do you want to win the war on terror?
-
acbryan — 16 years ago(May 15, 2009 09:21 PM)
I prefer not to underestimate my opponents in a debate. Nor do I wish them any ill. In my personal view, violence in all forms, is wrong, and I find it absolutely inexcusable (with the possible exception of imminent threat of immediate death). But I'm happy to get other viewpoints about issues surrounding violence or social justice.
-
bcelts12 — 16 years ago(August 27, 2009 10:10 PM)
I'm sorry but "ending violence" would be about as easy as ending kisses or crying. It is an expression or re/action of basic human feelings. Most sane people would love an end of global violence but the bottom line is violence, or most importantly the threat of violence, is a means to accomplish what you want, especially when it comes to foreign policy. Its a sad truth.
-
marlinssuperfan — 16 years ago(August 28, 2009 11:04 AM)
I had completely forgotten about this thread and happen to be looking at some of my other posts when I stumbled across it. I shall do my best to explain beliefs in light of your argument.
In your second paragraph, you talk about how "Christians" do whatever they please in the name of Forgiveness. I must agree with you that this is a very bad philosophy. And most certainly one that is not preached in the Bible, unfortunately there are many people out there who call themselves Christians due to some experience that they have had in the past, but I would call into question whether or not they are actually Christians. Because, we are told in the Bible that by "their fruits," meaning actions and good deeds, we will see that they truly are Christians. Sadly, this is something that people see in the Christian church and rightly so say, "it's just a bunch of hypocrites" There is no one perfect except for Christ, but you are right in seeing that there is definitely something wrong with that philosophy. And God help me when I think that way.
Your analogy in the third paragraph seems to be slightly ill-fitting. While I do agree that it presents a valid problem, I am not sure that it fits the bill. For example, the Iraq situation, Saddam Hussein repeatedly threatened the United States and other countries. perhaps I am misinformed, but I am not aware of cases where innocents have been tortured and killed. While I will admit I am not the most up-to-date with the situation, I have not read or heard of that being the case. As a whole, I do not think that is what the United States' policies were going, nor have they ever become that. As far as whether or not any individual soldier has ever done that, I cannot imagine that there would not severe repercussions. Being as you cannot hear the emphasis in my voice allow me to repeat myself as to the severity of the penalties for such behavior.
You say that violence is in direct contravention of Christ's teachings, but I cannot help but wonder how much of the Bible you have read. This is one of the most common misconceptions about Christ's teachings. I am no Bible scholar, but I do try to read and understand as much as possible. First, the verse quoting "do not kill" is a gross translation error that particular version which has become one of the more popular arguments of pacifism in the Bible. The correct translation (if you recall the original text was written in Aramaic, and the new testament in Greek) is "do not murder." This can also be reflected in the commandments that God gave to the Israelites in the old testament. Also, I view the Bible as a whole, the new testament and the old are both part of the same book. Christ did talk about how he came to complete the law, rather than abolish it.
Now, the verse mentioning "turn the other cheek," this has to do with insults. A back handed slap in the time of Christ was a deep and provocative insult. If you were to be slapped on the cheek, turning your face would allow the slapper to have a backhanded slap opportunity. I do not believe that it can adequately be used in an argument against violence.
Thirdly, you mention the phrase "the meek shall inherit the earth." Forgive me if I am missing the point, but meekness, especially how it is referred to in this case, is about a spiritual state. Not being proud or arrogant. But understanding that I as a human am fallen and do commit sins. I am failing to see how it construes an anti-violence message. -
Midwesternman — 16 years ago(November 21, 2009 10:51 AM)
The only problem with your use of the Holocaust is that our involvement in WWII had nothing to do with that. Years before the US entered the war a ship with 930 refugees was turned back from Cuba and the US. The US involvement in WWII was purely self interest, nothing more.
every day may not be good, but there is good in every day -
thepartydjz — 10 years ago(October 12, 2015 01:02 AM)
acbryan is correct. The american idea that they are the only "proper" humans in the world is part of the reason terrorism occurs. You can't solve violence with violence. If your civilian family was killed by US bombs you would feel the same way as the terrorists.
The only way to stop terrorism is to remove the hate that causes terrorists to take action against the US. But most people are far too narrow minded to grasp this concept. -
ellextreme — 16 years ago(September 04, 2009 07:11 PM)
HAIL to you "marlinssuperfan"! Couldn't have said it better myself.
As I have never been to Iraq nor have I been in military service, my life or role in life does not fit YOUR demographic. But I am observant and am intelligent enough to grasp the content of what this Non-Western enemy of ours states with their own mouths.
My hearing is not hampered or hindered when I hear their words exclaim that every American is "the great Satan or infidel" and that we should be anihilated for our very way of LIFE. THEY MEAN EVERY WORD OF IT!
As many have realized (those who have their eyes open in any case) as I have, that I would much rather our fight be on soil outside the United States or the continent of North America. And it is critical that we maintain our strength as "one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for ALL".
We must deal with and realize that our enemies, who are non-western, do not see life on earth this way. They view it as quite the contrary.
By their standards or way of LIFE: There will be NO LifeNO Liberty, NO Justice, NO Freedom
And ultimately (if they had their way through terror) NO Just Pursuits which lead to: Life, Liberty, & Pursuit of any kind of happiness.
Keep all our troops in prayer DAILY and in conscious thought and meditation. I am grateful for all our troops' efforts, sacrifice, work, lives, etc.
"Speak softly, and carry a big stick."
By: Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt -
geniuskmc27 — 16 years ago(September 01, 2009 04:54 PM)
depends on what you define as terror, who you define as the victim.
anyway, i guess you want to win iraq and afghanisthan. donno about iraq but afghanisthan? are u kidding? no one was able to do that. mongols, alexander,mughals and in modern times british, soviet union and taliban. now it's america's turn to face the humiliation and retreat. the sooner the better, i guess. -
thinker1691 — 16 years ago(September 08, 2009 05:51 PM)
Peachesxo:
The answer is simple, no! First of all, how can anyone win a war
against something which does not exist. True, there are fanatical
people who do what you and I consider stupid. But they have no
established or central government, no state, no appointed
leader/spoke's man who can and will stand before world governments
and explain who, what and why they do the unthinkable. A shadowy
bearded man hiding in a cave is not a represenative leader.
In addition, winning is impossible as no one can say or describe
what constitutes a victory. Some would argue, that victory is when
these terrorist are dead. That would only be true if with the
death of the last terrorist, they leave no student who might want
to avenge them.
As for terrorism, that is an American invention. I challenge anyone
to offer a definition of Terrorist which does not apply to a history
of America which cannot apply to the native Americans, blacks or
Japanese, anything which Terrorists do today.
"If you make the world your enemy, you'll never run out of reasons to be miserable"