Thoughts about War

We did an episode of the radioshow "Heartmind" called "Between Iraq and a Hard Place." In that show, we contended that friendship is a galaxy more important than political views. Others would disagree, and they are, and should be, free to do so. But since friendship is an expression of Love, nothing rates higher. Re the show, and I said this on the show, pro-war advocates will see the show as anti-war, and anti-war activists will see it as pro-war.

It was a genuine, honest attempt to be objective, and to avoid one-sidedness, judging one "absolutely right" and the other "absolutely wrong." Even bush does not have enough data to make solid, good, reasonable decisions, and we are privy to only ten percent of his data. The show was essentially a plea for us not to fight each other in this country over fighting others in other places! It was a call for both sides to lay down the sword of partisanship, stop hating people who hold views different from their own, and come together in unity over the only issue that has ever mattered: Our duty and ability to get along in peace, agreeing kindly and politely to disagree. This thing, unfortunately, some regard as a jihad or "holy war"-- not that such a thing could ever really exist! I have noticed that some seem especially sensitive, and to take every statement personally, regarding disagreement as either a personal slap in the face, or, worse, as treason! But that is only my experience.

As a general spiritual principle, I am of course against war. But what about a "just" war? Fortunately, history allows us to set up clear criteria for defining a "just'" war. (And even that is a term which, as a lover of peace, is already a compromise, in order to maximize elasticity and friendliness.) In order to be a "just" war, a conflict must meet certain criteria. These include:

1) It must be approved by, and occur in harmony with, international law.

2) The war must be fought against ONLY soldiers, who are prepared to die for their cause. It must not kill civilians. (The Iraq conflict has killed 100,000.)

3) The war must result in a measureable, or even obvious, improvement in the social order.

4) The war must be fully sanctioned and approved by the society of the aggressor.

5) It must be an ultimate last resort.

6) The violence of the attack must be equivalent or comparable to the violence expressed by the attacked.

and 7) There must exist no other viable alternative, diplomatic, economic, or otherwise.

In all honesty, I cannot see where this war meets all seven criteria. In fact, it might well meet none of them.

Anyway, for what it is worth, here's just another opinion to throw into the recipe!

I have been rather severely "burned" for taking a peaceful stance. But I cannot possibly blend into a neutral background gray and say nothing. I have lost a friend over this issue; but when he stormed out of my life in selfrighteous anger, masking timid defensiveness and ultraselfconsciousness, I knew at that moment that he was never a real friend.

Spirituality expressed as friendship is much more lasting and important than today's political issues, which will be gone tomorrow, and forgotten soon.