Anyways, one of the movies I saw was "Gandhi." Gandhi was one of those movies I've avoided like the plague. Everyday as a kid, I would walk home from school. When I arrived, my mom would always be watching Gandhi. Okay, so maybe it wasn't always, there were some days she watched Phil Donahue. But it really felt like that movie was on all the time. I never wanted to see it again. I never cared for it, despite the fact I'm someone that believes in non-violence and he was a leader of the non-violence movement.
But I was sick. I didn't want to move and, oddly enough, I had grabbed Gandhi from my parents movies last time I had been there. So I watched it. It was a really good movie. It was different then I remembered. Gandhi had started his work in South Africa. The whites kicked him off of a train heading to Pretoria, one of the three capitols of South Africa. Well, lo and behold, I know where Pretoria is. I haven't been there but I've been darn close. My brother probably lives within a half hour Pretoria. So here I am watching this movie and I realized I already understand more about it then when I was a kid. Well, duh, some might say, but it did surprise me.
I begin to get in to the movie, just because I've been there. Then I discover, its actually an interesting movie. Gandhi was an interesting person with good ideas. As a person, I would say that he was truly religious. I think most of the people out there practice religion, but he was religious. Why do I say this? Because he says all religions are the same. If you take away the myths, the traditions, the rituals, they are all the same. Love they neighbor, treat people well, be respectful. Every religious person is a Hindu, Muslim, Christian, etc. It doesn't matter which god you worship, but how you act. Now that's a though I find interesting. Now, mind you, I have read parts of the Bible, but I haven't read the Koran or any other religious document. I am basing my feelings from lines in a movie. Probably not the most reliable source, but I found quotes, by Gandhi of course, of support:
"All the religions of the world, while they may differ in other respects, unitedly proclaim that nothing lives in this world but Truth."
The essence of all religions is one. Only their approaches are different."
Makes you think, doesn't it. As I've said, there is a difference between practicing religion and being religious.
I could go a lot more into this, but I want to get into non violence. Gandhi, if somehow you didn't know, believed in non-violence.
Where does one get the idea that non-violence is the answer? As a kid, it probably never enters our minds. We let our instincts rule, more often then not, and kids probably don't even realize what violence is, that they are doing it (which I've seen about every kid do), or that it could be bad. Then you grow up and some people still think that there is a place for violence and others, like Gandhi say there isn't. What causes that change? I think there is some sort of instinct in us to be violent. When something happens to us, it's so easy to want revenge, want to scream, yell, hit. Violence would seem like the easy path. How did someone get the idea that it may be wrong?
I believe in non-violence. My parents raised me that way, but as I've grown, I've decided, of my own free will, I agree with non-violence . Why? Well, the answer lies in another quote, "Violence begets violence." When a violent action happens, the victims ended up wanting revenge. Violence causes hatred and anger, which leads to more violence. People don't respect or care for the people who caused them harm.
But I wonder where does non-violence stop, or does it ever? Were we right to fight Hitler and Japan? If we had resisted them non-violently, would we be American right now? Were we right to drop the nuclear bomb? Did that really save more lives then it killed (mind you, I am not going to turn into one of those people that runs around saying we shouldn't have done it, I am just questioning for the sake of questioning)? What would have happened in Germany if the Jews had resisted Hitler? If they hadn't worn the yellow stars, if they hadn't obeyed the rules of the Nazi's? Yes, they would have died, but would it have been fewer than in the the concentration camps?
*****Off Topic Announcement******
I'm listening to the Giants while writing.
I just heard, live, the first triple play in my life!!!!
Pitcher came in, threw one pitch, and got three outs.
*****End Announcement*******
And what if I am personally being attacked? If I am being raped, do I resist without fighting? I don't see that happening. I think I would fight back. Would Gandhi agree? How could he not? And yet, how could he? How do you say you are non-violent, but fight when being hurt. His people were beaten, shot at, and killed, yet they did not fight back (well, they did, but a lot less often then one could imagine), If it was someone hurting me, they are not out to rule my country, or put down my people, but to get to me, personally. Shouldn't I fight to save my life in that situation?
