Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

LostYonder wrote

As noted by others, it is more complicated than a simple yes or no. I think pacifist actions can be powerful tactics, carrying significant symbolic value in particular contexts.

One of the challenges with pacifism today is the degree of violence the state possesses and perpetrates against human beings combined with the erosion of a moral commitment to some communal value by both the state and a large portion of the population. This means appeals to moral positions will only be met with dismissal or outright violence. The taking the knee protest in the NFL right now is such an example. The significance of the act is only for those who already agree with the sentiment, others recast it, dismiss it, and will act violently against it.

Pacifism does not carry the transformative power that so many would hope for...

1