Nancy and I watched the original “The Day the Earth Stood Still.” It came out in 1951. It’s a good movie and like the current version has a message.
Back then, World War II had just ended and we were in the middle of the Korean Police Action or Korean Conflict as it was referred to so Congress could avoid the Declaration of War. So the message was one of getting along and stopping all the petty bickering and fighting going on around the world at that time. But, what’s interesting is how Klaatu, the space man who arrived in a flying saucer, was willing to enforce peace on Earth…he threatens to destroy the Earth.
Even Hollywood, as anti-war as it was at the time couldn’t think of a way to have peace on Earth without resorting to the threat of violence and even larger destruction — the whole planet destroyed.
So, after all the love and peace is preached when it comes down to it, the most powerful person or country determines and enforces the peace. I don’t have a problem with the message. Its reality.
Turning the other cheek is a choice an individual may take, but it’s not an option for a country who has the responsibility of protecting millions of its citizens. I also don’t believe it’s an option for someone when they see a person being attacked. I believe it’s our duty to do whatever we can to protect someone being threatened.
Even Gandhi said, “Though violence is not lawful, when it is offered in self-defense or for the defense of the defenseless, it is an act of bravery far better than cowardly submission.”
He also said, “I have been repeating over and over again that he who cannot protect himself or his nearest and dearest or their honor by non-violently facing death may and ought to do so by violently dealing with the oppressor. He who can do neither of the two is a burden. He has no business to be the head of a family. He must either hide himself, or must rest content to live forever in helplessness and be prepared to crawl like a worm at the bidding of a bully.”
I like to think that if I was out walking and came across you being attacked, I would do whatever I could to stop the attack. I also like to think you would do the same.
I got off on this rant because I keep getting emails from “non-violent” people that say I shouldn’t be selling such violent products. That violence only begets more violence. In my opinion, these people are cowards; hiding behind “non-violence.”
To even think that these people would stand by and do nothing if a loved one is attacked is abhorrent to me. If they have the courage to die instead of defending themselves, that is up to them. I have no problems with that. But, to put their personal beliefs ahead of the well being of someone they love, is the sign of a coward.
For example, “non-violence of the brave” and “non-violence of the coward” are both non-violence, but from the viewpoint of the motive force behind it, “non-violence of the brave” is born of love and “non-violence of the coward” is born of fear, which is the opposite of love.
I hope to God that these people are never faced with a situation where their philosophy is tested and they have to decide if they should turn the other cheek or defend themselves or a loved one.
