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'The dictionary definition of a Christian is one who follows Christ; kind, kindly, Christ-like. Anarchism is voluntary cooperation for good, with the right of secession. A Christian anarchist is therefore one who turns the other cheek, overturns the tables of the moneychangers, and does not need a cop to tell him how to behave. A Christian anarchist does not depend upon bullets or ballots to achieve his ideal; he achieves that ideal daily by the One-Man Revolution with which he faces a decadent, confused, and dying world.'

Ammon Hennessey#5

Attribution disputed; shown as originally published.

AnarchismMoralityRevolutionFaithNonviolence

About this quote

What does it mean?
A Christian anarchist combines faith with nonviolent resistance, relying on personal moral action rather than state enforcement to create a better world.
In plain terms
Being a Christian anarchist means living kindly and resisting evil without needing government force.
What can you take from it?
Live your ideals daily through personal action instead of waiting for political change.

Where it applies

  • personal ethical dilemmas
  • political disillusionment
  • social activism

Putting it to work

  • daily moral choices
  • tax resistance
  • community building

Questions to consider

  • How do you define your personal revolution?
  • What does voluntary cooperation look like in your life?

Another view

It may be impractical for systemic change without broader collective action.

More from Ammon Hennessey

  1. 'An anarchist is anyone who doesn't need a cop to tell him what to do.'

    Permalink to quote #4
  2. 'Love without courage and wisdom is sentimentality, as with the ordinary church member. Courage without love and wisdom is foolhardiness, as with the ordinary …

    Permalink to quote #6
  3. 'Oh, judge, your damn laws: the good people don't need them and the bad people don't follow them, so what good are they?'

    Permalink to quote #3

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