I Am a Pacifist
I remember visiting Brighton beach with mum and so often we would see grandad there. He practically lived on that beach after the war. Mum said it was a sort of therapy for him.
Usually, if I ran up to him and yelled "Grandad" he would spread his arms to catch me, but on occasion he wouldn't move and when I'd reach him he would be weeping and he would be staring far off in the sea. I never knew what to do then but Mum would say to leave him alone.
He never told me stories from the war. I was curious, of course, so I asked him "What did you do in the war, Grandad?" He would always reply "It's not for little ears, child." I told Mum this and she laughed and told me his reply will never change, even when I am an adult. Unfortunately, he did not live until my adult years, and I miss him so! I can still see him in his favourite place and staring off into the sea when we visit Brighton beach.
As I've studied Hitler and the history of the war I believe that war is only just against such evil. I believe there is an equally evil ideology today which cuts off heads and burns people alive. But our politicians fight for money and in such wars I am pacifist. I do not wish for my sons to die in order to make the wealthy even more wealthy.
If our nation ever recognizes the dangerous ideology in this world... I cannot even mention it by name because it is so protected by people who refuse to name It! But if we ever go to war, truly go to war with it.... I would no longer be pacifist. It would be a just war. We must stop heads from being cut off and people from being burned alive.
The only thing that gives me pause is the words of Jesus. When Roman soldiers came to him and asked Him what they should do, He said "Do violence to no man and be content with your wages" Perhaps we are to fight an ideology of hate with an ideology of love. I don't know, and I wish Grandad would be here so that I could ask him what he would do. Perhaps he would say "It's not for little ears, child"
Usually, if I ran up to him and yelled "Grandad" he would spread his arms to catch me, but on occasion he wouldn't move and when I'd reach him he would be weeping and he would be staring far off in the sea. I never knew what to do then but Mum would say to leave him alone.
He never told me stories from the war. I was curious, of course, so I asked him "What did you do in the war, Grandad?" He would always reply "It's not for little ears, child." I told Mum this and she laughed and told me his reply will never change, even when I am an adult. Unfortunately, he did not live until my adult years, and I miss him so! I can still see him in his favourite place and staring off into the sea when we visit Brighton beach.
As I've studied Hitler and the history of the war I believe that war is only just against such evil. I believe there is an equally evil ideology today which cuts off heads and burns people alive. But our politicians fight for money and in such wars I am pacifist. I do not wish for my sons to die in order to make the wealthy even more wealthy.
If our nation ever recognizes the dangerous ideology in this world... I cannot even mention it by name because it is so protected by people who refuse to name It! But if we ever go to war, truly go to war with it.... I would no longer be pacifist. It would be a just war. We must stop heads from being cut off and people from being burned alive.
The only thing that gives me pause is the words of Jesus. When Roman soldiers came to him and asked Him what they should do, He said "Do violence to no man and be content with your wages" Perhaps we are to fight an ideology of hate with an ideology of love. I don't know, and I wish Grandad would be here so that I could ask him what he would do. Perhaps he would say "It's not for little ears, child"
