Pacifism: opposition to war or violence as a means of settling disputes; specifically : refusal to bear arms on moral or religious grounds (Merriam-Webster).
When
I opposed the Vietnam War and went to prison rather than submit to
induction, I told myself that I did not qualify for conscious
objector status because though I was unwilling to fight in this war,
I could think of wars I would fight in, such as WWII. Over the years
having observed human behavior and conflict, I increasingly
appreciate pacifism as an approach to conflict resolution. The
tit-for-tat approach to conflict escalates strife while skilled
pacifism, again and again, at least in my experience, almost always
contributes to conflict attenuation and occasionally resolution.
Certainly on a personal level it is observable that when two people
are spoiling for a fight, a fight will usually ensue; but if one of
the parties proactively seeks to turn away wrath, the results can
seem almost miraculous when the peacemaker withholds the anticipated
countervailing force. Fairly rapidly the inverse of the dead-end
approach is effectuated as the would-be antagonist suddenly comes to
realize that the gentle efforts to control the situation by the
other party do not threaten his own power but seek to increase it
individually, and through co-operation, mutually.
Of
course, it is impossible to discuss this issue without the ghosts of
Hitler and Neville Chamberlain materializing in one's awareness.
Situations where cynicism and hatred utterly consume the perception of one's opponent make overtures to peace useless, or even worse,
inflame their passions even more. Some, like Christ and Martin
Luther King, Jr., have died because of an unwavering commitment to
“loving one's enemy,” and frankly recognized that death was
unavoidable or highly probable in the face of an opponent's abject
hatred. Such martyrs clearly believed that solid commitment pays off
in the long-run despite the immediate costs. Sadly in some sense, I
must place myself in the company of the martyrs; for I believe that in the
long-run love is more powerful and persuasive than hatred, and that investment in love, even if apparently foolish, is our only hope. I
am bound to this conclusion. I cherish holding on to my faith over and
above any worldly success or ambition.
Print Page
