Christians often turn to the Bible for answers to their problems including how to appropriately respond to violence. The Gospel of Matthew, the first book of the New Testament, makes numerous references to violence and is well known for Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. In this teaching, Jesus proposes different nonviolent tactics to utilize in response to several forms of evil and violence. Instead of responding vengefully Jesus states, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go
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Jesus and Dr. King both encouraged people to utilize nonviolent resistance in the face of violence and oppression. Dr. King had six nonviolent principles that aligned perfectly with those of Jesus. First, people should resist evil without violence. Second, the goal of nonviolent resistance is to win the friendship and understanding of the opponent with the goal of reconciliation as an end result. Third, evil is what individuals are opposing, not those who commit evil acts. Fourth, those committed to nonviolence must suffer without wanting to retaliate because suffering can educate and transform an individual. Fifth, nonviolence chooses love as opposed to hate to avoid internal violence of the spirit. Lastly, those who utilize nonviolent tactics believes that justice will eventually come as an end result."The King Philosophy,” 2016). Martin Luther King Jr. used these six principles to fight against the violence and injustices African Americans suffered from during the late 1950’s and ‘60s with the goal of gaining equality within the United States. Dr. King used his words, peaceful protests, and civil disobedience working towards ending racism, segregation, and racial discrimination in America. On March 7, 1965 525 protesters marched between Selma and Montgomery in protest against resistance to black voter registration and the killing of Jimmie Lee Jackson, a black man fatally shot by a state trooper. En route to Montgomery, the demonstrators were blocked by Alabama state troopers and local police and ordered to turn around. When the protestors peacefully refused, they were attacked with tear gas and ambushed which lead to more than 50 protestors being injured. This day became known as “Bloody Sunday” and was televised all over the world, exposing the excessive use of violence towards black people. Bloody Sunday had a large effect on the Civil
Jesus and Dr. King both encouraged people to utilize nonviolent resistance in the face of violence and oppression. Dr. King had six nonviolent principles that aligned perfectly with those of Jesus. First, people should resist evil without violence. Second, the goal of nonviolent resistance is to win the friendship and understanding of the opponent with the goal of reconciliation as an end result. Third, evil is what individuals are opposing, not those who commit evil acts. Fourth, those committed to nonviolence must suffer without wanting to retaliate because suffering can educate and transform an individual. Fifth, nonviolence chooses love as opposed to hate to avoid internal violence of the spirit. Lastly, those who utilize nonviolent tactics believes that justice will eventually come as an end result."The King Philosophy,” 2016). Martin Luther King Jr. used these six principles to fight against the violence and injustices African Americans suffered from during the late 1950’s and ‘60s with the goal of gaining equality within the United States. Dr. King used his words, peaceful protests, and civil disobedience working towards ending racism, segregation, and racial discrimination in America. On March 7, 1965 525 protesters marched between Selma and Montgomery in protest against resistance to black voter registration and the killing of Jimmie Lee Jackson, a black man fatally shot by a state trooper. En route to Montgomery, the demonstrators were blocked by Alabama state troopers and local police and ordered to turn around. When the protestors peacefully refused, they were attacked with tear gas and ambushed which lead to more than 50 protestors being injured. This day became known as “Bloody Sunday” and was televised all over the world, exposing the excessive use of violence towards black people. Bloody Sunday had a large effect on the Civil