Take a "Non-violence Self Inventory"

I listened to a very interesting speaker at the Unitarian Universalist church I've been going to lately. He spoke about "Advent- yours and non-violence" about how we as individuals could implement more peace in our lives.

He began by referencing Gandhi's Seven Deadly Sins, which I found very thought provoking and inspiring:

1. Wealth without Work
2. Pleasure without Conscience
3. Science without Humanity
4. Knowledge without Character
5. Politics without Principle
6. Commerce without Morality
7. Worship without Sacrifice

Then he handed out a "Non-violence Self Inventory" that I found very interesting and gave me a chance to do a little introspection with, especially as it relates to my moral beliefs about violence. Clearly it has some subjective content, but without saying who he is, readers should know that he has spent his career as a professor that studies pacifism/sociology/social justice, activism.

So without further ado....I thought I'd share the inventory here on my blog!

See where you are with reference to the following questions:

1. Have you ever been the recipient of physical violence?

2. Have you ever initiated an act of violence which caused real injury?

3. Have you ever witnessed an act of violence which caused real injury?

4. Do you drive a larger car than you really need?

5. Have you recently indulged in road rage? What triggered it?

6. Have you driven over the speed limit in the last two weeks?

7. Do you advocate (and have practiced) spanking of children?

8. What's your position on abortion?

9. Have you, in the last two weeks, yelled in anger at anyone? Who?

10. Have you ever taken the risk of driving when you've had too much to drink?

11. How's your diet? A. I am an unabashed carnivore B. I'm a carnivore, but I try to eat less red meat than I used to. C. No red meat, but chicken and seafood are OK. D. No chikcen or red meat, but seafood's OK. E. Vegetarian. F. Vegan. G. I only eat what otherwise would be thrown out. H. I beg for food. I. Other

12. Do you believe in capital punishment? If so, for what crimes, and by what methods?

13. Are you a pacifist?

14. Did you think that the United States and Britain were right in launching an attack on Iraq? Have the results supported your convictions?

15. Do you give to any charities which are specifically targeted against violence? Which ones?

16. Do you advocate a complete nuclear test ban?

17. Do you advocate the cessation of all production of nuclear weaponry?

18. Do you believe that all existing nuclear weapons should be destroyed?

19. Do you have more clothes in your closet than most of your peers?

20. Do you own a gun? For what purpose? Are you a hunter?

21. Do you keep your temperature (when you can regulate it) lower than 75 in the summer or higher than 65 in the winter?

22. Do you consistently recycle?

23. Have you ever participated in an active protest against some form of violence? What activity?

24. Have you ever written a letter of concern about something related to non-violence? What was the issue? To whom did you write?

25. Do you think that the war in Vietnam was a "just war?"

26. Do you think that Gandhi and/or King were impractical idealists?

27. Have you told a lie to anyone in the last two weeks?

28. Have you ever tried to break up a fight, or witnessed one and didn't act?

29. Do you think that sexual offenders, once released, should be identified to the community in any way? Similarly, with other offenders?

30. Have you received unwelcome attention by anyone in the last few weeks?

31. Have you given unwelcome attention to anyone in the last few weeks?

32. Do you smoke?

33. Do you support the principle of euthanasia?

What other questions would you add to this list? Which items don't belong on it?

He spoke about how he felt that "adventing non-violence" would be most effectively accomplished in people's lives if they consistently involved themselves in inter-faith activities (harmonious discussions among different faiths on how to contribute to their community and the needy) and participating in service learning activity and charitable giving.

I greatly enjoyed the questions he posed, and the over-all tone of his words and content. Yummy philosophizing to savor!