Christian Forums

The Civil War happened.  It was good for all involved in those states that are part of the USA in the long run.

Quote from: GaryThe Civil War happened.  It was good for all involved in those states that are part of the USA in the long run.

What a pompous and offensive statement.  Have you ever had your house burnt down by marauding soldiers?  Have you ever been kept awake all night by artillery fire?  What is the longest period of time you have ever had to go without food?

War is cruelty, and you cannot refine it.  The crueller it is the sooner it will be over - General Sherman, defending his policy of deliberately starving the population of a capitulated city.

I wonder what the long term benefit you perceive might be.  You have no way of knowing what would have happened if the ACW had not been fought, except that presumably at least 600k people would have lived a **** sight longer.

Quote from: Pokhara on Tue May 27, 2008 - 05:05:50

Quote from: GaryThe Civil War happened.  It was good for all involved in those states that are part of the USA in the long run.

What a pompous and offensive statement.  Have you ever had your house burnt down by marauding soldiers?  Have you ever been kept awake all night by artillery fire?  What is the longest period of time you have ever had to go without food?

War is cruelty, and you cannot refine it.  The crueller it is the sooner it will be over - General Sherman, defending his policy of deliberately starving the population of a capitulated city.

I wonder what the long term benefit you perceive might be.  You have no way of knowing what would have happened if the ACW had not been fought, except that presumably at least 600k people would have lived a **** sight longer.

It is neither pompous, or offensive.  It is the truth.  The war preserved the Union.  In the long run it was good for everyone (meaning the Northern States and Southern States).  You don't have to like war to understand the costs or benefits of an action.  I live here, I had great+ grandparents on both sides of the war.

The end of slavery brought about industrialization and the rising of a great nation.

Quote from: GaryIt is neither pompous, or offensive.  It is the truth.

To say that the ACW happened is truth.  To say that it was good for all involved (which you did) is what I find both pompous and offensive.  Have you had your house burnt down lately?

Quote from: GaryThe war preserved the Union.

Correct.  Whether or not this justified the holocaust that was the ACW depends on how twisted your moral values are.  Would you support Britain going to war with the USA in order to force the original thirteen states to resume colonial status?  Would you support Pakistan invading Bangladesh?  Or Ethiopia invading Eritrea?

Quote from: GaryIn the long run it was good for everyone (meaning the Northern States and Southern States).

What is your evidence for this?  How is this benefit to be measured against what might have otherwise happened?

Quote from: GaryYou don't have to like war to understand the costs or benefits of an action.  I live here, I had great+ grandparents on both sides of the war.

I don't like war, and I fail to see how your personal ancestry has any bearing on this matter.

Quote from: GaryThe end of slavery brought about industrialization and the rising of a great nation.

The USA was already industrialized prior to the abolition of slavery.  If you think that the abolition of slavery justifies war, then presumably you would approve of a war against any or all of the countries where slavery still exists today.  Would you like to lead the charge?