This morning Pakistani Taliban militants attacked the Army Public School and College in Peshawar, Pakistan killing 132 children and 9 adults. They also wounded 121 students and 3 adults. A spokesperson for the Taliban, Mohammed Khurasani claimed responsibility for the attack saying it was retribution for the military's operations in North Waziristan where the group's fighters are based. He stated: "We targeted their kids so that they could know how it feels when they hit our kids." The response from Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel Peace Prize winner was: "Innocent children in their school have no place in horror such as this. I condemn these atrocious and cowardly acts."
It is hatred and evil beyond my ability to comprehend. I barely understand adults who are willing to kill each other over religion or any other belief system. Is being a Christian, Jew, Muslim, atheist, Republican, Democrat, Socialist, or any other religious or political belief system worth the slaughter of children? What purpose can this possibly serve? In what universe does this means justify any end? Some may wonder why I want to have as little to do with the world as possible. It is things like this. Days like today when I look to the sky above and hope for that giant asteroid. Maybe, once again, the earth needs to be virtually scrubbed free of life. Perhaps the next dominant species will have more sense. Maybe it will not be a plague upon the land like mankind is proving to be. Using up resources, polluting the oceans, seas, rivers and lakes. Destroying other species daily for no real reason.
What will be the end result of today's horror? The Taliban alleged they killed because they were being killed. That drone strikes were killing them and their children. The Prime Minister of Pakistan has promised retribution. The killing today will result in more killing. What will be the response from the other side? Retaliation and more killing. It is, and perhaps always will be, a never ending cycle. It will end when the last two face off in a death match. One will kill the other and then have no idea what to do next. Everyone is dead and there is no one left to hate. The winner can stand among the dead bodies. Maybe then true sorrow will be felt. It will be too late. The damage will be complete. The winner will find no satisfaction only hollow loneliness.
So why? Explain to me why. Why do religions that teach love your neighbor, treat others as you would hope to be treated are so often an excuse for death and cruelty? It isn't just one religion. Don't think this is limited to the Taliban. Read what Christians write in comments on Facebook and news sites that post stories about Muslims. How they should all be killed. That they somehow don't deserve to live. Hate and killing are not the answer.
Why? Just Why?
No comments:
Post a Comment