Thoughts on World Peace
Many bloggers have mentioned how they long for world peace. As a former soldier I would very much like to see peace all over the world. Soldiers suffer a great deal in their profession. In my country they do so freely and with the knowledge that they may be sacriced. But they are willing to offer their blood in exchange for freedom.
While it would be easy to pray for world peace I find that it would be a prayer unanswered. As a Christian I recall Jesus on the Mount of Olives where he is quoted in Matthew 24:6 to have said, “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.” This tells me that man is not capable of peace on his own terms. War will be with us always.
Rather than pray in futility and frustration for that which cannot be, I choose to pray in a different way. My prayers are for the safety of my country’s military. I ask God the Father to provide them with the best tools to do their job, the sustenance to keep them healthy and capable in the field and the energy to carry out their mission and desire to obey the lawful orders of their commanding officers. As long as there are men, that choose violence to promote their ideals a strong military is required. Without a wall of bayonets to secure freedom there is nothing to insure any measurable or lasting peace.
A right thinking country with a strong military deters tyrants and inspires them to remain quaking behind their walls. In the fourth verse of the Star Spangled Banner Francis Scott Key wrote, “Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just”. Hard words, but a doctrine that must be followed if freedom is to be secured. That is what should have been cited before going into Iraq, rather than the hunt for WMDs. Much easier to rally round that thought and not have the lack of WMDs hurt the American image down the road.
But there was no choice but to go to Iraq. When America hides behind its shore or appears weak, great wars start. Appeasement has never led to peace. I challenge anyone to show me a time in history where a dictator respected the peace of a nation or people he considered weak. I am always eager to learn something new.
I hate the thought of war. But a loss of freedom instills a greater fear. May my brothers-in-arms be safe, complete their mission, and return home to their families whole and happy. I hope those that would attack freedom are killed or repent their vile intentions and find peaceful pursuits. Until they change or die there can be no peace. A peace the world would find most welcome.
September 12th, 2006 at 11:56 am
Apologies for the earlier bugs that did not allow anyone to comment or see other posts.
September 12th, 2006 at 12:51 pm
chup: ) u are forgiven:P
September 12th, 2006 at 12:52 pm
u are forgiven:p chup chup
September 12th, 2006 at 12:57 pm
opps,. sorry for the same msg above:P .
i hate war and the unsightly scene it brought to the world . ppl fight because they need weapon which is harsher than words.
Words could no longer calm people..and blood could? how weird?
September 12th, 2006 at 1:15 pm
Winn trying to get Blue Ribbon, Red Ribbon and White Ribbon. But I can only give you Blue Ribbon. And a hugh
I wish words were enough. The world needs your liu liu words perhaps.
September 12th, 2006 at 3:36 pm
ahhhh… it’s back to normal again! peace to you, SA…
September 12th, 2006 at 4:34 pm
Thanks May. Peace to you my friend.
Edit: Red Ribbon for you.
September 12th, 2006 at 6:02 pm
What kills me is that people get so upset at the thought of their civil liberties being intruded on by the Patriot Act. I wish I could show them a slideshow of their lives 20 years down the road under fanatic Muslim rule, just to let them know what we really ARE fighting for.
We have a volunteer force for a reason, and the men and women who serve their country, understand why this mission must be accomplished.
September 12th, 2006 at 6:36 pm
That is the part that really baffles me Alisa. Do they want us to be ruled by the Taliban? How attractive is that. Women are refused school and hidden inside a birka (sp?).
The sports junkeys would be having withdrawal as their sports are forbidden. Libraries would be in flames.
Makes me want to just shout out loud.
And a White Ribbon for you.
September 12th, 2006 at 7:05 pm
Peace! If I may quote from Michael Jackson’s song (whatever people may say or think about the poor guy), we must start from “the man in the mirror”! Keep peace within your family, your neighbourhood, your town…, understand that everyone is different in his or her own way and accept or at least, tolerate them for what they are!! Peace be with you and all ur readers!
September 12th, 2006 at 7:08 pm
Nothing is ever black and white and it sucks that a few bad apples ruins innocent lives.
September 12th, 2006 at 8:51 pm
Of course Suituapui. When God is commanding us to love each other if you go to words used in the original languages they are words emphasizing toleration. I want to live and let live. Never killed anyone in my life. Hope I never do. But I will protect my family. I expect my government to protect my nation.
Bad apples need to be tossed out. You cannot understand them into tasting better.
September 12th, 2006 at 8:59 pm
the way to prevent a war is to start a war.
who said that?
September 12th, 2006 at 9:04 pm
really hope there no more war so innocent ppl can live happily…
who know while we blogging we being bombed…
September 12th, 2006 at 10:14 pm
I don’t know Ah Pek? I know the way to prevent a war is to be so strong no one wants to get your attention.
