Tapestry of Faith: Resistance and Transformation: An Adult Program on Unitarian Universalist Social Justice History

Activity 3: Nonviolent Resistance to Slavery

Activity time: 15 minutes

Materials for Activity

Preparation for Activity

Description of Activity

Distribute Handout 2, Adin Ballou and Christian Non-Resistance. Invite participants to read the handout to themselves, or have volunteers read it aloud. Engage participants in discussion, using these questions as a guide:

  • How does Ballou's more gradual, non-violent approach to ending slavery contrast with Parker's approach of calling for violent action? If Ballou and Parker were alive today, which one would you support? Why?
  • Ballou and the Hopedale community represented a parallel voice for social justice. The group was marginalized within the anti-slavery movement because of their commitment to pacifism. Do you think that social justice movements should be able to support a multiplicity of tactics? Or is the sort of conflict that took place between Ballou and other abolitionists inevitable?

Allow ten minutes for large group conversation.