The term “pacifism” comes from the Latin word “pacificus” (peace-loving) which literally means the belief that war and violence are unjustifiable and that all disputes should be settled by peaceful means. The pacifists do not accept the solution of disputed issues through wars. They are against violence and murder, and are for love. No intelligent, socialized person who is not mentally disturbed can be against that idea. "Make love, not war" is an anti-war slogan commonly associated with the American counterculture of the 1960s.
As an organized movement, pacifism dates back to the 1880s, when international peacekeepers' congresses were held to condemn and demand a ban on war. One of the prominent ideologues of that movement was the famous Russian writer Lev Tolstoy.
In general, in those years, there were many movements throughout Europe: suffragettes (the women seeking the right to vote through organized protest), feminists, communists, anarchists, social democrats, supporters of free love, and so on. It was a period that was vividly reflected in literature and art.
The opposite or the weakest part of being peace-loving is the belief that when the brute force that wants to destroy you comes, by resisting it, you encourage evil. But if we do not resist the brute force that wants to destroy us, do we not encourage it? Nothing is said about it. The romantic and utopian ideas of the 20th century ended with World War I, the communist revolution in Russia, and the rise of fascism and nationalist socialism.
In recent years, peace-loving movements have begun to emerge in Armenia, and as a result of the change of government in 2018, many members of those movements have appeared in parliament and in the public administration system. Its sad consequence was the defeat in the 44-day war in Artsakh. Nonetheless the defeat not only did not sober up the Armenian pacifists, but, on the contrary, many of them believe that they were right not to resist evil.
Today, the peace-loving movement in Armenia wants to rise again. We might suffer new defeats… if we try to resist evil.
Finally, let us present a notable quote on the subject from the novel “The Fall” by Albert Camus: “I knew a pure heart who rejected distrust. He was a pacifist and libertarian and loved all humanity and the animals with an equal love. An exceptional soul, that’s certain…He had written on his threshold: “Wherever you come from, come in and be welcome.” Who do you think answered that noble invitation? The militia, (the fascists) who made themselves at home and disemboweled him.”