tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8610056839047550590.post7827718974520735749..comments2023-08-22T14:13:36.305-07:00Comments on Tokyo Unitarian Fellowship: Dec. 13 2009 Mahatma Gandhi and violence:Tokyo Unitarian Fellowshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15190756770904205633noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8610056839047550590.post-89791235828398083132009-12-20T06:26:18.448-08:002009-12-20T06:26:18.448-08:00As expected, Vivek gave us a very lively talk, (ac...As expected, Vivek gave us a very lively talk, (accompanied by some charming Russian music coming from the room next door.)<br /><br />If I may summarize, he spoke on two themes <br />1. That to defeat radical terrorism you must understand it. <br />2. To explore the neglected alternative of non-violence.<br /><br />It was fitting that we were taking up this topic so soon after President Obama was discussing Martin Luther King's non-violence in his acceptance speech for the Nobel Peace prize which Dr. King also won.<br /><br />Some of is comments that struck me:<br /><br />"Gandhi was deeply concerned about violence in the struggle for Indian independence and deliberately engaged in dialogue with the worst Indian terrorist, writing "Indian Home Rule" on a ship to London in 1908.<br /><br />He posed the question - "What is the India that you want?" If killing is the way you want, will it dehumanize us, free or encage us." <br /><br />"Human beings are never so degenerate that he cannot be one over by 'organized moral pressure'." <br /><br />We also discussed terrorism in India, the Middle East, Ireland and other places, as well as how essential it is to try to put yourself into the other persons mind, and yet how difficult it is.<br /><br />The talk and discussion were a lot more interesting than my summary, but I just wanted to leave a flavor of the discussion for anyone who reads this.<br /><br />ChuckTokyo Unitarian Fellowshiphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15190756770904205633noreply@blogger.com