Tag: government

No More War

War has been an enduring aspect of human history, characterized by destruction, loss, and suffering. However, there are individuals who firmly reject the notion of war and believe in the sanctity of life. Let’s explore various reasons for this standpoint.

Some might argue that the sacrifice of human lives, driven by the profit motives of those who benefit from war, is ethically unjustifiable. Wars are often, if not always, fueled by propaganda rather than factual justifications.

One might wonder about high-ranking officials, even U.S. presidents who have ushered us into war, who are owners of the very military equipment manufacturers who supply both sides of conflicts, this sheds light on the hypocrisy of those individuals, their families, and those whom they associate with. The kind of people who might suggest in a down economy, “What we need is a good war,” to set things right and to increase profits.

There is an Inherent Value of Life

A. Life as Precious

The fundamental belief that life is sacred underpins my opposition to war. Every human life holds inherent value, and the act of sacrificing the lives of young men and women for the benefit of those who profit from war is morally unacceptable.

B. Ethical Considerations

From an ethical perspective against war, one questions the justification of causing immense harm and suffering to individuals, families, and entire communities. The devastating consequences of war extend far beyond the battlefield, impacting civilians, children, and future generations.

Wars Fueled by Propaganda

A. Manipulation of Public Opinion

War propaganda often distorts facts, inflates threats, and manufactures consent for military interventions. Public opinion, shaped by biased narratives, can be manipulated into supporting wars that lack genuine justifications, undermining the principles of informed decision-making.

B. Hidden Agendas

Behind the veil of national security or protecting democratic values, hidden agendas such as resource exploitation, geopolitical influence, or economic interests can drive conflicts. Fueled by hidden motives, war perpetuates a cycle of violence that benefits a select few while disregarding the genuine well-being of nations and their people.

Profiteering and Hypocrisy

A. Military Equipment Manufacturers

The profit-driven nature of war becomes evident in the actions of military equipment manufacturers. By supplying weapons and military gear to both sides of conflicts, these manufacturers prioritize financial gain over ethical considerations, perpetuating the cycle of violence and suffering. The glaring hypocrisy of this practice raises serious moral concerns.

B. Connections to Politicians and U.S. Presidents

The ownership ties between some military equipment manufacturers and U.S. presidents underscore the troubling conflict of interest. The involvement of influential individuals with a vested interest in war profiteering raises questions about the integrity and objectivity of decisions regarding armed conflicts.

Other reasons to avoid war at all costs include.

    1. Loss of Human Lives: War inevitably leads to the loss of countless human lives, including soldiers and civilians, causing immeasurable suffering and grief. Advocates against war argue that preserving human life should always be a priority.
    2. Destruction and Displacement: Armed conflicts result in widespread destruction of infrastructure, homes, and communities. Additionally, wars often force people to flee their homes, leading to large-scale displacement, refugee crises, and further human suffering.
    3. Escalation of Violence: Engaging in war can perpetuate a cycle of violence, where retaliation and counterattacks become the norm. This escalation only serves to deepen animosity, prolong conflicts, and hinder opportunities for peaceful resolutions.
    4. Economic Consequences: War drains significant financial resources that could otherwise be utilized for social welfare, education, healthcare, and infrastructure development. The enormous cost of warfare can burden economies for years, impacting societal well-being and hindering progress.
    5. Environmental Destruction: Wars have severe environmental consequences, including deforestation, pollution, and the release of hazardous materials. These ecological damages can have long-term implications for the health of ecosystems and future generations.
    6. Trauma and Mental Health Impact: The psychological impact of war extends beyond physical casualties. Survivors, including soldiers and civilians, often suffer from trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health issues. The long-lasting effects on individuals and societies cannot be ignored.
    7. Divisiveness and Polarization: War often deepens divisions within societies, fostering hatred, mistrust, and animosity between different groups. The social fabric of nations can be torn apart, resulting in lasting scars that hinder reconciliation and unity.
    8. Humanitarian Crises: Armed conflicts exacerbate humanitarian crises, as access to food, clean water, healthcare, and essential services is severely limited or disrupted. The most vulnerable populations, including children, women, and the elderly, suffer disproportionately.
    9. Diplomatic and Negotiation Failure: Advocates against war argue that peaceful negotiations and diplomatic efforts should always be exhausted before resorting to armed conflict. War can be seen as a failure of diplomacy, emphasizing the importance of alternative methods to resolve disputes.
    10. Uncertainty and Unpredictability: Once engaged in war, outcomes become uncertain, and the consequences may far exceed initial expectations. The unpredictable nature of armed conflict introduces risks that can spiral out of control, causing unintended consequences and further destabilizing regions.
    11. Cultural Heritage and Artistic Loss: Wars often result in the destruction of cultural heritage sites, artifacts, and artistic treasures that hold immense historical and cultural value. The loss of such irreplaceable assets diminishes the collective human heritage.
    12. Opportunities for Peaceful Solutions: Advocates against war emphasize that peaceful resolutions, mediation, and non-violent conflict resolution methods exist and should be explored fully before resorting to armed aggression. Promoting dialogue and understanding can lead to long-term stability and reconciliation.
    13. Long-Term Repercussions: The consequences of war can persist for generations. Post-war reconstruction, healing fractured societies, and addressing the deep scars left by conflicts require significant time, resources, and effort.
    14. Ethical Considerations: Many argue that war fundamentally violates ethical principles, including respect for human life, justice, and the pursuit of the common good. Avoiding war aligns with a moral framework that prioritizes compassion, empathy, and the dignity of all individuals.
    15. Global Interconnectedness: In an increasingly interconnected world, the ripple effects of wars extend beyond borders. Conflicts in one region can have far-reaching consequences, such as refugee flows, economic disruptions, and geopolitical tensions, impacting stability and peace globally.

