Violence Begets Violence

Whoever thinks that ISIL can be bombed out of existence should think again. [1]  They seem to be a collection of fighting units that are not just cruel but also intelligent, well-armed and well-organized.  Apparently, there are many capable community organizers who have the power to bring death and destruction to the defenseless.  Until all those who are and will be a part of ISIL are stopped, no mission has been accomplished and no one can claim victory.  Anyone who thinks stopping terrorism is easy is naive.  The bombings in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Libya have proven to be useless.  People have re-grouped and have become much better fighters and adversaries.

Christ was not wrong when He said to love one's enemies [2] for only love can tame the human heart and extinguish the passion for vengeance. [3], [4]


[1] http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/27/us-mideast-crisis-idUSKCN0HM06920140927
[2] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5:43-48
[3] One might ask how can one love an enemy who hates one's beliefs, one's freedoms, one's lifestyle?  In order to answer this question, one must examine one's beliefs, one's freedoms and one's lifestyle and ask: are they in comport with the way Jesus believes, with the way Jesus is free (from the propensity to sin) and with the lifestyle Jesus had chosen to lead?  One might contend that the enemy's laws are inhumane and uncivilized, but just how civilized and humane are the laws of wealthy nations?  Consider the decadence, the abuses, the social diseases, the abortions, the death penalty, the wars, the incessant consumption of natural resources and so on.  The Gospel of Matthew below concludes my point:

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.  See https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7:3-5

[4] Here is a homily by Fr. Emmanuel Taylor, O.P. on August 31, 2014, that I came across today (September 28, 2014) that ties in to this entry.  Take a listen:  2014-08-31-StDominics-Homily.mp3 (the relevant part begins at approximately 6:43).