A Spirituality of Resistance - By John Dear

(On February 28, 2011, John Dear gave this talk at the Eight Sabeel Conference in Bethlehem,
Palestine.)

Dear friends, thank you for all you do for peace and justice, for the God of peace and justice. I
have been asked to speak about "a spirituality of resistance." I define "spirituality" broadly as "a
way of life," your "sabeel," which means there are many spiritualities. We are talking here about
finding God as we resist empire, walking with Jesus as we resist empire, living in the Holy Spirit
of faith, hope and love as we resist empire.

I thought I would share a little of my own journey of resistance, and then offer ten starting points
for a spirituality of nonviolence and resistance to empire. These are just modest reflections which
I hope will encourage you to unpack the spiritual dimension and roots of your own nonviolent
resistance. In other words, what is your spirituality of nonviolence and resistance? How do
you challenge empire, resist empire and remain faithful to the God of peace? Where is God in
your journey out of empire, in your journey of resistance to empire? Who is the God you meet
as you resist empire? What spiritual practices and resources do you use in your life journey of
nonviolence and resistance?

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