Historical Retrospect on Pacifism in Religion

Early History The tenets of non-violence exists in all of the early Abrahamic religious traditions (Jewish, Christian and Muslim), the Darmic traditions ( Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism) and many pagan traditions. Secular movements use non-violence as a practical or strategic effort purely as practical strategy without the moral or religious worthiness overtones. I note with some irony ,the UN on Nov. 10, 1998 declared 2001-2010 to be the International Decade for the Promotion of a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World. Wars promptly broke out.

Some religious pacifists believe it is the height of irrationality to use violence to shape a peaceful future~ as goes the seed, goes the tree. Many observe love thy enemy concept~ as with Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount”, the wu-wei (effortless action, as in the martial art Aikido) of the Taoists, metta ( loving kindness towards all beings) of Buddhism and Ahimsa ( non-violence towards any being) shared by Jainism, Buddhism and some forms of Hinduism. The liberal movements in Islam point to the story of Abel in the Quran to promote Islamic ideals of non violence. The tenets of non-violence are present in most religions ,but a quick scan of history shows the tenets are easily forgotten in the rush to power.

Abrahamic

Jesus is seen by many as the penultimate Pacifist~ the Sermon on the Mount being the classic example~ Love thy enemy. In fact the whole New Testament rushes to the moment where Jesus surrenders himself to an enemy who plans on killing him and orders his followers not to defend him. Some citing the story of Jesus using the whip driving the dishonest market traders from the temple(despite the fact Jesus did not use the whip on people) claim he is no pacifist~ despite biblical evidence to the contrary. Others see these passages, such as Luke 22:36 ,as metaphorical and on no occasion does Jesus shed blood or urge others to do so. The early Christians practiced pacifism until they became integrated into society and gained positions of power and authority. Then strict pacifism was seen as impractical and even irresponsible when force could be used to end evil.

The Peace Churches are historically the Brethren, Anabaptist, and the Quakers. They hold Jesus was a pacifist and his followers must do likewise. The churches vary on the use of physical force~ many adhere to non-resistance. All agree violence on behalf of country is prohibited for Christians.

The Pentecostal Church was historically pacifist but that has shifted to military chaplain service and support of war.

The Anglican Church produced the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship (APF) ,perhaps the best known pacifist is Bishop Desmond Tutu.

The Roman Catholic Church officially maintains the legitimacy of the Just War which most pacifists reject. Within the Church~

Pax Christi is the premiere pacifist lobby group, working together with the APF. The shift towards pacifism started in the 20^th century and continues today.

The Greek Orthodox Church tends towards pacifism though it believes in defensive warfare. It supports dialog with Islam. In 1998 a conference was held, in part concluding “Orthodoxy condemns war in general ; for she regards it as a consequence of the evil and sin in the world.”

Darmic

Buddhism has the best know pacifist Tenzin Gyatso, the 14^th Dali Lama, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. The second best know Buddhist is Daw Aung San Suukyi the political prisoner and leader of the Natural League for Democracy in Burma(Myanmar),won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. Her best known speech is Freedom From Fear”~~” It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.” Most Buddhist’s adhere to non-violence.

Jainism holds to the belief of compassion for all life, human and non human. A human life is a rare opportunity to reach enlightenment: to take that life is seen as beyond abhorrent.

Sikhism teaches in the tenet of kirat karo a Sikh is told to balance work, worship, charity and should defend the rights of all creatures and particularly those of fellow human beings.

Hinduism belief is based on a vast treasury of spiritual laws and is much too complicated to go into here. But ahimsa ( non-violence) is advocated, the term appears in the Upanishads and is the first of the five vows of self-restraint( Yamas) in the Yoga Sutras.

While these beliefs are deeply held by most religions, it is easily seen how time, fear, lust for power, money , control, greed and simply evil can twist any of these belief systems into a tool for the power mad to achieve his/her goals. It is also easily seen that these goals are not easily obtained or kept. While organized religion can be a force for good it is just as easily twisted into a force for evil.

Achukma, Shalom, Salam, Fois Scots, Vrede Afrikaans, Solh Dari, Sìth,Shîte,Rauha

Pingan, Paco, Nimuhóre,Maluhia,Li-k’ei,Khanhaghutyun,Iri’ni,Hoa Bình, eace-pay

That last one should give this away~ Peace as always and in all ways.