Society Debate: Can we have a conflict free world?

Yes we can! Albert Einstein, the great scientist, said that it is easier to denature plutonium than to denature the evil spirit of man. The World has always been in conflict, making it seem bizarre to argue that we could possibly have a conflict free world one day. Although people realize the importance of a peaceful world, it is almost inherent in their nature to stir misunderstandings, bringing about manmade disasters that are far worse than any natural catastrophe. Whether we like it or not, people are never going to be on the same chapter. Disagreements, misunderstandings, and differences over ideologies and beliefs are bound to cause conflict amongst people all the way from the South Pole to the North Pole. However, isn’t there a way we can be in conflict, without necessarily going to war? When we are in conflict, do we have to pull out knives, guns and bombs to prove that we are right? Yes we have high potential for evil, as Einstein stated, but we are also naturally capable of good deeds, just like the proverb; ‘man is harder than a rock and also more fragile than an egg.’ Nothing justifies the killing of thousands of innocent civilians, never minding the fact that the assailants themselves come from homes with children, wives and relatives they love and pray no harm befalls. This explains why people become what they choose. It is not a matter of being born evil or good. If someone grows up accepting bad influences, they will certainly become bad. Otherwise, if we were all terrible evil beings, my neighbour or I, would be dead by now. The real reason behind the creation of the United Nations was for peace to prevail all over the world through mutual understanding and respect between countries. Although it has gone a long way with criticism on all fronts, the UN has achieved something very great- since 1945—there has never been another World War. Throughout history, we have seen and heard of people who sacrifice their lives for peace. They are neither from Mars nor are they angels—they are mere mortals like us that chose peace. Mahatma Gandhi did not fight with guns against British colonial rule, but he spread peace amongst his people; Nelson Mandela did not fight the ruthless apartheid with terrorism, but with peace; Martin Luther King did no go around shooting white people to restore black dignity, but instead preached peace. Although these gentlemen put their lives on the line, their efforts were later rewarded by the restoration of human rights and freedoms in their respective countries. They proved that when we go to war with the people we disagree with and we win battles, it doesn’t make us more right than them. Let us not be deceived; man’s nature might be in conflict, but it is not to wage war! We can’t avoid conflict, but we can shun war. We can create a war-free world if we all tried; or at least a time when there is more peace than war. mugishaivan@yahoo.comTwitter @RushAfrican