Is Pacifism Ethical?

by cofty 76 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

• 

  jgnat

  Hold on a minute. JW's aren't pacifists. They simply don't recognize the sovereignty of nations.

  Where there is the draft, pacifists have the option to register as "conscientious objectors" and have themselves assigned to non-combative roles. As I understand it, JW's are not encouraged to take this option. Which seems stupid to me. It means jail and "martyrdom".

  As for pacifism itself, I wonder if it isn't a question of how big is your tribe. If your tribe is the whole world, then why would you take up arms against your neighbour?
• 

  perfect1

  Jgnat: JWS can and do register as conscientious objectors on religious grounds, but their application for such status may be denied. If they refuse service after denied application, they can and have been arrested and jailed (in the US circa 1970).
• 

  jgnat

  Thanks for clarifying, perfect1. I can't imagine why a Jehovah's Witness's application might be denied.
• 

  frankiespeakin

  Cofty,

  Reality Tunnel:

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lO7tGOr2NU0
• 

  tec

  Of course pacifism can be ethical. You don't become an unethical person by refusing to harm any others, just because someone else decided to come and harm you or yours.

  But so can defending yourself and your loved ones be ethical.

  Slim also makes a good point (or rather, cuts to the chase). So maybe another question to keep in mind when asking oneself this question is: how many wars do you know of, that are ethical?

  Actually, Cofty, you kind of answer the question in your first post when you refer to killing your enemies is sometimes the 'lesser of two evils'. I agree with that statement.

  peace,

  tammy
• 

  James Brown

  A country has to have a military and be prepared and willing to protect itself.

  At the same time a country like the USA is constantly being jacked around by capitalist

  armaments manufacturing interest.

  The armaments manufacturers stir up the pot to drum up business. Russia sells weapons to a country then the

  US wants to go in and fight them.

  This has been going on thru out history and for all time. War is big business. And the children of the poor and the

  working class are cannon fodder.

  In my opinion the only war the US should have been involved in for the last 2 hundred years was our own

  Civil war. That is the only war that was of concern to the mass of the US citizens.

  We have been involved in all the wars we have because we are controlled by capitalist compaines

  and we are the largest weapons armaments manufacturer in the world.

  So, our capitalist US compaines are going to stir up the war pot so they can make money.

  Maybe the question is war ethical, would be more appropriate.
• 

  cofty

  You don't become an unethical person by refusing to harm any others, just because someone else decided to come and harm you or yours. - Tammy

  Yes I think you do.

  This gets to the core of my question. If I see somebody being beaten up in the street or sexually assaulted and I have the ability and equipment to stop the attack how could it possibly be ethical to walk on by? Even using deadly force if necessary to prevent somebody being murdered is an ethical obligation. What is the difference in principle on a national scale?

  SBF - I disagree with Tammy you didn't "cut to the chase" you changed the question. I am not asking about the morality of specific modern wars but about pacifisim in principle. We live in a world with many aggressors and potential aggressors. Sometimes diplomacy fails.
• 

  frankiespeakin

  It a question that each one will use his own logic. I say it all depends on how big or small your reality tunnel is. For instance if you felt your life was in danger and you needed to save it by killing someone, it could be true or a mistake depending on your reality tunnel.
• 

  cofty

  Frankiespeakin - I watched the video and still have not got the slightest idea what you mean. Please could you sum it up succinctly in your own words?
• 

  frankiespeakin

  Did the Buddha advocate complete pacifism? And what was his reality tunnel?

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gautama_Buddha

  Gandhi what was his position based on his reality tunnel?

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohandas_Karamchand_Gandhi