Christianity and Peace Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you /2 Corinthians Leo R. Sandy

Christianity and Peace Christ (Jesus) is often referred to as the “Prince of Peace” and despite some passages in the New Testament, his message is very strongly one of compassion, love, forgiveness and non-violence. The religion was absolutely non-violent until it became the Roman state religion, and its pacifism was replaced by the doctrine of just war Some peace quotes include the following: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God’ (Matt 5:9) But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. (Matt 5:39)

Christianity cont’d Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you (Luke 6:27-28) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ( John 13:34 )

Christianity cont’d Pax Christi is a Catholic organization that is active in peace and social justice work (http://www.paxchristi.net/) as has the Maryknoll Order (http://www.maryknoll.org/) Fr. Roy Bourgeois leads the School of the Americas Watch (http://www.soaw.org/) Fr. John Dear is leads the pace e bene nonviolent movement (http://www.paceebene.org/about/) The Unitarian Universalist Church has been a strong force in the struggle for peace with justice (http://www.uua.org/)

Christianity cont’d Other Christian peace and social justice groups include Christian Peacemaker Teams Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) Holy Land Trust Methodist Federation for Social Action Sabeel – Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center & Friends of Sabeel, North America Mennonite Central Committee

Video Fr. John Dear, The Nonviolent Life

References Fr. John Dear, the Nonviolent Life. Retrieved from https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs- mozilla-001&hsimp=yhs- 001&hspart=mozilla&p=FR.+John+Dear+YouTube#id =1&vid=cd90f81be6e52f998b1fed2a6561aa4c&action =click