Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Better active evil than passive good?

By Robert Mclean - posted Thursday, 22 November 2012


Some feel that it is men and their distorted values and reasons who escort nations into war, while it is women with their instinctive caring natures who engender peace. That is an argument many would contest.

However, those who believe it is men and their egoist driven ambitions that cause war should note a painting on the wall opposite, “Journeys and Destinations” – a small painting capturing the moment the World War One peace treaty was signed.

Anyone would in fact find value in hesitating for a moment before an image of the Palace of Versailles bursting with men eager to be a part of history, and so be among those who witnessed the signing of the peace treaty between German and the Allied Powers in June 1919.

Advertisement

The fine piece of art shows the main hall in the palace full of men and not a woman in sight. The treaty those men signed brought only a brief hiatus to war and was so restrictive to Germany, in particular, that it became something of a trigger for World War Two.

Peace is something far deeper, complex and grander than an absence of conflict for it demands the embrace of a positive paradigm; a paradigm in which people say “no” to distractions and entertainment whose essence, and language, is confrontational and violent, as is the foundational philosophies of most modern films and television programs.

As with shrines of remembrance everywhere and for whatever reason they exist, the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance cements in our psyche the reality of conflict and although it is important we remember the event/s, it is equally important that having learned from it, that we move on.

Such things as the Shrine of Remembrance have the power to keep us rooted in the past and while it is true that future success is inextricable linked to an understanding of the past, it is an error to look toward tomorrow through the prism of what was.

Peace was one of the four “pillars” on which the shrine was founded, but it is something that will forever elude us unless we expand our thinking, challenge and change our adversarial and belligerent behaviour, understand mutuality and be cautious with our of vernacular.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

5 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Robert Mclean

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Robert Mclean
Article Tools
Comment 5 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy