Life Without Violence, More Hope

Life Without Violence, More Hope

Um Muhammad – Tafas

Many societies suffer from the “legitimization of violence,” where prevailing culture supports war and glorifies it as heroic deeds, without considering the impact of raising generations on concepts of exclusion, killing, and destruction.

These ideas spread like an infection among people. According to this principle, a culture of violence spreads at both individual and collective levels, making the transition to non-violence a challenging path despite its importance. However, in advanced stages of civilization, humans possess more tools and operate at higher levels of intellect, rendering violence unnecessary.

“Non-violence” is a humane goal with a toxic price paid by nations through their bitter experiences. Nevertheless, societies embark on this challenging path to reach the safety of the community.

To promote a non-violent approach, there are steps to be taken, beginning with the use of reason, the creation and acquisition of ideas, and then directing behavior through a set of principles and concepts. Mahatma Gandhi, renowned for his peaceful struggle and the dissemination of a culture of non-violence, said, “The victory achieved through violence equals defeat,” whether it is military, political, or economic. Our daily lives confirm this truth.

In human history, there are successful examples of non-violent cultures that blend the human and political aspects in establishing non-violent movements in various regions of the world. Examples include the resistance against Nazi occupation in Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands, where these movements succeeded in approximately 82% of cases.

By examining the experiences of these nations, we find that we can change the prevailing social and cultural mindset by altering the circulating ideas and promoting those that support peace among the various factions of society. This requires determination, willpower, and starting with the closest environment to reach all parties in society.

The foundation of society is its individual constituents. Changing the individual is the basis for change in society, and this change reflects on all aspects of social, cultural, and political life.