You probably already read this first part (here)...

Q:  I understand the Amish believe in nonresistance and pacifism. Does this principle extend to personal situations where you are confronted with imminent evil, say, a known murderer confronting you and your family in your home? Can you use force to preserve your life in this situation? To what extent? What is the Biblical basis for your position?

A: Both Amish and Mennonites are committed to a lifestyle of peace and non-violence.  Yes, this pervades every aspect of life.  However, no one can predict how anyone would react to an absolutely unprecedented crisis such as described above. 

Below, however, should be new; it's the remainder of the Amish answer to the question of nonresistance and pacifism, and more.

... Emotions as well as thoughts are involved and the situation is personalized.  Having said this, we would hope that as people who have practiced a lifestyle of peace, we would not resort to force and violence in a crisis situation such as the one described in the above.

We must briefly make several points:

1. There is no assurance that use of force would save my life or the life of my family if confronted by an attacker.
2. We could recall many accounts of inexplicable or nearly-inexplicable deliverances--whether by mediation, nature, or Providence--when Christians refused to use force before, during or after a confrontation with a (potential) attacker.
3. If the result is death at the hands of the attacker, so be it; death is not threatening to us as Christians. Hopefully the attacker will have at least had a glimpse of the love of Christ in our nonviolent response.
4. The Christian does not choose a nonviolent approach to conflict because of assurance it will always work; rather the Christian chooses this approach because of his/her commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord.

The analogy to war in the situation described above tends to break down when we think of the vast preparations for war, the accumulating of weapons, training of the military, etc.  War is planned and seldom is aggression so clearly defined with the defense staying on its home turf. 

Some of the Biblical references for peace and non-resistance are: Matthew 5:38-48; John 18:36; Romans 12:18-21; and I Corinthians 6:18.

BACK to where you were ("While killing time...")

BACK to the beginning of "Incident at Wal~Mart"

OVER to HerbNation HOMEPAGE

SEND prayers or hate mail here

gasoline-powered lawnmower in background