Believing in Peace
We believe peace is possible. It is a way of living that calls us to support those who intervene diplomatically between people and nations so that war is not the answer to conflict and differences.
- We must work to establish a just and peaceful order among ourselves, creation and all peoples. In so doing the words of the prophet, Isaiah from the Jewish scriptures can be fulfilled: nations “shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Is. 2:4).
- “It may be that Allah will bring about love between you and those of them with whom you are now at enmity… Allah forbids you not respecting those who have not fought against you on account of your religion, and who have not driven you out from your homes, that you be kind to them and deal equitably with them; surely, Allah loves those who are equitable.” – Holy Qur’an, 60:8-9
- In the Christian Scriptures we read the words of Jesus found in the Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God……Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” Matt. 5
- If powerful men and women would centre themselves in the Tao the whole world would be transformed by itself, in its natural rhythms. People would be content with their simple everyday lives, in harmony, free of desire. When there is no desire, all things are at peace. From Ch. 37, Tao Te Ching, Stephen Mitchell translation.
- All beings tremble before violence. All Fear death. All love life. See yourself in others. Then whom can you hurt? What harm can you do? Those who seek happiness by hurting others who seek happiness will never find happiness. For your fellows are like you. They want to be happy. Never harm them and when you leave this life you will leave it happily. From Chapter 10, On Violence, in The Dhammapada (Sayings of the Buddha) Rendered by Thomas Byrom