Tolstoy's manifesto on Christian anarchism, in which he argues that true Christianity is incompatible with the state and all forms of violence, including war and capital punishment. Tolstoy contends that the teachings of Jesus Christ, particularly the Sermon on the Mount, call on Christians to renounce violence and to live in harmony with their fellow human beings. He argues that the state and organized religion have distorted and corrupted the message of Christianity, and that true Christians must reject all forms of coercion and domination. Tolstoy's book had a profound impact on religious and political thought in the early 20th century, inspiring many pacifists and anarchists to embrace a non-violent, anti-authoritarian vision of social change.
Translated by Constance Garnett