Meeting in Truth

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

The drama of war is overrated. Old men send young men to war. Young men kill each other. Young men kill old people, women and children. Old men profit. Young men return scarred for life. Old men make up justifications for destroying countless lives. Victory – hoorah! Death to tyranny – hoorah! Freedom – hoorah! Democracy – hoorah! Our way of life – huh??

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,
We do not always pass like ships in the night.
Sometimes we see the another’s lights. We rejoice in knowing we are not alone on the sea.
Sometimes we come alongside another. We exchange goods and enjoy companionship on the voyage.
It is good – to meet as ships in the night.
Amen

C. Unquoting Jesus:

“That’s your basic rule of life, is it? My basic rule of life is: if you make lemonade, you must not live around here.”


D. Blog: Passive-aggressive??

Passive-aggressive vs. Nonviolent-destructive

I think “passive-aggressive” as a term minimizes the seriousness of the effects of such behaviors. In truth, these annoying, deceptive, mean-spirited, obstructing acts, whether intentional or unintentional, destroy relationships. They stifle creative growth, damage trust, cause separation and withdrawal, and lead relationship partners to move on to more satisfying relationships.

Such behavior involves a decision to withhold honest communication and often an action, which is not overtly violent, but definitely destructive and not merely aggressive.

They are not passive behaviors. I call them nonviolent behaviors, or non-aggressive behaviors, but passive they are not. And they are more than aggressive. They might be retaliation for perceived wounds, or intentional attacks on a disliked person. They hurt someone, whether intentional or not. And they can destroy the trust necessary for sustaining healthy relationships. Although not violent, they are destructive.

I suggest calling these behaviors “nonviolent-destructive” acts.