What Matters/Peace on earth, good will toward all

Peace on earth, good will toward all

Choose peace.

We can heed the advice of John Lennon, and give peace a chance.

The Seville Statement on Violence concludes:

“ Just as 'wars begin in the minds of men', peace also begins in our minds. The same species who invented war is capable of inventing peace. The responsibility lies with each of us. ”

Reverend A.J. Muste recognized that: "There is no way to peace; peace is the way."

The previous topics in this course have shown you that way, you are now prepared to choose peace.

Assignment:

• Approach other people with an attitude of positive regard.
• Work to resolve conflicts constructively and without resorting to coercion or violence.
  • Read this essay on Spontaneous Conflict and Deliberate Restraint.
• Refuse to hate.
• Treat others as they wish to be treated. Resolve to follow the golden rule.
• Consistently demonstrate your good will toward all.
• Practice tolerance.
• Read the Unitarian Universalist Statement of Conscience, Creating Peace.
  • Take actions suggested by the statement, interpreted appropriately for your faith.
• Engage in political processes to advocate for peace, and against war.
  • If you live in the United States, read the Kucinich Bill proposing a Department of Peace. Do you believe this legislation would be helpful? Is this something you can support?
  • If you live outside the United States, is there legislation pending or enacted to create a Department of Peace or similar effort in your country? Is this something you can support?

Suggestions for further reading:

• Galtung, Johan (2004). Transcend and Transform: An Introduction to Conflict Work. Paradigm Publishers. pp. 200. ISBN 978-1594510632. 
• Horgan, John (2012). The End of War. McSweeney's. pp. 224. ISBN 978-1936365364. 
• Maddow, Rachel (2012). Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power. Crown. ISBN 978-0307460981. 
• Adolf, Antony (2009). Peace: A World History. Polity. pp. 272. ISBN 978-0745641263. 
• Pinker, Steven (2011). The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined. Viking Adult. pp. 832. ISBN 978-0670022953. 
• Sharp, Gene (2012). From Dictatorship to Democracy: A Conceptual Framework for Liberation. Merlin Press. pp. 96. ISBN 978-1854251046. 
  • Many of his works are available from the Albert Einstein Institution
• A Navy Admiral's thoughts on global security, TED Talk, July 2012, James Stavridis
• (Evaluate the book: Peaceful Revolution: How We can Create the Future Needed for Humanity's Survival )
• (Evaluate the book: Blood Rites: Origins and History of the Passions of War )