The Islamic State now wreaking havoc on the
Middle East and the West has chosen one way to change the world. It is neither
an unfamiliar nor particularly new idea. Throughout human history similar
ideologies have bloodied their way across the world seeking to establish
lasting power through fear.
To us, looking from the outside in, the Islamic
State appears to be the consummate evil amidst a cauldron of like-minded
horrific acts.
I propose that the Islamic State simply
mirrors a world that has created the "space" for such horror.
Children are allowed to learn to shoot guns. Clever entrepreneurs
call it fun and offer a burger on the side. Arnold Schwarzenegger is out
touting his next Terminator movie. Does the world really need more
violent films? Is violence really "entertaining"? Does it
improve our world, provide our children with good values and respect for life,
teach more lasting and humane ways to solve conflict?
I would like to offer an alternative to the Islamic
State. I propose that instead of killing people, they might consider providing
schools, hospitals and good paying jobs. I propose that if they want to leave a lasting mark on the
world, they lay down their arms and take up generosity, inclusion, tolerance
and compassion.
Impossible! Many of you might say.
But I say, why not?
Our response to the Islamic State to
"follow them to the gates of hell" (Joe Biden), is what we've always
done—throughout all of human history. We build a bigger gun, a pilotless plane,
a long-range missile, precision strikes, and we believe that eventually we will
win the war against terror.
Terror is not new. It has been
around forever. If we want such groups
to disappear, we have to build an alternative for the people who
are joining their ranks.
The leaders of the Islamic State, or any
armed band, do not cause the havoc they espouse. Their Followers do. Give them a reason NOT to be a part of the
carnage. This is the only way terror
will stop. In other words, Osama Bin Laden did not strap on a bomb and blow
up anything. Al Qaeda recruited willing
souls to do it for him.
You want a more peaceful world, build it. Offer an alternative to future suicide
bombers that they can’t refuse. Don’t
tie it to money. Tie it to
humanity. To inclusion of all
disenfranchised peoples. Nobody gets
left out.
As long as we always reach for guns to solve our
problems, or, as in the case the Ukraine and Vladimir Putin, economic
sanctions. Nothing will change.
Humans are smarter than they know. They can build weapons that will destroy the
world. Such a sad use of our immense talent.
What if we built a world that could annihilate
war and spread peace?
Actually we can.
If we want it bad enough.
