Pacifism?

There are folks who really, sincerely, believe that violence is absolutely, positively, unequivocally, never, ever supposed to happen. I recognize that a pacifist may hold such a belief sincerely, and without ulterior motives.

I also think that embracing such a philosophy can occasionally require mental gymnastics.

Like the fellow in a story.

"Thous Standest Where I am About to Shoot"

This fellow was a member of a small religious community. They believed, fervently, in pacifism. This was generations ago, somewhere in rural America.

One night the man was wakened by sounds in another part of the house. Clearly, someone had broken in - and the armed intruder clearly intended to harm the fellow's family.

This fellow had a long gun: his community were pacifists, not vegetarians. Pointing the gun toward the intruder the man said, "Friend, I would not harm thee for the world: But thou standest where I am about to shoot."

My own opinion on pacifism is that sincere pacifists will prosper: as long as there are non-pacifists to protect them.

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This post is one of a series being written today:

• "Citizenship, being Catholic, and the Rules of Polite Society"
  (March 22, 2011, 2:22 p.m. Central, 19:25 UTC)
• "My Take on Libya, War, and Getting a Grip; Mostly Links"
  (March 22, 2011 5:49 p.m. Central, 22:49 UTC)
• "'Jesus was a Pacifist/American/Vagrant'?!"
  (March 22, 2011 6:36 p.m. Central, 23:36 UTC)
• "Assumptions, Making Sense, and Politics "
  (March 22, 2011 6:45 p.m. Central, 23:45 UTC)
• " 'Just War:' Unpleasant, but Not a Contradiction in Terms "
  (March 22, 2011 6:49 p.m. Central, 23:49 UTC)