Comments | mellowtigger: civil war and choice

mellowtigger

civil war and choice

Aug 26, 2009 20:25

I hope, when the time comes, that I have the presence of mind to escape. Failing that... I hope, when the time comes, that I have the bravery to die rather than kill. I'm not certain of my own pacifist leanings, but I can at least hope to be a better example of a thoughtful person than my attackers.

Some 15 years ago, my boss (on the political ( Read more... )

civil war, politics, religion

Comments 10

kauko August 27 2009, 04:07:36 UTC

Great, come the civil war I'm gonna be stuck living in the newly formed Jesusland :(

furr_a_bruin August 27 2009, 05:13:16 UTC

I'm sure we'll be able to set up some kind of Underground Railroad to get sane people out.

kauko August 27 2009, 05:48:46 UTC

Hell, if there's a civil war here I'm leaving the country :P

mellowtigger August 27 2009, 06:12:46 UTC

There are some nations where people make rational arguments about controversial issues. That's saying something, considering that God was telling these people to kill each other for generations. Perhaps there's still room for hope that people will take responsibility for their own attitudes and stop marching to the call of discord and destruction.

"Sinead's Hand"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ULdaSrYGLQ

Thread 5

furr_a_bruin August 27 2009, 05:18:17 UTC

I understand your point of view, I think - but on the other hand, I'm firmly convinced that it's a good thing when a violent, hateful person dies instead of a peaceful, kind one if there's no chance to avoid someone dying.

mellowtigger August 27 2009, 06:33:22 UTC

I don't know. I can make a rational argument in favor of violent resistance, but... I just lack an emotional conviction to go with it.

It's been many years since I last visited... perhaps I should attend another Quaker meeting, as my principles seem to be aligning ever closer to their own. (I found it very refreshing to be around people who sat silently and Listened, without succumbing to the compulsion to fill the silence with their own chatter.) On the other hand, maybe I've just watched too much Doctor Who in recent years and need to go watch some Star Trek "cowboy diplomacy" instead. *LAUGH*

bluebear2 August 27 2009, 07:03:47 UTC

Interesting article about human violence. I was telling some straight guy a few months ago that his idea that gays were in favour of destroying civilization was incorrect, that on the contrary, gays want more civilization/civility not the lack of it.

mellowtigger August 27 2009, 07:15:58 UTC

It makes for a long read, but for those who find it easier to watch television, I think this is the 20-minute piece that "goes with" the essay.
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/steven_pinker_on_the_myth_of_violence.html

arkanjil August 27 2009, 13:47:55 UTC

A civil war for the most part requires two sides that are roughly par in size, but what we have now, at least by the polls, is a significant rational majority and a very loud and rather easily led minority. 'Anything but Obama' isn't exactly a stirring battle cry, ya know??

Conditions like this do make for good insurgency breeding grounds tho, so it may work out either way. There's a graphic novel series called DMZ that explores that very option in extremely gruesome detail, right down to Manhattan being pulled apart on the front lines. I wouldn't make bets either way just yet, but, ah, the curse of living in interesting times...