(no subject)
I was talking with someone about the difference between a pacifist and someone who practices non-violence. In some ways, there isn't much difference, but I try my best to follow non-violence towards all creatures, but I don't really consider myself a pacifist. My choice to not kill or harm other living things is a somewhat recent one, and I think I have a pretty balanced approach to it. If I can help it, I'd rather not squish a spider, and I certainly will make every attempt to not physically harm someone unless it's a matter of self-defense. But I don't have any immediate plans to become a vegetarian (though I've thought about it), I'll swat a mosquito that's on me to avoid being bit, and I do realize that the act of brushing my teeth or cleaning my toilet causes the deaths of thousands of living creatures and I'm okay with that.
I don't really consider myself a pacifist, though, because I don't aspire to some global ideal of peace. I'm a pretty cynical guy, really, so I definitely won't expect the same level of compassion from anyone else, let alone try and make the argument that war is unnecessary or that it's even possible for humanity to avoid violent conflict. Obviously I don't want someone else to injure or kill me, but I think that realistically we live in a turbulent world and violence is a part of it. There is suffering because of it, and I have chosen not to add to this suffering if at all possible and nothing more - I've made a personal commitment respect the (assumed) wish of every living creature not to be hurt.
I don't really consider myself a pacifist, though, because I don't aspire to some global ideal of peace. I'm a pretty cynical guy, really, so I definitely won't expect the same level of compassion from anyone else, let alone try and make the argument that war is unnecessary or that it's even possible for humanity to avoid violent conflict. Obviously I don't want someone else to injure or kill me, but I think that realistically we live in a turbulent world and violence is a part of it. There is suffering because of it, and I have chosen not to add to this suffering if at all possible and nothing more - I've made a personal commitment respect the (assumed) wish of every living creature not to be hurt.