Making Peace Heroic

Inspired greetings

There are now available countless and powerful websites, articles, speeches, books, documentaries, and more which promote peace. This is one that has just recently come to my attention:

"Making Peace Heroic"
Address by Professor Lowitja O'Donoghue to the National Council of Churches in Australia

Launch of the Decade to Overcome Violence

March 21st 2003, Sydney

The author speaks of the many issues underlying violence:

* Racism

* Much of what passes as entertainment

* The treatment of people in poverty

* The treatment of many women by men

* The treatment of the environment

* The treatment of asylum seekers

* And the treatment of people who are seen as unacceptable for whatever reason, for example, because of their mental health, a disability, or their sexual orientation.

Professor O'Donoghue goes on to say -- "It seems to me, that there is little point in talking about peace as an abstract ideal, in a world such as this, unless we actively respond to the values that support and maintain violence as the norm. This, for me, is the linchpin of my commitment to the mission of Overcoming Violence. I believe that violence is not a given. It is a choice. And we have to learn to choose differently."

He encourages Churches and people to connect globally in support of peace. In doing so, these areas are acknowledged as important to address:

* Advocating and working for social justice

* Advancing understanding and tolerance

* Supporting disenfranchised groups

* Supporting the movement for reconciliation

* Transforming attitudes and behaviours

* Contributing to education programs

* Helping people in need

* Demanding ethical codes in the public sphere

* Involving Church leaders in all levels of public debate on matters of justice and peace

* Being brave enough to speak out in the interests of truth

* Resisting the use of God's name to justify and glorify violence

You can go here to see the full article:
http://www.ncca.org.au/special_projects/decade_to_overcome_violence/resources/theological_reflections/make_peace_heroic

Peace,

Molly

"The only way to abolish war is to make peace heroic." ~ John Dewey