One wants to stopp thinking about things one cannot understand in ones mind, cause things are too complex or great for one to understand or one simply does not have any means to change a bit.
The one thing for me, which was disturbing, was, that while listening to that beautiful music, I started to pray in my mind along with the words of of that prayer, realising very late, what I i was praying.
Guess, that is the snag.
A humble, childlike spirit whitin ones person, which makes us believe that such a kind voice, underlied with beautiful music can only mean good, which one should follow.
He wrote that prayer that people might think about the true outcome of war. And that apart from all cheers and so on, when people went to war. He wanted to show the true and real effect of war.
Disturbing in this video is the gentle music underlying all, so one might wish to follow all the words, which are being said.
@Oshun58 Glad to see that you understood the intention of Mark Twain's "War Prayer". The music is gentle so that it doesn't distract the listener from hearing the words. If you find the effect to be "disturbing"... Well, that's only as it should be. After all... War and those who Pray for "victory" in it... Is the far more disturbing Reality... That this four minute video has tried to portray. Thank you... -- For watching. -- For returning. And... -- For your comments.
The peaceful music and the soothing sound are in juxtaposition to the actual words and images in the same manner as War and those who Pray that their "God" will lead them to Victory in it.
Thank you for watching...
And...
For taking the time to post your insightful comment.
Reading through the comments, I think people need the full story before they try and make generalizations about religion and war. The story is only using religion as a setting for the story. It's really about perspective, and that there's always another side to every story. We create the reality we live in, but it's only one reality. There's always another one.
@PRev1 Personaly I think he was touching on the insanity of war, the perspective of just one soldier, and most defently the hypocrisies of religion. I think the video showcases his umm...pray very well; The loving hatred is all I can describe it as.
Well... Isaiah criticized the Jews a lot. Does that mean he wasn't a Jew...? But, seriously... Yes, you are correct in that... The War Prayer IS a "critiique"... Of "believers" who "pray" to THEIR deity... To bring them "peace"... -- At the price of death and destruction. But... It's not just Christians... -- The picture is much bigger than that. -- It happens on "both" sides.
This was like a powerful punch in gut, powerful but it got my attention. I have the same feelings about the horrors of war, but put in terms of a prayer, that is brilliant. Thank you so much for posting this video. I could wish that every man and woman in the world would listen to it. But, sadly, mens' hearts are so brutal, it wouldn't change anything. Even though I am against war, I can't prevent my country from waging it time after time. How terribly sad for humanity.
Whenever you hear the words "God Bless America" Think about "The War Prayer".
Mark Twain, with this piece was, for a moment, The Rev. Jeremiah Wright of his day.
I think a lot more brutally graphic images of iraqi and afghani war dead and maimed, and weeping survivors, as the consequence of America's free choice to believe a lie & wage a war in the name of it's definition of Democracy and Freedom.
At the end: Jesus said "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you"
I think it's a disservice to compare Mr. Clemens with Rev. Wright. Mark Twain was fiercely critical not only of racism and injustice but also of the stranglehold religion had on society. Wright shoots himself in the foot by correctly pointing out atrocities done in the name of America and then referencing the bible, which was often instrumental in the approval of those monstrous actions. He's a hypocrite and a huckster.
Explain how it's a "convenient way" to distance myself from those atrocities.
Yeah.....Jesus said a lot of things. He also said owning slaves was okay, and that slaves should be subservient to their masters, and that he came to bring the sword.
Twain was largely a secular and skeptical man. Wright believes in superstitious nonsense, and judging by your post, it seems you do too.
watch the documentary on mark twain. his wife was deeply religious. i think he wanted to believe in christianity too, mostly for her. however, his many writings express great skepticism and ridicule of religion. though i think you are right that twain was more of a skeptical man, he was by no means a cut and dry atheist. he had a lot of doubt, a lot of self examination.
"Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it."
CEWJKB: "I fear I am too simple to understand your point peopleslaughter, sorry."