I hope it too Ah Nel. But its futile. Someone is always going to come along and upset the apple cart if they think they can get away with it.
September 12th, 2006 at 10:40 pm
as long there are street and gang fights there will be war..
September 13th, 2006 at 1:02 am
i think we’ve been pretty fortunate over here in malaysia as we’ve never experienced how its like to be living in a war torn country…at least for us younger generations
but my heart really goes out to the family members of soldiers who go to war…it must b really scary to worry about your loved one every day and not knowing for sure whether they are still aliev or not…
ok..instead of praying for world peace…lets pray for soldiers at war
September 13th, 2006 at 1:38 am
Hi War is a sad story it breeds hate,
Love and peace is better
Wish you all the best
September 13th, 2006 at 3:45 am
Hmmm, again, perfectly written. There is much wrong with this world. We’ll never ever right it all. Life is short, but the world needs to go on longer. Point of views differ. If it wasn’t war, it’s the environment/natural disasters, or the lack of gas, or the diminishing supply of tuna. Or the slave trade, or ethnic cleansing, or unfair Euro subsidies to farmers. Or N Korea’s nuclear capabilities, or the Taliban’s re-emergence. Much is not right. Those days when all we ever worried about was pocket money; where have they gone? Thus we play with iPods, while we still can.
September 13th, 2006 at 4:59 am
I don’t think it’s in our nature but it’s a great thought. Nice post S man.
September 13th, 2006 at 5:23 am
The problem for me is, there is loss on both sides. So, for example in Iraq, I pray for the safety of all troups. I know that is both impossible and also dreadfully naive, but I feel it strongly that soldiers on both sides are doing what they need to do for their own reasons, and that I don’t want any of them to suffer for that.
September 13th, 2006 at 9:31 am
sad to say i agree with what many people said - world peace is not possible.
September 13th, 2006 at 9:51 am
Yep FF. Its a thuggish mentality that only respects superior force. Sad.
Well Pink Cotton you should pray for your Malaysians soldiers at peace too. Some are in Lebanon now trying to help maintain peace after the latest conflice. They also keep you safe so you don’t have to face the hardships your grandparents and perhaps parents experienced with the Japanese invasion and then fighting the British during Malaysia’s fight for independence.
Love and peace is definitely the preferred state Zingtrial. I likes it like that.
Yes LB. Unfortunately it seems that average people don’t care to act until they lose their right to listen to their iPod.
Thanks K Man. Being good is a learned condition. We must raise our children well.
We have to differ in this respect Kimananda. I do not care for those that oppose freedom to the point that they will kill others. My prayers go out to the soldiers of the new Iraq and the coalition forces. To call the terrorists soldiers is incorrect under the Geneva Convention. They do not meet criteria and thus do not have the rights provided by the GC.
The terrorists are being treated far superior to the opposing combatants of WWII, for example. In that war, anyone found fighting without a defined contry and uniform were executed without qualification. This is true for the armies of the Axis and the Allies alike. Spies and partisans were routinely executed, which is no violation of the rules of war.
Terrorists are not soldiers. They are criminals on their best day. They need to be killed if they cannot repent their violent ways and disarm.
September 13th, 2006 at 9:53 am
We can only maintain peace for short periods it seems Lucia. Once someone feels strong and someone else looks weak the bully comes out to take what they can.
September 13th, 2006 at 10:35 am
your comment on online rape made such an impact on me, sweetie, that i wrote about it–in my usual fashion. thank you.
September 13th, 2006 at 11:10 am
I will go and read it then.
Almost fainting. Thinking that I could inspire you to write. Wish it could be a happier topic though.
September 13th, 2006 at 11:11 am
Hi, 1st time dropped by here, saw your profile in blogspot, you are Cream, Led Zep, Ozzy… fans too yah. Classic rock rules! Peace!
September 13th, 2006 at 11:15 am
The greatest threat to peace is not the warmonger but the good intentions of people who mistake the absence of conflict with peace. This leads them to be willing to accept the loss of freedom and imposition of totalitarianism in the name of the supposedly greater good. This is the kind of peace expererienced by France in 1943, Vietnam after 1975, and Iraq until 2003, and resulted in millions of deaths. It’s also the kind of peace the left advocates we adopt in our War on Terror.
True political peace is not possible without national strength of arms and character. Peace without respect for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is not peace at all. The people who founded this nation understood that.
September 13th, 2006 at 11:22 am
Welcome to my blog Kenny Ng. I’ve seen your comments at few other blogs. Glad you dropped by.
Agree Neal5X5. You said what I wanted to express exactly. I recall the words of Benjamin Franklin (and I’m not verbatim), “Those that choose to give up their freedom in place of security, soon have neither.”
