By Ashley Herndon
OCEANSIDE, Calif. | With all that is going on today across this country, it makes me wonder what do people do to handle the pain?
Herndon
One of my mentors shared in a training class a few decades ago, “There is no such thing as stress, only the inability of some to handle outside pressure.” That took a little thought and practice to achieve. I try my best to live by that philosophy and actually sleep better, primarily because living a non-violent existence works.
Creative thinking and living the nonviolent life wins, without bringing religion into the discussion. It’s not easy, but possible and plausible. It was Gandhi who said “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” (I heard that as an undergrad at Mercer, but had to experience pain to understand.)
Violence and war are built into national budgets and have broken many countries and empires. Still, historical civilizations were and modern civilizations remain convinced of the efficacy of violence and war when discussions and events about how to handle violence arise. Imagine that: using the word modern in conjunction with the evil and horror of war.
Violence never delivers on its promises. There can be no war without violence and greed. They are accepted and absolute sins, practiced offensively for centuries by Western civilizations, praised by various religions and governments.
As a child I played “Cowboys and Indians” roaming all over the Morningside neighborhood, alternating between the roles. Being part Cherokee, I really enjoyed playing the Indian role. Then study intervened. I learned that by treaty all of northwest Georgia was Cherokee land. I was so proud. But then I learned gold was discovered in Dahlonega. We know the result of that discovery. Stop by Gainesville on your next trip and visit Chief Whitepath’s home on the Brenau University campus. It was moved from just north of Ellijay in Gilmer County. He and his people were forced to Oklahoma.
War, violence and greed are all seen today in the Ukraine, this war as an evil event. Ukraine has also given cover to too many here who practice the evil three in the USA. West Point graduate five-star general and former President Dwight Eisenhower realized: “There is no glory in war! War is Cruel.”
Do we enjoy creating pain for our fellow creatures? War, greed, and violence, whether they are political, verbal, or physical, are all enemies of life. They are not a de facto defender of values. Principled resistance (non-violence) is stronger and actually works. Violence only expands fear and usurps humanity.
Pope Francis advised, “There was a time, even in our churches, when people spoke of a holy war or a ‘just war.’ Today we cannot speak in this manner. Awareness of the importance of peace has developed.”
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