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Andrew Gilbert's avatar

Thank you for your essay. When if ever is it wholesome virtuous and wise to harm or even kill another in order to prevent minimize or somehow address the ongoing harm and even killing by that other of another?

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Kerstin's avatar

A beautifully worded, recent expression of view #5 is this poem by Rabbi Irwin Keller. Written on 17th October, 2023.

TAKING SIDES

Today I am taking sides.

I am taking the side of Peace.

Peace, which I will not abandon

even when its voice is drowned out

by hurt and hatred,

bitterness of loss,

cries of right and wrong.

I am taking the side of Peace

whose name has barely been spoken

in this winnerless war.

I will hold Peace in my arms,

and share my body’s breath,

lest Peace be added

to the body count.

I will call for de-escalation

even when I want nothing more

than to get even.

I will do it

in the service of Peace.

I will make a clearing

in the overgrown

thicket of cause and effect

so Peace can breathe

for a minute

and reach for the sky.

I will do what I must

to save the life of Peace.

I will breathe through tears.

I will swallow pride.

I will bite my tongue.

I will offer love

without testing for deservingness.

So don’t ask me to wave a flag today

unless it is the flag of Peace.

Don’t ask me to sing an anthem

unless it is a song of Peace.

Don’t ask me to take sides

unless it is the side of Peace.

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Michael Doud's avatar

Thank you for this article. Identifying with anything limits the ability to be truly free.

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Christopher Titmuss's avatar

Dear Andrew

Thank you for your question. Give me a few common examples of wholesome, virtuous and wise

action linked to harming and killling. best wishes, Christopher

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