Pacifism in Religion and Politics
The subject of pacifism has been a long argued controversy. There is no simple answer to the many moral and ethical questions this issue raises. We find writings on pacifism in many of the worlds prominent religions. Although pacifistic views can seem to contradict themselves, the basic pacifist belief itself is multifaceted. Pacifism, however unpopular it may be, has deep-rooted connections with the religious, political, and moral dilemmas that seem to be developing everyday. To call oneself a pacifist today does not clearly define the personal beliefs or opinions of the individual. There are many different types of pacifists; however, the majority falls into the category of religious pacifists, grounding their beliefs against violence in the sacredness of life and the approval of a higher power. The idea of pacifism can range from an absolutist point of view to strictly conditional interpretations. For example, an absolute pacifist confronted with an aggressive attacker would rather forfeit his life than morally corrupt himself by using violence. This view is seen most often in belief systems that hold little value to this life. On the opposite end of the pacifist spectrum, there are many individuals that consider
Dr. King had a dream, so did Gandhi and Immanuel Kant. These men saw what the world was and what it could be, they spoke out in an attempt to better their world. As rational beings, Kant felt it was our duty to instill a state of peace; he wrote the blueprints for such a society in hopes that others would come to the same belief. Mahatma Gandhi said, "Be the change you want to see in the world." And he did just that, proving the power of peace. Dr. King's dream was for his children to live in a desegregated world, although this has still not been realized, his dream lives on. These men dedicated their lives to furthering peace and the advancement of their fellow man. The ideal of pacifism struggles on in today's world of terrorism and senseless killing. We must be reminded, there is always a better way. Violence is not the answer. Another peaceful visionary was Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King fought against the injustices the African American community were facing everyday. He refused to condone violent retaliation no matter what the circumstance. He saw the undeniable virtue pacifism gave his cause and he knew it would lead him and his people through the hard times they endured (Culliton 135-37). Like Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated for his beliefs and the courage to carry out his dreams. To the religious pacifist, the morality and virtue of their stance allows the individual to ac
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Approximate Word count = 969
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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