The mystery...why would young Japanese men choose to crash aeroplanes and manned torpedoes into American ships at the end of a war that was so clearly lost?
Was it hatred, or blind fanaticism? With a surfeit of online information, we can make these assumptions. We can condescend.
But was it something else, perhaps?
A love for what had to be defended at all costs, family and home and land, informed only by culture and tradition and a tightly controlled press?
Your conclusions are your own, but I would strongly recommend M G. Sheftall's "Blossoms In The Wind: Human Legacies Of The Kamikaze".
Is Yasukuni meeting-place
when it's cherry blossom time,
imbued with stern and fearful grace,
impervious to Western rhyme?
What could have led the bright young boys
to embrace their fatal choice,
abandonment of future joys,
silencing the freshest voice?
Were they dupes, deluded
by what elders placed in the mind,
or were their dreams precluded
by love for those they left behind?
Will God ask why they chose to die,
while wiping tear from holy Eye?
Music from Ed Ames, with Who Will Answer .
Sylvia has no answers, and neither do I. Ice cream is best.
Andrew, you ask questions, like me (more eloquent words than me), that make people ponder deeply or avoid completely. And sometimes the response we (I) receive is only "shut up", and we don't know why it can be discussed no further? I thank Jesus Christ that He chose to die for ALL, regardless of all our reasons. Be blessed today, my friend and my prayers continue.
ReplyDeleteMary, please forgive my late reply...and thank you for this. You are so eloquent!
DeleteRev 5, verse 9 in particular..."And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;" Jesus is the only one worthy to answer and He did and does and still many will not hear the answer. We just love to keep asking the same questions. Thanks for sharing the song. Its been years since I heard it. It did my heart good and I love hearing the hallelujahs.throughout. Ed Ames voice is timeless.
ReplyDeleteThe Revelation passage is perfect, Mary, and your commentary is spot on.
DeleteSo glad you like Ed Ames!
Mary Hood equals anonymous.
ReplyDeleteAndrew, thank you for making me think (you're so good at this!). You have a way of looking at things that challenges me to broaden my perspectives and seek a better understanding. You've done that with this post. It's too easy to take the obvious, more shallow "answer" to questions. But, as you allude to, there are often many more facets we may be unaware of, unless we research and ponder. Thank you for that, my friend.
ReplyDeleteJeanne, thank you. We all tend to look for easy answers, and have made the:if it's simple it must be good and true' paradigm something of an idol.
DeleteOdd, since neither Creation nor Salvation is particularly simple. Salvation has a very direct path, yes, but the inner struggle of a nonbeliever is often tortuous.