Living with pacifists: how has this affected your life?

LTC Stephen F. — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 15:42:05 -0500

Definition of pacifist - a person who believes that war and violence are unjustifiable.
Growing up in the 1960's and 1970's I encountered people who became pacifists because of nuclear weapon use in WWII, the sheer horror of living in WWII, and people who were opposed to what they knew of the Vietnam War and the role of the USA military in that region.
I have studied just war and firmly believe there are reasons for fighting wars which are just. I know people who do not believe there is an justifiable reason for warfare. Have you lived with pacifists? How have you resolved your differences?

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Nov 5 at 2015 3:44 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 15:44:57 -0500

Most of my British cousins are pacifists and my parents were pacifists having survived WWII in London. Living with irrational pacifists is very challenging; but, living with rational pacifists can be a great way to sharpen your debating skills.
I learned to take many things with the proverbial grain of salt. I love my cousins even though we disagree on many things. In 1983 I stayed at a commune in London which was very interesting to say the least. I was a 1LT in the Infantry at the time and everybody there was a pacifist - some were notional pacifists while a coupe were of the fire-breathing type who seemed to relish any conflict with war mongers as I was affectionately known.

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Nov 5 at 2015 3:48 PM

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 15:48:12 -0500

Some in my family seemed to exhibit some pacifist opinions, but I don't believe them to be true pacifist.....

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Nov 5 at 2015 4:32 PM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 16:32:59 -0500

I grew up in and am part of a hawkish clan. Don't tread on me applies.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 4:40 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 16:40:02 -0500

After a while, one can only take so much of getting punched before they end up punching back.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 5:18 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 17:18:27 -0500

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Nov 5 at 2015 5:51 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 17:51:46 -0500

I was fortunate being assigned to Hawaii following my tour of duty in Vietnam. There was an excellent relationship between the civilian and military communities there and I didn't experience the same level of harassment that other GIs were subjected to when they returned to CONUS. Years later I ran into a clergyman who had been an antiwar activist during the Vietnam War era and he turned somewhat "guarded" when he learned that I was a Vietnam Vet. I didn't remain long in his congregation following his reaction to me...

Response by SPC David S. made Nov 5 at 2015 5:58 PM

SPC David S. — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 17:58:12 -0500

I was raised in a pro-military environment as well as my extended family so I never lived with a pacifist. Anyhow this how I view the mindset and its merit.

Some tyrant gets out of hand - pacifists complain/protest - brutal crackdown - violence erupts. The Syrian conflict is a prime example of how this happens. The civil uprising phase created the platform for the emergence of militant opposition movements and massive defections from the Syrian Army, which gradually transformed the conflict from a civil uprising into an armed rebellion, and later a civil war and ISIS. Pacifists are more than likely the first ones seeking peaceful reform in cases social injustice - however in many instances the idea of reform via peaceful measures is unrealistic and leads to an escalation in violence. In many cases peaceful pacifists are in fact a catalyst in acts of aggression.

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Nov 5 at 2015 6:33 PM

MAJ Bryan Zeski — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 18:33:08 -0500

There is a time for peace, there is a time for war. It sure would be nice to find some of that time for peace on occasion. But, maybe it falls under the Biblical wisdom - "seek and ye shall find" - we seek war, and we find it.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Nov 5 at 2015 6:36 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 18:36:47 -0500

Pacifists are too stupid for me to tolerate for more than a few minutes at a time. Thankfully there have been no pacifists or other liberals in my family.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Nov 5 at 2015 6:43 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 18:43:08 -0500

I can't say I've dealt with this personally Sir. I know about the "sudden" war objectors, but they don't fit the criteria you laid out. They just want out of a deployment and run somewhere in TRADOC or Canada. But to be fair, wouldn't we need to listen to their side provided they are being factual rather than "running scared"?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 7:37 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 19:37:42 -0500

I was raised "non-resistant." I would define the belief of non-resistance as a form of pacifism. My mom will never approve of my service in the military. It has certainly caused me to think about what service entails to a degree that I do not believe most soldiers ever will.

Response by CPL Randy Bautista made Nov 5 at 2015 8:30 PM

CPL Randy Bautista — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 20:30:05 -0500

You can't change people views. You can only live by your

Response by Col Lyman Faith made Nov 5 at 2015 8:45 PM

Col Lyman Faith — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 20:45:09 -0500

I have never lived with any, but on the bright side, it is a curable condition.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Nov 6 at 2015 10:40 AM

SrA Matthew Knight — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 10:40:38 -0500

I have friends that I would classify as pacifists and even view myself as one to some extent. By the definition above I guess I wouldn't technically fit the billet but I still don't believe in violence or war per se. For me I can still accept my role as a service member and my future plan to work as a cop though as I see what both sides do as being more of a "Self Defense" or defense of others type situation. Even when we send a plane to go bomb ISIS or the Taliban in their bunkers I think of it as a form of self defense or defending others as we know that if we just let them keep doing what they do they'll spread and cause harm to innocent lives.

Response by Sgt Ramon Nacanaynay made Jan 9 at 2016 10:23 AM

Sgt Ramon Nacanaynay — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 10:23:15 -0500

I was an unconcerned, self-absorbed veteran teaching in Early Head Start until priest at my Catholic Church had to apologize for announcing an anti-war march in Tacoma, WA. I woke-up. I Got connected at the march. I now see life from both sides - as victim and perpetuator. I've been killing myself. Now I am saving my soul.

Response by Sgt Ramon Nacanaynay made Jun 19 at 2016 10:28 AM

Sgt Ramon Nacanaynay — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 10:28:39 -0400

Yes, a visiting catholic priest announced to the congregation an anti-war march and rally at Tacoma's Wright park back in 2007. The following week he had to appologize for making that announcement because a parishoner felt "unwelcome". Surprised, i attended the event, connected with the Peace and Justice community and joined Veterans For Peace and Pax Christi USA.