Throughout the centuries, mankind has expressed his desire to make peace with the diverse other peoples of this planet. It hasn’t worked out, but the desire is there. There are too many excuses for warring against others: national and political excuses, religious and idealogical excuses, and pure prejudice come to mind. How is it, then, that an advanced society can still tolerate, and even extol, war? Are not rational beings, capable of dialogue rather than violence? Sometimes, it makes me wonder.
Yes, there are some inspiring things taking place in the world too. It is a puzzling dichotomy that the same planes that drop armed soldiers on the soil of foreign countries to kill enemies can also drop off crates of food and supplies to poor nations whose people are starved or oppressed by self serving regimes. Not only is this puzzling, but it is also a travesty, a right mockery to mankind. There must be some way to end the evils of war and begin an era of peace on Earth. There must be a way to ensure that the abundance of resources is shared equally among the peoples of all nations. Starvation, malnutrition, pestilence and plague need not write our future. We can change the world.
It sounds so cavalier, and yet it is true. I am not speaking of socialist or communist ideas. When I say sharing, I am actually reverting back to the basic things we all learn as very young children at play: if you have a toy or some candy, share. If you have a hug, share. If you have thoughts, share. This is the way of children, and it should be the way of the world. There is nothing in this material plane that we can infinitely own or store up for ourselves, so why hoard wealth, food, and power? It all slips away. What is enduring, what is fruitful, is love. Love makes us immortal. Love heals the scars of war. Love destroys the bondage of a materialistic society and frees its people to love, share, and not fear shortages.
I also am not speaking from a purely religious standpoint, although, if you look closely into the basic precepts of all the religions in the world, you will find a common seed of truth, one that cries out for the humanity of man towards fellow man. It is not war, strife, and want that dominate these ideas — but ultimately, is it a desire for peace.
