Finding Peace In A Rage-filled World

: Image by cromacom via Flickr

As I skimmed the news this morning, I was struck by amount of turmoil that is wracking our world. In Tehran, Iran, the Supreme Leader is railing against the “lies” that he blames for the massive protests taking place there. In North Korea, it appears there are plans being made for further missal tests. And in Somalia, the government is under attack from Islamic extremists. Not to mention the continuing violence in Afghanistan and Iraq that looks to be endless.

Blogblast For Peace is about five months away, and at that time bloggers around the world will be posting their continued hope that peace can somehow become a reality in this world. Yet, I wonder how that can ever happen with the current state of affairs. Sometimes, it seems to me that there is too much dividing humanity to ever be able to find common ground. The Conservatives can’t stand the Liberals, Islamic extreemists will settle for nothing less than anhialation of “infadels,” white supremicists will tolerate no concessions to those they consider inferior, and it goes on and on. With attitudes of intolerance and hate, how can the world ever know peace? And how are these feelings overcome?

My Perspective

Since my background is Christian, I tend to view the world situation through that filter. If I look at what my faith has taught me, the answer comes through LOVE. In other words, peace will be found when humanity puts a higher priority on the welfare of others first. As a child I was taught that you win over other people by “killing them with kindness” which brings about a change of heart. It’s difficult to hate someone who puts your interests above their own. And sometimes that means conceding a point even when you feel you’re right, or giving up the need to be heard in the interest of hearing someone else.

I’m not an expert on world religions, but these same Christian principles are not unique to followers of Christ. The little bit I do know of other faiths is that concern for those less fortunate is a common theme in every religious philosophy that I am aware of. At least the most common ones. If the world could agree to focus on common ground, rather than differences, I believe that there could be progress toward peace.

Knowing what I know about the nature of human beings, though, I know that such a change of attitude is not going to happen quickly or easily. My Christian background tells me that everything I experience in this life is preparation for what will come in the next life. And more and more, the main lesson I glean from my experience is that I can accomplish very little on my own accord. It is only through the grace and love of a higher power, that I call God, that I am able to grow and become a better person.

I know there are many that will deny the existance of God, or any Intelligent Creator. In their estimation, when this life is over, it’s over. They will tell you that human nature is what it is, and the planet is ultimately doomed to the excesses that come from that nature. I flatly refuse to accept that pessimistic approach. I have seen and experienced too much that convinces me that there is a force at work that is much bigger than I am, and it doesn’t occur by accident.

I will never be so arrogant as to assume that the Christian faith is the source of all truth. Or even that my particular brand of Christian theology has all the right answers. To do so would put me in the company of those who feel that their answers are the only answers. Maybe that is the secret of finding common ground. Because to assume that one has all the answers when it comes to God is to put oneself on the same level with God. I know two things with a fair amount of certainty: 1. There is a god, and 2. I’m not God.

Join Blogblast For Peace

On November 5th, I will be joining other bloggers around the world in posting my Peace Globe, and writing a post expressing my hope and desire for peace. I hope you will join with us in your own posts and expressions of hope. By doing so, you will help me and the rest of the blogosphere reflect on what peace means and take a step toward realizing that goal. You can visit the Blogblast for Peace website here to get more information on participating and creating your Peace Globe.

Ahmadinejad accused of lying on TV (guardian.co.uk)
Rival rallies bring Tehran to halt (guardian.co.uk)
Analysis: Iranian leader’s ultimatum to protesters (cnn.com)
Iran’s Supreme Leader: Stop Protests or Expect Violence (abcnews.go.com)

Mojo, NC, USA

I'll be right there alongside ya with my peace globe fluttering in the virtual breeze. In fact, I've got several (relatively) newly-minted "blanks" available that I suppose I should put in a public album (note to self: create new peace globe gallery) for anybody that wants to use them.

I think perhaps the best and simplest explanation for the key to world peace came, not from a great political or religious leader, but Jimi Hendrix who said: "When the power of love is greater than the love of power, the world will know peace." (At least, that's who I heard the quote attributed to, if someone knows different I'd be happy to know who did say it first.)

I've always thought it was pretty cruelly ironic that the majority of conflict in the world it centered on something that all of the combatants essentially agree on. In principle, all of the major religions of the world concur that there's a God, an overarching Higher Power that we are all subject to. The differences among them are based on differing interpretations of that accepted truth. It makes no sense to me that we're blowing each other up over something we agree on. Maybe if the various religious and political leaders of the world started asking the same question we'd actually make some progress.

But therein lies the problem. Religious and political leaders don't benefit from peaceful co-existence. They benefit from conflict and conquest. They focus on the doctrine and the dogma that divides us rather than the faith and the humanity that unites us. Because the way to hold power is to convince your followers that you have all the answers and that those who believe differently are a threat. The problem extends to political leaders as well. The capitalist decries socialism, the communist shots for revolution to bring down a monarchy. As conservatives get more conservative, liberals become more liberal and the moderate position is drawn and quartered by those on both ends who tell you "You're either with us or against us".

I'd love to be more optimistic about the prospect for world peace. And who knows? Perhaps in another hundred generations it'll happen. If there's anyone left to care. Meanwhile, I'll keep my peace globe spinning and just ... hope.

Lee

Thanks for a great contribution to this discussion, Mojo. You're right, the Hendrix quote pretty much sums it up. I think the real secret is holding on to hope. The reason the extremists in any area are able to win people to their side is that they focus on the hopeless. When there's nothing to lose, it's easy to take extreme actions.

Mimi Lenox

Seeing the world as it is in its present incarnation of conflict makes the reality of peace appear impossible to achieve. Doesn't it? But there's that one little word that both of you have used, that we must not lose sight of. H.O.P.E.

And that's why we fly the globes.
.-= Mimi Lenox´s last blog ..Monday Mimisms: Doing The Alphabet With My Feet =-.

Lee

You're right, Mimi, the secret truly is HOPE. When everything else is taken into account that is what remains. But it's hope that makes most of life meaningful. We hope for success, healthy children, great vacations, a nice car, etc. Above all else, I think we should hope for a loving relationship with family, friends, and the people we come in contact with.