Reply #62: how to help...

[monicab]

this thread helps. we have sent it to many of the people who have veterans websites, and anti-war organizations. We hope that while many will not post, at least they will read the questions, the answers and the dialog.

and... when someone comes to you with questions.. listen for a while, and hear why they're asking what they are. especially soldiers and their family members.

many are confused and misled by false information and leaders who do not lead. they say things, and do things that we may not agree with, but if we don't stop and listen to hear why they say and do, we might not help but hurt unknowingly. so many people want to know, but don't know how to ask. so many people think they know, but just need someone to lead them to see what they DON'T know. and many more won't listen, if they are TOLD what to think rather than given the information to LEARN what to think.

it's not about pacifism. it's about living peacefully within the community, allowing others who may not think like you to have their own beliefs because they allow you to have yours. it's not wrong to pursue this aggressively, but it is wrong to pursue this with violent means.

armies will not create this world, and standing an army up because we are afraid of what others might send our way will not create this world. standing up for NOT fighting is what will show those who think differently than we do that there is no point in fighting. if someone threatens with violence, and none is directed at them, one may be hurt... but 15 may be saved. if they see that their violence does not cause a violent reaction, they may try again. one may be hurt... but 15 more may be saved. in war... 15 deaths cause 15 more and so on and so on.. and then it doesn't stop because no one wants to be the one to walk away.

it takes great strength to walk away. and to walk away first BEFORE the violence starts is the greatest show of strength of all. it is not pacifism, it is CONFIDENCE. CONFIDENCE is TRUST is FAITH. violence solves no problems, it only causes more.

Monica