ISIS executed another prisoner.
This time a Jordanian pilot who was burned to death.
Last week a Japanese citizen was beheaded.
We are quick to label these acts as horrific and barbaric.
And, they are.
I have refused to watch any of the videos released by ISIS of the prisoners they have executed. My heart breaks and my stomach churns just hearing or seeing the headlines.
But, maybe I should watch them.
Not for the media attention ISIS is hoping for or so I can say how evil or inhumane ISIS is, but so I see how awful war is.
Because the wars we have fought recently have been over there.
And, because the news we have seen has been scrubbed of violence.
And, because only a very small percentage of our citizens have actually been involved, it has been too easy for us to forget how horrible and destructive war actually is and how many people really die. It is easy to forget that families, as well as well as combatants are killed when bombs fall or bullets are fired. Politically one might argue for the concept of collateral damage. Religiously you cannot. Innocent deaths, however they die or are killed, whether beheading or burning or bomb landing on their home, is horrific.
When we forget that…
If we forget that…
War becomes too easy.
And, it should NEVER be easy.
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