These are just a few of the many reasons why individuals who oppose war believe that it should be avoided at all costs.

The opposition to war stems from a deep reverence for life and an understanding that sacrificing human lives for the benefit of those who profit from war is ethically unjustifiable. The prevalence of wars fueled by propaganda rather than factual justifications further underscores the urgent need to question the motives and consequences of armed conflicts.

Additionally, the hypocrisy exhibited by military equipment manufacturers who supply weapons to both sides of conflicts, including those with connections to U.S. presidents, demands a critical examination of the profit-driven nature of warfare.

By embracing peace as a core principle, we can strive for a world that prioritizes dialogue, diplomacy, and collective well-being over violence and destruction. This is an opportunity to make the world a better place.

 

Spirituality and Churches

As government continues to grow in strength and power, ever expanding, creating new ways to control the masses by brute force, creating new laws, monitoring and tracking our every move in an effort to make citizens comply, or fear punishment, those who are spiritually-inclined are expanding also.

Freedom of religion in the United States has afforded us the ability to have a particularly influential role in the making of a better world for those of us who hold to the idea of a brighter future for our children, their children, and generations to follow.

We pray for a better life and a better world. People who live in the United States pray more than in any other nation, and even those who profess that there is no God, even 20 percent of those can be found in the practice of prayer.

Among the medical community, the effect of prayer for healing and recovery is unrefuted, even though it may be disregarded as “placebo effect” in study after study (even double-blind studies) the results are exemplary.

Churches have the most powerful impetus for change of the human condition. Every day the less-than-desirables in the United States, the criminals, those who helplessly succumb to addictions, abusers (both legal and illegal), and other problematic members of society incredibly change their lives with the least amount of recidivism thanks to American churches.

Churches make the world a better place by reaching out to the disadvantaged, giving them a reason to live and encourage even the least of us to reach out and help to make the world a better place.

Thanks to churches, we see the reduction in crime, divorce rates, poverty, homelessness, drug and other addictions, depression and other mental health issues.

Churchgoers have a higher sense of obligation to do that which is right, self-esteem, achievement among family members, and greater contribution to the community at large. They are more proactive, have happier, healthier families, increased immune systems, and greater life expectancy.

Spiritually-minded individuals who profess a sincere connection to a higher power that does not forsake the regular assembly of like-minded people (regular church attendance) live happier, more productive, law-abiding lives, are more understanding, compassionate and loving of themselves and others.

The statistics express markedly and exponentially higher degrees of success and satisfaction in all areas of life between those who attend or gather together three times a month over those who gather once a month or less.

Many of us spiritually-minded Americans who are ever-evolving into higher versions of ourselves may have negative associations connected to the idea of church or recognized religious gathering. The time has come for us to embrace the idea of religious freedom as part of the expansion of our consciousness.

Spiritual growth need not be a solitary journey. As we know there is greater growth and more power for a better world when we combine our abilities with other like-minded people on a similar path.

We must ever be cognoscente about proceeding with such an idea in caution to prevent the interruption of our efforts by an oppressive ruling government.

Even though the founders of our country protected freedom of religion by declaring “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” in the First Amendment to the Constitution, effectively establishing a separation between church and State, since then, there have been attempts to integrate the church and state, giving government the final say in certain affairs of the church.

The primary method to control the church was for the United States to offer the deduction of financial contributions for exemption from tax debt owed to the IRS via registration of the church by filing as a non-profit 501(c)(3) status. Churches volunteer to do so to increase the financial support of their members, but also become a corporation in the United States, clearly aborting the separation of their church from the state.

A church as a non-profit organization of the United States of America achieves the status of a state-recognized licensed church. Doing so may waive its freedom of religion, ability to remain separate from the state, and allows government intrusion.

You can see it in action, churches being violated, shut down, priests, pastors, preachers, and teachers being forced to testify in court, violating the penitent privilege. Churches, which may have otherwise been considered as “sanctuary” are now subject to having their perimeters breached in the name of the state, and so many compromises made by voluntarily making a deal with the state.

Is there a better way?

If you can look around your community and not find a church which would welcome an expansion explorer, as yourself, maybe its time to create such a venue.

Could you be a part of this spiritual awakening and expansion?

Let your church be the antithesis of all those other churches.

It is your privilege, and your responsibility, after a time of healing, if you are so-called. You might be the key to providing a safe environment for others to find themselves, do their own deep inner work, in any way they see fit while being loved and supported by others doing similarly individual work.

My wish for you, for all of us, is that there is a church where any one of us would feel welcomed, supported, without fear of not being accepted or threatened, nearby.

This is the next step.