Posts
Martin Luther King on the power of Love and non violence
The nonviolent approach does not immediately change the heart of the oppressor. It first does something to the hearts and souls of those committed to it. It gives them new self-respect; it calls up resources of strength and courage that they didn't know they had. Finally, it reaches the opponent and so stirs his conscience that reconciliation becomes a reality.
The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you murder the hater, but you do not murder hate Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that.
We must meet hate with creative love.
Love is the most durable power in the world. Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.
The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state. It must be the guide and the critic of the state, and never its tool. If the church does not recapture its prophetic zeal, it will become an irrelevant social club without moral or spiritual authority.
Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice. Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.
The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you murder the hater, but you do not murder hate Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that.
We must meet hate with creative love.
Love is the most durable power in the world. Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.
The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state. It must be the guide and the critic of the state, and never its tool. If the church does not recapture its prophetic zeal, it will become an irrelevant social club without moral or spiritual authority.
Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice. Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.
3 comments:
Thank you.
This brief passage says it all. Meeting violence with violence only multiplies it. It's creativity that can insert something new into the situation, and for this one needs the Creator. Allowing ourselves to be used by the force that created the universe, even transforming enemies into friends is not impossible.
greatful you found this hlpful Chris.. Ellen, with ya .. love begats love...
Post a Comment