War is expensive in more ways than one – economically, emotionally, spiritually, morally – not to mention the cost in human life. As a species we have a history of war that, in reality, defines us. And not necessarily in a good way.

Now I’ll be the first to admit I’m a big fan of debate, especially when I have the chance to play the part of the devil’s advocate, and our country’s current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan provide me an excellent opportunity to do so.

These two wars have cost us billions of dollars, they’ve divided our country – perhaps irreparably – and both have only broadened the already vast rift between the Christian and Islamic faiths. Yet the biggest cost in my mind – not discounting the thousands of American soldiers who have lost their lives – the deaths of innocent civilians.

It’s estimated that between 98,000 and 108,000 Iraqi citizens have perished due to violence during the course of the Iraq War, a statistic which I find staggering, and some reports put that number much higher (some estimate that over 500,000 civilians have lost their lives since we invaded). Add to that the civilian death toll in Afghanistan and you’re approaching possible casualties of 120,000 to 150,000 innocent women, children and families. Or perhaps many more (try to picture the entire city of Buffalo wiped out and you’ll have some perspective as to just how many people that is).