Indifference to the 5th Commandment.

Even without being religious, common sense should be clear about the importance of the Fifth Commandment, "Thou shalt not kill." However, it often seems as if the Fifth Commandment has little meaning because wars, violence, and animal suffering exist all over the world. This shows, on the one hand, how difficult it is to adhere to it, and, on the other, how deeply rooted violence is in human history.

A few reasons for this:

1. Double standards and exceptions – In many cultures and religions, the commandment is recognized, but often with exceptions: Wars are declared "necessary," the death penalty is legitimized, or animals are considered "inferior," so their lives count less. This shows that people often find ways to bend the rules when it suits them.

2. Human nature and power interests – Greed, the pursuit of power, and fear drive many conflicts. People fight over resources, ideologies, or control – often with the justification that "the others" started it first or that it is necessary "for protection."

3. Violence as a cultural norm – Violence is so present in films, games, media, and history that it is often perceived as "normal." Even in education or sports, harshness is sometimes considered necessary.

4. The Commandment as an ideal rather than a reality – Like many ethical principles, it is less a description of the world than a direction to move in. It reminds us that peace and respect are better alternatives – but it takes conscious effort to put this into practice.

Yes, it's truly frightening that, despite all this experience and knowledge, people continue to allow violence—or even actively participate in it. It should be obvious that war, crime, and animal suffering are terrible.

Perhaps it's because many things that cause suffering happen from a distance. Wars are often decided by a powerful few, while the majority just watches or believes they can't change anything. Animal suffering is hidden behind factory walls, and violent crimes are often committed by people who are themselves trapped in suffering and hopelessness.

Another point is that people often find justification for their actions. Wars are declared "necessary," violence a "punishment for merit," animal suffering as "natural" or "unavoidable." And as long as enough people share this view, the system will persist.

But there is also hope. Many people are committed to peace, justice, and animal rights—more than ever before. Change may be slow, but it is happening.

Do you think humanity will ever truly be able to learn from its mistakes? One can hope so.