Be informed:
Thinking Justice

There have been many peace efforts in recent decades, but the world has not become more peaceful. Warlike conflicts have led to more and more people being killed and more and more people fleeing violence. The cause of violence are almost always experiences of scarcity: Lack of access to land and resources, lack of social participation, lack of social recognition, but also recognition of cultural, ethnic or religious differences.

Peace can be described as a presence of health, well-being, success, fertility, love, long life, inner coherence and contentment. In the Jewish faith, this broad understanding of peace is rendered by the word “shalom,” which means “to be whole, to be complete, to be intact.”

Peace is relational

Peace is relational, both at the personal level and at the level of groups, such as states and nations. Those who are able to live in harmony with themselves, with others, and with God are living in peace. Various religions describe this inner peace in similar terms. The biblical call to love self and neighbor is clear: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Deut. 19:18/Rom. 13:9). The Indian peace and justice activist Mahatma Gandhi said that true inner peace should not be influenced by external circumstances. The Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh learned in exile about the inner imbalance and emotional turmoil of many people in the West. He observed that especially people with a high readiness for social commitment often cannot deal well with their own inner suffering. When inner conflicts are ignored, commitment to peace and justice can become destructive. The Bible sets the highest standard for peace with the commandment to love your enemies according to the words of Jesus Christ in Matthew 5:43-45: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you!”

Peace encompasses religions

Peace encompasses religions, because all religions want to be seen as a source of peace. However, the reality over the centuries has shown that religious beliefs have repeatedly been the cause of armed conflict. In the Age of Enlightenment, it had been hoped that rational thinking would bring about a greater willingness for peace. This hope was not fulfilled. After the end of the Cold War, political struggles over religious identities have intensified, so that religions are increasingly associated with conflict and violence. Despite its ideological neutrality, the German government knows that the 2030 Agenda cannot be implemented without religions. Thus Dr. Gerd Müller (Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development) says: “No peace among nations without peace among religions. No peace among religions without dialogue among religions.”

Peace can come about when there is a freedom granted to be, think, live or act differently. This includes a different faith, but also the freedom of non-belief. The freedom of some cannot reach further than the freedom of others. This also applies to religious freedom. Today, conflicts seem to be increasingly religiously motivated. However, other interests may be hidden beneath the instrumentalization of religion, such as access to resources or the struggle for political power. Religious extremism and deep-seated tensions between religious groups cause or exacerbate discrimination, violence or human rights violations against minorities worldwide.

Peace is complex

Peace is complex because peace is more than the absence of violence. This would be a negative peace if, for example, the weapons were silent because one group had been defeated by another. This situation is not a positive peace, associated with an acceptance of responsibility for one’s own guilt, repentance and a willingness to reconcile. Positive peace arises when the reconciliation perspective is looked at as well. This means that the causes of conflict are reflected, in combination with a willingness to listen to and consider the position of the other side. Reconciliation occurs when there is an acceptance of responsibility and repentance for harmful behavior, which in turn is a prerequisite for the establishment of justice.

Peace and justice are inseparable. A vision of this is described in Psalm 85:11: “Love and truth have allied themselves. Justice and peace kiss each other!”

Peace must be walked for peace to grow. Peace2GO. Small contributions are possible and every step counts. Frieden2GO is an invitation to walk your own steps for peace and justice.

Hannah Rose