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

The Golden Rule All things whatsoever you would that man should do to you do ye even so to him (Matthew 7:12)

Christian Peace Prayer Blessed are the PEACEMAKERS, for they shall be know as the Children of God. But I say to you that hear, love your enemies, do good to those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To those who strike you on the cheek, offer the other also. And from those who take away your cloak, do not withhold your coat as well. Give to everyone who begs from you, and of those who take away your goods, do not ask them again. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

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

Videos Fr. John Dear, The Nonviolent Life Fr. Roy Bourgeois and The School of the Americas Fr. Roy Bourgeois Interview

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=cd90 f81be6e52f998b1fed2a6561aa4c&action=click Interview with Fr. Roy Bourgeois. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkXABRWuZJ0 Fr. Roy Bourgeois and the School of the Americas. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJhg_ZhU1xc