Exploration of different forms of non-violent resistance is the basis of a seminar titled “Considering Civil Disobedience” to be held Tuesday at the Wesley Foundation.

The seminar also will focus on theory and practice for building an affinity group in organizing for non-violent action.

The Rev. Bill Kuntze, director of the United Methodist Foundation at the University of Chicago, will conduct the seminar at 7 p.m. at the Wesley Foundation, 633 W. Locust St., DeKalb. This program, which is free of charge and open to the public, is co-sponsored by the Interfaith Network, the John Lennon Society and United Campus Ministries.

Kuntze is an adjunct faculty member at Chicago Theological Seminary. He is also an active member of the national Methodist Federation for Social Action and served during the past year as the federation’s vice-president. Kuntze said his duties consisted of organizing various direct action responses on local and national levels to social issues involving apartheid and Central America. He has pastored at three Chicago-area churches and is serving in campus ministry.

Jim Thomas, faculty adviser for the JLS, said he supports co-sponsoring the seminar because civil disobedience has a long and distinguished history and a seminar would ensure that people understand what civil disobedience involves. He said teaching civil disobedience is a viable strategy because it gives an alternative to violent activity. Thomas said, “Most people who believe in civil disobedience are not violent.”

The Rev. Eric Dale, a minister from United Campus Ministry, said the ministry is co-sponsoring the event because “we’re concerned about the situation in Central America with our government and church people down there. The situation is in contradiction to what our government is telling us. The message is people are struggling for freedom, and the U.S. government should leave because they’re making things difficult.”

Dale said the main idea of the seminar is to review theory and practice of civil disobedience. “People need to know what is involved and training is necessary for civil disobedience. Experiences show it’s important for people to know what they’re doing,” he said.