How to Be a Pacifist

Pacifism in the west is a long-standing tradition for many groups including Christian faiths, ascetics and other socio-religious groups. But pacifism has always been controversial. The stance that pacifism takes represents a challenge to some ingrained ideas about faith, loyalty, trust and duty. Being a pacifist means taking a hard look at your personal ethics from a variety of angles.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Consider "non-resistant" pacifism. The tradition of nonresistance was practiced by civilian families for centuries, as their homes were invaded by either soldiers of the national army or bandit groups. But for many, non-resistance does not fit into their world view. Think about how you would handle protecting your own home.
2. Reconcile your pacifism with your ideas about protecting family. Criticism and attacks on pacifists often relate to this idea. Pacifists who would take up arms to defend their families are sometimes seen as "hypocritical", but illustrating the finer points of "economies of scale" in combat can show that this is not necessarily the case.
3. Reconcile pacifism with your own patriotism. Pacifists are generally attacked in wartime for being "unpatriotic", and it can be disingenuous to ignore this idea. Pacifists can advance their position by including a critique of their own patriotism and show how a citizen can support his/her government while still maintaining an anti-war philosophy.
4. Draw a line for your own pacifism. If you are not a "strict" pacifist, study historical conflicts to be able to show what kind of wars you would or would not ideologically support. Understand the difference between strict pacifism and a "just war" doctrine, and show others where you stand.
5. Point to a basis for your beliefs. Frequently cited are the commandment "Thou shalt not kill" and other references to "murder." Have historical references and documentation to explain your theological or ideological positions.