We live in a violent world. That’s what everyone says. And when you see the headlines, watch the news coverage, or just hear the comments, they certainly confirm that statement. And violence has always been in our world. The first act of violence was in the first family – Cain killing his brother Abel. And violence has been at the center of every major civilization – perhaps most notably in the Roman Empire or Nazi Germany. Violence has also been a part of great movements and revolutions – consider America’s Revolutionary War or the slavery abolition movement worldwide. But the fact that we live in a violent world or that violence has always been with us does not mean that it is supposed to be. We are both taught and know inherently as civilized people that we should not promote or provoke violence. Indeed, civilized society at its core is for the purpose of protecting people from violence – in all its forms. So how does violence perpetuate itself among civilized people in a civilized society?
