During the current pandemic crisis, we have seen innumerable acts of kindness, generosity, and help from individuals for individuals. That is so inspiring to see and read and makes me realise that "the milk of human kindness" is not just an empty phrase. It is in our nature to help others and to care about each other. We do this spontaneously.
So why, then are we also capable of unspeakable cruelties to each other?
Teachers such as Jesus and Buddha clearly state variations on "love thy neighbour", so why then do these "religious" countries go to war against each other? Of course it was a Christian religious leader who said that it's OK to fight non-Christians, because they were non-Christians, Pope Urban II with his call for the wars known as the Crusades.
The causes of war always boil down to one answer: the lack of peace in individuals. If we are not at peace with ourselves, then conflict will occur, just as night follows day. So the solution is equally clear: war will stop when the war in our heads stop.
Bob Dylan summarised his disgust with war in two memorable songs, and I reproduce the lyrics here. He uses the phrase "God on our side" as the titel of one song, where he points out the disgusting things people do to each other, all resounding to that phrase: we have God on our side! couple with this is his other song "Masters of War", in which he points out that those who die in these wars are not those who send the soldiers or build the weapons. Perhaps President Trump wouldn't be such a Dick if he'd not been able to avoid the draft. He is typical of those who let others pay the cost of their own vanities.
Here are the lyrics. The titles link to the videos of those songs.
"With God On Our Side" by Bob Dylan | "Masters of War" by Bob Dylan |
Oh my name it ain't nothin' Oh, the history books tell it The Spanish-American The First World War, boys The Second World War
Came to an end We forgave the Germans And then we were friends Though they murdered six million In the ovens they fried The Germans now, too Have God on their side I've learned to hate the Russians
All through my whole life If another war comes It's them we must fight To hate them and fear them To run and to hide And accept it all bravely With God on my side But now we got weapons
Of chemical dust If fire them, we're forced to Then fire, them we must One push of the button And a shot the world wide And you never ask questions When God's on your side Through many a dark hour
I've been thinkin' about this That Jesus Christ was Betrayed by a kiss But I can't think for you You'll have to decide Whether Judas Iscariot Had God on his side. So now as I'm leavin'
I'm weary as Hell The confusion I'm feelin' Ain't no tongue can tell The words fill my head And fall to the floor That if God's on our side He'll stop the next war With God On Our Side lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Audiam, Inc |
Come, you masters of war You that never done nothin' Like Judas of old You fasten all the triggers You've thrown the worst fear How much do I know Let me ask you one question And I hope that you die
© 1963 by Warner Bros. Inc.; renewed 1991 by Special Rider Music |
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