81. The war on terrorism is fought in the heart
OK folks. Let’s face it. We are, at the dawn of the third millennium, living the Third World War. As in every other World War, there is of course an enemy. Or at least we think so. Do we?
◊◊◊
Yeah! It’s the war against terrorism!
Or is it against terrorists?
Should it not be against the cause of there being terrorists?
Maybe it’s really against the own people?
Hey!
Is there actually an enemy at all?
Or is it just a War?
Should it not be a World Peace against Terrorism?
◊◊◊
Is that not a nice idea? Let’s declare right now the First World Peace against Terrorism! Good! Let’s go for it! We will fight it on the ground. We will fight it at sea. We will fight it in the air. And, above all, we will fight it in the heart. Every heart! We shall not surrender! Dear citizens of all nations, from now on, We Are At Peace!
◊◊◊
A particularly good way to make someone your enemy is of course to call him your enemy.
◊◊◊
Terrorists are not the enemy. They are only the indicator that something else is wrong. Take away the indicator and you are your own worst nightmare. Is that not obvious? Moreover, this indicator has sophisticated means of communication, namely ears and mouths. So if you have anything to say, then go and talk with them. Show your heart. Show what you want and need. Listen to what they want and need. Never ending. Remember the promise and never surrender.
◊◊◊
Naïve?
Not at all.
◊◊◊
It’s naïve to think anything else. The war on terrorism is fought in the heart and nowhere else. The heart of the terrorist as well as your heart. Yes, dear reader, I mean it: your heart. That’s where everything starts. If you don’t start with your own heart, then who will? Do you think the world is waiting for anyone else but you?
◊◊◊
With due respect, that would be naïve.
◊◊◊
So here we are: in this First World Peace against Terrorism, we are all soldiers. Even more: we are all at the front line. As in any other ‘War’, any single soldier may think himself dispensable… but he isn’t. Everyone is very important. No one should desert. On desertion stands the penalty of death. In this case: a living death, a moral death, a death in the heart.
◊◊◊
Related Posts
Philosophy’s Responsibility
Philosophy aims to be accurate and profound in matters that surpass the conceptually obvious. Sophos is not logos. Wisdom, unlike knowledge – which belongs to science – pertains to depth. Far from being just a bunch of words, striving for wisdom lies at the basis of any human endeavor — putting an enormous responsibility on Read the full article…
Group Jealousy vs. Loyalty from the Inside Out
Loyalty is a beautiful word — but easily misused. Many groups, in families, companies, and nations alike, confuse loyalty with control. But true loyalty grows only where there is freedom. This blog reveals how group jealousy pretends to be loyalty, and how we can evolve beyond it. What happens when someone leaves the group? If Read the full article…
Deep Diplomacy
The highest standard in diplomacy leads to welfare for all. Getting the best deal? Diplomacy is not a commercial act! Far more than deal-making, deep diplomacy is about making a better world. Thus also understanding what an ethically better world should be. This is about aligning one’s side and ‘the other side’ through common goals, Read the full article…