But where is the Quaker? In my limited experience, Quakers are the only sect to truly advocate nonviolence. All others seem to adhere to a belief that there is ‘a time for war and a time for peace’…
“Know thou, verily, the Sun of Truth hath shone forth with the lights of peace upon all regions. Strife and conflict will surely be removed from all the nations of the earth.” – Abdu’l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu’l-Baha,
Only one has those willing to die than take up arms and get involved in the world’s controversies. There are thousands right now serving in prisons because of their neutrality. MAJ
The core doctrines of most faiths advocate peace, even among Us & Them, advising that ultimate judgement be left to a higher power. Then tribalists cherry-pick, reinterpret, and use the resulting “religion” as one of many excuses to antagonize or exterminate Thems.
No matter what your religion, if any, a few simple principles should be universal:.~ Be kind…~ First do no harm…~ With malice toward none, with charity toward all…~ Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God….It doesn’t sound hard, does it? But our inborn human pride and arrogance can trump even the best influences on us.
When I volunteered for a “dustoff” (medivac with a 90% casualty rate) unit before going to ‘Nam, as a conciensous objector who preferred NOT to be put in the place of having to kill someone, only the Society of Friends (Quakers) of all the “Christian” sects supported me. I was sent to a “regular” unit, and within three days, my effort to avoid killing someone, was moot. CO btw doesn’t count if you don’t want to be forced to kill, but are willing, reluctantly morally, to have to defend yourself and fellow soldiers.
If you aren’t willing to commit suicide, you can’t have moral objection to participating in their wars, not matter how wrong, or pointless.
I am Buddhist in my personal philosophy now precisely because the “bible religions”, with only a few exceptional participants, stand for either violence, or hypocrisy on a grand scale.(and of course both, if there’s enough profit in wars for them.)
BTW: whether the Medal of Honor, or setting off your body bomb in a crowded square, suicide IS acceptable to “bible folks”.
^Being anti-war, especially stupid ones, does NOT mean you’re a total pacifist. When defense IS DEFENSE, the ultimate act of violence against the aggressor is still short on “morality”, but not defending yourself or your own, whether friends, or species, or the planet, also lacks moral responsibility.
What Wiley often points out with his barbs is that our greatest enemy; is stupidity.
I don’t see too many gun-toting Buddhists nowadays.
The town I live in was founded by the Quakers. The local college team calls itself, “The Fighting Quakers.”
I would love to be a pacifist, however, I can see circumstances when refraining from violence is immoral. If I have a clear shot at a terrorist about to set off a bomb, I’m taking it.
A bit, but not quite the whole story. Read Mircea Eliade’s “A History of Religious Ideas” Kinda dry and encyclopedic, but thorough and informative. Example: Judaism centers on one’s relationship with God, but over the years, how that is framed and practiced has changed over the years. Several ancient events severely altered these practices: the Babylonian captivity and the Roman destruction of the Temple and subsequent diasporization, to name two.
I wonder who will win the title — by killing the competition of course. How else can a religion prove it’s a Religion of Peace? By not leaving anyone else around to object.
wrwallaceii almost 9 years ago
Uh-oh… another take on the "We-ans and the They-ans theme.
Varnes almost 9 years ago
Again……
Dtroutma almost 9 years ago
Now if they only had a “Hellfire” back then, think of the millions of lives saved.
But, better duck again, Wiley.
Arianne almost 9 years ago
It’ll be a blast!
Argythree almost 9 years ago
But where is the Quaker? In my limited experience, Quakers are the only sect to truly advocate nonviolence. All others seem to adhere to a belief that there is ‘a time for war and a time for peace’…
tammyspeakslife Premium Member almost 9 years ago
Heeeeere we go again! O.o
phylum almost 9 years ago
now there is a real Circle of Jerks
Defective Premium Member almost 9 years ago
There are people that refuse to go to war today, because of the bible teaching non violence. I’m really surprised you haven’t heard of them.
Brass Orchid Premium Member almost 9 years ago
The winners will be either the Frisbetarians, who are out playing catch somewhere else, or the Pastifarians, who are reducing their sauces somewhere.
tripwire45 almost 9 years ago
Which one is the true religion. Oh, you mean the one always being pushed on us in news and entertainment media: “Political Correctness?”
Space_cat almost 9 years ago
Religion: The last refuge of a scoundrel!
whiteheron almost 9 years ago
Even without religion, humankind would find a reason to exterminate itself. I think that was the fatal design flaw.
Diat60 almost 9 years ago
I’m going inside with the storekeepers.
christina.roberts1 almost 9 years ago
en masse*
DutchUncle almost 9 years ago
The best attitude that I know of is Bahai.
“Know thou, verily, the Sun of Truth hath shone forth with the lights of peace upon all regions. Strife and conflict will surely be removed from all the nations of the earth.” – Abdu’l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu’l-Baha,
dabugger almost 9 years ago
Dispute among the pious self rigorous. When and where have we seen that before?
wilburgarrod almost 9 years ago
Love your brother or sister the same as your self.’know what I mean.
