Refusal to obey the law deliberately and publicly. The phrase and the concept were popularized by Thoreau’s famous essay, Civil disobedience. The concept of civil disobedience became a cornerstone of the American civil rights movement in the 1960s, as African Americans openly but peacefully defied segregation laws. While the Bible commands that rulers be obeyed in most circumstances (Romans 13, 1 Peter 2:13), it also commands civil disobedience when obedience to the state would require disobedience to God. For instance, in Daniel 6, Daniel refuses to obey the king’s order to worship only the king.1 Peter and the other apostles set the example: when told by authorities they could not testify to the risen and ascended Christ, they responded, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
Historical Examples of Civil Disobedience:
- Susan B Anthony casts illegal vote as a woman
- The Boston Tea Party
- Rosa Parks Refuses to Give up her seat to a white man on front of bus
- Sit-in movement throughout the south
COVID-19 Examples of Civil Disobedience:
- Video: Furious Welshman Tears Down Sheeting off “Non-Essential” Goods in COVID Lockdown Protest
- Passengers Push Back On Airline Mask Requirements As Travel Bans Soar
- Nashville Police Single Out, Arrest Woman In Trump Shirt For Not Wearing Mask Outside
- Owner of the Federal American Grill decided to re-open his restaurant on the city’s west side despite orders directing restaurants to be closed except for curbside orders
- COVID: Where are the courageous religious leaders?
Other:
- Since Feeding the Homeless is Illegal in Dallas, Activists Carry AR-15s to Give Out Food, Supplies
- Activist Tommy Robinson was Arrested for Covering the Trial of 10 Muslim men for Offenses including Child Rape, Trafficking, and Drug Distribution
- Chinese Activist Cao Shunli Dies, after UN Betrayal and Detention Without Medical Assistance by the Chinese Communist Dictatorship
- ‘Free Hong Kong’ Movement Begins: Over 1 Million March In Protests Against China Extradition Bill
- Chinese authorities detained an outspoken Catholic bishop who has defied state control of the church