Peace on Earth
Submitted by Faith in Action on December 22, 2006 - 7:26am.
Faith in Action
Peace on Earth
The Faith in Action Team
Peace. So hard to achieve, so elusive to find, yet so incredibly needed in the world today. Peace is central to so many human faiths. Below are just a few quotes to demonstrate how universal peace is:
None of us is in a position to eliminate war, but it is our obligation to denounce it and expose it in all its hideousness. War leaves no victors, only victims.
- Elie Wiesel
There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
- Mohandes Ghandi
Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.
- Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 5:9)
Peace can only last where human rights are respected, and where individuals and nations are free.
- The Dalai Lama
Sometimes there's truth in old clichés. There can be no real peace without justice. And without resistance there will be no justice.
- Arundhati Roy
When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others.
- “Peace Pilgrim” Mildred Lisette Norman
The practice of peace and reconciliation is one of the most vital and artistic of human actions.
- Thich Nhat Hanh
Peace is not the absence of anything. Real peace is the presence of something beautiful. Both peace and the thirst for it have been in the heart of every human being in every century and every civilization.
- Prem Rawat (Maharaji)
If you want to make peace, you don't talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies.
- Mother Teresa
Shall I not inform you of a better act than fasting, alms, and prayers? Making peace between one another: enmity and malice tear up heavenly rewards by the roots.
- The Prophet Muhammed
I think that people want peace so much that one of these days, government had better get out of their way and let them have it.
- President Dwight Eisenhower
People seem united on so many things. Most people want to be part of a community, to have meaningful work, to be safe and secure and to create a better life for their children and grandchildren. We have so much more in common than otherwise. Yet, somehow, for some heartbreaking reason, when in doubt, we go to war.
Perhaps it is hypocritical for an American, a citizen of a nation that recently started an elective war, to even write about peace. It is very, very easy to want peace and work for it when you and your children have enough to eat, you have a roof over your head and no one hinders you from worshipping as you please, speaking your own language, being part of your own culture, voting or going about your daily life without hindrance. It is less easy to feel at peace with the world when you are being oppressed, or your house or your neighbors’ house was bombed, or your family is starving and no one cares.
At a recent political meeting, I saw a button that said, “If you want peace, work for justice.” Obviously, we cannot necessarily single-handedly overturn every unjust regime in the world or guarantee resources are shared fairly. Here are a few ways, however, that each person can do their part to create a more just and peaceful society:
Get involved with an issue.
Whether it’s the Darfur Genocide, the Iraq War, environmental sustainability, Amnesty International or your child’s middle school, you can contribute time, opinion or funds to an organization that you believe it.
Use your purchasing power.
Many of the items we purchase in America come from factories that violate labor laws.
Research where your clothes come from. Buy recycled paper products.
If you can, buy organic foods.
Invest your money in socially responsible companies, not those that exploit the poor.
Involve your family in the community.
Model responsible living for your children (or your friends and their children).
Cook for the homeless.
Recycle.
Be a model for peace.
Instead of swearing at the driver who cuts you off, wave them on. Let other people go first.
If it’s time and if you’re ready, let go of your favorite old grudge. (To my tenth-grade math teacher…. You were wrong. I can do math. But, you probably just didn’t know any better!)
Below are a few organizations that might help realize global peace. What are some others?
Sustainable Organizations
The Christmas and New Year Holidays are the perfect opportunity to put faith into action by donating to organizations that whose goals are to help people help themselves. Instead of providing a meal or shelter for a short time, many organizations help raise people out of poverty by giving them the means to help themselves.
"Rather a cow, than a cup" - Dan West, founder of Heifer International
Heifer International
The goal of Heifer International is to provide sustainable food and economic assistance. "Passing On the Gift" - an essential part of Heifer's mission since it was founded - allows project recipients to become donors. As people share the offspring of their animals – along with their knowledge, resources, and skills – an expanding network of hope, dignity and self-reliance is created that reaches around the globe. In addition to animal husbandry, Heifer International works with farmers in developing countries by providing environmental education and helping create a sustainable agricultural society.
Read about Dan West and Heifer International: http://www.cob-net.org/hpi.htm
Find out more about Heifer International: www.heifer.org
Teach a Man to Fish
"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."
