Peace? Since When?

OK, one of the blogs I follow,Miyazaki Ministries, because it plays to my better nature, asks the question "Is There Justification For War." Now you have to understand that this site, while announcing itself to be Buddhist (good point) is more atheist than theist (bad point). So when I read all the reasons why war can not be justified, I had to ask myself - are these people conflicted or what? They seem to be at war with themself.

On the one hand you have people who wish to live in a dream land of peace - hey, don't we all? Yet on the otherhand believe in a universe ruled by "natural law". Now, the nature that I am familiar with is not peaceful.Yes, if you are looking at a planet that is orbiting a larger mass then you have a peaceful equalibrium and all is right with the universe - if you don't mention the occassional meteor strike or galaxy collision.

On the other hand, you can watch our local four legged friends who are quite peaceful - when asleep. At other times when looking for food, marking territory or looking for dates they are not inclined towards peaceful "civil" relationships. So where is it in natural law that we can find an example for all those idealic relationships my friends at Miyazaki Ministries put forth as the proper way to live?

They say we have been at war with each other - essentially since the first proto human picked up a stick and waved it at another. Well then wouldn't that give us a hint that war and agressive competition is a basic human nature? Peaceful nationa and peaceful rabbits have a tendency to get eaten. Strong nations have peace just as strong lions tend to have peace as they kill their weaker rivals.

So, what is the motivating justification for peace and "renouncing greed and unjust desires"? It is not true that "All religions teach people not to kill ..." though the Bible does speak about turning the other cheek. Most major religions however DO teach respect for human life but that teaching is not based on natural law but on the foundation of a belief in and instruction from a higher spiritual power.

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