I think there are two ways we generally respond to oppression or injustice or violence: one is passivity, and the other is counter-violence. Passivity can take several forms; usually it’s accommodation or avoidance. This does not address the violence at all, it merely attempts to take it within oneself; but usually results in a buildup of resentment because the negative energy has not been dealt with. Violence, as you rightly point out, is not helpful either because it merely escalates the situation and perpetuates relationships of fear and domination. But I think God offers something more active than “acceptance” as the alternative to these two options. Rather, God acts nonviolently; that is, a very positive, creative act that both refuses to accept the violence being perpetrated and yet does not retaliate in kind. Thus, the destructive energy is transformed rather than merely transferred.

I think I just sensed some danger in saying “the alternative that God offers to self-destructive cycles of fear-based exploitation or from seeking to retaliate is acceptance and forgiveness” because it could potentially be interpreted as passivity or acceptance of violence; essentially blaming the victim for failing to be forgiving or accepting. Certainly God accepts the violent person, but never their violent or destructive behaviour.

Simon