Whereu While their birth was something beyond their control their going to war was their choice.
That was not my point. People land up in war situations for all sorts of reasons and often forced to participate (its called conscription - try going against that in a dictatorship).
Let me try again. In spite of being on opposite side of of a conflict there was no evidence of hate in my example.
My spouse's uncle told us story of his experiences in WW2. He was captured and escaped several times. On the last time he was was caught attempting to escape he appeared in front of the commanding officer.
The German commanding officer told him that he appreciated attempting to escape as that is the duty of every captured soldier. He then went on to tell him to stay put because the war was nearly at and end and he (the commanding officer) wanted my spouse's uncle to return home in one piece.
I have said it before: we are capable of altruistic behaviour.
Whereu as a mature man raising your grandchild(ren) are you encouraging him/them to trust the nations leaders?
I tried to teach my children to think for themselves and do the same with my grandchildren. That includes not just taking for granted that someone in authority who is an expert is necessarily right. Think through what people say using rational thought, and check out "facts".
I also teach them to try understanding things from other people's point of view. How they may feel etc.
Would rushing off to Iraq to ensure they haven't got plans to develop WMD's be the right thing to do? Are all wars just? What if religious leaders back the war, does that guarantee it will be the right thing to do?
I don't know anyone who would claim that all wars are just. Would people volunteer to participate in a war? Many did in the case of WW2 because they thought that the future of their own children would be at stake if they didn't stop Hitler - many of us are very grateful to them for stopping Hitler. Even some Germans I have spoken to are grateful to them for stopping Hitler.
The question of whether one participates or not is important if one has a choice. The need to think for ones-self is vital in making the decision whether to volunteer or not.
Or does it make more sense trust in the Book that teaches the same lessons as the school of hard knocks?
(Psalm 146:3) Do not put your trust in princes Nor in a son of man, who cannot bring salvation.
If using the Book works for you that's fine. I would say that one should not just rely on one source for information. Check it out, use rational thought, talk to others, use other sources etc, especially for important decisions.
