. We bring in our assumptions and biases into that assessment. Becoming aware of the violence of a particular situation helps us think of and work toward nonviolent alternatives. Below are some of the main myths about nonviolence, particularly in a setting of war.
Here are some common assumptions about violence.
An act is violent only when someone is physically harmed.
Violence is only done to people or animals.
An act is violent only if it was intended to do harm.
Some kinds of violence are acceptable.
Violence is always something done to someone else.
War is justifiable violence.