Thoughts about Peace with Justice

WITHOUT JUSTICE THERE CAN BE NO PEACE

This blog is dedicated to the proposition that true peace is impossible in the absence of justice, and that any semblance of peace unless accompanied by justice is merely a transitory, cruel delusion.

A philosopher from the past once said: “Injustice will not end until those who are not injured become as incensed as those who are.” So those persons concerned with justice and human dignity must, if they would be successful, become one in spirit with those who suffer.

That’s easy to say, but difficult to accomplish, since literal mountains of ignorance, inertia, and prejudice stand in our way. Why do we not become incensed over the many gross injustices we hear of every day? Why do we not act against poverty, oppression, wage injustice, and the excesses of global corporate capitalism?

Perhaps we do not act because we do not care beyond the confines of our own personal welfare. Maybe we care but do not know how to act. Possibly we accept massive transfers of wealth from poor to rich as the unfortunate but inevitable cost of economic progress. Perhaps we are so isolated from the reality of the human experience that we become paralyzed against action.

Allied with our own apathies and pathologies as causes of our inability to effectively either care or act is our membership and participation in human structures such as businesses, churches, social groups, and families of origin. These powerful structures often prescribe the way we perceive the world and the actions we are willing to take. They do our thinking for us.

Most of us respond favorably to appeals for charity, especially if we can emotionally involve ourselves with the need. We give our money, but what of our bodies and souls? Charity is good for both giver and receiver, but by itself will never solve problems such as global poverty. We need more than charity--we need advocacy that will take the causes of the sufferers to the highest levels of corporate power and human government.. And along with advocacy we need solidarity with those who suffer sufficient that we become willing to be with them in their trouble—not only in spirit but also in body.

At Glencree we are participating in a worthy effort to bring peace and reconciliation to troubles areas of the world. As we work and ponder, let us not forget another well-known quote: “For injustice to triumph it is only necessary that good people do nothing.”

So let us perceive our efforts here as the building of a beautiful cathedral of justice, forgiveness, mercy, and hope; not as the simple wielding of paint brushes or a brick-laying trowels. So “be not weary, for you labor not in vain.”

Jim Jordal - Glencree team March 2008