| Following is an introduction to a Social Justice Issue: "Peacemaking." (Disarmament, a related Social Justice issue; Peace Songs, a faith reflection; and the inspiring stories about Thomas E. Trimmer, Rajiv Vora, Carol Gilbert, OP and Ardeth Platte, OP, and the Oberlin Six, are complementary pieces.) Links to web sites are included for *in-depth information, *analysis, *action ideas, *contacts, and *organizing initiatives. You are encouraged to use the links to take you to facets of this issue that speak to your heart, mind, and desire to unite your faith with action. |
Peacemaking
Declaration Promotes Respect, Rights, Freedoms Peace Activists Peace Groups and Campaigns
Movements Forward Action Alerts!
The Preamble to the Declaration of Human Rights states that it is "essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations." Member states pledge themselves to promote "universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms."
While the perpetrators of violence (such as the horrors of September 11) need to be brought to justice before a world court, true and lasting global security will not be achieved through the violence of war -- for violence begets more violence as seen in conflicts in Northern Ireland and in the Palestinian/Israeli conflict.
Developing universal respect, reducing military expenditures, and reallocating funds to meet the needs of all peoples and of the damaged earth are steps toward "liberty and justice for all" -- the greatest form of global security. Instead of humanity hanging on a "cross of iron," the best defense is a citizenry where human needs are adequately met; where ethnic and racial differences are valued; and where social skills, including conflict resolution, are carefully taught and nurtured.
Mahatma Gandhi, Dorothy Day, Martin Luther King, Jr., and César Chavez are powerful models of how to build peacefully a just world order. The people of Norway -- in their courageous defense of Jews during World War II -- demonstrated that a country can take a united stand, nonviolently, against violence and people like Hitler or Osama bin Laden.
Today, peace activists around the world continue to speak out for justice, often at great personal sacrifice. Many of these activists and/or writings by them are included on this web site in "Aha" Moments, Faith Reflections, and Inspirational People. Two featured in the latter category are Carol Gilbert and Ardeth Platte, who along with Jackie Hudson, served prison sentences for drawing attention to U.S. weapons of mass destruction.
An inspiring PBS program, A Force More Powerful, featuring many ordinary people, is about popular movements battling entrenched regimes with strikes, boycotts, sanctions, walkouts, demonstrations, and so on -- and bringing about dramatic changes in their respective countries. Peacefully.
Peacemaking is advancing because groups around the world are forming networks (e.g. Nonviolence Web). Assuming greater leadership internationally, these grassroots activists use global communication capabilities for more effective education, organization, and action on current conflicts -- such as Bush's war with Iraq.
One of the largest organizations is SPAN (Student Peace Action Network). Another major movement is Pax Christi USA which rejects war, violence, and domination, and works toward a more just, sustainable, and peaceful world; it's current "The People's Peace Initiative includes resources for prayer, study, and action.
The Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) is mobilizing and training an international, standing peace force. Years of research, planning, and preparation led to the establishment of Nonviolent Peaceforce team in Sri Lanka. Also, to counter the trend towards militarism, NP issued a call to sell Peace Bonds and developed an Rapid Response Program.
Ongoing efforts for justice without war include the Veterans for Peace (VFP), an organization of military veterans engaged in educational, humanitarian, and conflict resolution activities. Members of the National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund advocate for legislation for conscientious objectors to direct the military portion of their federal income taxes towards peacemaking projects.
Another facet of peacemaking is to heal the wounds of soldiers, often traumatized by fears of dying along with regrets over their actions towards human beings like themselves. An example of a place of healing is Kfar Izun, or "Balance Village," a retreat place for Israeli soldiers. The need for such places goes to the heart of the issue: is anyone ever prepared to kill?
Groundbreaking Statement The Israel-Palestinian conflict is a global hotspot. To the amazement of much of the world, reserve combat officers and soldiers have stood up and called for a better way. Having "seen the bloody toll of this occupation from both sides," the 52 original signers arranged for the publication of their statement in newspaper ads in Israel. The number of signers grew dramatically.
Historical Judgments Taking a stand against national policies of a particular country is often challenged and frequently leads to arrest and imprisonment. However, there was an historical judgment that affirms international law and the Nuremberg Principles.
- In December 14, 2004, four trespassers on Alliant TechSystems property were acquitted when jury considered war crimes allegations.
- On March 20, 2004, over 2 million people in more than 700 cities in 60 countries throughout the world called for an end to the occupation of Iraq.