If the US aimed at the greatest humanitarian benefit instead of the greatest capital gains for the people who fund the media and pay lobbyist that keep anti-democratic (lobbied), anti-patriotic (flag waving) politicians in office, then:
We'd never empower tyrants like Saddam. And we'd have good bridges, excellent trains, and national health care.
Why did you omit everything except the prayer itself? This is incomplete, and you lose the true point of the story. Gosh.... this is wasted...it's a story, and the point is the double prayer. without the rest of the story, it means nothing.
Reasonable people can disagree, and no harm in that... however, if the prayer, taken out of context, suffices, then there was no point in Twain's writing the rest of the story, including the epilogue.
I expect we would disagree about Iraq, that's fine but I do think the prayer can speak to many of the horrific issues we confront not just Iraq. But to throw you some "red meat" as we call it in the states, I do believe Iraqi's are better off without Saddam then with him. OK, go PRev1!
Saddam was a psychopath. The US should never have propped him up as their political puppet in the first place; and, since they helped to put him there, it WAS their responsibility to take him out. However, we might disagree on the method that was used; and, we cetainly disagree on the current state of the Iraqi people -- They are NOT "better off" now than they were under Saddam.
Propping up Saddam was indead unpleasant but when the alternative was the regime of the Ayatollahs you are left with two unpleasant choices. I would echo Dr. Kissinger's comment in 1980 that it is a shame both sides can't lose!
The world of Real Politic is a choice of 2 BAD options.A debate would be the "Revolution" of 53.The Shah and Mosaddeq were involved in a power struggle and Mohammad Mosaddeq was only elected to parliament.I read the following; Mohammad Mosaddeq and the 1953 Coup in Iran.If you want to understand the 53 Revolution that is a good start.
I give up, you are right world politics is completely seperate not intertwined at all and Iraq and Iran have no connections! All political history began with George W. and he controls the world from behind the "curtain" ala the Wizard of Oz now I get it!
Yes, world politics does, quite frequently, intertwine. However, you apparently want to focus on the events of one year to the total exclusion of history prior to those events; while using selective vision in your perception of anything that followed.
The Ba'athist Party is secular. They came to power in Iraq in 1963. Iraq had already "chosen" a Secular "alternative to the Ayatollahs"... 16 years before Saddam took over.
I think your comments are genuinely held so let me try one last time. I know who ran Iraq. What I am trying to posit is that the US supported Saddam only because he was at war with Iran (the Ayatollahs). He seemed the lesser of two evils and I think he was.
Clarification acknowledged and (finally) Understood. While I understand the "logic" behind it, I disagree with the action itself.
-- Propping up an "evil dictator"
-- As a matter of convenience...
-- Does not make it the "right" thing to do.
And, as I've said before, since the US propped him up, it was up to the US to knock him down. Still, I do believe that the "knock-down" could have been done with more diplomacy and far less destruction.
CEWJKB: "What I am trying to posit is that the US supported Saddam only because ... He seemed the lesser of two evils..."
Pity the lesser of evils tends to accumulate wealth better and faster than the greater of goods. Otherwise, capital totalitarianism might be ok. Neither democracy nor capitalism used as a tool would allow for wealth to accumulate against human interests.
I fear I am too simple to understand your point peopleslaughter, sorry. Prev1 I do not disagree that we (USA) could and SHOULD have been able to bring Saddam down with less destruction. Please understand that just because I agree with the policy on a macro level does NOT mean I agree with it on a micro level! It was all very frustrating even for a conservative. And continues to be.
A well done video though seems too focused on Iraq at the exclusion of the many other wars/atrocities around the globe; Cambodia, DR Congo/Zaire, North Korea, Tibet, Myanmar etc.
Then again, perhaps you're only focusing on the parts that remind you of Iraq? There's a little WWII, a splash of Vietnam, and a hint of Palestine in the mix as well. But, of course, I was only trying to capture the "essence" of Twain's words. And, for the moment, Iraq seems to do that quite nicely.
One wants to stopp thinking about things one cannot understand in ones mind, cause things are too complex or great for one to understand or one simply does not have any means to change a bit.