SgtCedar almost 9 years ago
Good old circular firing squad.
ZorkArg almost 9 years ago
Most pacifistic because they were the most Celibate. And now the most died out…
wherehaveallthetalentedartistsgone almost 9 years ago
If he’s going to deal in stereotypes at least he’s using more than just one this time. That’s a big step up for him.
MeGoNow Premium Member almost 9 years ago
I find it gets real peaceful when you’re the last one standing.
michaelpatric almost 9 years ago
OMG!
Beleck3 almost 9 years ago
lol, got to kill to save, humans create the idea of God to kill each other. my God is the only True God. us vs them
Gokie5 almost 9 years ago
Would you LOOK at all the weapons those guys are carrying! Come to think of it, Wiley could throw in a couple of women with weapons, too.
celeconecca almost 9 years ago
for background music, may I suggest some Morricone?
https://youtu.be/cWo__6Xn6Qs
johnschutt almost 9 years ago
Yup. Only one claims that title. Wiley shows his ignorance again.
Michael Jones almost 9 years ago
Only one has those willing to die than take up arms and get involved in the world’s controversies. There are thousands right now serving in prisons because of their neutrality. MAJ
David Rickard Premium Member almost 9 years ago
Religious war: two groups killing each other over who has the best imaginary friend.
Seeker149 Premium Member almost 9 years ago
The core doctrines of most faiths advocate peace, even among Us & Them, advising that ultimate judgement be left to a higher power. Then tribalists cherry-pick, reinterpret, and use the resulting “religion” as one of many excuses to antagonize or exterminate Thems.
thedogesl Premium Member almost 9 years ago
And the winner, as usual, is the one with the most guns.
mr_sherman Premium Member almost 9 years ago
A question is:Does your religion control your spirituality or does your spirituality control your religion?
PShaw0423 almost 9 years ago
No matter what your religion, if any, a few simple principles should be universal:.~ Be kind…~ First do no harm…~ With malice toward none, with charity toward all…~ Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God….It doesn’t sound hard, does it? But our inborn human pride and arrogance can trump even the best influences on us.
Dtroutma almost 9 years ago
When I volunteered for a “dustoff” (medivac with a 90% casualty rate) unit before going to ‘Nam, as a conciensous objector who preferred NOT to be put in the place of having to kill someone, only the Society of Friends (Quakers) of all the “Christian” sects supported me. I was sent to a “regular” unit, and within three days, my effort to avoid killing someone, was moot. CO btw doesn’t count if you don’t want to be forced to kill, but are willing, reluctantly morally, to have to defend yourself and fellow soldiers.
If you aren’t willing to commit suicide, you can’t have moral objection to participating in their wars, not matter how wrong, or pointless.
I am Buddhist in my personal philosophy now precisely because the “bible religions”, with only a few exceptional participants, stand for either violence, or hypocrisy on a grand scale.(and of course both, if there’s enough profit in wars for them.)
BTW: whether the Medal of Honor, or setting off your body bomb in a crowded square, suicide IS acceptable to “bible folks”.
Dtroutma almost 9 years ago
^Being anti-war, especially stupid ones, does NOT mean you’re a total pacifist. When defense IS DEFENSE, the ultimate act of violence against the aggressor is still short on “morality”, but not defending yourself or your own, whether friends, or species, or the planet, also lacks moral responsibility.
What Wiley often points out with his barbs is that our greatest enemy; is stupidity.
dflak almost 9 years ago
I don’t see too many gun-toting Buddhists nowadays.
The town I live in was founded by the Quakers. The local college team calls itself, “The Fighting Quakers.”
I would love to be a pacifist, however, I can see circumstances when refraining from violence is immoral. If I have a clear shot at a terrorist about to set off a bomb, I’m taking it.
Spyderred almost 9 years ago
The tragedy of history has turned on the twin spikes of greed and religion.
WileyLover almost 9 years ago
The Ultimate Peace occurs when all the Peace Lovers kill one another.
spaced man spliff almost 9 years ago
A bit, but not quite the whole story. Read Mircea Eliade’s “A History of Religious Ideas” Kinda dry and encyclopedic, but thorough and informative. Example: Judaism centers on one’s relationship with God, but over the years, how that is framed and practiced has changed over the years. Several ancient events severely altered these practices: the Babylonian captivity and the Roman destruction of the Temple and subsequent diasporization, to name two.
spaced man spliff almost 9 years ago
Keep up themes like this, Wiley, and you’ll have more comments than LuAnn !!
Rarely528 almost 9 years ago
P.S. Judging from some of the comments I’m a bit surprised no one has asked what a “eneral tore” is.
Rarely528 almost 9 years ago
I wonder who will win the title — by killing the competition of course. How else can a religion prove it’s a Religion of Peace? By not leaving anyone else around to object.
wrwallaceii almost 9 years ago
Just watch out for the ‘Cross’ fire folks.
lindz.coop Premium Member almost 9 years ago
Here come the “peacemakers” again…..
doris sloan almost 9 years ago
My money’s on the one that isn’t currently beheading everyone they can.