Let thoughts fly instead of missiles

Good and evil are not defined by national borders. Both can be found in every human heart. We humans tend to focus on perceived, external threats to our well being, while often ignoring or defending threats that live in our own heart. (By the way, have you noticed that the people who plan, start, and run wars are rarely the people who fight and die in wars?)

Pride often pushes peace aside. International con frontations can be defused by kindness and understanding or stoked by pride and contr ol. However, as long as nations take pride in their wars, peace will be hard to achieve.

History shows that humanity easily gives up on peace and embraces war, often using justifications like rights or defense. However, war reveals the wickedness of mankind as we inflict death and destruction on ourselves and each other. Even a famous general said, “War is hell.”

If peace was waged with as much money, effort, organization, training, and enthusiasm as war, this world would be a better place. Countries need a peacitary, a government funded, trained and sponsored corps of nonviolent peacemakers (as large as their military) to give us an effective alternative to war.

It’s hard to imagine peace that makes militarism unnecessary. Most people won’t even try. However, organized non-violence has been proven an effective alternative to war. Here are two examples: Indian independence and American civil rights. Perhaps children play war and not peace, because there are almost no role models for peace. We need more Gandhis and MLKs.

A true nuclear proliferation treaty would prohibit any nation (and anyone) from making any more nuclear weapons. Let’s try that!

Taking turns killing people is a deadly way to handle disputes between nations. Repeated retaliation between nations leads to an ever growing tally of death and destruction on both sides.

Early Christianity trusted in the risen Jesus and His spiritual weapons. See 2 Corinthians 10:4. Jesus said, “Love your enemies,” not, “Kill your enemies if you think they might be about to attack you.” To be nice to people (whether you like them or not) costs you little (except your pride) and will make the world a better place.

“Christianity has been growing at a fast rate in the last couple of decades in Iran.” –CBN News. Let’s be careful not to stop it!