Ezra Stiles
Ezra Stiles’ thought-provoking idea about defensive war challenges us to consider the larger scale of conflicts, like those between countries or within a country in danger. While war should always be a last resort, understanding the complexity of defensive war can help us work towards a more peaceful future where war becomes a thing of the past.
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War is such a big and complicated subject, isn’t it? The idea that some wars might be okay, while others are clearly not, can make for interesting conversations. Ezra Stiles, a historical figure who lived way back in the 1700s, once said something quite thought-provoking on this topic. He suggested: “War, in some instances, especially defensive, has been authorized by Heaven.” What do you think he meant by that? Let’s take a closer look and unwrap this idea together.
When Ezra Stiles mentioned “Heaven,” he was referring to a higher power or, more specifically, to God as understood in many religious traditions. He was saying that there are certain situations when a higher power might consider war to be justified. It’s like if you’ve ever been in a situation where you had to stand up for yourself or someone else; you know that sometimes, you need to take action to defend what’s right. Stiles believed that the same principle could apply on a much larger scalelike between countries or within a country when its people are in danger.
“Defensive” is the key word here. What Stiles is talking about is defensive war, which is a kind of war that happens when a country or a group of people is attacked and they fight back to protect themselves. Imagine someone picked on you at school. If you pushed back to keep them from doing it again, that would be defensive, right? You’re not starting the fight; you’re trying to stop it to keep yourself safe. Countries sometimes do the same thingwhen they’re threatened, they might need to defend themselves, and sometimes that can mean going to war.
Now, let’s not forget that war is never a good thing to jump to right away. It brings a lot of suffering and sadness. People get hurt, and families can be torn apart. That’s why many people, including some religious and ethical leaders, believe that war should only be a last resort. Before even thinking about something like war, it’s really important for countries and their leaders to try everything else they can think oftalking things out, making agreements, and finding peaceful solutions to their problems.
But not all wars are defensive. Unfortunately, some wars are started by groups or countries that want to control others, get more land, or maybe gain access to important resources like water or oil. These wars are definitely not the kind that Stiles was talking about. He was focused on the kind of war you’d get into only when you really have no other choicewhen it’s about protecting people and standing up for what’s right.
Thinking about the idea of “Heaven” giving the green light to war is a tricky subject. Many people all around the world have different beliefs about what’s right and wrong when it comes to war. Some believe that only a higher power can decide when war is justified, while others think it’s up to us humans to figure out the ethics and morality of going to war. People have written tons of books, spoken countless words, and even made movies about how complex these decisions can be.
Even in history class, you might have learned about wars that seemed to be fought for good reasons. For example, many people look back at World War II and think about how countries joined forces to stop some really bad things from happening, like the terrible actions of the Nazis. And then there are other wars, where it’s harder to find those clear-cut reasons, and historians, as well as regular folks, debate whether those wars should have happened at all.
But let’s remember that the world is a much different place now than it was in Ezra Stiles’ times. We have the United Nations and lots of international laws that try to prevent unfair wars from starting. These organizations and laws help countries work together and solve their problems without fighting. Plus, people come together from all over the world to stand up for peace and to help those who are hurt by war. There are charity organizations, peace activists, and even kids like you who raise their voices to say, “Let’s find a peaceful solution!”
It’s also really important to keep learning about why wars start and how they can be prevented. When we understand the past, we can help shape a future that’s more peaceful. By respecting others, appreciating differences, and learning to communicate and solve problems together, we’re all taking steps toward creating a world where maybe, just maybe, war doesn’t have to be the answer anymore.
So, when we think about what Ezra Stiles said, we’re reminded that the idea of war, especially defensive war, has been around for a very long time. It’s one way that people have thought about protecting themselves and their way of life. But it’s definitely not the only way, and perhaps, as we get wiser and kinder as a global community, it could become a way of the past. We’ve got the brains, the heart, and the technology to find new solutions to our problemsa peaceful path we can walk together.
In the end, whether or not war is “authorized by Heaven” is a matter of personal belief and interpretation. But one thing’s for certain: Everybodyno matter how old they are or where they come fromcan contribute to peace. Whether it’s being kind to someone different from you, learning about other cultures, or even just talking about big ideas like these, you’re playing a part in building a world that looks for peace first and where war is always the very last option no one wants to choose.
I hope this quote inspired image brings you hope and peace. Share it with someone who needs it today!
