PEACE
Questions
- What causes war?
-
- Ignorance at top levels of government
- Most politicians who advocate war have little direct experience with it. Many chickenhawks have avoided military service.
- Competition for resources
- Petroleum
- Imports of oil from the Persian Gulf create economic pressure, as well as providing money to fundamentalist terrorists. You can help bring this to an end if you don't buy gasoline from these importers.
- Weapons
- Invasions occur either to reduce the armaments available to a competitor or to obtain rare weapons that are not easy to duplicate.
- Religious jealousy
- About half the human population of the earth subscribes to monotheistic religions. The vast majority of monotheists worship one male god because of that god's jealous refusal to allow rivals to be recognized. In effect, these religions validate jealousy as a basis for human behavior of individuals and societies. Jealousy, the demand for preferential treatment, inevitably leads to conflict.
- Political corruption
- Some examples can be found among Rep. Ron Paul's 35 questions about Bush policy toward Iraq.
- Fear
- Does pacifism rule out the use of force?
- Not always. Pacifism only precludes the use of violence (injurious force or the threat of it). There are many constructive ways to use force without causing injury. Restraint of children to keep them from harm and life-saving surgery are two clear examples.
- Would pacifists ever use violence?
- Most pacifists would take the life of an aggressor if there is no other way to save innocent lives. This may include self-defense.
- How can violence be discouraged?
- Disincentives
- If those who choose to employ non-violent methods of seeking their ends are rewarded with greater success than those who use violence, then violence will not be a rational choice.
- How can we remake society to reduce incentives for violence?
- Consult a platform for social change
- How can we protect our buildings from being toppled by terrorists?
- Consider these suggestions
Links
Wars of the World
Dalai Lama urges nonviolent approach to terrorism.
Do Taliban terrorists still depend on CIA support?
HOW TO KEEP TERRORISTS FROM COLLAPSING BUILDINGS
Find peace in political change.
Find peace in the Ajivika religion.
Questions? Comments? Send mail to aloe@rev.net.
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Last revised: 29 December 2005
visitors since 11 October 2001