Robert Oppenheimer, the ‘Father of the Atomic Bomb’ is once again the talk of the town with the latest release of the movie ‘Oppenheimer’. In the movie, Oppenheimer declares that developing these weapons will usher in ‘a peace mankind has never seen.’ Does war have an answer for peace? Ever since rational beings arrived on the face of the earth, peace has eluded humankind. What could be the reason? If humans desire peace, it implies that the existence of peace is paramount. And mankind’s existence would be futile if peace eluded them forever. Therefore, the million-dollar question is, ‘What is peace?’
Every generation has attempted to define and work to establish a peaceful society but has not been successful. Human history is written in blood, mostly innocent blood, for the sake of peace. Abortions are a good analogy for contemporary society to contemplate. Those in power manipulate the human desire for peace for their own selfish gain and remain in power, which does not belong to them. Thomas Mann says, “War is a cowardly escape from the problem of peace.” How many more wars will mankind fight before they realise that war is not the answer to peace? Should there be a Third World War, will anyone survive to enjoy peace or to take arms to fight the next war for peace?
Robert Oppenheimer’s imputed motivation to develop such deadly weapons of mass destruction comes from the Bhagavad Gita, that is, fulfilling one’s dharma. The Hindu scripture ran through the mind of Oppenheimer: “Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds.” Coming to certitude of mind with a text vis-à-vis the deeper consciousness is a challenge. He alludes to a dialogue between a great warrior prince named Arjuna and his charioteer, Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu. Facing an opposing army containing his friends and relatives, Arjuna is torn. But Krishna teaches him about a higher philosophy that will enable him to carry out his duties as a warrior irrespective of his personal concerns. It was this moment that entered Oppenheimer’s mind in July 1945. “If the radiance of a thousand suns were to burst at once into the sky, that would be like the splendour of the mighty one,’ was Oppenheimer’s translation of that moment in the desert of New Mexico. It is perhaps the most well-known line from the Bhagavad Gita, but also the most misunderstood. It is therefore imperative for humankind to decipher the natural law. Consequently, how should one understand dharma for peace to reign on earth?
The moment of transformation in Oppenheimer’s take on weapons of mass destruction was his glance at the ‘Time Magazine’ cover page with his photo with the title “Father of the Atomic Bomb”, just before he entered the Oval Office to meet President Turman. The profound conversion and courage to stand against the establishment speak volumes of his deeper consciousness that war is not the answer to peace. Perhaps his understanding of dharma, “The Ten Commandments”, found in the Torah, the holy book of the Jews, which was spelled out to him in his early life, came to play on his mind. Oppenheimer felt the consequences of the atomic bomb acutely and tried to champion the cause of ending the nuclear race. He hadn’t got that confidence that the destruction, ultimately, was an illusion as spelled out in the Bhagavat Gita. Hence, the question regarding the quest for peace, which humans desire so passionately, ought to have greater value than taking up arms in the name of peace for destruction. Destroying others also means destroying their quest for peace, unless it falls under the theory of just war, which is fought for a just cause to protect life primarily with peace as the ultimate goal.
The world is once again on the brink of Armageddon as the Russia-Ukraine war continues to go down the path of the use of nuclear weapons. At this juncture, which philosophy or sacred text should be a guiding force to restore sanity to humanity? Should it be “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” or secular morality, where truth and morality are relative?
Humans truly desire peace, but it is not in their capacity to define the nature of peace. Peace is truly a divine gift. Jesus gives us a true and lasting guideline to establish a peaceful society. Jesus said, “But to you who are listening, I say: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you.” He also said, “And I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other cheek to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two miles.”
In the light of the current acrimonious atmosphere around the world and the grim prospects for the maintenance of peace, the preservation of freedom, and the flourishing and growth of the humane values of our civilization, we have to give heed to the one who can truly give us peace. And Jesus cried out from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.”
The woes of humanity are due to the fear of others. As long as we fear others, humans can never be at peace. Oppenheimer’s declaration for developing weapons of mass destruction was for peace, but peace through fear, fear of the other, and creating fear in the other. Consequently, it is not difficult to surmise why humans are at odds with each other. The ethnic tensions around the world and in our own country ought to be abhorred for the same reason: peace is what we desire, not fear.
(Peter Fernandes is a Priest based at Pilar, Goa)
