War: the Pope says that mankind is in danger; strive for peace

[TagliatelliMonster]

Freedom isn't free. It must be fought for.

Ever since I was a little boy, till today, I have wondered why it is that some people hate freedom so much that they are willing to fight wars over it to destroy it and / or keep it out of their country.

I don't get it and I never will.

 

[ajay0]

I respect the Pope's initiative in this regard to nurture dialogue, mutual understanding and empathy so as to bring about peace. This is obviously the ethical thing to do.

A nuclear holocaust wiping out the U.S., Russia, Europe is a worse case scenario that can unfold , and I think the Pope is wise in understanding the situation and is trying to ensure it does not go out of hand.

 

[RestlessSoul]

Ah, a volunteer! Here, all unarmed, take this warrant to Putin in the Kremlin and arrest him and bring him back to the Hague. The charges are in that large book attached to the warrant.

Good luck!

I’m not sure I would have the courage required to oppose tyranny through non violent resistance, but I’m not inclined to reject the principle out of hand.

Where does meeting violence with violence take humanity? It brought us right to the precipice at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but it seems we have quickly forgotten that look into the abyss.

 

[blü 2]

Where does meeting violence with violence take humanity? It brought us right to the precipice at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but it seems we have quickly forgotten that look into the abyss.

So your solution to the Russian invasion of Ukraine is .... ?

 

[ImmortalFlame]

Where does meeting violence with violence take humanity?

This is kind of a broad question. Certainly, meeting the violence of the Nazi regime with violence took humanity to a far better place.

 

[RestlessSoul]

So your solution to the Russian invasion of Ukraine is .... ?

Fortunately, it’s not my job to provide one. I do however, remain sceptical about the preferred solution of the warhawks and warriors of the West. I understand the American impulse to send in the cavalry, but I’m unconvinced this is a job for either Custer or John Wayne.

Sending weapons to a war zone may lead to a short term peace (if it doesn’t bring on instant Armageddon), but history suggests that in the ashes of each conflict, are sown the seeds of the next one.

 

[muhammad_isa]

Sending weapons to a war zone may lead to a short term peace (if it doesn’t bring on instant Armageddon), but history suggests that in the ashes of each conflict, are sown the seeds of the next one.

We're waiting to hear 'minutes' from the G7 atm.
Meanwhile, NATO has said that it intends to continue supporting Ukraine.

 

[RestlessSoul]

This is kind of a broad question. Certainly, meeting the violence of the Nazi regime with violence took humanity to a far better place.

Maybe. But imposing severe terms on Germany at Versailles created the conditions in which the Nazis could flourish, in a region that was once at the heart of the European enlightenment.

You generally get a better perspective when you pan out and take a broad view.

 

[RestlessSoul]

We're waiting to hear 'minutes' from the G7 atm.
Meanwhile, NATO has said that it intends to continue supporting Ukraine.

I don’t see this ending well, for anyone. Let’s hope I’m wrong.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

By the way, remember the earliest of human families, according to the Bible. Cain slew Abel. Started right almost at the beginning.

Myth doesn't count.

 

[RestlessSoul]

Myth doesn't count.

Of course it counts. Myths endure only when they contain at least a kernel of wisdom, a universal truth which may not be factually correct but which remains relevant.

 

[blü 2]

Fortunately, it’s not my job to provide one. I do however, remain sceptical about the preferred solution of the warhawks and warriors of the West. I understand the American impulse to send in the cavalry, but I’m unconvinced this is a job for either Custer or John Wayne.

Sending weapons to a war zone may lead to a short term peace (if it doesn’t bring on instant Armageddon), but history suggests that in the ashes of each conflict, are sown the seeds of the next one.

My own view is that Putin's claims on Ukraine are baseless both in international law and in morality, and that the world is a worse place if he wins. I therefore support the war, and a Ukrainian victory.

You apparently disagree ─ let Putin win rather than fight him. I have no sympathy for that view at all.

Si vis pacem, para bellum.

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

Myth doesn't count.

