Fighting like a pacifist

There was a period in my life where I fought nothing like a pacifist, hurt as I was by injustices that seemed beyond my power to forgive.  Thankfully, a power found me that was more than adequate to soften my calloused heart.

Before those injustices occurred, I was a pacifist.  Since February last year, I’ve been a pacifist.  More truly, I’ve always been a pacifist.  I’ve always fought like a pacifist—except for a time when I thought injustice could and should be fought another way.

The best way to fight injustice is through pacifism.

Sounds bizarre, doesn’t it?  Allow me to argue a case for fighting like a pacifist.

Firstly, pacifism is nothing like cowardice.  It takes more moral courage to respond with pacifism than to fight the conventional fight.  It is this way because pacifism opts for a common victory that people caught in conflict typically know nothing about.  The pacifist response sees ALL parties, including those innocent ones who are always hurt as collateral damage of violence.  

Operationally there must be agreement and a compelling commitment to pacifism well before angry nerves are stirred.

Pacifism to its core is a fight that never fights.  But it’s a fight that conquers fighting.  The way of pacifism leaves fighters mystified because of the strength of its peaceful power.  Pacifism stands in the fight without fear because it’s principled for something better.

It’s best described through a story.

Picture being at a professional-level basketball game and approaching half-time an official from the home team (who is down about 25 points) is incensed by one of the fans of the visiting team.  This fan is a bit of a mascot for the away team.  He is also intellectually impaired and struggles to be emotionally intelligent.  The two are witnessed by the away team fans standing toe-to-toe, the home team official towering over the visiting team’s mascot figure.  Violence is about to ensue, and anything can happen.  The moment is about to boil over into a melee.  Then, out of nowhere a person steps right between the two with the presence of a friend to both.  A smile to one, a smile to the other, some calming words, an arm around a shoulder, and the impasse is over.  Just like that.  Moment defused.  I’ve seen it work time and again.

Of course, it’s easier to step between warring parties than be a party to the conflict ourselves.

It’s good just knowing that pacificism is the wisest way to fight.  If we can accept that by faith, we fight for the good of all parties by not fighting, and by seeking truces every step of the way.

Central to making pacifism work is an unequivocal belief that people are capable of goodness.

Fighting like a pacifist is one of the hardest fights because there’s a lot of resistance from others, and we occasionally battle with our own indignant pride that says, “No way!  I’m not having that injustice!”

Someone must lead the way to peace, and peace always has hope about it because it’s safe to allcomers.  I’ve always said it, you can’t fight me if I refuse to fight you back.

One thing that bystanders always notice when two people are fighting is the chaos.  So many who watch on when anger boils over into the fury of fists or the flurry of words are afraid for what might still take place—especially when the clock can’t be wound back.

Pacifism is the Cross in all its glory, a perfect sacrifice of a good man facing an eternity of injustice.  We get to exemplify the work of the Cross in our relations in our own lives each day we walk this earth.

The strength of courage it takes to stand and not run, but say “I will not fight, but believe for peace,” cannot be underestimated.  Certainly, it will not convince the tyrant, but the entirety of eternity bears witness to one’s refusal to fight evil with evil to cause even more evil.  The evil must stop at us.

Fighting only buries the conquest for peace and redemption, understanding that there are people who have no interest in either.

People of peace are a compelling presence in this world.  But we must believe big in a justice beyond fighting.

In a divisive world, there’s nothing more subversive than pacifism.

NOTE: there are times when we are required to tell truth in a way that others feel attacked.  This is not against pacifism.  If people do no wrong, they have nothing to worry about.  If people do wrong, they have recourse to apology.