Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that. -Dr.Martin Luther King
I believe that quote to be true. And just as true I feel that saying war cannot win peace, it can only create more war, is also true.These statements I believe to be true because I believe in turning the other cheek. I believe loving your enemy can work. And even if you fail in love it is better to fail in love and peace than win in hate and war.
I find that all one can control is oneself. And if your love is healthy it will not be draining on you but instead will overflow in abundance and bless all those in your circles.
There is a man named Shaul David Judelman in Israel who created a garden with help from both Israeli's and Palestinians and through a love of God and all His children and especially a love of the land that is bringing together so many from both sides rather than fostering hate and divisions this group is laying the ground work for a lasting peace.
The leaders may be killing en masse but there are many many people from both sides who are embracing love and rejecting hate.
Gandhi won freedom from British rule and complete independence without firing a single shot.
Dr. King made a monumental impact on America using the same tactics. Many will say both examples are flukes but how often do enough people embrace peace and non-violence over war? Could it just be that peace as so rarely been given a chance?
Dr. King and Gandhi were both faced with the classic two options of choosing one side over the other and instead chose a third option, one of non-violent resistance and trying to allow all sides to win in a compromise that truly benefits all.
Before Constantine and the advent of a just war theory Christians embraced non-violence in reaction to Roman crucifixions and lion feedings. They went like a lamb to slaughter because they would rather give their lives in the name of The Lord than take a life in the name of The Lord.
Typically leaders choose one side over the other. But the third way opens up the possibility of all sides wining.
Rock Waterman said the best way to win an argument is to let the other guy win too. But if in times of conflict we love our enemies we allow our enemies to win and we can truly win for ourselves and save lives that would otherwise be lost in conflict.
There is a third option and it looks better than the alternatives to me.
