Armistice Day

Today is Armistice Day in the 100th anniversary year of the outbreak of World War I. That war caused the deaths of between 15 and 18 million people. May we strive to prevent such a tragic loss of life ever occurring again.

I am no pacifist. I know that war is sometimes necessary, but only ever as a last resort. Today there are many tensions in the world: the situations in Ukraine, the Middle East, Africa, and the Far East could escalate. I pray that the leaders of the world can find a way to get along.

It occurred to me that throughout history wars have held humanity back. If we had spent as much time and resources on human and technological development as we had on killing each other then we would be centuries ahead of where we are now.

I would like to see the nations of the world co-operating more, rather than being in competition. Even so-called allies, such as the EU and the US, see each other as rivals and place restrictions on trade.

Maybe I'm just an idealist. Hey ho.

Ecthalion wrote: Today is Armistice Day in the 100th anniversary year of the outbreak of World War I. That war caused the deaths of between 15 and 18 million people. May we strive to prevent such a tragic loss of life ever occurring again.

I am no pacifist. I know that war is sometimes necessary, but only ever as a last resort. Today there are many tensions in the world: the situations in Ukraine, the Middle East, Africa, and the Far East could escalate. I pray that the leaders of the world can find a way to get along.

It occurred to me that throughout history wars have held humanity back. If we had spent as much time and resources on human and technological development as we had on killing each other then we would be centuries ahead of where we are now.

I would like to see the nations of the world co-operating more, rather than being in competition. Even so-called allies, such as the EU and the US, see each other as rivals and place restrictions on trade.

Maybe I'm just an idealist. Hey ho.

Thanks for posting this! I used to consider myself to be a complete pacifist, but have lately assumed a position that's similar to yours (in that war, as a last resort, is sometimes necessary). The thing I'm not so sure about is the idea of wars holding us back. Many of the most useful technological advances in human history were direct or indirect consequences of trying to stay superior to the "enemy". Lately, this has, perhaps, been replaced by capitalism: if something can be turned into cash, it's developed. A much better variant, in my opinion.

Also, some of our biggest humanitarian advances (e.g. the Red Cross) are reactions to the cruelty of war. As with so many things in life, we can't see clearly unless we have contrast.

I'll be reflecting on this in tonight's service .

Ecthalion wrote: It occurred to me that throughout history wars have held humanity back. If we had spent as much time and resources on human and technological development as we had on killing each other then we would be centuries ahead of where we are now.

Actually that is the complete opposite of what happens. War creates an abundance of jobs, wealth, and technology. If it was not for WWII, we would not have many of the things we posses today, due to the creation of the atomic bomb. A lot of other technologies were created from that. WWII also created the Autobahn to use to quickly move troops, tanks, etc across the country. Before our invasion of Germany we did not have our modern highways, however the highway system was created after WWII, when we saw the usefulness of the Autobahn. As well in WWI, the creation of the tank resulted in modernizing the construction industry.

Cyan Sarden wrote: Also, some of our biggest humanitarian advances (e.g. the Red Cross) are reactions to the cruelty of war. As with so many things in life, we can't see clearly unless we have contrast.

I see your point, but isn't it a shame that disease and poverty was not a good enough motive without the need for war?

Revan Falton wrote: Actually that is the complete opposite of what happens. War creates an abundance of jobs, wealth, and technology. If it was not for WWII, we would not have many of the things we posses today, due to the creation of the atomic bomb. A lot of other technologies were created from that. WWII also created the Autobahn to use to quickly move troops, tanks, etc across the country. Before our invasion of Germany we did not have our modern highways, however the highway system was created after WWII, when we saw the usefulness of the Autobahn. As well in WWI, the creation of the tank resulted in modernizing the construction industry.

As I said to Cyan, isn't it a pity that we need war for a motive to advance? There are more than enough obstacles set before us by nature without fighting amongst ourselves. Was the development of the tank and the modernisation of construction worth the 18 million lost lives? Couldn't we have modernised without it?

Ecthalion wrote: I see your point, but isn't it a shame that disease and poverty was not a good enough motive without the need for war?

It absolutely is, but apparently, without contrast and duality, there's no progress. We're seeing the same thing again: Ebola has been killing people since 1976. Very little has been done in terms of funding research to beat the disease. Now that it's threatening the US and Western Europe, we get a vaccine within 3 months (several versions are being tested right now, including here in Switzerland).

Cyan Sarden wrote: It absolutely is, but apparently, without contrast and duality, there's no progress.

And that's where I'd like to see a change. Tackling problems before they become too large. We see a similar thing with environmental damage - we don't tackle it until it's almost too late. The same goes for war. In my opinion most of the wars we've had could have been avoided. But like I say, I'm probably an idealist and the world won't change. I'll still keep trying nonetheless.

Krishnamurti, "Freedom from the Known", p. 7 :

We are each one of us responsible for every war because of the aggressiveness of our own lives, because of our nationalism, our selfishness, our gods, our prejudices, our ideals, all of which divide us. And only when we realize, not intellectually but actually, as actually as we would recognise that we are hungry or in pain, that you and I are responsible for all this existing chaos, for all the misery throughout the entire world because we have contributed to it in our daily lives and are part of this monstrous society with its wars, divisions, its ugliness, brutality and greed - only then will we act.

Nazi germany could accomplish quite a lot without the need for war. In fact I'll be bold and claim it was probably the most effective form of government ever.

But this is about WW1, and that started when austria's franz ferdinand got shot, and all sorts of alliances played out and as a result of that millions who had absolutely nothing to do with any of it died.

I would like to see the nations of the world co-operating more, rather than being in competition. Even so-called allies, such as the EU and the US, see each other as rivals and place restrictions on trade.

Based on historical events and common sense, I'd say that alliances are the greatest threat to peace. we have the UN and we have war. We created nato (loose political alliance), and all it seems to do is attack random harmless countries for political reasons that don't benefit anyone anywhere. Want peace? How about everyone does their own thing in their own corner.

ren wrote: Based on historical events and common sense, I'd say that alliances are the greatest threat to peace.

I can see your reasoning Ren, but would have to disagree.

There had been constant war between the different states in Europe from the fall of the Roman Empire until 1945 - approximately 1500 years. Since the formation of the EU allied these states together there has been a state of peace in Europe unknown before.

Regarding the UN - yes, there are still wars but I suspect that theses are much fewer in number than they would have been without it.