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Jul. 24th, 2006 05:00 pmI've been learning a lot lately... One thing I've been considering quite a bit is pacifism...
As most of you know, I have considered myself a pacifist for over 13 years now. And I frequently get into debates with people over it. "What? You wouldn't defend yourself? You think war is ALWAYS wrong?" And my common answer is that violence is not necessary if we are paying attention to the warning signs that it is coming and do something before it happens. Which is usually true.
The problem is that we live in a society where we tell people not to physically hurt themselves or others, then turn around and bomb the crap out of some Iraqi village, obliterating families and children. How can people believe that violence isn't an answer when our society so clearly condones it (as long as it's the "good guys" doing the killing, that is)?
I bring this up because I have felt severely violent on and off recently. And I have felt weak for feeling that way, even though I have not followed through on any of the impulses which have taken over my brain like a crazy virus. But I finally reminded myself of this:
Pacifism does not mean that we never have the urge to be violent. It does not mean that we shirk the responsibility of dealing with our problems by saying "Hey, it's cool, man, peace and love" and just let it all go. Pacifism means recognizing that we humans are animals with instinctual natures. It means acknowledging those times that we want to strike out in rage- and then not following through. It means that each time we feel rage we step back and look at a new way to deal with that impulse.
I'm learning a lot about my beliefs... and that isn't something I would have learned if I hadn't felt the way I have in the past few days. So hooray to the universe for pulling a trick out of the crazy hat that is my life right now!
As most of you know, I have considered myself a pacifist for over 13 years now. And I frequently get into debates with people over it. "What? You wouldn't defend yourself? You think war is ALWAYS wrong?" And my common answer is that violence is not necessary if we are paying attention to the warning signs that it is coming and do something before it happens. Which is usually true.
The problem is that we live in a society where we tell people not to physically hurt themselves or others, then turn around and bomb the crap out of some Iraqi village, obliterating families and children. How can people believe that violence isn't an answer when our society so clearly condones it (as long as it's the "good guys" doing the killing, that is)?
I bring this up because I have felt severely violent on and off recently. And I have felt weak for feeling that way, even though I have not followed through on any of the impulses which have taken over my brain like a crazy virus. But I finally reminded myself of this:
Pacifism does not mean that we never have the urge to be violent. It does not mean that we shirk the responsibility of dealing with our problems by saying "Hey, it's cool, man, peace and love" and just let it all go. Pacifism means recognizing that we humans are animals with instinctual natures. It means acknowledging those times that we want to strike out in rage- and then not following through. It means that each time we feel rage we step back and look at a new way to deal with that impulse.
I'm learning a lot about my beliefs... and that isn't something I would have learned if I hadn't felt the way I have in the past few days. So hooray to the universe for pulling a trick out of the crazy hat that is my life right now!
