Peaceful Resistance In Civil Disobedience

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Throughout history, citizens have practiced civil disobedience to laws that conflict with their moral or political principles. Peaceful resistance is the practice of decisive mobilization to shift power without violence or conflict. It does not see power as infinite. Henry Thoreau’s article “Civil Disobedience” encourages a person to react when their morals conflict with the law. The emphasis on personal conscience and the need to act now rather than waiting for a change are recurring principles in civil disobedience. By using peaceful resistance to laws, it can resolve a conflict between the government and the people by amending the original law. Peaceful resistance positively impacts society because it gives a voice to the unpopular viewpoint. …show more content…
They who practice it are not opposed to their enemies. However, they do not agree with their viewpoints. There are six principles of peaceful resistance that Martin Luther King identified. The first principle of non-violence is that it is courageous people who are willing to face the consequences of their actions. It takes great spiritual, mental, and emotional strength to carry out peaceful resistance, and it must not be entered into lightly. The second principle is that it wants friendship and understanding from enemies. It does not intend to shame enemies but to unify with them. Third, it seeks to defeat injustice and not the people. It recognizes that those who carry out violence are victims of violence. Fourth, it shows that suffering educates and reforms. It teaches individuals and societies that those who engage in peaceful resistance accept violence toward them without striking back violently against their offenders. Fifth, it chooses love instead of hate. Love is devoted, creative, and seeks the good of others. Those who practice non-violence will return forgiveness for hate. Lastly, it believes that the universe is on the side of integrity. Those who practice it know that despite the voice of war, the universe is on the side of justice for all
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