02-26-2003, 09:57 PM
"And meanwhile, they prepare for war -- a war the pacifists will be more than willing to let someone else fight in and die in."
Pacifists are not "more than willing" to let people fight and die in wars. They'd really rather nobody fight or die. Given the slightest recourse, a pacifist is obliged to prevent war by any reasonable means. However, since they don't have mind control devices, and are forbidden to use violence, that doesn't exactly leave a lot of room for maneuvering when two sets of people decide to punch holes in each other, or experiment with making people combust.
And, of course, how would you reconcile the thread topic with the idea that pacifists would rather other people take the bullets, when this is about people who are deliberately moving from safety to danger just to make a point? Call them stupid, fine. They probably are. But I think you're talking about cowards, not pacifists. If that's what you mean, then say it. I'd certainly agree with you, presuming that were the case.
Jester
Pacifists are not "more than willing" to let people fight and die in wars. They'd really rather nobody fight or die. Given the slightest recourse, a pacifist is obliged to prevent war by any reasonable means. However, since they don't have mind control devices, and are forbidden to use violence, that doesn't exactly leave a lot of room for maneuvering when two sets of people decide to punch holes in each other, or experiment with making people combust.
And, of course, how would you reconcile the thread topic with the idea that pacifists would rather other people take the bullets, when this is about people who are deliberately moving from safety to danger just to make a point? Call them stupid, fine. They probably are. But I think you're talking about cowards, not pacifists. If that's what you mean, then say it. I'd certainly agree with you, presuming that were the case.
Jester