Veteran’s Day, Pacificism, and Free Speech

While I certainly have strong opinions as to the use of military strength at times in the history of our nation, I am reminded on weekends like this that even for those who are pacificists, they need to thank God that someone didn’t believe fully in pacificism with them… and fought for their right to maintain that ideological stance.

I fully understand someone’s right to believe in pacificism. I probably tend more that way than ever before in my life. However, I am thankful for those who fought for my right, or anyone else’s right, to hold to a political ideology. It’s quite odd, in its own way, that the right to not bear arms is won by those who did bear arms. Is this a great country or what?

2 responses to “Veteran’s Day, Pacificism, and Free Speech”

  1. Rick Wadholm Jr. Avatar
    Rick Wadholm Jr.

    I am a self-ascribed pacifist and was blessed to speak at our community Veteran’s Day service (sponsored by the American Legion and the Senior Center). As a pacifist I’ve even tried joining the military (but have been turned down due to chronic asthma). How does that work? Well…I embrace (what I believe is) a Biblical model of pacifism that still offers itself to at times even bear the shame and/or guilt of doing what is the better of two choices. There is honor in serving in the military, but their is also great responsibility. I, for one, would rather that believers were those making the decisions of life and death and not leave the conflict of nations and peoples to the wicked. How this plays out in the real world is certainly messy, but I can’t (currently) conceive of any other way for myself.

    1. I agree. It’s messy.

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