Bob’s Guide to Non-Violent Action

Sit down on one of our inexpensive chairs and learn about the history of non-violent civil disobedience.

A Religious Foundation

“Sitting is good. It prevents violence as once you find a good chair people are less likely to get up, thus avoiding a fight.”--From Bob’s Chair Business Catalog

Wu wei Action that does not involve struggle or excessive effort

Ahimsa Do no harm.

Mettā To liberate one's self, Mahavira taught the necessity of right faith, right knowledge and right conduct.

Right conduct includes five great vows out of which first is Nonviolence (Ahimsa) - to cause no harm to any living being in any manner

Cain and Abel

God: Where’s Abel?Cain: Am I my brother’s keeper?Bob: Uh, yeah!

Jesus of Nazareth “You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”

Modern Writing and Actions

It’s time to stand up for sitting down!

Henry David Thoreau

Mexican-American War

1836: Texas declares independence from Mexico; defeats Mexico and becomes Republic of Texas.

1845: United States admits Texas into the union. Mexico reclaims Texas.

1846: United States declares war on Mexico.

1848: Mexico defeated, signs Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Mexico cedes:

•Texas

•Nevada

•Utah

•California

•New Mexico

Henry David Thoreau

Emerson: What are you doing in there?

Thoreau: What are you doing out there?

Bob: Snap! That just blew my mind (although it probably did not actually happen).

Emma Goldman

Mohandas K.Gandhi

Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Other View

Malcolm X “I believe it's a crime for anyone being brutalized to continue to accept that brutality without doing something to defend himself.”

George Jackson “The concept of nonviolence is a false ideal. It presupposes the existence of compassion and a sense of justice on the part of one's adversary. When this adversary has everything to lose and nothing to gain by exercising justice and compassion, his reaction can only be negative”

D.A. Clark Non violence must be, “Practiced by those who could easily resort to force if they chose.”

Peter Gelderloos Nonviolence is generally advocated by privileged white people who expect, "oppressed people, many of whom are people of color, to suffer patiently under an inconceivably greater violence, until such time as the Great White Father is swayed by the movement's demands or the pacifists achieve that legendary 'critical mass.‘”