In my opinion, the Bible is the ideal example to illustrate the ferocity of war or violence in general, whether its stories are factual or not, or whether they are copied and adapted from Greek mythology and other ancient pagan religions that preceded it. For instance, 1 Samuel 15:3 states that God commanded the Israelites to attack and not spare the Amalekites (killing every man, woman, child, newborn, and animal and destroying everything that belonged to them). And Psalm 137:9 states, "Happy is the one who seizes your children and smashes them against the rocks." So much for the biblical commandment of "Thou shalt not kill." In my opinion, the God of the Bible apparently has the mentality of "Do as I say, not as I do," making him the most hypocritical (detestable and barbarous) figure known to mankind. This article, "Violence in the Bible: Greatest Hits," has several other instances of severe violence in the Bible.

And I think that this article, "God as the original terrorist: 6 ways the Bible condones horrendous acts of brutality," should be read by every Christian who has the audacity to attack the Quran for its violence. In my opinion, the Christians who pompously criticize Islam and judge Muslims do not have the moral ground to cast stones. In my opinion, I don't think people should read the Bible, particularly the Old Testament, if they want to learn about righteous moral behavior. Personally, I don't think that the following incidents from the Bible serve as examples of righteous moral behavior: forcing a rape victim to marry her rapist; smashing the heads of infants against the rocks; ordering the execution of witches; God commanding his "chosen people" to kill an entire population of foreign nations for their land in a conquest to possess a "promised land," or God being irrationally angry and killing every living creature and eradicating the entire human race by drowning every living being (except for one family) in a worldwide flood, thus committing global genocide.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

I believe in the goodness of people and that we will establish peace soon.

And of course, human history helps you to believe that...

 

[YoursTrue]

Myth doesn't count.

What do you think? That the human "family" was peaceful from the start, that is, even if you believe in evolution? You think maybe these humans all got along real well with one another?

 

[YoursTrue]

In my opinion, the Bible is the ideal example to illustrate the ferocity of war or violence in general, whether its stories are factual or not, or whether they are copied and adapted from Greek mythology and other ancient pagan religions that preceded it. For instance, 1 Samuel 15:3 states that God commanded the Israelites to attack and not spare the Amalekites (killing every man, woman, child, newborn, and animal and destroying everything that belonged to them). And Psalm 137:9 states, "Happy is the one who seizes your children and smashes them against the rocks." So much for the biblical commandment of "Thou shalt not kill." In my opinion, the God of the Bible apparently has the mentality of "Do as I say, not as I do," making him the most hypocritical (detestable and barbarous) figure known to mankind. This article, "Violence in the Bible: Greatest Hits," has several other instances of severe violence in the Bible.

And I think that this article, "God as the original terrorist: 6 ways the Bible condones horrendous acts of brutality," should be read by every Christian who has the audacity to attack the Quran for its violence. In my opinion, the Christians who pompously criticize Islam and judge Muslims do not have the moral ground to cast stones. In my opinion, I don't think people should read the Bible, particularly the Old Testament, if they want to learn about righteous moral behavior. Personally, I don't think that the following incidents from the Bible serve as examples of righteous moral behavior: forcing a rape victim to marry her rapist; smashing the heads of infants against the rocks; ordering the execution of witches; God commanding his "chosen people" to kill an entire population of foreign nations for their land in a conquest to possess a "promised land," or God being irrationally angry and killing every living creature and eradicating the entire human race by drowning every living being (except for one family) in a worldwide flood, thus committing global genocide.

Seems the ferocity is continuing, hmm?

 

[Estro Felino]

I think there are co-workers in truth and co-workers of peace all over the world.
One is Tulsi Gabbard. She conveys an incredibly positive energy of goodness and stability.
Which is very rare in today politics, where there is nothing but spiritual turmoil and unruly energies.
Not to mention the negative ones.

 

[RestlessSoul]

My own view is that Putin's claims on Ukraine are baseless both in international law and in morality, and that the world is a worse place if he wins. I therefore support the war, and a Ukrainian victory.

You apparently disagree ─ let Putin win rather than fight him. I have no sympathy for that view at all.

Si vis pacem, para bellum.

I’m sure the war will be very grateful for your support.

 

[blü 2]

I’m sure the war will be very grateful for your support.

I'm sure Putin will be very grateful for yours.

 

[RestlessSoul]

I'm sure Putin will be very grateful for yours.

Not that it makes any difference, but I absolutely withhold my support from Putin, and from warmongers in general.