Rather than dwell on specifics and try to sort out the guilty from the innocent like a spiritual hack would, just think what would happen if people just forgave? Do forgiving people march down the streets bullying people with mindless chants of group conformity? Do forgiving people advocate violating the Golden Rule? Do forgiving people destroy and steal people’s private property? Do forgiving people consciously put themselves into situations where they might get attacked by an angry mob and put in a kill or be killed position? Do forgiving people scold the bad behavior of the other side but resist addressing their own side? Do forgiving people insist other people conform to their subjective view of the world? Do forgiving people lust for control of the force of government to impose their will on others? Obviously, forgiving people don’t do that stuff. But most people don’t forgive much including the ones that claim to.
Regardless, how do you forgive when the war shows up to you instead of you showing up to the war? It’s easy to pontificate and act all holier than thou from afar. But if the war shows up in front of your face what do you do? Do you join the unhinged mob so as to not get hurt? Do you let the mob destroy your property and even yourself in the name of nonviolence? Do you fight back as the only recourse to preserve life and property and risk prison over self defense? On one level it’d be nice to think that such a thing could never happen to a dedicated Course student. But still, it’s nice to be prepared. If we were already free of all our unconscious guilt, we wouldn’t seemingly be here. So I don’t know what the answer is for you. You’ll have to figure it out yourself by consulting Spirit. I have.
War is inherently suicidal. When you hate your abstracted opponent so much that you are willing to destroy your opponent, you are also willing to be destroyed yourself. War violates the Golden Rule and so it is suicidal. War comes in many forms, not all forms are bloody but all forms are inherently suicidal. For example, professional athletes (war actors) have been trying to commit career suicide by not playing games. They can’t quite articulate the solution to what they are upset about but they are nonetheless willing to threaten to destroy themselves unless they get what they don’t even quite know what they want. Pretty dumb, especially since plenty of their fans don’t share in their subjective perception of things and would be willing to return fire by tuning out from their trivial games. This is the year 2020 after all; entertainment choices are not limited like they used to be. For example, in 1995 this free blog didn't exist.
If people really wanted to reduce death by cop right now, they’d be teaching people to start any interaction with cops with the question, “How can we stay safe today officer?” and to then comply with what the cops say. If you are up against a grizzly bear, it is best to just do what won't get you killed unless suicide by bear is the objective. Would changes with cops be useful? Of course, but it will never be enough just as it already hasn’t. Because really it’s not about that; it’s really just a typical mammalian pissing contest where one side has power the other side wants. If you don’t want government cops then it’s time to get some philosophy and become a voluntaryist like me. Otherwise, you want government cops because you want government force when it works in your or your special group's favor. Just remember, all government laws are just words on paper without people in special uniforms willing to use guns or other lethal force to enforce them.
Play stupid games and win stupid prizes.
