My experience says there are three angles to study through. 1. Self-defense, 2. Pacifism 3. Non-resistance. I understand that there are several degrees of Pacifism (IEP, n.d.). Some refuse to use any force at all and some will allow defense for family but not self to include hand-to-hand combat or weapons. The Amish and Mennonites practi…
My experience says there are three angles to study through. 1. Self-defense, 2. Pacifism 3. Non-resistance. I understand that there are several degrees of Pacifism (IEP, n.d.). Some refuse to use any force at all and some will allow defense for family but not self to include hand-to-hand combat or weapons. The Amish and Mennonites practice non-resistance which is the strictest level of pacifism (IEP, n.d.; Merriam-Webster-Webster, 2025). Non-resistance teaches that any fighting or use of weapons against another human is against Scriptures (Dordrecht Confession, 1632; Mennonite Confession, 1963/2015; Merriam-Webster-Webster, 2025).
It is an interesting subject and one that is controversial in our contemporary society.
My experience says there are three angles to study through. 1. Self-defense, 2. Pacifism 3. Non-resistance. I understand that there are several degrees of Pacifism (IEP, n.d.). Some refuse to use any force at all and some will allow defense for family but not self to include hand-to-hand combat or weapons. The Amish and Mennonites practice non-resistance which is the strictest level of pacifism (IEP, n.d.; Merriam-Webster-Webster, 2025). Non-resistance teaches that any fighting or use of weapons against another human is against Scriptures (Dordrecht Confession, 1632; Mennonite Confession, 1963/2015; Merriam-Webster-Webster, 2025).
It is an interesting subject and one that is controversial in our contemporary society.
Resources
Dordrecht Confession of Faith. (1632/2025). Baptist Center of Theology. Retrieved February 19, 2025, from nots.edu/Baptist_center_theology/confessions/Dordrecht_Confession_of_Faith.pdf.
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (n.d.). IEP A peer-reviewed academic resource. Retrieved February 19, 2025, from IEP.utm.edu/pacifism/#H1.
Mennonite Confession of Faith (1963/2015). Keystone Mennonite Fellowship. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
Mercian-Webster. (2025). Merriam-Webster-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved February 19, 2025, from Mercian-Webster.com/dictionary/nonresistance.