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The United States is among the least peaceful nations in the world, ranking 96th between Yemen and Iran, according to an index of 121 countries.

According to the Global Peace Index, created by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Norway is the most peaceful nation and Iraq is the least, just after Russia, Israel and Sudan.

The index was compiled based on 24 indicators. They included the number of wars in which a country was involved, arms sales, violent crimes and relations with neighboring countries.

Fifteen of the top 20 most peaceful nations are in Western Europe, and higher income appeared to lead to higher levels of peace.

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Originally posted by Fremdfirma:
I wonder where Finland ranks on that list...I know they're not especially violent in a national sense, but I also know there's no way in HELL I would mess with em, just ask the russians!

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Originally posted by rue:
Must come from the Reaver side of the Firefly family.

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Where did we go wrong?

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The Economist has been criticized for its Millian utilitarian moral endorsements such as supporting the legalization of prostitution, illegal drugs, euthanasia and same-sex marriage.

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posted by Hero- I suspect that the results are tailor made to fit the thesis. Euro-socialism, especially Scandanavian, is best. I disagree, so does my assault rifle.

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Originally posted by HKCavalier:

We're both isolationist and interventionist. We don't want to get to know you, but we want to tell you what's best for you and kick your ass if you disagree. Does it all go back to the Christian missionary thing? We still bringing the word of God to the heathen? Conversion at sword point?

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Originally posted by HKCavalier:
And yet, in terms of actual warfare taking place on our soil, we would surely rank way up at the top somewhere. So our nation is extraordinarily peaceful, while our government and its agents enact untold violence around the globe.

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Originally posted by antimason:
i was right there with you until the 'christian' part. its not christian doctrine that encourages conversion by sword, that is and always will be entirely the work of 'ambitious' men with ulterior motives. what about pagan Rome? what about (atheistic)communist RUssia? what about the Nazis? its not my intention to drudge up history(and divert the discussion), but i take offense to comments like that about christianity, because in no way does the bible promote conversion by force. Jesus' says himself that a believer is someone who does "Gods will". i think wed all agree that if you vote like a liberal, that makes you a liberal.. regardless of whether you claim to be conservative. IMO, a religious belief is no different. most people like to bring up the Catholic church, and its dark history, as evidence for their thesis.. which delights me, since it only justifies my case. Martin Luther, considered one of the founders of the protestant reformation, testified himself that the Roman Papacy fullfilled the role of the "harlot" in scripture, for forfeiting the truth of Gods message for entire rituals and doctrines based on falsehoods. the Roman priests were the only ones with access to the scriptures, so it wasnt hard to manipulate these people with unfounded lies to begin with. so im just tired of the stereotyping already
... i mean, and secular societies' perfect? please!

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Originally posted by Fremdfirma:
the Russian bungling of this invasion really does echo pretty solidly with our bungling in the middle east, doesn't it ?

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HKCavalier= Antimason, You and I both know that there's a big fat disconnect between Christ's message and culturally Christian antics over the centuries. You say as much in your post here. So how is it you get to say that so-called Christians did all kinds of evil, and I don't?

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Originally posted by antimason:
you are right... i still get defensive about the subject. rarely is the distinction made between christian, and "so-called", and im a huge stickler for the actual message, and not the perceived message. i feel that we recognize the individuals role in committing a crime when its secular society, but at the same time we're quick to relegate blame when a religions involved(and its almost always an unfounded ideology responsible).

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Originally posted by Finn mac Cumhal:
I don’t think you’re wrong. I think HK is...

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Originally posted by Finn mac Cumhal:
I don’t think you’re wrong. I think HK is. HK asked the question if current politics are an extension of “Christian missionary experience.” Now the question may have been sincere, but it’s based on a lie. The lie that the spreading of Christianity was the motivation behind European expansionism. It never was and it never has been. Christianity came along with European expansion, but only as a footnote. The real motivation was power and wealth.

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Originally posted by HKCavalier:
The context of my comment matters! I was talking about the attitude of modern American foreign policy: "We don't want to get to know you, but we want to tell you what's best for you and kick your ass if you disagree." A characteristic we share with the Christian Missionaries to the Americas and which we do not shared with the Conquistadors!

There is no dang lie involved! Why, why do you insist on finding fault where there is none? You're an intelligent, well educated person who applies his erudition to his world view, and I applaud you for it--can't you imagine that there are other people here who, though they disagree with you a lot of the time, nonetheless do the same?

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