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Morals and ethics in war and life? Nazis and Iraq...

Day 659, 01:52 • Published in United Kingdom

• by Jim Timber

I was watching WW2 in Colour last night, and it got me thinking. I refer to 2 points, though there are countless others i know.

Firstly, the Nazi extermination of Jews etc. I'm confused at what point a human's basic morality gets so screwed up that they could gas/shoot/stab/bomb in such mass numbers, when it is clear to you and those around you that this is mass genocide.

Surely not all members of the Nazis were pure evil, some were just doing 'their job' others out of fear of probable death. So at what point does a phrase such as 'i was just doing what i was told to do' not excuse people and when would such a person run like hell or face a bullet instead of committing such a heinous act? Is one humans want for life a decent reason to kill hundreds, thousands, millions?

Granted, the Allied forces committed atrocities with carpet bombing etc. Disgusting from both sides, but can the Allies response ever be justified by 'well they started it'?

Secondly, let me bring up Iraq. I have family members in the UK armed forces. All but one quit when they finished their tour there. Why? They could not see how there actions in anyway were to defend the UK. They got al the spin of 'fight them on their land rather than wait for it to come to ours'. This didn't ring true to them and got out. But, they joined to protect British land and people. Not to 'liberate' a country that held little threat to us. I agree and disagree with them for numerous reasons. But, there moral code meant they couldn't go on.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this, i can't get my head around it.

Comments

romansoldier Day 659, 03:26

I hear Oil is awesome 😛

Not Quite As One Day 659, 03:51

The reason most psychologists believe caused the Nazis to do what they did was a combination of peer pressure (as individuals did not realise everyone else was just as unwilling as them) and brainwashing: Hitler made everyone believe the Jews to be subhuman. Once he convinced them of that they had very few moral qualms: would you feel bad about crushing a mosquito? That was in some ways how Hitler made Germany see the Jew. Hope that helps 😃

Imperial alliance Day 659, 04:05

I am against the Iraq war and always have been, but you seriously need to lighten up. That's real life......this is a game....

chocolatemilk Day 659, 08:43

boated for win

Jim Timber Day 659, 10:37

thanks Not Quite As One, good prespective.
Imperial....it is a game yes, but you are real.

Max Blue Day 690, 02:23

I don't think you understand, sometimes you have to do what you have to do. It might not be nice, but its your job.

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