Oshun58 1 year ago
Thank you for your nice comment.
The one thing for me, which was disturbing, was, that while listening to that beautiful music, I started to pray in my mind along with the words of of that prayer, realising very late, what I i was praying.
Guess, that is the snag.
A humble, childlike spirit whitin ones person, which makes us believe that such a kind voice, underlied with beautiful music can only mean good, which one should follow.
Oshun58 1 year ago
Mark Twain was a good man.
He wrote that prayer that people might think about the true outcome of war. And that apart from all cheers and so on, when people went to war. He wanted to show the true and real effect of war.
Disturbing in this video is the gentle music underlying all, so one might wish to follow all the words, which are being said.
Oshun58 1 year ago
PRev1 1 year ago
So peaceful the music and the sound of the words.
But so insane what the speaker says.
And as a blasphemy upon is what he asks the lord to help them with.
Sickening.
Oshun58 1 year ago
@Oshun58
The peaceful music and the soothing sound are in juxtaposition to the actual words and images in the same manner as War and those who Pray that their "God" will lead them to Victory in it.
Thank you for watching...
And...
For taking the time to post your insightful comment.
PRev1 1 year ago
Reading through the comments, I think people need the full story before they try and make generalizations about religion and war. The story is only using religion as a setting for the story. It's really about perspective, and that there's always another side to every story. We create the reality we live in, but it's only one reality. There's always another one.
PacoWarabi 1 year ago
@PacoWarabi
If you are under the impression that Twain wasn't writing about the hypocrisies of Religion and the "Religious"; then, you are sadly mistaken.
Still, thank you for taking the time to watch...
And, for leaving your comment.
It is appreciated.
And, you voice has been heard.
PRev1 1 year ago
@PRev1 Personaly I think he was touching on the insanity of war, the perspective of just one soldier, and most defently the hypocrisies of religion. I think the video showcases his umm...pray very well; The loving hatred is all I can describe it as.
Jesses001 1 year ago
well done my friend.
luxou812 1 year ago
@luxou812
Thank you for watching...
And...
For taking the time to leave a comment.
Both are truly appreciated.
PRev1 1 year ago
War and religion are the same.
ipeqi 2 years ago
No, they aren't.
But...
Religion is frequently used as a Justification for War.
With all parties claiming that "God" is on their side...
And...
That just makes no sense.
Thanks for watching...
And...
Thanks for taking the time to post a comment.
PRev1 2 years ago
Excellent work, thanks for producing and posting. I also like your replies.
ipeqi 2 years ago
Thank you for the compliments.
As for the replies....?
Sometimes...
-- They can be more difficult to produce than the Video was.
PRev1 2 years ago
Mark Twain was not a christian, just read The Christian Science in wich he criticized christians a lot...
Luc22a 3 years ago
PRev1 3 years ago
Comment removed
Luc22a 3 years ago
This was like a powerful punch in gut, powerful but it got my attention. I have the same feelings about the horrors of war, but put in terms of a prayer, that is brilliant. Thank you so much for posting this video. I could wish that every man and woman in the world would listen to it. But, sadly, mens' hearts are so brutal, it wouldn't change anything. Even though I am against war, I can't prevent my country from waging it time after time. How terribly sad for humanity.
7t8h4z 3 years ago
Yes, it is a powerful piece.
It's been over a year since I put it together...
And...
I still get a bit choked-up watching it.
Thank you...
-- For taking the time to watch...
And...
-- For sharing your heartfelt comments.
PRev1 3 years ago
Whenever you hear the words "God Bless America" Think about "The War Prayer".
Mark Twain, with this piece was, for a moment, The Rev. Jeremiah Wright of his day.
I think a lot more brutally graphic images of iraqi and afghani war dead and maimed, and weeping survivors, as the consequence of America's free choice to believe a lie & wage a war in the name of it's definition of Democracy and Freedom.
