A Pacifism Reality Check

"Since pacifists have more freedom of action in countries where traces of democracy survive, pacifism can act more effectively against democracy than for it. Objectively the pacifist is pro-Nazi." -George Orwell

"Pacifism is objectively pro-fascist. This is elementary common sense. If you hamper the war effort of one side, you automatically help out that of the other. Nor is there any real way of remaining outside such a war as the present one [meaning World War II]. In practice, 'he that is not with me is against me.'" -George Orwell

People and nations fall into about eight general categories in this fallen world:

1. Tyrants and thugs who violently force their will on others to further their goals.
2. Defenders who are willing to violently stand against tyrants and thugs.
3. Pacifists who have the luxury of not being geographically close to tyrants and thugs.
4. Pacifists who are protected by defenders so that they can remain pacifists.
5. Pacifists who have yet to be faced with a real test of their pacifism.
6. Pacifists who abandon their pacifism when they are attacked by tyrants and thugs.
7. Pacifists who grant tyrants and thugs the freedom to kill and dominate people.
8. Dead or subjugated pacifists who were ravaged by tyrants and thugs.

Pacifism--like so many Utopian pipe dreams--tends to crumble each time that it is truly put to the test. Pacifism is only a good thing when war is somehow avoidable. Pacifists who have any sense at all understand that things are not so clear when pure theory meets pure evil.

Pacifism goes against common sense, justice, and self-preservation. It fails because man's sinful nature is set against such noble idealism. This is evident in the telling words of the radical pacifist Ammon Hennacy when he said, "Being a pacifist between wars is as easy as being a vegetarian between meals."

The tested pacifist will witness more evil, oppression, and injustice in his lifetime than any peace-loving soldier.