Theos-Talk Archives (August 2004 Message tt00673)

In a message dated 08/27/04 11:52:52 PM, bartl@sprynet.com writes:

>W.Dallas TenBroeck wrote:
>> 4 Ironing out difficulties and misunderstandings does not entail
>> violence or war. The curious and unanswerable question is: Why should 
>>I or anyone else, try to kill a perfectly unknown person or persons? Who
>> benefits by death or the maiming of others? 
>> 
>> 5 On the face of it, war is inexcusable, as also tyranny, terrorism,
>> and every kind of selfishness.
>
> In that case, what should we do about tyranny, terrorism, and every 
>kind of selfishness?
>
> According to Buddha, what do we do when our only choices are inexcusable?
> 
> Bart

There are many other choices. Go with the flow. Bear it. Turn the other 
cheek. Duck. Hide. Peacefully resist. Search out and corral the tyrants and the 
terrorists and restrain them individually. Teach the selfish the error of their 
ways. But, don't make war on a country and kill its innocent soldiers and 
people because you disagree with those who govern or control it. To the ordinary 
people of any country, war -- which is always based on the politics and greed 
of the few -- makes no sense whatsoever. 

Although, as Krishna pointed out, when they (the tyrants) come at you with 
their armies and weapons for purposes of conquest, control of raw materials, 
revenge, annexation of territory, religious and political conversion, market 
consolidation, globalization, etc. -- there may be no other choice than to protect 
your life, home, family and friends, and oust the usurpers with whatever 
means are available. But, if you can't do that, surrender your armies and take up 
the defensive fight from the hinterlands -- without resort to violence, if 
possible (but sometimes, when attacked, its the only alternative). Case in 
point, the current conflicts in the middle east -- which parallels the plight of 
the native Americans in the 19th century. Might doesn't necessarily make 
right. 

Leonardo