We all want a world where war doesn't exist. Hopefully we'll achieve that soon,

1. 78

   Say Yes To Lifeposted 9 years ago

   We all want a world where war doesn't exist.  Hopefully we'll achieve that soon, since war is one...
   
   ...factor that has gotten worse in modern times. Pacifism is one theory in doing away with war, but many Christians take it to the point where they're against self-defense! However, people who take that route set themselves up to be victimized by criminals, since they're obviously easy targets. On a global scale, that's how the Americas were taken over; the natives were told to "resist not evil", and "love and forgive their enemies".
   
   Buddhists are supposed to be pacifist, but they have martial arts, and Asian countries have resisted European takeover.
   
   What are your views on pacifism?
   
   

   replyreport
2. 96

   cat on a soapboxposted 9 years ago

   Pacifism is an individual's choice in responding to a threat. It can't be effectively enforced by any other entity.  In my own life, I try to exercise humility and forgiveness as well as accept other's rights to different viewpoints even though I may disagree with them. If I feel threatened in a serious way, however, I am going to fight back. All species are designed to react to danger with self-defense.  The key is self-control. Why fight when a growl is sufficient?  As far as war, I honestly don't think we will ever see an end to them. There will always be aggressive bullies and those who will die to defend beliefs and territories. If peace is to be a goal, it has to start with each of us in our daily routines.

   replyreport
   1. 78

      Say Yes To Lifeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your comments. I hope we can see an end to war, because at the rate we're going, we will annihilate the planet.
      Switzerland gave up war 500 years ago. It maintains neutrality by giving all males military training. Maybe this is a solution?

      replyreport
3. 61

   cjhunsingerposted 9 years ago

   Say Yes
   American Indians were not pacifists and they were not native to America, if that is what you meant here.
   As a combat veteran, I can tell you that peace is a wonderful thing and for the most part all people desire it. Pacifism is not a realistic position for the individual or for a nation. If you could wave a magic wand and all people would be absent ambition, drive, integrity, character and the sense of self preservation and protective instincts of loved ones, especially children, perhaps, we may have a world at peace. The question then would be, what would you have? This wand would also have to destroy all belief systems, to include the gods, as god tend to incited. Social and financial inequality would have to be destroyed and all people would have to have the same stuff,  eat the same food, wear the same clothes, live in identical housing and work the same jobs, with the same pay. There could be no sense of achievement of an individual, Freedom could not exist, but rather a molded individual who is no longer an individual, but a drone.
   When I came back from Vietnam, we were met by pacifists who called us an assortment of names, while smoking pot, using profanities and smelling like they had not bathed in years. My impression was that a pacifist is one who lacks the the individual strength of self responsibility and will take the easiest road and at the same time allow those who want to hurt you to hurt you and then claim to be a victim, wanting someone else  to protect their rights.

   replyreport
   1. 96

      cat on a soapboxposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Very good points! An example of a successful pacifist society would be The Shakers, and they live as you have described with no focus on the individual, nation, or world affairs- solely God.

      replyreport
   2. 78

      Say Yes To Lifeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      cjhunsinger - thanks for your comments. I'm SORRY you had such a nasty reception coming home!
      What you said about world peace - Iceland, the most peaceful nation on Earth, is not like that. Perhaps we can learn from them?

      replyreport
   3. 61

      cjhunsingerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Cat--Iceland has a very small and primarily an ingeniousness population and is not on the world stage. Its debt is almost at 100% of GDP and faces significant problems.

      replyreport
   4. 78

      Say Yes To Lifeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      cj - here is a link describing the most and least peaceful countries. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Peace_Index
      As you see, some are mixed and prominent.

      replyreport