When I was a kid, I believed in the heroes I saw on television. You know what I mean! I didn't think there was a real Superman or Lone Ranger. But I did believe that a person being mugged could yell for help and expect someone to show up. Maybe that's why, when my close childhood friend would get picked on and jumped by multiple jerks, I had no reservations about trying to even the odds a little, regardless of the impending bruises. But today, I am astonished at the level of tolerance for injustice in general. Like the story of the “Good Samaritan” in the Bible, too many people excuse themselves from any duty to help others engaged in unjust conflict. It wasn't always so.
This leads me to ask a few questions, and I hope you will take an honest look at your feelings on the subject. It's important!
What is your attitude toward violence, fighting, aggression, defense, force? Is there such a thing, in your mind, as justifiable war? Is it okay for an individual to use violence to harm, maim, or even kill an armed attacker? Eye for an eye—or--violence begets violence? Is it uncivilized to engage in the forceful elimination of a criminal assault? Is this objective and unchanging, or subjective and based on the details and circumstance? Think about it—really think about it!
I was born in the mid 1970's and grew up with a bit of political correctness and anti-violence philosophy woven into my education and culture (don't worry, I'm feeling much better now). My circumstances were further complicated by conflicting messages from my parents. My mother told me NOT TO FIGHT! But my father told me NOT TO LOSE! That seemed simple enough. If I don't fight I can't lose—or so I thought. The problem was the fact that I found situations where following these rules became quite challenging. So in order to reconcile my moral dilemma, I determined that I should only fight under two conditions:
1. No alternatives. If someone literally punched me in the face, I would have no choice but to try not to get my you know what handed to me.
2. Obligation to maintain justice. Basically, I figured that if I were in a position to stop something tragic from happening to an innocent person, I could accept any punishment associated with my actions.
I think these are reasonable guidelines and they served me well, keeping me out of too much trouble with a clear conscience for the most part.
Let me ask another question. Who is responsible for the safety in your neighborhood or community? I know you call the police once it's too late and something has happened. But isn't it up to individuals and groups of individuals to determine what they will accept? I have heard people talk about peace as if all you have to do is stop resisting criminals, improve economic conditions, and sit back and enjoy the peace. That's insane!
Terrorists attack because of their ideology and hatred toward their targets. Drug dealers and gang-bangers shoot people because they want to evoke fear in order to gain power and territory. It doesn't matter if you refuse to stand up to violence. It only takes one person with a personality disorder to perform one act of violence and there goes the peace. There have always been people willing to hurt others for personal gain, and there always will be. And peace loving, law-abiding citizens should not feel like monsters for wanting to restore order through the use of force. Sometimes that's the only response that makes sense.
It is time to stop punishing the victims of violent crimes. People must feel encouraged to defend themselves and protect their lives at all costs. Have we already forgotten the lessons of the recent past? Because of a general appeasement of Nazi policies targeting people group after people group in 1930's Germany, millions of Jews, Christians, and others suffered and/or died horribly. The civilized world vowed, “Never Again!”. But slowly, a trend toward hamstringing the public and programming society to view violence as bad has changed our behaviors.
It is the duty of every individual to stand firm against injustice. There is no contribution made to society by feigned sophistication and the promotion of blind peace, regardless of circumstance. We cannot afford the type of wake up call that is probably required to change the tide. If September 11, 2001 didn't convince you that evil is real and must be faced with grit and force, you may be a lost cause.
Whole generations are coming up with the belief that, “FIGHTING IS BAD!” Does it make you uncomfortable that I do not agree? You see, I was raised with the philosophy that, “INJUSTICE IS BAD!” It is a subtle difference, but an essential one. Fighting is neither good nor bad. It is an action, a behavior. Injustice is an attitude, a concept, a system or intent that shapes the actions of people. The ethics hinge on the purpose of the action. Why are you fighting? That's the issue. There are times that require force be met with force. This is self-evident.
Do not be scared to stand against injustice!
Do not be fooled by the loud-mouthed lunatics who want to label you for supporting personal defense!
Do not be afraid to tell people when you think their views are suicidal in application!
And if faced with a violent criminal bent on causing you personal bodily damage, do not hesitate to display a righteous (and violent) indignation at the assault.
Stay safe,
Instructor Moore
No comments:
Post a Comment