In Part 3 of 3 of my series about how to bring about true social change through nonviolence, I explore the power of nonviolence to bring about reconciliation, transforming our enemies into our friends, and to create a better world through mercy.
Tag: Zion
How We Win Part 2: Changing the Government
Last week, I began a series of articles explaining how we triumph over the government and its willingness to use violence and brutality to terrorize people into obedience. There we explored how you use effectively use the power of protesting to win the day. Here we continue that series by exploring the ways that we create lasting, meaningful, social change for today, tomorrow, and forever.
The Most Terrible Form of Idolatry is The Government
In 1854, William Lloyd Garrison stood up in the Broadway Tabernacle in New York City and delivered one of the most powerful anti-slavery speeches ever given. The value of this speech goes beyond its historical setting though. In this speech Garrison lays down the basic cause of liberty for all men and outlines exactly why any government that oppresses human liberty stands condemned and should be disobeyed. The principles herein are universal, especially for those seeking peace, liberty, and equality today. In a world riven by racist and nationalist violence -as is currently happening in America right now- Garrison’s words and his remedies especially apply more than ever:
“Show me the government which can be maintained only by destroying the rights of a portion of the people, and you will indicate the duty of openly revolting against it.”
The Government’s Unending War Against Society
Instead of focusing on the riots themselves I want to talk about the “intolerable conditions that exist in our society” that have given rise to them, that make people feel that the only way they can have their voice heard is by application of the torch and the rod to break, burn, and destroy. I want to talk about the State, how it has corrupted everything, and how to truly change it.
George Floyd’s Death Reveals The Nature of the State
The murder of George Floyd has set American society on fire once more with the injustice of the system. George’s murder, and the many others like him, reveal the brutal nature not only of policing but of the government itself. Here we explore the savage nature of the State and what can be done to change it.
The Most Revolutionary Text In American History
In September 1838, William Lloyd Garrison published the most revolutionary text in American history. Yes, most revolutionary, even more so than the Declaration of Independence.
All Killing is Forbidden by the Gospel of Jesus Christ
The voice of the Lord to the Saints today is loud and sharply clear: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Thou shalt not steal; neither commit adultery, nor kill, nor do anything like unto it. (D&C 59:6) Notice the Lord does not say “murder,””shed innocent blood,” nor give any other exemption. Nor are there any problems with translations to cause debates about the meaning of the words in question. God has forbidden the Saints to kill for any reason.