What is Nonresistance?

​Adapted into Easy English from "What Is Nonresistance?" by Tom Lock. Originally published at nonresistance.org and shared freely for all. Read by David Holdsworth.
​Where the Word Comes From
​The word "nonresistance" comes directly from the Bible. In the book of Matthew, Jesus says:
​"Do not fight back against someone who does evil to you. If someone hits you on the right cheek, let them hit the other cheek too. If someone takes your coat, give them your jacket as well. Love your enemies. Pray for people who hurt you."
​What Nonresistance Means
​Nonresistance is more than just avoiding fights. It is more than staying calm when someone is cruel to you.
​Nonresistance means:
​Refusing to hurt someone back when they hurt you.
​Trying to do good to all people, in every situation.
​Working toward forgiveness, kindness, and love—always.
​Staying away from all violence, all wars, and all hate.
​Remember: Nonresistance is not about doing nothing. It takes real effort and courage.
​What Martin Luther King Jr. Said
​Dr. King wrote extensively about nonviolent resistance. Here are his key ideas in simple words:
​Fight evil, not people: Nonviolence is a way to fight evil—but without hurting people. You fight against the wrong thing, not against the person doing it.
​The goal is friendship: The goal is not to beat your enemy. The goal is to make them understand you and become your friend.
​Suffer without hitting back: You must be willing to accept suffering without retaliating.
​Choose love over hate: You refuse to hate, not just refuse to fight. Real love is at the heart of nonviolence. This love is for everyone, even your enemies. Dr. King called this agape (a Greek word meaning goodwill toward all people).
​Faith in the future: You believe that in the end, good will win. As Dr. King famously said:
​"The arc of the universe is long, but it bends toward justice."
​What Adin Ballou Said
​A man named Adin Ballou wrote a famous book about nonresistance. Here is the heart of what he said, in simple words:
​1. It Comes From Perfect Love
​Nonresistance comes from a deep, perfect love. This love does not ask, "Do they love me back? Have they been kind to me?" It simply says:
​"I will do good. I will love. I will never hurt anyone, even someone who hurts me. I will overcome evil by doing good."
​Jesus showed this kind of love. He taught that your "neighbor"—the person you must love—is everyone. Even strangers. Even enemies.
​2. The Illusion of Force
​Most of the world believes you must use fear and force to stay safe. People trust in armies, weapons, prisons, and punishment to protect them. When someone suggests giving all that up, people get scared and think it is foolish.
​But Ballou says this trust in violence and punishment is a false god. It has caused enormous suffering throughout history. It has never truly made the world safe or good.
​3. A Better Way
​The way of Jesus is different. He teaches that good is the only real answer to evil. You cannot defeat evil by doing more evil. You can only defeat evil by doing good.
​The Rule of Nonresistance: Do not fight injury with injury. Instead, love your neighbor as yourself—always, and with everyone.
​To read more like this, visit nonresistance.org.