What I Believe, MSS, Volume 9, Issue 3
Dublin Core
Title
What I Believe, MSS, Volume 9, Issue 3
Creator
Jim Mitchell
Publisher
Butler University, Department of English
Date
1942-03-01
Rights
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Text
IN THE Last two or three years, it has been extremely difficult for the peoples of the world to find anything strong, permanent, or lasting enough to withstand the ravages of war. Dreams and cherished hopes have been consumed overnight or in the space of but an hour or two by the ever growing blaze which is threatening to engulf the entire universe. Men have come to believe only in the strength and power of the sword and the maxim that "might makes right." The cries of the idealist that war can be banished from the earth are lost in the roar of cannon, the clump-clump of marching feet, and the screams of fanatical "soap-box orators." And, indeed, as the forces of evil continue to succeed in their nefarious schemes, it is hard to believe that there is any force in the world at the command of man which can overcome the great god Mars and his followers. But a force is there; a force which has proven its powers over and over again where men are ready and willing to accept it as a means of combating evil. I refer to one of the most potent forces known to man, if he will only realize it- the force of education.
I firmly believe that one of the outstanding causes for bloodshed and hatred which is sweeping the nations of the world today is misused and misplaced education, and I also believe that it can solve the problem as easily as it has perpetrated it. The Germans, Italians, and Japanese have been taught to believe that war is glorioUS and that their leaders have been sent by Divine Providence to rule the universe by means of this glorious thing. Why, then, could not these people be taught, just as we have been taught, to look upon war in its true light and upon the dictators in their true light? It is my contention that the minds which have accepted, believed, and understood the fanatical prattle of Hitler Mussolini and Stalin are fully capable of accepting the Christian teachings of sensible men.
The task of spreading this type of education would be an impossible one at this time, of course; but the path to be followed and the course to be pursued are fairly definite in my mind. The only way to impress these peoples is to defeat them, and their dictators, at their own ridiculous game. If education is even to be given a chance, we must smash the Axis on the fields of battle, treat them fairly and sensibly in the terms of peace, and begin the arduous task of showing them their mistakes. The task will be difficult, of course, but I am convinced that the human being has never been born who can't be won over by kindness and equal treatment.
I firmly believe that war can be banished under this, or some similar, plan. I suggest that, since the sword has already been proved incapable of solving the problem, we try the yardstick instead.
I firmly believe that one of the outstanding causes for bloodshed and hatred which is sweeping the nations of the world today is misused and misplaced education, and I also believe that it can solve the problem as easily as it has perpetrated it. The Germans, Italians, and Japanese have been taught to believe that war is glorioUS and that their leaders have been sent by Divine Providence to rule the universe by means of this glorious thing. Why, then, could not these people be taught, just as we have been taught, to look upon war in its true light and upon the dictators in their true light? It is my contention that the minds which have accepted, believed, and understood the fanatical prattle of Hitler Mussolini and Stalin are fully capable of accepting the Christian teachings of sensible men.
The task of spreading this type of education would be an impossible one at this time, of course; but the path to be followed and the course to be pursued are fairly definite in my mind. The only way to impress these peoples is to defeat them, and their dictators, at their own ridiculous game. If education is even to be given a chance, we must smash the Axis on the fields of battle, treat them fairly and sensibly in the terms of peace, and begin the arduous task of showing them their mistakes. The task will be difficult, of course, but I am convinced that the human being has never been born who can't be won over by kindness and equal treatment.
I firmly believe that war can be banished under this, or some similar, plan. I suggest that, since the sword has already been proved incapable of solving the problem, we try the yardstick instead.
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