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Pacifism

Submitted by inderc on November 24, 2006 - 1:02pm.
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In an age of growing militarism and religious fanatacism, those seeking an alternative vision for life on this planet might look to the simple ideal of pacifism.

Pacifism is the belief that war and violence cannot and should not be used as a way of solving disputes. Like any other type of human action, the use of war and violence is a learned behavior. When we are born, we arrive onto a planet that has been mired in warfare for at least the last 6,000 years; even today, the battle grounds of ancient Mesopotamia are being rebaptized in the blood of 21st century warfare. Because we grow up in communities and nations which have forgotten the value of peace and non-violence, we stop questioning the insane levels of coercion and oppression which continue unabated across much of the Earth.

But because these behaviors are learned, it means that it is eminently possible to discard war as a way of life and to embrace the basic tenets of a peaceful existence.

...read the rest: http://www.demandmore.org/2006/02/14/pacifism/

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pacifist

Submitted by shanna_graves on December 6, 2006 - 2:07pm.

that was one of the best definitions of a pacifist ive heard in a long time. most people argue that pacifists are the way they are because they are scarred to get hurt and they dont want anyone to dislike them so they agree with everything and everyone. i think if more people read this passage they might relize they reason they strick out against others is because they have lost touch with their deeper emotions and themselves.
but if people refuse to come to terms with their flaws and stop doubting themselves, we may just continue to sell our souls and humanity for designer jeans and money.

I think you would all

Submitted by Imagining Ourselves on December 4, 2006 - 5:43pm.

I think you would all appreciate the content and issues being raised through this website www.imow.org It is an online gallery on war and dialogue. A new theme went live on Friday about peacemakers and it highlights the work young women from around the world are doing in an effort to spread peace. Enjoy!

Imagining Ourselves
International Museum of Women
PO Box 190038
San Francisco, CA 94119
telephone: +1 415-543-4669
telefax: +1 415-543-4668
www.imow.org
ioinfo@imow.org

Bloody*Centuries

Submitted by Rainbow Brain on November 27, 2006 - 1:54am.

i*have seen, lived though and been involved in many conflicts and wars, and there is always a third option in which to place ones loyalty, that of peaceful disagreement, never have i*been compelled to agree with the polarization of fear, as it is far more desirable to die in truth, than to suffer in fear.

For the Profits of Peace are of higher value than those of War.

— Bruce Larson*Moore
The Last*War

Olivia Madin I am in

Submitted by dragonfly on November 24, 2006 - 1:09pm.

Olivia Madin

I am in absolute agreement with you, it is humans who teach and learn how to be, use and adapt to violence, so therefore, as a powerful, sometimes sickeningly so dominent species can we not learn, adapt and live to the method of peace? An ideal is surely adaptable. It is the mindset that war and violence etc. have to be an inevitable, and i just don't believe that is the case unless we tell ourselves that- we have to choose what we want, if we want violence we will make it happen, if we want peace surely the same concept applies.