Is This the Way to Peace?

The death of on May 2 prompted a debate of whether or not it was appropriate to take his life in that Navy SEALs operation.

Many people went out into the streets to cheer the death of this long-sought-after mastermind of 9/11. His demise brought a collective cheer for those who bore the sting of that fateful day.

Yet a controversy has stirred over the justification to kill him, just as the debate over the wars, torture and detainee camps has continued. We're beset by many social ills: human trafficking, exploitation, domestic violence, drug and gang killings, as well as the general lack of mercy and compassion some people show each other.

Lots of Opinions

There are opinions on all sides of the political and social spectrum on these issues.  Today I would look at it all as a part of an overall spiritual dilemma. How do we obtain peace and compassion in the world today? By peace, I mean lack of war and strife and an overall sense of coming together and community.

The bigger question: Is it even possible?   I would like to consider it through the expressions of three pacifists. There will be discussion and debate over some of their quotes.  

What Did Jesus Say?

First, I would consider the words of Jesus not necessarily in a religious context but simply as words put forth to live by. He said in Matthew 10:34, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” Is he telling his followers that the only way to obtain peace is by fighting?

In straight context it would appear so, but in Matthew 26:52 he says, “Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.”  

The majority of the sermons by this man were on love and peace, but here are two different versions of his words. Is there any wonder that many who follow various spiritual doctrines and teachings may have some conflict as to fight or stay?  

Yet there is little doubt that the whole of Jesus’ message is more about our ability to get along and have compassion for each other.

Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.

Mohandas K. Gandhi was another teacher of nonviolence. He said, "There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no causes that I am prepared to kill for."  

Martin Luther King Jr., clergyman and civil rights leader, left some powerful quotes in the book Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? He said, “The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate.”  

When Will It End?

The irony is that each of these peace-loving men was killed just as the non-peace-loving bin Laden was killed. So in the end I ask: Where does the circle lead us? Is it to peace or destruction? Where is the key that will rectify this situation, and does it reside within us?