The rhetoric often finds traction among a societal “peace culture” embellished by some academicians, re-echoed by media, ergo some people etc. with church bells tolling for the same, bordering on brotherly pacifism, if not dangerous appeasemant: 1) “There are no victors in war” 2) “In war, civilians are always the victims” 3) “If there are no soldiers in my community, there would be no war” 4) “Dialogue is better than war”.
Abhorrent or otherwise, war and diplomacy has always been the twin forces that have moved and shaken human civilization. Where would religions be if not for “Holy Wars”? What would have been the complexity of the world if there were no “Allied Forces” amidst the blitzkrieg of Panzer divisions conquering majority of Europe with the samurai culture on the necks of Asian countries? Is “surrender” for peace, the alternative? There are victors in the unfortunate and sad price humanity must always be ready to pay versus aggression, violence and evil. The victimization is always unlimited to civilian lives, but gratuituous of those directly tasked to enroll life as a duty, to protect and safeguard a higher calling – freedom, democracy, territory, civilian life, law & order, and restoration of peace. Dialogue for dialogues sake is empty. Pressure, with the specter of force, must always be applied.
Two doctors of the Church, St. Agustine and St. Aquinas speaks of a “Just War”. They take cover under the Bible, Romans 13:4, speaking of governments being chosen by God and provided a sword for evil-doers. “War while terrible is not the worse option”. A just war may be enforced because of 1) Important Responsibilities 2) Stop undesirable outcomes 3) Preventable atrocities as justification for war –“Jus Bellum Iustrium”. He breaks this into “Right to go to war and it’s morality” – “Jus Ad Bellum” and the “Right to conduct war and the morality in the conduct with-in war” – “Jus In Bello”. For St. Aquinas, a just war must: 1) Be waged by properly instituted authority 2) Occur for a good and just purpose rather than self-gain ex. Restoring some good, territory etc. 3) Attaining peace is the central motive amidst the violence. (Erik Espina)