September 13th, 2006 at 2:12 pm
*honk honk*
September 13th, 2006 at 3:34 pm
*beep beep*
September 13th, 2006 at 3:49 pm
reverse parking… going to bed now.. zzZZZ
September 13th, 2006 at 5:11 pm
Tucks misti in.
Everybody shhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 13th, 2006 at 9:50 pm
what happened to misti? she watched too much imaginary TV i guess! ha!
September 13th, 2006 at 9:57 pm
I think she hunted for your blog too long Winnie the Liu. You is in hiding ma?
September 13th, 2006 at 10:58 pm
Wish there be World Peace…
September 13th, 2006 at 11:51 pm
Won’t happen until Jesus returns Jane. I hope the terrorists can be defeated and the defeat spreads to Thailand too. So you can be safe when you go back to your old home.
September 14th, 2006 at 1:53 am
As much as I hope for world peace, I know this day will never happen. Human is never a peaceful thing in life. Everyone have their own way.. and everyone wants everyone to follow their way which leads to conflict, hatred.. fights.
All that we see now is just like our heartbeat… ups and downs… peace would only occur when we are dead… when a straight line is formed with the long “tooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooot” sound.
That’s how cruel life is… that is how dark truth is… sigh… I’m depressed!
September 14th, 2006 at 6:38 am
You’re right V. Thinking of your pinching friends.
Life has decisions. Always make the right one and encourage your friends to make good decisions. It takes away some of the sting of life. And don’t be depressed. People that want to do better can create hope, but remember good things always require an effort.
September 14th, 2006 at 8:25 am
There are too many selfish and inconsiderate people out there. If everyone can learn how to love one another, this world will be a much better place to live in.
September 14th, 2006 at 9:22 am
World peace would be very nice.
Isn’t it silly how people do nasty things in the name of good? I suppose nobody wants to be caught doing nasty things in their own names….
September 14th, 2006 at 9:34 am
That is why we must raise our children with love, Chen. But some people just have children as it is a byproduct of their recreation. The children are ignored or raised in hate.
They terrorists do not seem to mind Plink. They clamor to call in and claim the horrors the perpetrate.
September 14th, 2006 at 12:18 pm
This is a much better layout than your blogspot…more cool!!!
Nobody or no sensible person likes war. I agree with you that a nation like USA with strong military would deter tyrants and inspires them to remain quaking behind their walls. However, there are perceptions that America chooses it’s enemies not because they are tyrant but for economic reasons. I may agree absolutely with this thoughts but there’s glimse of such ideologies, including the infamous: Divide to rule!
September 14th, 2006 at 12:32 pm
Welcome to my blog Maverick SM. Thanks.
The US will always get tagged with the war for oil tag. It is inevitble and unfortunate. Avoidable too if we would develop our resources. That upsets me to no end, that environmentalists with unreal science stop us from developing our own natural resources.
Ceasar developed the divide in rule after he conquered Gaul. If we were doing the same in Iraq we would have split Iraq in three parts. The Sunni, Shiites and Kurds. Though honestly Iraq was actually formed out of the divide and conquer after WWII. In earlier times Iraq and Iran had formed a nation.
The only way to stop terrorism is to take the war to where the terrorists are. Unfortunately, I feel that the war will go into Iran and Syria too. We cannot fight a defensive war and win. If you need to kill snakes, you have to go where the snakes are.
September 14th, 2006 at 12:38 pm
I agree with your points. However, US had to be sensitive to the religious fanatics who could round up supports and gets into guerilla warfares such as 911…then the innocents suffers!!!
September 14th, 2006 at 2:18 pm
wow, heavy talk going on.
lemme just pass through without interrupting. *honk*
September 14th, 2006 at 2:28 pm
So you would argue we have to appease a bunch of murderers that would prefer to fly planes into our buildings rather than talk. I don’t recall the US rejecting the Osama Bin Laden debates. What dialogue has he or his ilk offered to my country or the free world?
The US has freedom of religion that allows muslims to gather freely and they do. This would include any fanatics that may reside within our baoundaries.
Don’t pretend this conflict is fault of the US. It is not. I expect my government to take action against those that seek to destroy my liberty. If innocents die in the war surrouding it is unfortunate. If the terrorists did not hide behind women and children it would help. When fanatics set off car bombs in crowded public areas it is tragic. But don’t blame the US for that.
The goal of this country is stop the killing and prevent future violence. But to achieve this a greater violence must be applied against the fanatics.
September 14th, 2006 at 2:29 pm
You cannot get past me girl. *honk*
September 14th, 2006 at 2:51 pm
getting our bug now. zzzZZ
September 14th, 2006 at 3:35 pm
Here he is. We needa get im a pillow someday.
Nites mistiliu
September 14th, 2006 at 4:08 pm
wow, i missed so much here…
i oso gonna honk honk like mistiliu…
W O R L D P E A C E . . .
