I discuss the concept of non-violent resistance in the context of disobeying laws, rules and orders. As a lawyer, I adopt the stance of Martin Luther King, Jr that when a person is moved to defy a law they see as unjust, then they must do so openly, lovingly and with preparedness to accept the consequences of their actions. As someone who believes in a loving spiritual force underlying reality, this to me is essential - love conquers all.  King's concept non-violent resistance was inspired by the teachings of Christ and Gandhi.

Show notes

[0:41] As a lawyer, I get called upon to advise people on what my views are about defying the law. often by decent, law abiding people who feel strongly that these laws are unjust as they infringe upon human rights and natural law.

[2:23] Martin Luther King, Jr. epitomised the right way to engage in civil disobedience, especially in what he said in his letter from a Birmingham jail which he wrote in 1963.

[3:32] Rev. King was talking about segregation laws in the United States but what he said applies equally to other unjust laws.

[5:02] A critical point is that Rev. King was discussing unjust laws. Every individual will have a different perspective of what is unjust, but the more a law, rule or order goes against natural law, the more people will agree it is unjust.

[6:48] We must still respect the law - indiscriminate evasion of the law would create anarchy. It is when one's conscience moves one to disobey an unjust law that Rev. King's principles are relevant. These are that one who breaks an unjust law must do so openly, lovingly and with a willingness to accept the penalty.

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