At the end: Jesus said "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you"
MrRottenApple 3 years ago
I think it's a disservice to compare Mr. Clemens with Rev. Wright. Mark Twain was fiercely critical not only of racism and injustice but also of the stranglehold religion had on society. Wright shoots himself in the foot by correctly pointing out atrocities done in the name of America and then referencing the bible, which was often instrumental in the approval of those monstrous actions. He's a hypocrite and a huckster.
TheGreaterGood80 3 years ago
"atrocities done in the name of America"...?
Sounds like a convenient way to distance yourself from... those "atrocities".
If it is TRUE that...
-- Jesus said "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you"
Then...
-- Twain and Wright...
-- Were on the same page.
PRev1 3 years ago
Explain how it's a "convenient way" to distance myself from those atrocities.
Yeah.....Jesus said a lot of things. He also said owning slaves was okay, and that slaves should be subservient to their masters, and that he came to bring the sword.
Twain was largely a secular and skeptical man. Wright believes in superstitious nonsense, and judging by your post, it seems you do too.
TheGreaterGood80 3 years ago
You think the "Golden Rule" is "superstitious nonsense"...?
-- Did you learn nothing as a child, playing in the sandbox...?
It's not "superstition"...
-- It's the Very Foundation of our Social Constuct.
As for the "atrocities" you mentioned...?
They aren't just being done in the "name" of America...
They are being done... BY Americans.
Once you can bring yourself to accept that...
Then...
You might be able to understand where Reverend Wright is coming from.
PRev1 3 years ago
watch the documentary on mark twain. his wife was deeply religious. i think he wanted to believe in christianity too, mostly for her. however, his many writings express great skepticism and ridicule of religion. though i think you are right that twain was more of a skeptical man, he was by no means a cut and dry atheist. he had a lot of doubt, a lot of self examination.
avalsonline 1 year ago
"Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it."
-Gautama Buddha
Jcolinsol 2 years ago
Good job.
Thehappyhippies 3 years ago
One of the most shocking and true pieces of poetry I've ever heard.
PonderingStudent 4 years ago
Yeah, I thought so too.
And...
-- Thanks for adding it to your favourites.
PRev1 4 years ago
CEWJKB: "I fear I am too simple to understand your point peopleslaughter, sorry."
If the US aimed at the greatest humanitarian benefit instead of the greatest capital gains for the people who fund the media and pay lobbyist that keep anti-democratic (lobbied), anti-patriotic (flag waving) politicians in office, then:
We'd never empower tyrants like Saddam. And we'd have good bridges, excellent trains, and national health care.
But alas, profit is our only goal.
peopleslaughter 4 years ago
Why did you omit everything except the prayer itself? This is incomplete, and you lose the true point of the story. Gosh.... this is wasted...it's a story, and the point is the double prayer. without the rest of the story, it means nothing.
PTCello 4 years ago
I beg to differ.
-- The Prayer IS the Meaning.
PRev1 4 years ago
Reasonable people can disagree, and no harm in that... however, if the prayer, taken out of context, suffices, then there was no point in Twain's writing the rest of the story, including the epilogue.
PTCello 4 years ago
Yes, there was a "reason" for the rest of the story...
That "reason"...?
-- Twain was a writer.
But, the "point" of the rest of it...
-- Was belabored.
The Prayer is the kernel, the core, the HEART of the matter.
I am fully capable of appreciating the beauty of a Rose...
Without the need to see the leaves...
Or be scratched by the thorns.
PRev1 4 years ago
An excellent rendition and interpretation of Mark Twain. You might know that he was very much a pacifist and against war. Well done, Prev.
gentletouch1 4 years ago
I think your rendition does the poem great justice. Thank you. Mahalo
peopleslaughter 4 years ago
And, mahalo nui loa for taking the time to watch it.
