Examples Of violence Against Society.
Materialism and over-consumption. If someone has too much, then someone else is going without. Or as Gandhi explained, “If you have more than you need, you are stealing from someone else.” This involves a disconnection from the resources being used, from the needs of those in the future, from one’s fellow humans who are in need, and disconnection from oneself and what happiness really means.
Consuming unsustainable resources. Using resources that cannot be renewed depletes the Earth and results in suffering and want for people now and in the future. Again, this represents a disconnection from the impact of our choices.
Propaganda. Unethical and unthinking industries purposefully disconnect you from your values, your choices and the consequences of your choices. These industries use multibillion-dollar marketing campaigns to confuse you into consuming more and more things that are not in line with your true values.
Militarism. This disconnection from our brothers and sisters with whom we share the world along with the unjust belief that “might makes right” kills innocent people, kills innocent animals, destroys our environment and wastes trillions of dollars worldwide -- money and resources that could be used to feed, clothe, house and heal those in need.
"It is no longer the choice between violence and Nonviolence;
it is either Nonviolence or nonexistence."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
Racism. The unjust belief that race determines human character and that one person is superior to another based on skin color or heritage perpetuates hatred, separation and wars rather than promoting brotherhood, sisterhood and community. Disconnection from our similarities -- that we all want to be free and happy -- leads to oppression and death in so many ways.
Speciesism. This is the unjust belief that human beings and their companion animals are the only living beings with feelings, desires and worth. This disconnection causes us to love one species while dismissing (and even killing and eating) another. It results in untold horrors for helpless animals who rely entirely on human intellect and compassion for protection. This violence leads to the acceptance of other violence against those who are different than us -- humans and non-humans.
Pollution. This disconnection results in the contamination of our shared resources (earth, air and water). It deprives and harms ourselves, other people and wild animals of present and future generations of a world with clean air, clean water, good health and the majesty of nature.
Nonviolence, Inc.
PO Box 1161
Boulder, CO 80306
720.252.8449
