It is not a question of violence or non-violence. Killing for what you believe in is part of the definition of evil, and we do not wish to become evil. There is no question here. We must continue in the peaceful road.
There are many non-violent actions that can effectively halt the growth of ISIS, locally, nationwide, and worldwide, too. However none of these offer the instant gratification that an all-out war falsely promises.
We tried that path in Iraq and the world is still reeling from our mistake.
I cry for those caught in the ISIS Caliphate as I cry for all the world’s victims of cruelty, greed, and madness, but I will not let sorrow and frustration move me to embrace violence as a solution. Nor will I let fear of terrorism move me to irrational action.
Perhaps “What to do about ISIS?” is not even a real question. “What can we do to help steer the world to more peaceful tomorrows?” is a better question with a better chance at achieving success. We have all been working in our own ways to do just that in ways both large and small. All we have to do is continue.
Yours in peace, Bruce @bruce121Contact
[November 17, 2015, from an open letter to September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, an organization that has been turning grief and anger into works for peace since the 9/11 attacks on New York City]
