Ralstins Words

Recently I have heard a lot about pacifism and how it is the best option to stop pain. My discussions about this topic have left me with a firm belief that pacifism does not work. Now I know a lot of people state that violence does not work either, and they’re right. There is no long term solution. When possible one must find a peaceful solution to a situation. On the other hand, that is not always the option and violence is necessary. I will tell you how I came to this conclusion.

I went to an event sponsored by the philosophy house on my campus at Tabor College. The gentleman was a pacifist and the topic came up on how there would be peace in the Middle East. His statement was, “The international powers need to intervene and split Israel and Palestine up saying here is Israel and here is Palestine. Furthermore we should keep them from fighting till peace happens.” In a nutshell, strip the governments of their rights to govern and force them to get a long. At least there would be no fighting, right? The killing would stop? Nope. When asked how he would do this with out violence he stated, “It is a stupid idea that will never work. The reason being that you would have to do it with out violence.” See even that will not work because to have that work you would need violence. Furthermore taking away the free will of a nation because they can’t get along is not right. Help them reconcile yes, but we do not need to strip them of there sovereign right. So what do you do forcing them to stop won’t work, Violence has not worked so now what?
What if one side stopped fighting and resisted with out violence, slaughter house. There comes a point to where the aggressor doesn’t give a care about what they are doing. Well what about the world; they would care. Nope - there is genocide going on every day in Africa. Hear anything about it on the news? The world couldn’t care less. So where does that leave the nations that are caught in this struggle? They are left to fight, to defend one self.
Trent Voth said give him a million counselors and he could have peace in the Middle East. Nice thought but it kind of hard to do that when you’re dead. Now he would state Christ willingly died to save us and so we should be willing to do the same thing. Christ new that he would save lives. I rather harm one person and save thousands, have thousands killed to save one.
So where does this leave us Christians? In an interesting predicament. When the situation arises it is up to you. I firmly believe violence is the last option and as little as violence as possible to stop the situation. But furthermore it is a matter of the heart; what is the condition of your heart? Why are you committing this act of violence? Is it because of rage or is it because you are protecting people?
Pacifism has not worked neither has violence. Neither of these options are long term solutions. If they were we would be at peace now. So we need to come up with a new solution to the problem. If we really want peace we will find it. Christ showed us freedom and peace comes at the highest price - the price of blood. What will this mean for the world of the future? I welcome your thoughts and comments, please.