- In December 2004, two groups of protesters were found not guilty of trespass
- In the United Kingdom, the Trident Plowshares campaign strives to "peacefully disarm the British Nuclear Trident submarine system." In October 1999, there was high drama and much jubilation among peacemakers with the historical judgment of Sheriff Margaret Gimblett, who found the defendants not guilty on the remaining counts of sabotaging a Trident support barge. Gimblett accepted the defense that the Trident is illegal under international law, and that the women simply acted to prevent a crime.
Bridge Building Peacemaking is built on solidarity with others -- their perspectives and everyday realities. This can occur on a personal level (a Jew crossing the green line) and with group immersion experiences.
Many educational institutions and other groups facilitate people-to-people connections and educational experiences. Two such groups are GATE (Global Awareness through Experience) and Witness for Peace. Web-based educational resources, prayer responses, and other helpful ideas are provided by faith-based groups such as the National Council of Churches and the AFSC (American Friends Service Committee).
An Interfaith Summit in April 2003 examined what religious traditions teach about the stance of the U.S. in the world, especially but not exclusively related to the war in Iraq. The summit was co-convened by the National Council of Churches, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and the Islamic Society of North America. The meeting concluded with agreement that the United States is in a moment of history in which it is faced with an "urgent choice about direction: a choice between hope and courage, or fear and violence; between a future characterized by global solidarity, international cooperation and multilateral action, or one characterized by unilateralism and wars of choice, rather than necessity; continuing terrorism; unfettered efforts to extend U.S. power, and the exploitation of fear."
Bridge building and unity was also evident in a gathering of 200 spiritual leaders of all of the world's religions in January 2002. The leaders traveled by train to Assisi, Italy, with Pope John Paul ll, who had organized the meeting. There was agreement on 10 commitments.
Massive Peace Marches Witnessing to global solidarity and yearnings to avoid a preemptive war against Iraq, billions and billions (estimates range from 6-15 billion people!) marched for peace on February 15-16, 2003. It was an inspiring, historic moment as the world said "no to war" via such huge, wide-spread preemptive protests for peace. Dr. Robert Mueller sees this surging voice of the people of the world as a second superpower. All around the world, people are waging peace.
New Understandings As global consciousness moves from a dualistic paradigm to a more wholistic one, there is a growing understanding that we are all part of one large, amazing, yet increasingly damaged eco-system known as the earth.
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"Peacemaking is not an optional commitment.
It is a requirement of our faith. We are called to be peacemakers, not by some movement of the moment, but by ... Jesus." U.S. Bishops, Challenge of Peace: God' Promise and Our Response, 1983 |
What harms one part of the earth -- pollution, wars, disease, refugees, racism, colonialism, poverty -- negatively impacts everyone, directly or indirectly. What enhances the well-being of one part of the earth -- democratic governments, fair trade, trustworthy legal systems, green business, just distribution of land and wealth, sustainable energy -- positively impacts everyone, directly or indirectly.
Within such a framework, there are new learnings about the multiple causes behind the horrific September 11 attacks.
U.S. citizens, in struggling to understand the hatred and anger behind such actions, are increasingly aware of the widespread anti-U.S.A. sentiment in the Muslim world. There are legitimate sources of frustration: lack of a Palestinian state; U.S. support of repressive Arab governments; the deaths of one-half million children, or more, in Iraq due to economic sanctions because U.S. government officials believe(d) the price...[was] worth it; and currenty the war in Iraq Thus, it is easy for the Osama bin Ladens of the world to attract followers and supporters from across the globe.
Ways to participate in building peace with justice include:
- Make peace an election-year issue in your community.
- Sign the Words, Not War, with Iran statement.
- Press Congress to create a Department of Peace (H.R. 808 has 70 cosponsors as of July 31, 2008).
- View Amnesty's Connecting the Dots video. Join PHR's campaign against torture.
- Show your desire for and commitment to peace via car magnets.
- Families, schools, activists: use resources from the Institute for Peace and Justice to teach and and advocate for alternatives to violence in public policy and life-styles.
- Use and celebrate rituals to reflect on peacemaking, trust in God, and the interconnectedness of all of life. Read the inspiring stories about peacemakers: Thomas E. Trimmer, Rajiv Vora, Carol Gilbert, OP, and Ardeth Platte, OP, the Oberlin Six, and Christian Peacemaker Team members.
- Invest in a peaceful tomorrow: buy Peace Bonds. Contribute to the Nonviolent Peaceforce.
- View Winning Peace. Get involved. Select actions from "100 ideas for creating a more peaceful world."
- Participate in a Witness for Peace socially responsible travel experience.
Acknowledgements
Gratitude to J. Howard Anderson for his peace dove
and to the Nonviolent Peaceforce for their Peace Bonds logo.
Modified August 1, 2008.