In 1945 an atom bomb destroyed the entire city of Hiroshima. The bomb that destroyed Hiroshima was equivalent to 12,500 tons of TNT. Now, nearly forty years later, the world’s nuclear arsenal contains 12,000 to 15,000 megatons, each megaton being equal to a million tons of TNT. As Jonathan Schell has pointed out in his recent best-seller. ‘The Fate of the Earth’ man is now in a position to destroy life on earth many times over.
What, basically, are these weapons? Like any other weapon, they are just a misuse of the resources of nature. A sword is a misuse of steel, a nuclear bomb a misuse of nuclear energy.
The things from which weapons are made were in the possession of nature for millions of years, with no havoc or destruction being caused by them. When man gained control of them, however, they suddenly became destructive. Why? The reason for this is that nature has no freedom. Man, on the other hand, is free to act as he pleases. The fact is that what philosophers call a ‘problem of evil’ is simply a misuse of human freedom.
Modern man takes enormous pride in the freedom he has won for himself. But it is self-discipline rather than freedom that is needed for peace to prevail on earth. The freedom of choice that man has been given in the world today is a test; it is not his right. If he uses his freedom correctly, and makes the right choice for himself, then he will be successful. But if he misuses his freedom then he is doomed to failure.
Resources that remain in the control of nature function properly. When man gains control of them, however, they cause havoc in the world. This fact shows us how order can be maintained in the world: man must learn how to utilize these resources in the way that nature utilizes them. The model of nature must be applied to human life. This is the real task facing both individuals and societies in the world today.
Between hope and fear
Umar once said: “If a voice was to proclaim from heaven that everyone would enter paradise except for one person, I would fear that I am that one; and if a voice was to proclaim that everyone would enter hell except for one person, I would hope that I am that one.”
