Martin Luther King believed that there were six important points about nonviolent resistance. First, he argued that even though nonviolence may be perceived as cowardly, it was not, and was in fact a method that did resist. According to King, the nonviolent protestor is as passionate as a violent protestor and that despite not being physically aggressive, "his mind and emotions are always active, constantly seekong to persuade the opponent that he is mistaken."
Second,the point of nonviolent resistance is to gain friendship and understanding. Further, the use of boycotts(联合抵制) and methods of non-cooperation, were the "means to awaken a sense of moral shame in the opponent." The result was harmony instead of the bitterness and chaos that came from violent resistance.
The third point King advanced, was that the battle was against the forces of evil and not individuals. Tension was not between the races, but was "between justice and injustice, between the forces of light and the forces of darkness. And if there is a victory it will be a victory not merely for fifty thousand Negroes, but a victory for justice and the forces of light."
Forth, nonviolent resistance required the willingness to suffer. One must accept violence without retaliating(报复) with violence and must go to jail if necessary. Accordingly, the end was more important than safety, and retaliatory violence would distract from the main fight. King believed that by accepting suffering, it led to "tremendous educational and transforming possibilities" and would be a powerful tool in changing the minds of opponents.
King's fifth point about nonviolent resistance was that the "universe was on the side of justice." Accordingly, people have a "cosmic companionship" with God who is on the side of truth. Therefore,the resister has faith that justice will occur in the future.
King's sixth point held that bitterness and hate were absent from the resisters' mind, and replaced with love. However, the kind of love King was talking about, was not the affectionate type, but instead the type that meant "understanding, saving good will for all men." According to King, "It is the love of God operating in the human heart."
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