Good Example Of Essay On No Love In Violence

In his letter to Mohandas Gandhi of September 7, 1910, Leo Tolstoy argues that the purest form of love would not allow for violence. His position emphasizes that one cannot have love for another and respond in an aggressive or harmful manner. Christ did not support nor preach that violence or forceful actions against another would be acceptable under any means. There is not a situation in the world that could justify a violent response. Even when one is robbed of all his or her possessions and left alone to suffer, the individual who has love for his fellow human would never retaliate in a manner that would harm the individual(s) who are responsible for subjecting the victim to such violations. For those who rob a man, there is no love in their hearts for the other life when taking actions that result in harm or suffering to another individual. Hence, if love in its unadulterated form exists, acts of violence causing anguish for another would not be accepted under any circumstance.
Tolstoy’s sentiment about non-violence clearly resonated with Gandhi who became famous for his non-violent victory of regaining India’s liberation from British rule. The non-violent approaches of responding to problems that exist in the world were then adopted by other great leaders, such as Martin Luther King Jr. who fought for Civil Rights in America. Although the stance that these great leaders took in working to attain their noble goals is admirable, the unfortunate reality is that the non-violent approach is not fully accepted or practiced throughout the world as a viable solution. One would have to agree in what Tolstoy expressed about love as an honest solution to all the pain and suffering that exists in the world.
When love is present, it seems impossible to allow another to suffer. The excessive greed that is prevalent among the elite “1 percent” of the rich and powerful does not suggest any love for his or her fellow man or woman. There is no justifiable reason for the extravagance that these individuals enjoy when millions, perhaps billions are going without basic necessities of food, clothing, and shelter. If love in its truest form existed in their hearts, they would not consume at the level they do, nor would they perpetuate the unethical practices that keep them growing in power and riches. When love is present in one individual towards another, watching another agonize would be unbearable. For example, a mother’s love is considered without any bounds, which is why she would go to any measure in protecting her child from pain and suffering.
War would definitely be eradicated if love existed in the hearts of all human kind. There are enough resources in the world that could be shared equally among men, women, and children if a lack of love were not evident in the corrupt members of society. Even in a democratic nation where politicians are meant to stand for the rights of the citizens, greed and corruption has infiltrated the freedoms and equality in life for the masses. The same groups that dictate the policies of nations are the ones supporting the wars that ultimately would not exist if love existed as Christ intended. “Love thy neighbor” is not a statement that is taken seriously by a large majority of the rulers or citizens of the world. The façade of value in possessions would not come before the well-being of another person if love were present.
It is not only violence in the form of death and destruction that is void of love. The lack of humanity in any aggressive and ruthless form of action that displays a complete disregard for another is only possible when love is lacking. There is an evident disconnect among people throughout the world that perpetuates the sense of love that would remove the evil ways of the wicked. No longer would there be a deep rooted hatred or sense of superiority if love existed as intended. To look at the suffering of one’s fellow human being would be too painful if he or she loved the other as they love their own.
Unfortunately, the evidence of a shortage of love in the hearts of the ruling class is to blame for the miseries that exist across the globe. When one is desperate to secure basic necessities, he or she no longer has the mindfulness and presence of love, which is why there is a fight to take what they need for their own. The greed of the leaders and decision makers of the world leave the majority of people with a shortage of what could help make life fulfilling. As a result of their greed, the remaining portions of society are left adopting this loveless attitude in pursuing what they need for survival.
One could only hope for Tolstoy’s message of love and non-violence to be embraced by all individuals as an answer to all the problems facing the world today. Love would stop so many damaging actions that are taken against one another, as well as to the planet. Instead, love is missing, leaving aggressive actions without empathy to be practiced repeatedly around the world. Perhaps Tolstoy’s message will reverberate with future generations who recognize that the world could have peace and harmony if love were to really be present in the hearts of all people of the earth the way Christ intended.