MadMonk wrote:Yes, we do have the history of blood and war. Perhaps we still do, from Bosnia to Kosovo to Ukraine. Probably add Libya and Syria to that list, I'll let the Americans own Afghanistan and Iraq themselves.
But we have been trying to do better than we once were. Let the first person without sin cast the first stone and I'll call you a liar, while being pebbled with rocks by a collection of hypocrites, no doubt.
I have always thought that in order for an individual to improve and it applies to nation states as well is that you have to acknowledge what you do wrong in the first place. Acknowledge the greed, the violence, the lack of ethics, the lying, the cheating and all the rest. Admit what was immoral and unethical. That is essential. Take responsibility for it. Fully.
Then cease and desist. Do not repeat that same mistake. If you can't repair the damage at least refrain from harm. In the ideal situation you build a good and trustworthy relationship over time with the group you initially offended deeply with the wars, lies, cheating, etc.
That is how it goes in life. Forgiving is a long process but it needs to start somewhere.
People think war is hard to avoid. It is not. You just need to put more energy into peace by a lot over the idea of a quick conquest and war. The false thinking is that war is predictable and easy and you are guaranteed that the other side is going to lose. Hubris. Pride. Lying in your own head thinking you are better and superior to whoever you are despising.
It is the battle of the ego. Controlling it, slaying it and removing it from decision making. That is what is hard.