Poll: The Nanjing Massacre
- Thread starter Cap'n Ninja
- Start date
-What do you think of the ignorance of this in western society?
Well as a member of Western Society, I will admit that there are some ridiculous levels of ignorance here, but things such as this aren't really a bad thing to not know about. I mean, how many people in China or Japan know about America's history? People learn predominantly about their country while only learning a few things about others.
-Why do you think that ignorance exists, and what could be done to remedy it?
Well not knowing about other nation's histories happens because schools mostly only teach their own countries history (albeit poorly sometimes). The bad forms of ignorance such as stereotypes and what not exist because people are dumb. Simple as that.
-Do you think Japan should admit to the events that transpired, rather than denying all knowledge of them?
I couldn't really care less about what Japan choses to reveal or not reveal unless it directly affects me because I don't live there.
-Would it be ethical to punish the descendants of those involved for the crimes committed?
Nope, that would be pretty stupid.
Also, no. I didn't know before this thread because I had no real need to know.
Well as a member of Western Society, I will admit that there are some ridiculous levels of ignorance here, but things such as this aren't really a bad thing to not know about. I mean, how many people in China or Japan know about America's history? People learn predominantly about their country while only learning a few things about others.
-Why do you think that ignorance exists, and what could be done to remedy it?
Well not knowing about other nation's histories happens because schools mostly only teach their own countries history (albeit poorly sometimes). The bad forms of ignorance such as stereotypes and what not exist because people are dumb. Simple as that.
-Do you think Japan should admit to the events that transpired, rather than denying all knowledge of them?
I couldn't really care less about what Japan choses to reveal or not reveal unless it directly affects me because I don't live there.
-Would it be ethical to punish the descendants of those involved for the crimes committed?
Nope, that would be pretty stupid.
Also, no. I didn't know before this thread because I had no real need to know.
I voted no because My Mind somehow couldn't connect "Nanjing Massacre" (a term I've never heard) and "Rape of Nanking" (a term I have).
Yes, I have heard of it, both through personal research and being taught it in school.
Yes, I have heard of it, both through personal research and being taught it in school.
I'll just answer this and only this, as the rest of the OP was very preachy and yet not at all cooperative (which is why I didn't participate in the poll).Cap said:
No. In a democratic society that values civil rights, such discussions only happen on the internet and in junior high class rooms. Why would you punish someone for what their forbearer did?
And the generals that commanded the massacre still have honored places in the shrine of Japan's war dead. But hey, they were simply trying to rid Asia of Western Imperialism, so it's alright...
While I don't know alot of the specific details of the event, I've known about it for a long time.
As for your questions,
What do you think of the ignorance of this in western society?
I don't really have an opinion on it really
-Why do you think that ignorance exists, and what could be done to remedy it?
I think the reason for that is because the rest of that time period sorta overshadowed the events in China (I can make a list for you if you like). The remedy is simple, teach it in schools, that's sorta why they exist, to teach.
Do you think Japan should admit to the events that transpired, rather than denying all knowledge of them?
They already have, take your own advice in looking it up and you'll find that the Japanese goverment has indeed admitted that the Imperial Japanese Army, did these things.
Would it be ethical to punish the descendants of those involved for the crimes committed?
No, and anyone who thinks other wise is either a terrible person or an idiot.
As for your questions,
What do you think of the ignorance of this in western society?
I don't really have an opinion on it really
-Why do you think that ignorance exists, and what could be done to remedy it?
I think the reason for that is because the rest of that time period sorta overshadowed the events in China (I can make a list for you if you like). The remedy is simple, teach it in schools, that's sorta why they exist, to teach.
Do you think Japan should admit to the events that transpired, rather than denying all knowledge of them?
They already have, take your own advice in looking it up and you'll find that the Japanese goverment has indeed admitted that the Imperial Japanese Army, did these things.
Would it be ethical to punish the descendants of those involved for the crimes committed?
No, and anyone who thinks other wise is either a terrible person or an idiot.
What do you think of the ignorance of this in western society?
-I don't really like it. It's terrible and being uninformed generally sucks.
Why do you think that ignorance exists, and what could be done to remedy it?
-Ignorance exists because people are almost universally not willing to care for others all too well. One thing I think could be a start for a subject like this is for schools to teach about shit like this in the West. I have not learned about anything like Nanjing in the East in my time at the schools when concerning World Politics. Not even the specifically made World War II class that they have.
Do you think Japan should admit to the events that transpired, rather than denying all knowledge of them?
-Yes. Germany has apologized for their wrongdoings, but Japan has yet to do so after 70 years. Now, in Japan there are people who don't even think that they were the bad guys in World War Two and the men from that time are the rulers and leaders in that nation. So people who were and still are bastards in their youth, are raising the new generations to hate just as much as them.