PRev1 4 years ago
I expect we would disagree about Iraq, that's fine but I do think the prayer can speak to many of the horrific issues we confront not just Iraq. But to throw you some "red meat" as we call it in the states, I do believe Iraqi's are better off without Saddam then with him. OK, go PRev1!
cewjkb 4 years ago
Saddam was a psychopath. The US should never have propped him up as their political puppet in the first place; and, since they helped to put him there, it WAS their responsibility to take him out. However, we might disagree on the method that was used; and, we cetainly disagree on the current state of the Iraqi people -- They are NOT "better off" now than they were under Saddam.
PRev1 4 years ago
Propping up Saddam was indead unpleasant but when the alternative was the regime of the Ayatollahs you are left with two unpleasant choices. I would echo Dr. Kissinger's comment in 1980 that it is a shame both sides can't lose!
cewjkb 4 years ago
The Ayatollahs are the alternative to the Shah...
And, the Shah was the Alternative to an actual Democratic Government under Dr. Mohammed Mosaddeq.
But that's Iran... Not Iraq.
Saddam was President of... Iraq.
I believe you may be a tad confused.
PRev1 4 years ago
The world of Real Politic is a choice of 2 BAD options.A debate would be the "Revolution" of 53.The Shah and Mosaddeq were involved in a power struggle and Mohammad Mosaddeq was only elected to parliament.I read the following; Mohammad Mosaddeq and the 1953 Coup in Iran.If you want to understand the 53 Revolution that is a good start.
cewjkb 4 years ago
But, of course...!
The 53 Revolution in Iran...
Is directly related to BushCo's Illegal Invasion and subsequent trashing of Iraq!
How could I have been so blind?
Two words for you...
-- Stay Focused.
PRev1 4 years ago
I give up, you are right world politics is completely seperate not intertwined at all and Iraq and Iran have no connections! All political history began with George W. and he controls the world from behind the "curtain" ala the Wizard of Oz now I get it!
cewjkb 4 years ago
Yes, world politics does, quite frequently, intertwine. However, you apparently want to focus on the events of one year to the total exclusion of history prior to those events; while using selective vision in your perception of anything that followed.
The Ba'athist Party is secular. They came to power in Iraq in 1963. Iraq had already "chosen" a Secular "alternative to the Ayatollahs"... 16 years before Saddam took over.
(BTW, I wouldn't give Dubya that much credit.)
PRev1 4 years ago
I think your comments are genuinely held so let me try one last time. I know who ran Iraq. What I am trying to posit is that the US supported Saddam only because he was at war with Iran (the Ayatollahs). He seemed the lesser of two evils and I think he was.
cewjkb 4 years ago
Clarification acknowledged and (finally) Understood. While I understand the "logic" behind it, I disagree with the action itself.
-- Propping up an "evil dictator"
-- As a matter of convenience...
-- Does not make it the "right" thing to do.
And, as I've said before, since the US propped him up, it was up to the US to knock him down. Still, I do believe that the "knock-down" could have been done with more diplomacy and far less destruction.
PRev1 4 years ago
CEWJKB: "What I am trying to posit is that the US supported Saddam only because ... He seemed the lesser of two evils..."
Pity the lesser of evils tends to accumulate wealth better and faster than the greater of goods. Otherwise, capital totalitarianism might be ok. Neither democracy nor capitalism used as a tool would allow for wealth to accumulate against human interests.
peopleslaughter 4 years ago
I fear I am too simple to understand your point peopleslaughter, sorry. Prev1 I do not disagree that we (USA) could and SHOULD have been able to bring Saddam down with less destruction. Please understand that just because I agree with the policy on a macro level does NOT mean I agree with it on a micro level! It was all very frustrating even for a conservative. And continues to be.
cewjkb 4 years ago
A well done video though seems too focused on Iraq at the exclusion of the many other wars/atrocities around the globe; Cambodia, DR Congo/Zaire, North Korea, Tibet, Myanmar etc.
cewjkb 4 years ago
Then again, perhaps you're only focusing on the parts that remind you of Iraq? There's a little WWII, a splash of Vietnam, and a hint of Palestine in the mix as well. But, of course, I was only trying to capture the "essence" of Twain's words. And, for the moment, Iraq seems to do that quite nicely.
PRev1 4 years ago