War Begins In The Soul
Posted: Friday, March 27, 2009
by Susan Thom
We all have a driving force that pushes us through our lives. It is a real, yet invisible whisper that tells us what is right and what is wrong. Some of us choose to listen to that inner voice, and some of us decide to turn a deaf's ear. Some revel in the insidious degradation of others, usually those with so little self esteem or self pride that it makes them feel superior when they once felt inferior. It is unfortunately, a world of good versus evil.
Under different circumstances, we may find ourselves with common interests and goals. I don't believe it is inconceivable that almost all men and women want to marry someone they love, and who loves them back. They plan a future together, brings kids into the world, and want the very best for their offspring. And yet, whether forced or volunteered, they are at risk of being killed, their plans unfulfilled, and I, for one, want to know why?
It seems there is a race to see who can be the stronger aggressor, perform the ultimate evil, and be the destroyers of life. One may have a wife or husband, and little kids at home waiting for their parents' return. One bullet, one bomb, one land mine, and mommy and daddy are gone. Or we parents lose a child. To someone or something we will never lay our eyes upon. It seems to me that if all God's people would just follow their inner spirit, and instead of ascribing to violence, we may be able to eradicate so much heartache and loss.
Jealousy is definitely a part of the equation of violence. Inferiority lends to wanting what others have, and when it comes down to battle, the faces of young boys and women are simply numbers to our government. Well, I can tell you, my son is not a number to me. "Fly, fight, win." A motto that confuses me. I understand we must protect ourselves, but I have heard of no difference between this war we are in, and the alleviation of terror. It still exists, and our men and women are dying, or becoming amputees, or paralyzed.
If I were President, I would use our resources to surround our nation, and not let anyone into our territory. If invaded, I can honestly say I would then understand the blood shed. However, 4,293 soldiers have died, and nothing is any bit better. 1700 more "babies" are being sent to Afghanistan. And they are babies, most are a mere 18 years old. My 18 year old cannot understand one thing in geometry, and yet, he could be going off to war. My 21 year old is a caring, sensitive, loving and amicable young man, but I wonder what he will be like if he has to look someone in the eyes and kill them.
I am proud of him, and I stand behind his decision, but he told me everything about bootcamp, and it sounds to me to be nothing more than brainwashing. Get rid of the sweetness, the kindness, the joy for life, and make a soldier out of those who endure . "Fly, fight, win." I watch Nancy Grace every night and at the end, she pays tribute to another fallen soldier or soldiers. I have to put my hands over my ears, like when I was a kid, and hum until that segment is over. How dare my son be in jeopardy because others either have no soul, or have a black hole where their God should be.
My son likes to play the guitar. He taught himself, and he's very good. He is a cancer, and has all the characteristics of a nature lover, a loyal friend and family member. He is charismatic, and handsome, and caring towards all. He sticks up for the underdog, and always remembers his mom on holidays. When he had to leave to go to bootcamp, he had to give up his cat, and still says he feels bad. I know all this. Will the enemy know this if he has to go into combat? Would they even care?
Is the darkness that possesses people's souls ever turn toward the light? Will negotiations ever replace death? If the President has to sign a paper that my son didn't make it, will he ever in his life know what that will do to me and my family? I am behind President Obama, and yet, although I realize he has good speaking skills, and should want peace for all, when will his words penetrate our enemies? When will someone figure out how to get our resources from our own land, and not have to depend on those who want us dead?
Does he think I'll frame his letter of condolence? My children ARE a big part of my soul, and I don't want anything to happen to them, especially when it is not their cause they are fighting for. How many violent people turn their lives around through anger management, which simply consists of talking? How many stop drinking by going to 12 step meetings? This week is my 16 th year of sobriety, and it was words, not violence that got me to stop, and kept me from going back, even through the worst times of my life. Words are powerful. Words can change people and attitudes and actions.
When will we learn to rely on words, and not killing and maiming our innocent young, who haven't even begun their lives yet? I pray my son will stay safe. However, I will never believe in wars that don't solve a thing. "We have all the oil, come kill for it." "We are going to send a weapon into the air, come and fight us." "We don't agree with your policies, we're going to bomb your people and buildings." Lord, I pray the leaders of our nations will wise up, look up to God, pray for a better way, and end the needless deaths of our sons, daughters, husbands, wives, aunts, and uncles. Amen.
This Article has been viewed 507 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Hi Sue.Very powerful article. So powerful, I don't really know what to say, except that I don't understand war any more than you do.DiannePlease log in to respond to this comment.hi diane,i am always glad to hear from you.i really didn't know what i was going to say either, it just kind of unraveled. i only know that i am concerned for my son. he didn't go into the military to kill. he went to get a better discipline for himself, and an education, and a better future, and because he felt that could not happen in any other way, he is willing to do whatever he is called upon to do. he never had the "rah, rah, i'm going to go to war" mentality, it simply was something he accepted as being a part of further developing himself.i will never feel comfortable with the fact that at 21, others taught my son everything i had strived to teach him NOT to do-hurting others was never allowed, or sanctioned.now, he is getting paid and trained for it."would you rather we, the people of the U.S. be bombed and killed?"no, i'd rather the supposed intelligence that is believed to be running our government, For the people, figure out a better way.remember, they used to think it a sport to throw people into the lion's den. that didn't make it right.thanks for listening, and your comments are always appreciated,my best to you,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Very well said Susan, I too believe in negotiations rather than an open arms conflict. Like you said it was words that got you to stop drinking not fear of being assaulted. I only hope our politicians wake up.Please log in to respond to this comment.hi david,i don't think this generation is ready to accept peace as any type of solution. maybe if the security was what it is today, 9/11 would not have happened, and 4,293 of our young children wouldn't be dead, their families grieving and in pain. so what does our government do? not concentrate on peaceful measures to avoid more bloodshed, but instead, we now have lost more kids in what has obviously been a futile attempt to protect us. does one man who we think instigated this tragedy, deserve to feel the power of knowing so many of our children are now dead, on top of those killed in 9/11?how many will give their lives to find this man?if Bush had paid attention, he could have invited Bin Laden to the white house, where the security is optimum, to talk, and if he was crazed and unwilling to change his views, put him in jail, where he could rot until he died. not one other human being would have been hurt.why is war always the first option?it is very disillusioning to think that we cannot outsmart terrorrism.it still goes on, and we have lost our family members for nothing more than the government being able to say they are doing everything they can. well, where has that gotten us? has anyone ever heard of negotiations? maybe if the United States didn't profess to be the best place on the planet, there wouldn't be so many in other lands that hate us. i wonder if anyone has ever pondered that thought?maybe if we helped our enemies, and bartered what we need for what they need, we would have peace,thank you for commenting david.always appreciated,my best,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.Susan, I just wrote an email to President Obama about war If you care to read what I wrote I just submitted an article it should be on the home page soon check it outPlease log in to respond to this comment.oh david,i was just thinking abou doing the same thing.i read everything of yours, unless i miss one by accident, but i truly am looking forward to this one.you are a dear man, Mr. Tanguay, and i am privleged to consider you my friend,my best,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Thank you for another heartfelt article. I too wish we did not have war but some people will never live in peace. I pray God will give you much peace in this time of unrest.Please log in to respond to this comment.hi Linda,i believe, and have heard and read, especially in near death experience books, that life is to be lived to learn how to love.killing ang war and murder and violence is against everything our Lord wants of us. it makes sense to me, with the wonders of the Universe for us to enjoy, and the beauty of nature and the privlege of knowing what it's like to love others.it's a shame we aren't listening.maybe someday, we will learn!thank you for reading and responding,it is always appreciated,my best regards,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.