September 14th, 2006 at 4:15 pm
I honk. mistiliu beeps…
Maybe you can go ahwoogah instead? Whatchu think Angel?
September 14th, 2006 at 11:17 pm
lol. that would be quite a noisy car then!
September 14th, 2006 at 11:41 pm
It would be a fun ride too.
September 15th, 2006 at 2:24 am
Haha… yes life always have a decision and we are always open to options. But what sucks the most is it seems like there is much options but yet all option leads to the same consequences.
The worst part is the decision is not in your hand. Haha… how can one be not depressed. They need to feel depressed to understand and saviour the happy and undepressed moments.
Yes, hope… that is what keeps people going. Effort eh… yes… good things require effort and never give up. but it’s sad how people only hope for us to make the effort while they get an easy ride. Ah….
I feel dark!
September 15th, 2006 at 2:32 am
come n see my led zep post, thanks. Cheers!
September 15th, 2006 at 2:42 am
Unfortunately, there is hardly one mussie nation who isn’t at war with others or with themselves. There IS something dead wrong with that religion and the ill-interpretations that comes with it.Violence and suicide attacks on civilians as an acceptable norm?
They are so intolerant of other ppl way of life but yet they are coming over to the US or Europe in hoards! If their economies are working well under their shariah laws why don’t they just stay put and rot in their own countries?
September 15th, 2006 at 11:59 am
I like your prayer. Americans are much more supportive of their troops than during the Vietnam era. Last February I took my 8 year old son to Washington DC. We visited the Vietnam Memorial. He ran his fingers across all of those names and commented on how long it was. I told him each name meant someone had died. Then we visited Arlington Cemetery. As far as the eye could see, nothing but white crosses. I told him “remember those names? A lot of them are buried here.” That is when I think it sunk in. We pray a lot for our troops in this house.
September 15th, 2006 at 12:06 pm
There is nothing I can do about others V. Including you. haha What I’m getting at is I can only make my own decisions. The only people I can goad into a decision are my children. Even my own wife needs to make her own choices, though we may share in the discussion.
You must prepare your mind and heart. Then what others do does not matter. As long as you are doing the right thing you can never have an ill conscience.
Also when you have chosen incorrectly. Then redirect yourself back to rightness. I have to do this all the time and recognize that someday I will correct my course again and again.
Okay Kenny Ng. I am on my way.
I imagine you have an excellent perspective on this Cocka. All of the travelling you have done. Truly I marvel that there is not more tension in Malaysia and Singapore. Indonesia and Thailand certainly have endured or should I say are enduring much strife.
I think the moderate muslim wants freedom. The human soul was developed on the need to make decisions. When it talks about man being created in God’s image that is the image referred to. The ability to use volition and decide. The radical muslim does not want anyone to decide, but to be puppets. So naturally these folk want to go someplace where they can exercise their volition.
Sadly, I think some of the hate mongers have slipped in with these folks and they are stirring up the trouble in Europe. Probably have established safe houses there and in North America as well.
September 15th, 2006 at 12:11 pm
Keep praying for em Daphenwood. (Like I need I need to ask you that, sorry). I really hope our military is being well taken care of.
At times like this I recall my days wearing the green. Sometimes I feel guilty for not having to toe the line like these boys and girls. But history is never static and you have to accept the things that come to you in your own time and not live in regret and worrying what could have been. So I get over myself.
September 15th, 2006 at 2:20 pm
* F O G H O R N *
September 15th, 2006 at 3:16 pm
our bug has a pillow now. thought you might want to know.
September 15th, 2006 at 7:23 pm
0.0 @ Plink
We’re going to need a bigger car misti and Angel and Winn and whoever else is jumping on board. The foghorn goes on top. Way on top.
Tats sweet misti. Like you. Muacks!!!
September 15th, 2006 at 9:56 pm
say wat? world peace? i only ever hear beauty paegent contestants wish for that
hey thanks for your email.. missed ya! 
keep up the good blog! i aspire to blog as lengthy as you one day…(in a good way ya!) coz i fall asleep typing after 5 mins 
September 16th, 2006 at 1:33 am
Hey Wabbit! Good to see you visit. I know you are busy with getting ready for February. Missed you too. Falling asleep while blogging is fine. When you wake ups type some more. Eventually you get a post.
September 16th, 2006 at 1:37 pm
it’s sunday i see!
September 16th, 2006 at 6:37 pm
Nope Saturday all around me.
September 17th, 2006 at 11:18 am
hah! not anymore!
September 17th, 2006 at 2:57 pm
PHBTBTBT!!!
September 18th, 2006 at 10:23 am
this is a nice prayer.. and see.. I’m only seeing this almost a week later.
(but I have been very busy as well, still trying to catch up on blog reading)
June 22nd, 2008 at 3:33 pm
I totally agree, i read a similar thing over at www.whatsyourview.net who outlined the same argument