Taking Back Our Stolen History
Civil Disobedience
Civil Disobedience

Civil Disobedience

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:

COVID-19 Examples of Civil Disobedience:

Other: