Why can not this be made a practise? I destroy my enemies when I make them my friends: Abraham Lincoln?

Question

The belief in the possibility of a short decisive war appears to be one of the most ancient and dangerous of human illusions: Robert Lynd (1879-1949), Anglo- Irish essayist,
journalist

I destroy my enemies when I make them my friends: Abraham Lincoln

Religiously, the conflict centers around Israel and Palestine, materially the prize is the middle east generally, i.e. oil. So there are at least two points for conflict in two differing psychologies, theism and atheistic materialism. Apparently, according to the old testament, we have the right to take their virgins and do what we want.

Historonics: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottoman_Empire http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottoman_Empire#Slavery

http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/donald_morgan/atrocity.html
http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/donald_morgan/precepts.html


The reasons for war are unfortunately equally simplistic, as in the US habit of foregoing consessions or compromise in the interest of peace, and then attack when tolerence in the enemy is lost so that they attack first: he who draws first blood is justly exterminated.

Nic T. Hard, but not impossible. I know at times it is difficult to reign in ones fear for the other, especially when all religions envolved espouse war and punishment, but stategic military power balancing, trade and lastly religious tolerance make uneasy peace possible.

'Peace is more important than all justice; and peace was not made for the sake of
justice, but justice for the sake of peace: Martin Luther (1483-1546) '

The war against the slavery and that trade is not war between nations but a war between those who accept that idea and those who have a better idea, freedom from fear.

Gamer Guy. Identical belief for every belief for every person is not a necessity for peace, only that we believe peace is better than war. Perhaps 'fear is war' is an acceptable simplification.

Ye Old Canadian, all Gods of all three religions tell them to fight. I think Rafael has something; they didn't name Christ the prince of peace for nothing, but even Christ said he would come back in wrath, whatever that was supposed to mean. I am not a perfectionist, but I do attempt doing to perfect that which is not.

Our men . . . have killed to exterminate men, women, children, prisoners and captives, active insurgents and suspected people from lads of 10 up.... Our soldiers have pumped salt water into men to "make them talk," and have taken prisoners people who held up their hands and peacefully surrendered, and an hour later. . . stood them on a bridge and shot them down one by one, to drop into the water below and float down, as examples to those who found their bullet-loaded corpses.": Philadelphia Ledger newspaper in 1901, from its Manila [Philippines] correspondent during the US war with Spain for the control of the Philippines
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They have always taught and trained you to believe it to be your patriotic duty to
go to war and to have yourselves slaughtered at their command. But in all the history
of the world you, the people, have never had a voice in declaring war: Eugene Debs http://groups.google.com/group/Pak-Youth-Forum/browse_thread/thread/b585eb0fdfe78ed7?hl=en

Thanks to one and all for adding your voice and thoughts. There are an other 48 hours for others to answer. I shall let it expire in its own determinant and then let the voting begin.

Desiderata: "The gods first make blind, those whom they would destroy." If they make them stupid also, that would explain everything. If that is true, the Gods seek to destroy us all. The Will is positive, the Judgment is negative.

Answer 1

Its hard to make friends with a religion that believes in killing everyone that does not believe like they do.

Answer 2

Quite a profound statement! I don't think that Americans realize that other religions and other countries think that Christians (the US being considered a predominantly Christian country and Bush claims to be a Christian) believe in killing and war to get what they want. However,a Christian is a person who follows CHRIST'S teachings. And Christ told us to love our enemies. Did he say, unless they are a different religion or race or nationality? I guess I missed that somewhere. So, read up on what a Muslim is. Just as Bush is not REALLY a Christian, those responsible for killing and torture are not REALLY Muslims.

Answer 3

In most cases I would agree with Lincoln. Today we face a different enemy. These people are fanatics, they believe that we must believe as they do or die. In the past when we have fought them, it has always ended in a stalemate. Today, they want total victory over Christians & all nations that do not believe in their worship of God, they are not willing to accept Any thing less than their way of worship. Of course, there are some who are willing to live & let live, but for the majority, it is their way or no way. We must either defeat them or weaken them to the point they are no longer a threat to us. It would be lovely if we could be friends; we are willing, they are not. During the 2nd W.W., they backed Hitler, not us. They have only been friendly to the extent that they needed us. They no longer feel that they need us so they refuse to be our friends. I would love to have things return to the way they were; each side respecting the other & each leaving the other alone in religious matters. It appears that they do not want that, they want us on our knees faceing the east 5 x's a day or dead.

Answer 4

fairly a profound announcement! i do no longer evaluate that individuals be conscious that diverse religions and diverse international places evaluate that Christians (the US being seen a predominantly Christian usa and Bush claims to be a Christian) think of in killing and conflict to get what they desire. regardless of the indisputable fact that,a Christian is a guy or woman who follows CHRIST'S teachings. And Christ steered us to love our enemies. Did he say, till they're an further faith or race or nationality? I guess I ignored that someplace. So, learn up on what a Muslim is. in basic terms as Bush is probably no longer a Christian, those answerable for killing and torture do no longer look truly Muslims.

Answer 5

Obviously you don't understand who we're fighting.

They will fight because they think their GOD is telling them to fight; then again, if you look at the Koran, their God DOES tell them to fight!

Face it; they hate us because we are the ultimate selfish consumer society. Even Christianity warns us about the "I want, thus I deserve" feeling.

When the crisis in Ancient Israel reached its height, "everyone did what was right in their own eyes".

Hmm, does that sound familiar? Well, they were punished.

Israel was conquered by the Babylonian empire and pressed into slavery.

Lets see:

1.
Israel becomes a center for moral corruption

Israel is punished via Babylonian conquest...

2.
US becomes a center for moral corruption...

....Thus, some people see that history is repeating itself.

Stop and think; who are you fighting? What ancient civilization has evolved into modern-day IRAQ and IRAN?

....Duh... Babylon.

And who are you losing a war to right now?

...Duh... Babylon!

Answer 6

That's what Jefferson and Washington believed as well!

Nic, I am confused! WHO is doing the killing? If we hadn't illegally invaded Iraq just think of all the people who would still be alive. About 60,000 less than were killed at the trades!

Did you notice how Britain deals with terrorist! They find them and arrest them. They don't go attacking countries that had nothing to do with 9/11 or terrorism!

Answer 7

While we're on the quotes, Ben Franklin once said, "Well done is better than well said."

Abe Lincoln certainly had the right idea, but when push came to shove, he certainly didn't destroy the Confederate army by making them his friends.

And, really, do you want to be friends with the Islamic radicals who routinely and indiscriminately slaughter innocent men, women and children to further their demented ideology of hatred and domination? What's more, I doubt any infidel could befriend them anyways.

Answer 8

Yet, he still realized that war was a necessity. He led us in 5 years of war.

Answer 9

because you obviously disagree with your enemies about something and if you make them your friends you agree about something. well if you dont agree it dosnt work.....

Answer 10

simplistic