During the 20th century, the three greatest icons for peace -- Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr. and John Lennon -- each met their end via a bullet. While each lived a life dedicated to the principles of nonviolence, each met with a violent death. Though the circumstances of each murder were different, it does go to show that peace and nonviolence are dangerous concepts.
Needless to say, other peace advocates have met with violent deaths too. Some will say the greatest example of this is one Jesus of Nazareth, though I certainly wouldn't go that far. (There is no question that many of the statements ascribed to Jesus suggested that nonviolence is the way to go. However, there are just as many that can be construed as offering a different perspective altogether. If we take ALL the words ascribed to him throughout his public ministry, the best we can say is that his worldview tended to be convoluted.)
Peace is a dangerous concept because, if it was embraced by all the peoples of the world, it would mean an end to exploitation and oppression. Ending these two widespread traits would significantly alter power relationships and the fortunes of the well-to-do. Consequently, though it might be a stated rhetorical objective, its actual potential must be resisted at all costs.
Gandhi, King, Lennon and so many more paid the ultimate price for exposing this intransigent resistance.
Needless to say, other peace advocates have met with violent deaths too. Some will say the greatest example of this is one Jesus of Nazareth, though I certainly wouldn't go that far. (There is no question that many of the statements ascribed to Jesus suggested that nonviolence is the way to go. However, there are just as many that can be construed as offering a different perspective altogether. If we take ALL the words ascribed to him throughout his public ministry, the best we can say is that his worldview tended to be convoluted.)
Peace is a dangerous concept because, if it was embraced by all the peoples of the world, it would mean an end to exploitation and oppression. Ending these two widespread traits would significantly alter power relationships and the fortunes of the well-to-do. Consequently, though it might be a stated rhetorical objective, its actual potential must be resisted at all costs.
Gandhi, King, Lennon and so many more paid the ultimate price for exposing this intransigent resistance.
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