The Better Side of Pacifism, As Seen in a New Movie

Archdiocese of Washington ^ | 11-04-16 | Msgr. Charles Pope

[Salvation]

The Better Side of Pacifism, As Seen in a New Movie

Msgr. Charles Pope • November 4, 2016 •

Pacifism can be understood in various ways. In one way it is the refusal to engage in any violent or armed conflict. In this sense, it is a refusal to take part in a certain kind of battle. This sort of pacifism has little appeal and comes off as unrealistic at best and cowardly at worst.

But there is another understanding of pacifism: actively resisting evil in a nonviolent way. With this sort of pacifism one does engage in the battle, but paradoxically. Clearly, Jesus engaged in His final showdown with Satan in this manner. He refused to enter Satan’s world and use his tactics. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hatred cannot drive out hatred; only love can do that. Pride cannot drive out pride; only humility can do that. The Lord engaged in the battle and won the victory by being the Lord; He was victorious on His terms, not Satan’s.

There are certain people gifted to engage in battle in this way and we usually recognize their genius only later. We also revere soldiers and police of the more traditional sort, who at the risk of their own lives go forth to defend against the violent assaults of a dangerous foe. The point is to engage in the battle, to resist evil and stop its advance.

I have not seen the movie promoted in this trailer, but of all the trailers I have seen, this one does the best job of exemplifying the better understanding of pacifism: active resistance to evil.

[Salvation]

Video Trailer

[Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Conscientious objection is a luxury — it only works if you have thousands of other people willing to do the necessary violence that you’re too clean and tidy to do yourself.

[Nifster]

Pacifists want someone else to die so they can live

That is evil. God did not say be a pacifist

[Salvation]

Monsignor Pope Ping!

[Salvation]

Did you watch the trailer? That’s not what he does.

[Salvation]

Watch the trailer.

[Nifster]

I didn’t bother because there is NO justification for pacifism

[SubMareener]

It is time for you to read Romans 12. “4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.”

Nelson, Thomas. Holy Bible, New King James Version (NKJV) (p. 1102). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

[Salvation]

You need to watch it, because he fights in other ways.

Also check out the listings on FreeRepublic for Hacksaw Ridge — a Mel Gibson movie.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/search?m=all;o=time;q=quick;s=hacksaw%20ridge

[cloudmountain]

Conscientious objection is a luxury — it only works if you have thousands of other people willing to do the necessary violence that you’re too clean and tidy to do yourself.

So true.
SOME Americans simply ran away. That was the easiest way.
THOSE cowards weren't the first, only or last to run away from necessary violence.

Defending oneself is primal behavior. Jesus overcame that because He is God. He loves us so much that He would do it over again. He chose the WORST, most humiliating, painful way to "pay" for our sins. THAT is LOVE incarnate.

[mware]

He was awarded the CMH for saving over 75 soldiers lives.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Conscientious objection is a luxury — it only works if you have thousands of other people willing to do the necessary violence that you’re too clean and tidy to do yourself.

Yep.

And the idea that Jesus was using "passive" measures against Satan is to completely misunderstand what was happening.

[Leaning Right]

For those who are criticizing the soldier here (not you, Salvation), note that the soldier won the Medal of Honor.

It is quite fair to point out that if all soldiers were like him, there would be no army, and no defense of the nation. But it is not fair to question his bravery, or his character.

[delete306]

Look, I know pacifism is supposed to be the domain of the righteous and spiritual, but the fact is that real life pacifists are more likely this:

[dfwgator]

Most “pacifists” just think we’re fighting on the wrong side.

[MrEdd]

Everything anyone ever needs to know about pacifism was taught to the world by European Jews in the nineteen thirties and forties.

[tophat9000]

I think those were misusing the term pacifist the man was not a pacifist in the sense that he was not passive

He was highly active he fought valiantly in every way he simply would not harm others in doing it that’s not a pacifist.

He no more a pacifist than a firefighter is a pacifist in a fire.

[Nifster]

I don’t need to watch anything

There is NO justification for pacifism

[Nifster]

I don’t care

There is NO justification for pacifism

[FlingWingFlyer]

My favorite all time movie is “Braveheart”. However, I won’t be seeing this Mel Gibson movie. If I’m going to watch a war movie, I prefer watching those who fight the war not those holier than thou conscientious objectors who don’t. Just my two cents.