Originally posted by ivanhoePeace is that little interlude between wars when we think up new ways of killing each other.
Let's talk about peace.
You go first .....
It is highly over-rated. Most of what we call "progress" is the result of the needs of war.
It seems to serve a need. I just don't know what it is. Considering that the vast majority of the citizens of earth ignore who and what is allowed to take them as slaves.
Peace is the dream of fools.
Peace comes on us in the night and robs our daughters of their virginity, and steals away our women as concubines and our sons as food for the dogs of war. It leaves us alone wondering why all others are not as we are.
"Peace is the drug of the masses. They inevitably become drunk on it and fall victim to the sober."
I like that last one. Another famous old saying I just made up.
Originally posted by frodomustdieDid you just presume to tell us what the Christian God does or doesn't do? I mean, have you read the Bible, honestly?
I agree entirely. G-d does not pick a favorite country, if he exists at all.
I know Nemesio will come down on me saying "You're so rude Darfius for assuming something that is painfully obvious but might be wrong." and other P.C. garbage, but anyone with even a remote knowledge of the Bible knows that God blesses those who bless Israel and curses those who don't.
Let's look at the state of the Middle East. Do they hate Israel.
Let's look at the state of the US, Israel's only ally. Only superpower?
Must be a coincidence.
Originally posted by silver fern
youll need to expand a bit here cause your statement reeks of idiocy but i'll give you the benefit of the doubt until i hear further
It's quite simple. Morality , particularly secular, will fail as soon as a person's welfare is at risk. Irrespective of one's respect for one's neighbour, when the existance of one's own life or that of one's family is put in danger, baser survival instrincts come into play. This may imply fighting over food from a supply truck, fighting over arrable land or drinkable water, or simply fighting over breeding rights. A good example would be the Banthu who migrated from the borders of Cameroon/Nigeria. Their superior knowledge of metalwork enabled, lead to increased population and increased requirements for natural resources.Thus, they conquered adjacent tribes and assimilate those woman into their tribe. The same is the case for the Zulu nation, which perhaps sensed the threat of the Banthu and began to build up a larger nation by assimilating smaller nations. Neither these nations had any significant religions. These examples are not isolated, one has to only look at warfare in the Far East where religion played virtually no role in any significant wars.
Placing any blame on religion due to the latest conflicts in Iraq, or Middle East is rather short sighted. Ofcourse you are conveniently ignoring
the Faulklands war, Vietnam, WWI and WWII, Boer war ect.
Religion is the only obvious answer to peace. As such a faith where one can love one's enemies and fellow human beings above one's own interests (eg: rather giving your last loaf of bread to your neighbour that feed yourself) is the only solution to lasting peace. Provided every nation employed respect and compassion for surrounding nations, we would never need to go to war. A more compassionate war tax on Germany after the first WW would have prevented the second WW, but ofcourse our shortsightedness would rather see us humiliate and repress our enemies that help them out at our own cost.
So no, removing the one belief that promotes passifism and empathy is pushing the thorn further into the flesh.
pc
Originally posted by silver fernSorry, I must disagree....
take away all religion and its effects and you have peace
It is not religion but rather the human desire to feel powerful and in control which leads to war among a host of awful things....
Religion is the excuse, patriotism is the excuse, rightousness is the excuse....
How many threads have you read which denigrate into a childish cycle of I am right and you are wrong? Each poster determined to have the last word....the language and attitudes of the speakers gradually becoming abusive and hate-full.
Peace is a lovely idea...but what have you done lately to promote peace? Have you refrained from the unproductive, unkind comment? Did you speak nicely to the person behind the counter who was/wasn't all that nice to you? Did you reach out to someone who was hurting or did you move past quickly? Did you let someone onto the highway or did you speed up? Have you been so busy making sure you got yours that you didn't notice that others went without?
Peace is a choice, not just on the world scale but in our homes and families, among friends and strangers in the things we say and do every day.
The best thing about blaming religion (or anything/anyone else) is it takes the responsibility for peace off your shoulders and places it firmly on the shoulders of a great big it and you are not responsible....
But you are, so am I, so is everyone...moment by moment we build peace or death for all...
Originally posted by Delmer
Peace is not external, it is internal. Every man can be at peace if he so chooses.
I agree, but it is a difficult path to follow.
-Jay Peata
Yes, it means accepting responsibility for one's existence and one's condition, no excuses. Not many are willing to do that. -Del