In a world saturated with violence and constant conflict, defenselessness might appear to be a stance of helplessness, surrender, or even weakness. Our natural instincts push us toward self-preservation, to defend ourselves from any perceived threat. Yet throughout history, there have been individuals and groups who embraced defenselessness as a conscious moral choice. These figures didn’t view defenselessness as passive submission but rather as an active resistance to the very nature of violence. Defenselessness, in their hands, became a tool of extraordinary power—a force that stood in opposition to the notion that violence is the only path to security or justice.
While famous figures such as Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are often cited as proponents of nonviolence, they were by no means the first to practice or advocate defenselessness. In fact, there are countless lesser-known individuals and communities throughout history who have chosen defenselessness, often paying a great price for it but leaving behind a legacy of moral fortitude.
Jesus Christ: The Ultimate Example of Defenselessness
One of the earliest and most profound examples of defenselessness comes from Jesus Christ. Throughout his ministry, Jesus taught his followers to “turn the other cheek” when struck, embodying a radical form of non-retaliation. In the Gospel of Matthew (5:39), he advises, “Do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” This teaching goes beyond mere pacifism; it embodies the heart of defenselessness—rejecting the impulse to strike back and instead offering vulnerability as a response.
During his trial and crucifixion, Jesus had the opportunity to defend himself or call upon divine intervention. Yet, he chose silence and acceptance, even when faced with the most violent of fates. His death on the cross, despite his innocence, became the ultimate demonstration of defenselessness in the face of overwhelming violence, and it changed the course of history.
The Defenseless Martyrs: The Early Christians
Following in the footsteps of Jesus, early Christians also practiced defenselessness. Under the oppressive rule of the Roman Empire, they were subjected to torture, imprisonment, and death. Yet, they chose not to fight back. Their defenselessness was not a form of weakness but a reflection of their belief that their faith transcended any form of earthly violence.
Rather than resorting to armed rebellion, these early Christians used their defenselessness as a powerful statement against the empire’s brutal system of control. By facing death with dignity and peace, they communicated that the empire could destroy their bodies but not their spirits. Their passive resistance helped spread the Christian message throughout the empire and ultimately contributed to its success.
The Moriori: A Culture of Defenselessness
The Moriori, an indigenous people of the Chatham Islands, provide one of the most tragic yet powerful examples of defenselessness. For centuries, the Moriori adhered to a code of peace and refused to engage in violence, even in self-defense. When their islands were invaded by the Māori in 1835, the Moriori remained true to their principles of nonviolence, even though it cost them their lives.
Though their population was decimated, the Moriori’s commitment to defenselessness serves as a stark reminder of the ethical complexity of nonviolent resistance. While it is easy to dismiss their defenselessness as fatal naivety, it was in fact an extraordinary commitment to principle, revealing that true courage sometimes lies in refusing to fight.
The Challenges of Defenselessness in a Violent World
The path of defenselessness is not without its challenges. It requires a level of courage and moral conviction that goes beyond what many people can imagine. In a world where aggression is rewarded and violence often leads to power, defenselessness can seem counterintuitive, even suicidal. The Moriori, for example, paid the ultimate price for their adherence to nonviolence, raising the difficult question: how can defenselessness be a viable approach in a world so dominated by violence?
Defenselessness requires not just courage but the willingness to face the consequences of one’s convictions. It may not always lead to immediate victory or success, but it fundamentally shifts the power dynamic. By refusing to engage in violence, the defenseless reveal the immorality of the aggressor’s actions and expose the futility of force.
The Role of Defenselessness in Modern Conflict Resolution
Though defenselessness may seem ill-suited to modern conflicts, it still plays an important role in many global movements. Peaceful protests against state violence, inequality, and oppression continue to demonstrate that defenselessness can be a powerful tool for social change. From civil rights marches to pro-democracy protests, defenselessness strips violent regimes of their moral authority.
In modern conflict resolution, defenselessness can function as a means to draw attention to injustice without escalating violence. In movements like those against apartheid in South Africa or more recent anti-corruption protests in various parts of the world, the refusal to meet violence with violence has been pivotal in reshaping power structures.
The Power of Defenselessness
Defenselessness, far from being passive, is an active assertion of one’s humanity and moral agency. It takes immense strength to resist the urge to retaliate when attacked, but this very restraint is what gives defenselessness its transformative power. By refusing to engage in violence, those who practice defenselessness force the aggressor to confront their own brutality.
The power of defenselessness lies in its ability to expose the limitations of force. While violence may achieve short-term victories, it rarely results in lasting peace. Defenselessness, on the other hand, can reshape the terms of conflict, offering a path toward reconciliation and transformation. It allows individuals and movements to stand on the moral high ground, challenging the legitimacy of the oppressor’s violence.
Conclusion: A New Vision of Power
Defenselessness offers an alternative vision of power—one rooted in moral strength, vulnerability, and unwavering conviction. From the teachings of Jesus to the tragic history of the Moriori, defenselessness reveals that true power does not come from domination or force but from the courage to stand firm in one’s principles, even in the face of violence.
In today’s world of escalating violence and division, defenselessness challenges us to rethink what it means to resist. It calls on us to recognise that the true measure of strength is not in our capacity to defend ourselves through violence but in our ability to stand firm in our convictions without resorting to aggression. In choosing defenselessness, we open the door to a new paradigm of power—one that transcends violence and offers the possibility of true peace.