The Raven Foundation

Peace Through Education

There is a prevailing myth that divides violence up into two groups – good and bad. This myth allows good people to use violence and still believe in their own goodness.

The myth makes the truth relative and good a matter of perspective. The myth’s governing principle is “the ends justify the means”.

The myth distorts truth by making it relative. Truth is not relative but knowable. The truth about violence is there are not two kinds of violence, one good and the other bad; there is only violence itself. When violence is used, there are no good guys or bad guys, only victims and persecutors. Violence only breeds more violence. The means become the end. When viewed without the distortion of the myth, it is clear there is no justification for violence. Providing education about the myth of good and bad violence will free people from its flawed logic and allow for the possibility of authentic peace.