Pacifism

There are some kids who would declare themselves pacifists- they say they find violence to be immoral and inexcusable. And first of all, I just want to make it clear that I'm not trying to be a dick with any of this.

I think the self-proclaimed pacifists just like the idea of being nice and unconventional. They say violence is wrong while they support the institutionalized mass murder of hundreds of millions throughout history. They claim that violence is the bane of mankind while ignoring the fact that humankind was born in blood. They declare violence to be immoral while buying products from and sending money to murderers across the world. In other words, the pacifists at Prior Lake support government, ignore ancient tribal warfare, pay taxes and buy stuff from sweatshops. 

I think I'll be getting into the whole issue of government a lot more in the future, but let me condense this perspective in a few short sentences for expediency's sake. Any form of government is merely a group deciding what is best for strangers, and killing these strangers if they disobey. Taxation is extortion: You pay up and we'll make sure nothing bad happens to you, but if you don't pay up we'll make sure something bad does happen to you.... Democracy is a sanitized version of Might Makes Right: My 51% beats your 49%, so therefore my 51% is right- obey or die. 

Born in blood? Yes, everything is born in blood. Life evolves through exploitation, cunning, cruelty, mercilessness, and brutality. Humans are no exception. And even after they become evolved to the point of civilization, or at least hunting and gathering, the bloodshed doesn't stop. History is filled with war. Whatever exists in the present day; whether it be political ideology, technology, nation-states, language, art, or culture; only exists because that's what the best killers used. 

If you disagree, then think about this: Who would when in a fight, a pacifist or a murderer?

Paying for and supporting violence? Yes, if you want to lead a normal life you are simply required to pay the salary of hit men and buy products from oppressive slave-owners. Your government will never ask you where you want your tax money to go. You cannot buy from the nicest supplier and expect to achieve any level of economic success. No, your money is taken from you by force and sent into the pockets of professional and well-equipped killers. The most successful businessmen are the most exploitive and ruthless; it's the way the natural world works. 

I think anyone calling himself a pacifist should ask, "Am I the product of millions of years of bloodshed? Do I honor killers wearing my nation's flag? Do I pay to make murder happen?" Unless you are a radical, uncompromising hero, you answer "Yes," to all three of these. And even the heroes were born in blood.