FORMER prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s insightful and thought-provoking article, “Use people power to outlaw war, too” (NST, June 1), deserves national attention.
Among all the living creatures on Earth, human beings are the most unique and intelligent. Humans, despite their relatively short existence on the planet compared with the rest of the animal kingdom, have established their superiority over the rest by the power of the human mind.
The human brain is much more developed and advanced than an animal’s. Humans can think, speak, work out problems, form abstract ideas and have compassion.
Because of these qualities, humans are the only living being on Earth to have civilisation, culture, religion, science, art and education. All these have allowed us to progress, develop and improve our quality of life.
Today, the world is so modern and advanced that life has become pleasurable with physical comfort. But despite all the advances and achievements of mankind in this scientific age, I cannot recall a single day passing without something terrible happening somewhere.
As if natural disasters like earthquakes, floods and fires were not bad enough, we find man-made problems and crimes, like murder, rape, kidnapping, terrorism and war taking place all over the world.
Since the dawn of history, people have fought against other people. Any struggle in which two large groups try to destroy or conquer each other is a war. The history of mankind is full of bloodshed.
Humans, in their desire to control the world and everything surrounding them, have become the most greedy and violent beings on Earth.
According to world history, the 20th century was one of war and bloodshed.
In the past 100 years, the world has gone through two world wars in which millions were killed or injured and properties destroyed, causing untold misery and pain and damage to mankind and the environment.
In times of war, it is not uncommon to find troops committing war crimes like looting, rape, murder and arson. Victims of wars live in the most deplorable condition without food, water, shelter and medicine.
Defence spending by most countries, especially the highly-developed ones, increase yearly. It is not too much to say that if World War 3 were to take place, it would be the end of the world where there would be no victors or losers, only bodies.
Hatred does not cease by hatred; by love alone does it cease. This is the most practical advice given by an ancient teacher of mankind and it still stands true today.
If peace is to be attained, humans must be true to themselves and their fellow beings. Peace is the result of human’s mental development and living in harmony with others. Tolerance, mutual understanding, respect and acceptance must be practised if peace is to come to this troubled and restless world.
Mankind must learn to live with others who are different from them and must show humane qualities, like loving, caring and sharing, being responsible, being morally right and just at all times.
Avoiding evil and doing good will do us and the world a whole lot of good by ensuring terrorism, racism and extremism does not take place and destroy the world.
The world needs loving kindness, compassion, wisdom and people who are willing to give and share.
Human life is most valuable. There is no affliction that affects as many as death.
And to die in the most natural and peaceful manner is our greatest blessing. Let us live by promoting love, joy, hope, happiness and peace to the world.
Wherever we are and whatever we do, maintain our human dignity as there are no problems so grave that it cannot be discussed and solved in the most sensible, peaceful and mature way.
Mankind can work together for world peace and free the world from fear, violence, wrongdoing and bloodshed.
What is the point of man reaching the moon and beyond if he can’t even reach himself and his fellow beings?
