The Humanist Movement defines violence as the objectification of the human being. With this definition we see that Non Violence is more than confronting colonial rule, or working towards racial equality. Violence is found in many forms, in our social institutions and in our personal lives.
Non Violence is a frame work - a way of seeing the world. "How do I feel when I experience this situation?" and, because we are dealing with the horrible theme of violence, Non Violence requires one to be courageous.
It's not the case that working within the frame work of Non Violence means that we are free from violence in all of its forms - it means we are on a process that identifies violence and work towards overcoming it.
While human history has almost entirely been built from a point of view that sees the human being, not as a being of liberty, but as an object - to be used for the gain of a few, in this, twenty-first century, we can know with certainty that there is no need for our relationships to be built with violence. Fortunately human history has been about overcoming obstacles, learning, growth and evolution. The building of a world free of violence is simply the next step on our path of surpassing suffering.
As the contemporary world continues to get smaller, it is easier for diverse peoples to work together toward our common future. Will that future be built from the same, stupid and passé methodology of violence, or can we project the best of us - the most profound needs of the human being, to build a truly human world?
© 2010 Non Violence International Film Festival