- Chinese Proverb
Another organization focused on helping others provide for themselves is Teach A Man To Fish. The vision of this organization is a world free from the extremes of absolute poverty and where all individuals are able to enjoy an education. Self-funding schools are used to educate and empower the disadvantaged by teaching environmental and financial sustainability.
From bee-keepers in Kenya, to an agricultural school in Paraguay, to support by Robert Redford in the US, this is an organization that is truly global.
Find out more about Teach A Man To Fish: http://www.teachamantofish.org.uk/index.php
I feel more peaceful already.
I get the Heifer catalogues and support that wonderful organization but was not familiar with Teach a Man to Fish! Excellent.
You bring a needed message of hope.
It's a commodity in a bit of a shortage in the US lately, but I feel we're getting a huge new shipment soon!
Gracias!! And peaceful, joyous, healthy holidays to all.
If Jesus Were Alive Today
If Jesus were alive today,
He'd surely feel despair,
Amidst a world of plenty,
And a bounty that's not shared.
If Jesus were alive today,
He wouldn't understand,
The system of oppression,
And how so few give a damn.
If Jesus were alive today,
He'd certainly be distraught,
Because the animals of Earth,
Are not treated like they ought.
If Jesus were alive today,
His eyes would have some tears,
And based on all the evidence,
I'd say he was sincere.
If Jesus were alive today,
He'd have to jump and shout,
To wake us from our slumber:
"THE FUTURE IS IN DOUBT!!"
If Jesus were alive today,
You know he'd try in vain,
To save us from each other...
(No doubt he'd go insane.)
If Jesus were alive today,
I expect we'd be rebuked;
It is likely he'd remark:
"Knock it off before I puke."
If Jesus were alive today,
No way he'd vote for Bush;
To those who say he should,
He'd say, "Kiss my tush!"
If Jesus were alive today,
With Bushites he'd be pissed:
"Ignorance is no defence!
Otherwise, get yourself a psychiatrist."
If Jesus were alive today,
Boy, would Congress get a smack,
For practically everything they've done,
Especially for trusting Jr. with Iraq.
If Jesus were alive today,
He'd say the media was to blame:
"Don't think I haven't noticed,
That you people have no shame."
If Jesus were alive today,
The Democrats he would scorn,
For keeping out Wes Clark:
"Was it yesterday these fools were born?!"
If Jesus were alive today,
He'd be branded as a cynic,
Because no one wants to hear,
If it's raining at their picnic.
If Jesus were alive today,
He'd force us all to see,
That hope and love are the answer,
To who we're supposed to be.
It seems simple enough, but why does it have to such hard work for so many people? Seems easy enough to me. Extend kindness to strangers. Pay it forward so what goes around comes around in the nicest possible way.
It is simple, but religions like politicians like to take both sides. The Peace on Earth line is repeated this time of year, but what of this one?
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. Matthew 10:34
The born again crowd manages to over look that as they attack the Qur'an.
Barry
Are you safer today than you were five years ago?©
I know nothing about the second testament. I'm not all that keen on the first. None of this stuff was supposed to be written down as it was to be orally passed down and permitted to change according to the times. Writing it down made people totally rigid in the thinking of people who lived a long long time ago.
Either do I. But we brought a series of speakers to the college this semester to talk about their religion's concept of peace. One of the Christian speakers used that quote. Then it showed up again in one of the closing scenes from Joyeüx Noel.
Barry
Are you safer today than you were five years ago?©
Yes it was! It was worth the wait to finally see it.
Barry
Are you safer today than you were five years ago?©
Joyeüx Noel, about Christmas 1914 along the trenches of World War I. The events are true but occurred over a longer stretch of the trenches than the movie depicts. Its a good one.
Barry
Are you safer today than you were five years ago?©
a peace blog on Kos.
For those who are interested:
I hope each and every one of you have a joyous and happy weekend, full of delicious food, fun, family, love, and peace. Take some time for yourself to reflect and meditate. Take some time to appreciate your loved ones, and tell them you love and appreciate them. Take some time to do absolutely nothing. "It does not seem to me to be a free man who does not occasionally nothing." (Emerson, I think.) Or, Thurber's pithy statement, "It is better to have loafed and lost than never to have loafed at all."
My vision for the weekend? To get my car up the hill from the basement garage and out to the streets by Sunday. (I'm easy to please.)
Take care and be safe.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
BE THE CHANGE you wish to see in the world.
If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?