Hi Group 2 members.

As you are working through this difficult question, you may want to address the following issues in your discussions:

• What experiences can you recall where you responded in a violent manner to a situation?  Why was this your response (either emotionally or physically)?
• Is violence just passion that’s got a bit out of hand?
• “Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.” (Yoda, The Phantom Menace) “There are only two emotions; love and fear …” (Leunig) How do you respond to these quotes – where does violence stem from within human beings?
• What other ways do we respond to challenging situations?
• Is there such a thing as leaders of violence and followers of violence?  If so can you find examples?
• The Rev Martin Luther King, Jr stated: “Hate begets hate; violence begets violence; toughness begets a greater toughness. We must meet the forces of hate with the power of love… Our aim must never be to defeat or humiliate the white man, but to win his friendship and understanding.” What does this mean?  Is it possible in the 21st century?  How does this hold up against “an eye for an eye”?

Possible websites for investigation:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061012201305AAiGatM

http://www.probe.org/site/c.fdKEIMNsEoG/b.4217907/k.488/Violence_in_Society.htm