Would it be ethical to punish the descendants of those involved for the crimes committed?
-No, it would not. The newer generations had nothing to do with the crimes committed from their predecessors. All I want right now is for Japan to apologize for what they have done. What they did was war crimes, and anyone who shows support for such disgusting things (see: Shintaro Ishihara) should be punished.
For that Shintaro Ishihara stuff, briefly anyways.
-I don't really like it. It's terrible and being uninformed generally sucks.
Why do you think that ignorance exists, and what could be done to remedy it?
-Ignorance exists because people are almost universally not willing to care for others all too well. One thing I think could be a start for a subject like this is for schools to teach about shit like this in the West. I have not learned about anything like Nanjing in the East in my time at the schools when concerning World Politics. Not even the specifically made World War II class that they have.
Do you think Japan should admit to the events that transpired, rather than denying all knowledge of them?
-Yes. Germany has apologized for their wrongdoings, but Japan has yet to do so after 70 years. Now, in Japan there are people who don't even think that they were the bad guys in World War Two and the men from that time are the rulers and leaders in that nation. So people who were and still are bastards in their youth, are raising the new generations to hate just as much as them.
Would it be ethical to punish the descendants of those involved for the crimes committed?
-No, it would not. The newer generations had nothing to do with the crimes committed from their predecessors. All I want right now is for Japan to apologize for what they have done. What they did was war crimes, and anyone who shows support for such disgusting things (see: Shintaro Ishihara) should be punished.
For that Shintaro Ishihara stuff, briefly anyways.
He really does. Less than half an hour after this thread was created a new episode of South Park aired that actually briefly referenced Japan's war crimes against China. Wasn't a big part of the episode but OP still has some frightening ninja skills.Genixma said:
This is something I've been thinking about ever since I saw a documentary about Mao's government. The thing your paragraph brought to mind was how the imprisoned and shamed Mao's second in command (whose name I can't recall) along with his political allies after they did nothing but try to stabilize the population after the huge mess with the Red Guard and then he died alone in that damn prison cell, all for trying to help and get Mao to back off before he screwed everyone over.Melon Hunter said:
I read into that link. And every person who took part in all that should of been executed after the war. I'm sure some were. It takes alot to disgust me but this did. Japan was fucked up back than.derelict said:
I actually learned about Japanese occupation initially from reading TinTin, but when I really researched it and saw the pictures, it was a terrible time. Its just one of those examples of insane nationalism coupled with racism, male lust and war-borne frenzy. Probably one of the darkest days of humanity.
I'd heard about this before.
People in the West mostly haven't heard about this because, to put it bluntly, the victims weren't European. There are also the additional layers of the Japanese becoming allies shortly after World War II and the Chinese becoming Communists (and thus enemies), which were two more reasons to not want to care.
The only way to remedy ignorance is to teach. Maybe put up posters during one of those days when the Atom Bombings are commemorated to remind people that, for all the suffering Japanese had inflicted upon them, they were very far from guiltless in such matters as destroying cities.
Japan should admit to what happened; Germany had to, and even the unbeaten western powers have admitted that colonialism was not the glorious thing they thought it was.
And, no, it would not be ethical to punish descendants. Nobody who didn't have some hand in the atrocities can bear any blame.
People in the West mostly haven't heard about this because, to put it bluntly, the victims weren't European. There are also the additional layers of the Japanese becoming allies shortly after World War II and the Chinese becoming Communists (and thus enemies), which were two more reasons to not want to care.
The only way to remedy ignorance is to teach. Maybe put up posters during one of those days when the Atom Bombings are commemorated to remind people that, for all the suffering Japanese had inflicted upon them, they were very far from guiltless in such matters as destroying cities.
Japan should admit to what happened; Germany had to, and even the unbeaten western powers have admitted that colonialism was not the glorious thing they thought it was.
And, no, it would not be ethical to punish descendants. Nobody who didn't have some hand in the atrocities can bear any blame.
"Yasukuni is a shrine to house the actual souls of the dead as kami, or "spirits/souls" as loosely defined in English. It is believed that all negative or evil acts committed are absolved when enshrinement occurs. This activity is strictly a religious matter since the separation of State Shinto and the Japanese government in 1945. The priesthood at the shrine has complete religious autonomy to decide to whom and how enshrinement may occur. They believe that enshrinement is permanent and irreversible. According to Shinto beliefs, by enshrining kami, Yasukuni Shrine provides a permanent residence for the spirits of those who have fought on behalf of the emperor. Yasukuni has all enshrined kami occupying the same single seat. The shrine is dedicated to give peace and rest to all those enshrined there. It was the only place to which the Emperor of Japan bowed."deadman91 said:
Courtesy to wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yasukuni_Shrine
That would make no sense. How would you feel about being punished for crime your grandfather did?Cap said: