Compare And Contrast Gandhi And Civil Disobedience

Civil disobedience is practiced by many people who then incorporate this idea into non-violent protests. In today’s society, we have witnessed this philosophy in action, whether it be through marches or public rallies. Some protests prove to be successful but others break out in violence. Historical leaders, Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi, advocated for non-violence as they applied civil disobedience in their teachings. Thesis: King was influenced by Gandhi’s thoughts which focused on the idea of “Satyagraha,” making a majority of their practices and ideas similar. Though they have common ideas, they seem to divide in some aspects within their beliefs.

Gandhi and King had similar views regarding non-violence and civil disobedience.

In addition to passive resistance, both leaders believed that they were fighting against injustice and not the actual person

King understood that not all white people had the same mentality of discriminating against African-Americans. He was fighting for equality; not fighting against the white people.

Delivering vengeance on the enemy wasn’t the goal. “Winning” over the other person in hopes of healing the situation and changing the law was the intent.

III. Though both men referred back to religion to incorporate into their teachings, King solely focused on Christianity and unjust laws while Gandhi derived his views from many religions and leaned towards more to a self-government

“A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God” The law is just not “the law.” If it degrades human morals and God, then it can’t be considered a law.

Gandhi was inspired by Jesus, Hindu Bhagavad, elements of the Quran, etc. He wanted his fellow Indians to see that they were self-sufficient and that they didn’t have to depend on the British empire.

IV. Gandhi believed there are times where violence is necessary, unlike King who didn’t believe that violence was