Violence

They say violence isn’t the answer. 98% of the time I have to agree with that statement. Too often people are quick to anger, often attacking something or someone just because they don’t understand. Better communication and conflict resolution skills really can work. I want to walk the earth with an open hand to my fellow man and peace in my heart. That’s the example my children should see.

Then there’s that pesky 2% . . .

Once in a great while violence is totally the answer. While it’s not as common as people would like to believe, there really are psychopaths out there. Sometimes a little directed violence is exactly what’s needed.

One of my own daughters solved a bully problem by physically defending herself. The bully took such a beating she went temporally deaf in one ear. My daughter was pulling her punches too. We have a very good martial arts teacher. After that incident, months of bullying came to a screeching halt.

There are people who’ve mistaken my kindness for weakness. I’m also willing cut people some slack. However, if they persist they will discover the friendly teddy bear can become a grizzly. Maybe if I was more spiritually advanced even those rare incidents would not happen. After looking in my soul I’ve decided I’d better keep my powder dry.

We live in a strange world. Most of the world leaders who are quick to send troops into battle have never been in a real fight in their life. In the halls of the elite conflicts are not settled that way. They have lawyers to fight things out for them. They don’t know what it’s like to get punched in the nose or skin their knuckles. I’ve no idea if they know what violence on a personal level is like. It’s a sweaty and ugly business at times -really best avoided if there are reasonable solutions.

So give peace a chance. Jesus said to turn the other cheek. Maybe only after we’ve turned the other cheek should we resort to violence? He probably didn’t imply that, but I’m not a Biblical scholar.

-Sixbears