Why do we kill each other? The first great work of history, Thucydides’ History of Peloponnesian War, written in fifth century B.C. E., is an analysis dedicated to discussing why men fight. Thucydides did not ask whether war was right or wrong. To him, war was a fact of life—men fight for survival. The author’s message was that if one fights, one risks death; but country that refuses to fight will undergo death as penalty.

Then again ancient Book of all books, Bible, states something similar to Thucydides’ philosophy when it says, “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—“(3:1) In verse eight of same chapter it continues, “…A time for war and a time for peace” (Ecclesiastes 3:8b). There is no explanation why, only fact stated as truth.

I’ll close this document by quoting Mr. Strauss one more time. “Democracy and capitalism are shared values, and, when combined with an ever-increasing interdependent economic system, it is rarely in interest of one such country to harm another because net result will be a diminution of both. As such, one of best things that can be done to promote world peace is to promote capitalistic democracies. Far from being jingoistic, this is simply a conclusion drawn from facts: Democracies don’t go to war.”

See you tomorrow. In mean time keep faith, and stay course. Jesus one day will right wrongs. Pastor Tdash.

“Yes, ethnicity was a factor, but not as big a factor as you may believe. It is when ethnicity is tied to poverty that war often results. In richer countries, those ethnic divides are more easily breached without violence and war” (ibid p.10).

On other hand, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has another idea as to why wars occur. “Although Annan acknowledges that poverty does play a role in many contemporary standoffs, he would like us to shift our focus of attention to lack of equality and power many domestic social groups face in world today: ‘It is this [inequality], rather than poverty that seems to be critical factor.’ “ (ibid p. 11). Are you beginning to sense reasons why people hate?

Because of humanity’s “fallen state” (since garden of Eden) in which man pursues his personal interests at expense and exploitation of others until tipping point becomes a fight, a struggle, a war of liberation for oppressed, do some men hate more than others. Then again, once oppressed have been liberated, cycle for some begins again.

So you may ask. Can we help ourselves to hate not? Yes we can. But please be advised, it will costs us our lives. That’s right. Are you willing to lay down a life of selfish objectives for good of your brother? Instead of loving only yourself, can you love unlovely too? I told you it would cost you something—your life. You must lay down your life at foot of Cross and receive God’s only begotten Son in order to live with power necessary to love all and hate none. That’s gospel truth!

Keep faith. Stay, I said stay course. Jesus is headed your way today. Blessed!

Pastor Tdash