Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 15 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
OpEdNews Op Eds   

Peacemaker

By       (Page 1 of 1 pages)   1 comment
Message Robert Smith
Become a Fan
  (4 fans)
  I am a Peacemaker, I stand against war and injustice where ever
it is found. I will endure torture, jail or death rather then
compromise my beliefs. Perhaps my enduring will bring others to
believe as I do. I will speak out against any injustice or any war,
use my own body to shield victims of injustice and stand alone if
necessary against the horrors of war. I am asking you to do the same
and will give you reason to support my stand.


    If you are Christian or Muslim you have the words of the man
called Christ to guide you. For your religions both say he was a
religious leader. So what did he give as guidance for you in these
matters? "Blessed be the Peacemakers for they shall be called
children of God." That is part of His directions for those that
followed Him concerning how they were supposed to live life in
service to others. Christians call it the sermon on the mount but it
was lived until about 300 AD by his followers. Then replaced by Old
Testament teachings on warfare. He also said he came to replace the
law because it had not been followed by the Jews to their own
detriment. Just think of all the false teachers and error-laden
churches that ignore these teachings. For those who do not follow
his teachings I ask this. Are we all the same peoples despite color
and  and all the same sufferers despite the government or religion
we follow?


    Is civilization all about wars and conflict? What about the non-warriors whose gifts to us include all the advances in farming that
none should go hungry? Those who devised portable shelters or
temporary shelters so that man could venture beyond the close
environs of the cave or those who devised ways to bring water to the
villages that none might be thirsty or crops perish from the lack of
water? Who was the hero or heroine who devised the wheel? Who among
our ancestors devised stationary shelters that we now call houses or
castles? Who first tamed and rode a horse? All of these people are
true heroes, giving us lasting gifts that advanced civilization, even
if the gifts were soon turned to warlike purposes.  What do you have
to contribute and why should you give a gift to mankind, after all
only the I've got mine the hell with you and The people who can
convince you that someone else is a danger or to be feared. Is
someone a danger because of their sex, skin color, belief or
personal attributes?  Why is it that the gifts given by women to the
community are less valued then a man's? Why is a nurse less valued
than a doctor? Why is a teacher less valued then a banker? How many
can name one person who is not recognized by the community for what
they have given? What are you going to do about this injustice? How
will you be remembered by the next seven generations? We are all
given a choice and a say in what happens tomorrow, today and a
million todays were shaped by what someone did before however
Tomorrow is always shaped by the decisions made today. Do you go
along to get along or do you stand out and demand your say in our
future? Do you wait for Jim or Sally or Mohamed or Jane to take the
lead or do you begin hoping that they will say or do something you
can agree with? The only person responsible for your decisions and
what happens tomorrow is the one looking back at you in the mirror.


   
Which brings us back to the community and the growing of support and
friendship. Who are your friends? Are they just people you grew up
with or work with or go to the club or church with? Are they all men
or women or all the same racial background as you are? Are all of
your friends the same general age or do you number the elderly and
the children among your friends. What is a friend and why? In our
society friendship is usually shallow, temporary and based on
filling some need of yours. All to often given up on when ever you
disagree with or look down on something they say or do. A different
outcome and way of looking at friendship is offered in the Native
American community. They look at friendship as a choice, a
responsibility and long lasting. A friend is someone you choose to
give your friendship too. It doesn't matter what they do in life, it
doesn't matter what happens to you or them the friendship remains
not because of who they are, what they have to offer or anything
else. It is your choice of being their friend. The friendship does
not depend on them but on you. Now go out and make one new friend
this week and go back to your current friends and say you will
support them, stand by them and offer advice if they ask for it. That
you will help them in time of trouble enjoy them at all times and
ask only that they accept being your choice as a friend.  I know
that is against every principle you have seen while growing up, but
I repeat it is your choice it is your life and it is your friendship
that matters.  Are you starting to see Peacemaking as something
worthwhile now?  Is Peacemaking something of value in your family,
neighborhood, community, state or nation?  Are you willing to become
a peacemaker or support those who do choose to become peacemakers?
Rate It | View Ratings

Robert Smith Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

A retired Navyman who has ran for 1st. District of Tennessee as a Green with a primary plank of Impeaching Bush/Chaney and a secondary plank of listening to and serving people instead of corporations. He now has accepted the position of FOAVC (more...)
 
Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

Criminals or Police?

The Modern Golden Calf

The end of the Constitution

The Great Law of Peace

Real Change

What Recession is Over?

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend