Link to article: http://www.readersupportednews.org/opinion2/268-35/9430-were-all-guilty-of-dehumanizing-the-enemy
My thoughts:
I think the article makes some good points, especially about the disconnect between behavior toward dead bodies vs live ones. I especially think the article finishes strongly, and I agree with the statement: "There is a final context for this act in which we are all responsible, all guilty." However, there are certain parts of the article where I felt the author was a bit soft on the soldiers. I was listening to NPR the other day and they asked people to weigh in on this particular incident. Lots of veterans called in and said this behavior was disgraceful. I agree with them. The world right now is full of evil, and that makes terrible things like war necessary, but that doesn't excuse acts like this. A good person may have to do bad things for a greater good, but a truly good person will never take pleasure in those things and will never do anything more than is absolutely necessary. It may be necessary for a soldier to kill an enemy. It is never necessary for a soldier to desecrate the body of an enemy.
Chris
Well said. Historically this is nothing new; in fact historically this is mild. But still, as people involved in our own time experience, we should and I'm glad some are, speaking out to limit this type of attitude and behavior.
ReplyDeleteIn keeping with the spirit of this Holiday remembrance. I have some thoughts intermittent with thoughts from Martin Luther King Jr.
ReplyDelete"Each of us lives in two realms, the "within" and the "without."
The “within” of our lives is somehow found in the realm of ends, the “without” in the realm of means.
The within of our lives is that realm of spiritual ends expressed in art, literature, morals, and religion for which at best we live. The without of our lives is that realm of instrumentalities, techniques, mechanisms by which we live.
Now the great temptation of life and the great tragedy of life is that so often we allow the “without” of our lives to absorb the “within” of our lives. The great tragedy of life is that too often we allow the means by which we live to outdistance the ends for which we live.”
Friend or Foe, loved one or complete stranger, Every person is invaluable to their Creator(God, Allah, Bahá , Shiva, Dadar, , Elohim, YHWH (pronounced Yahweh ), Bhagwaan, Jehovah, Higher Power, etc.). “The greatness of our God lies in the fact that He is both tough-minded and tenderhearted.” Having originated from the same Creator we are all part of one another. Therefore Every person should be invaluable to each one of us. When demeaning or hurting another person; ultimately we are doing so to ourselves. “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
The evil that exists in our human behaviors is no accident, but recognizing, overcoming, and abstaining from any behavior harmful, hurtful, or disrespectful to a fellow person or to ones self is the truest form of Love. “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
One would never desecrate the body of someone they love. One would never wish harm or Ill will toward someone they love.
“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.
Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction. So when Jesus says "Love your enemies," he is setting forth a profound and ultimately inescapable admonition. ...“
Which brings me to my very simple point. Love One Another.
“I have decided to love. If you are seeking the highest good, I think you can find it through love. And the beautiful thing is that we are moving against wrong when we do it, because John was right, God is love. He who hates does not know God, but he who has love has the key that unlocks the door to the meaning of ultimate reality.“
** Quotes from Martin Luther King Jr.