Does Pacifism kill?

Question

When I talk to Pacifists, it seems like the root of their desire is to 'stop the fighting' at all costs. More often than not, they are willing to accept that pacifism does not directly lead to peace, but they seem to have a hard time accepting the idea that pacifism in some situations, means death. To me, this means that diplomacy and appeasement can accept some of the blame for the innocent loss of lives, just like warmongering and agitation. What do you think?

I was asked to explain the question a bit better. I do apologise for not being clear from the begenning. The most clear example to me of pacifism meaning death was Nazi Germany. If the Jews, and indeed, the world, had fought, the situation clearly would have been different. On the flip side, if we had not taken action, we might all be speaking German right now.

Answer 1

I have rarely met a true pacifist and the ones I have met were hardcore Christians that quote Jesus to me when he said, "Turn the other cheek."

With that said, diplomacy 99% of the time is the better path but it also has a limit. For example, I am a far left liberal and ex-military. I was in the IRR - meaning I had done my time and was not active any longer - when Iraq invaded Kuwait... the Gulf War. I immediately called and scheduled a physical to go back in. That was a necessary situation where diplomacy could have done nothing.

My point is that diplomacy should always come first unless there as been a direct act of aggression. ie the Gulf War. Not until all attempts of diplomacy have been depleted should lives be taken by acts of aggression.

That is the humane way of a civilized world... that is assuming you want to a civilized world. FYI, neanderthals killed themselves off 1000s of years ago.

Answer 2

The Jews in Hitler's time were Pacifists. So tell me, who got killed? Most of the children and grandchildren of the ones who got away alive to America are now Pacifists, against the war in Iraq. So history repeats itself.

Answer 3

I beleive clinton was a pacifist the way he did little or nothing to protect this country. 9/11 was the result of that. Doing away with the spy program, closing military bases. sure we had more money. we didn't put it into defense. 3000 people pay for it on 9/11.

Answer 4

when your dealing with extremist like terrorist Its kill or be killed you can't reason with insanity and those pacifist are cowards who let other do the hard work and take all the risk and then sit around and complain oh you hurt thier feeling those who won't take aside should just be thrown in the middel and blown up because thier worthless

Answer 5

I love chicks.
I'm sorry, the question. It seems to me that you may be implying that anyone who is pissed off because the war in Iraq was so mismanaged is a pacifist or something. Lost my train of thought.
I didn't read the whole question either. My fault.

F***k Heineken... Pabst Blue Ribbon!!!

Answer 6

I wish you had explained in what situations you see pacifism as meaning death. Because I really cannot think of any. Perhaps you could edit your question to include that for clarity's sake.

Answer 7

Yes , Pacifism kills . If most of the Jews would have fought Hitler's henchmen , instead of lining up...

Answer 8

Only when non-pacifists are around.

Answer 9

Exactly, you try and tell that to the dumba**es during WWII that said, we shouldn't interfere in Europe's problems, we just want peace, Hitler will leave us alone.

Answer 10

With Pacifism the world would be to over populated, so we would have to kill our young. Sad but true.