tibet and the dalai lama

can violence ever be justified?

In all of the world’s great religions, there is a law that prohibits taking the life of another human being.  Taking away the life of another is one of the most immoral acts that one could ever do.  In Chrisitianity we have the commandment, “Thou Shalt Not Kill”.  And yet, in or society it seems there is a time  and place for killing, which is when one goes off to War to fight for one’s country.

I just watched a movie directed by Clint Eastwood called “Flags of Our Fathers”, about the battle between the American and Japanaese forces on Iwo Jima.  The heroes never really considered themselves heroes.  They didn’t feel good in taking the lives of the enemy soldiers.  How could anyone feel good about that in the long run?  And many soliders suffered psychological torment and years of nightmares because of their experiences in the war…  watching their fellow soldiers die as well as having to kill enemy soldiers in the so-called process of War.

Now the main point in justifying any act of killing another human being is in the act of “self-defense”.  This could be a small scenario of having one’s one life be threatened by another person, to the act of defending one’s country because of the threat of terrorism and violence by another country.  And it is in this sense that I too am still questioning my moral logic as far as killing goes.

But that’s the dilemma I see.  Everyone will tell you that to kill another person is wrong.  Even taking the life of a killer just feels wrong to me.  The executioner can feel justified and the courts and the judicial system, but me personally…  I just don’t feel right about it.  I don’t always believe in “an eye for an eye” because that kind of logic might perpetuate any animosity and hatred.

As Gandhi said, “an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind“.

If anything, it is always best to resolve any conflict and hatred in peaceful terms.

But the question remains…  Can violence ever be justified?

Can the killing of another human being ever be considered the right thing to do?

My mind tells me that it is more sacred to respect life to its fullest.  And to honor and obey whatever moral teachings we come to believe.  And hope and pray we never get into a situation where we would have to decide….

make love, not war!

I am a steadfast follower of the doctrine of non-violence which was first preached by Lord Buddha, whose divine wisdom is absolute…
—-the Dalai Lama

With the current developments happening with regards to the War in Iraq and the possibility of another War with the country of Iran, it’s been pretty heavy on my mind, this whole thing about War.

I keep asking myself, if I a leader like President Bush, would I end up like him and doing the same things? Or would I try my best to resolve certain world situations by peaceful means?

It just seems ironic, that people who consider themselves religious like President Bush, can wake up every morning and not feel guilty about sending a lot of people to War.

It would be perfectly logical to defend oneself if one is being threatened. But, I wonder if the circumstances unfolding is a result of us, the U.S. protecting ourselves and the world from further attack by terrorists, and possibly by a nuclear threat?

Something to think about, I know…

All I know is that humans have been a violent bunch of beings. Maybe it’s ingrained in us that to resolve any problems in our life that may threaten us, we resort to violence, death and destruction in order to protect ourselves and achieve resolve.

I for one, am peaceful by nature.

I’d like to think that I’m the same as the next person. And I’m assume that most people around the world aren’t looking for War, and would rather find a way to resolve any problems peacefully and without the use of violence.

Leaders, like President Bush, should be more responsible and more open to the people’s thoughts and feelings. With current polls suggesting that his approval rating is around 30% (the lowest in his career) and with more than 65% against the War in Iraq and sending 21,500 more troops… shouldn’t he listen to the American people?

I am almost positive that he would never send his own children to battle in Iraq. Why would he think it any different sending other people’s children to die in a foreign country?

Just something to think about…