[ref: soulforce.org]
This is the pledge to nonviolence signed by marchers with Mahatma Gandhi in 1921. Gandhi’s birthday is October 2nd.
- A civil resister will harbor no anger.
- A civil resister will suffer the anger of the opponent.
- In so doing, a civil resister will put up with assaults from the opponent, never retaliate; but he will not submit, out of fear of punishment, to any order given in anger.
- A civil resister will voluntarily submit to the arrest and he will not resist the attachment or removal of his own property.
- If a civil resister has any property in his possession as a trustee, he will refuse to surrender it, even though in defending it he might lose his life. He will never retaliate.
- Non-retaliation excludes swearing and cursing.
- A civil resister will never insult his opponent, nor take part in the newly coined cries contrary to the spirit of nonviolence.
- A civil resister will not salute the Union Jack, nor will he insult it or its officials, English or Indian.
- If any one insults an official or commits an assault upon him, a civil resister will protect such official or officials from the insult or assault at the risk of his own life.
This is the pledge to nonviolence taken by marchers with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1963
- Meditate daily on the life and teachings of Jesus.
- Remember that the nonviolent movement seeks justice and reconciliation – not victory.
- Walk and talk in the manner of love; for God is love.
- Pray daily to be used by God in order that all men and women might be free.
- Sacrifice personal wishes that all might be free.
- Observe with friend & foes the ordinary rules of courtesy.
- Perform regular service for others and for the world.
- Refrain from violence of fist, tongue, and heart.
- Strive to be in good spiritual and bodily health.
- Follow the directions of the Movement leaders and of the captains on demonstrations.
Check out the recently published book “After Gandhi – One Hundred Years of Nonviolent Resistance“.
Soulforce is an organization that works for freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance. Soulforce takes its name from the English translation of the Sanskrit word Satyagraha, the philosophy and practice of nonviolent resistance developed by Gandhi.
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