Final Understanding Peace and Violence
Final Understanding Peace and Violence
Final Understanding Peace and Violence
Extreme poverty
Starvation
Avoidable diseases
Discrimination against minority groups
Denial of human rights
A world with this condition is a world devoid of peace and human security. It breeds
anger and generates tension leading to armed conflict and war.
The greatest resource for building a culture of peace are the people themselves for it is
through them that peaceful relationships and structures are created.
Peace Education is an Ethical Imperative – considering the negations of life and well-
being caused by all forms of violence. The ethical systems of the major world faith
traditions, humanitarian ethics, and even primal and indigenous spirituality have
articulated principles that inspire the striving for peace – unity and value for life;
respect for human dignity; non-violence; justice; love as a social ethic.
Schema of Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes/Values – based on the Center for Peace
Education of Miriam College
A. Knowledge and Content Areas
a. Holistic Concept of Peace
b. Conflict and Violence – causes
c. Some Peaceful Alternatives
i. Disarmament
ii. Non-Violence – Philosophy and Practice
iii. Conflict Resolution, Transformation, Prevention
iv. Human Rights
v. Human Solidarity
vi. Democratization
vii. Development based on Justice
viii. Sustainable Development
C. Skills
a. Reflection
b. Critical Thinking and Analysis
c. Decision –Making
d. Imagination
e. Communication
f. Conflict Resolution
g. Empathy
h. Group Building
3. INNER PEACE
Obsessing about our wounds keeps many of us from experiencing the fullness of
the present.
The key to world peace is the practice of being peace.
He believes that each one of us are seeds of both peace and violence. Which of
these seeds will grow depends on which seed we will nurture.
Techniques of cultivating inner tranquility – breathing, exercises, meditation, and
mindful or conscious living.
Compassionate, calm and deep listening can restore harmony.
”What is most important is that we first take care of the seeds of negativity in
ourselves… if we are peaceful, if we are happy, we can blossom like a flower, and
everyone in our family, pour entire society will benefit from our peace … being
peace is the basis of doing peace, making peace”.
A calm and wholesome state of mind has beneficial effects on our health and
physical well-being. Feelings of fear and anger can be destructive to our health.
When people are caught up with the idea of acquiring more and being rich, it can
result into losing the dream of happiness.
He encourages people to be something more than their titles, income, and
possessions.
Peace is not just the absence of violence but involves satisfaction, happiness and
tranquility; it is an expression of compassion and caring life without fear.
Cultivating inner peace means strengthening one’s inner resources of faith, love, and
hope, personal vision, and capacities so that he can use these in building outer peace.
Inner peace and outer peace feed each other. We cannot say we have inner peace while
ignoring violent realities. As we cultivate inner peace, we also need to nurture our
aspirations and efforts to contribute to societal peace.
Stereotypes, being negative beliefs about a group, can form the basis for
prejudicial feelings which in turn may lead to negative action or to
discrimination.
Theories on Violence
Social Learning Theory
Racism
Sexism
Heterosexism
Classism
Linguicism
Ageism
Looksism – prejudice against someone who did not met the beauty standard
Religious intolerance
Teaching-Learning Ideas
Ways to teach and learn tolerance
George (1987)
From its inception, Christianity contained a concern for peace on earth.
Three elements in Jesus’ approach to peace:
a. Rejection of Violence – “ All who take the sword die by the sword” –
Matthew 26: 51-52)
b. Love and reconciliation rather than retaliation – Love of neighbor /the
other is the heart of Christian message and the heart of Jesus’
commandment. “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you;
bless those who curse you and pray for those who maltreat you”
(Matthew 5: 51-52) Jesus set aside the traditional lex talionis (“an eye
for an eye”) in favor of a loving and compassionate response.
c. Use of transforming initiatives – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for
they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9) Jesus told his
disciples to respond to violence by taking unexpected, surprising
initiatives. This is not merely about not doing something. It means
taking positive initiatives to neutralize the situation of violence and
injustice.
Glen Stassen (1983) – Four practical steps
Affirm the valid interest of your enemies and pray for them
To to your adversary and seek agreement
Associate with the powerless, who need justice
Do not seek to return evil for evil. Instead start an
imaginative, transforming initiative.
B. Islam – “silm” root word of Islam which means peace (with God and other
human beings) A Muslim is one who submits to God’s will. The objective is not
so much with personal salvation, but the successful execution of The Divine
Plan and the implementation of a just and harmonious social order.
Mahmood-Abedin – Five obligations of a Muslim
1) A declaration and acceptance of the oneness of God and the
prophethood of Mohammed. “If God is one, so is all of His
creation”.
2) Prayer five times a day.
3) Payment of zakah or obligatory charity (2 ½ of one’s wealth)
zakah – redistribute wealth and to show concern to others.
4) Fasting in the month of Ramadhan.
5) Pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca) once in a lifetime.
C. Buddhism
Buddhist teachings promote spiritual purification through the
eradication of defilements until one attains a nirvana.
Buddhist Scriptures show the Buddha’s approval of a person who does
not kill.
Buddhism teaches compassion and loving kindness.
Buddhists believe in the Law of Karma, which reveals the truth of cause
and effect: good deeds yield good effects, and vice versa.
Buddhism reveals that materialistic enslavement, selfishness and greed
are the sources of all injustice and therefore teaches people to give more,
take less, live a simple life and free themselves from attachments which
are sources of suffering (Sirikanshana, 2001)
The Middle Path is following a positive and peaceful way in one’s daily
life, avoiding extremes.
D. Hinduism
The ultimate goal of Hindu spirituality is to gain a vision of unity which
is non-discriminatory. The vision of interconnectedness fosters deep
respect for one another and a positive relationship between human
beings and the natural world.
Ranganathanada (1968) explains that love and respect for other beings
are the fruits of the sense of oneness that Hindus believe in.
Vaswanni (2007) – Hinduism principles
o Live a moral life
o Control desires and anger
o Practice ahimsa (nonviolence or non-injury)
o Promote, love, compassion, and justice
o Recognize Karma
o Recognize the importance of inner peace and inner transformation
Sharma (2005)
o Hindus should engaged in good deeds and beneficial activities
o Hindus should practice tolerance and not jealousy
Hindus end their prayer with “shanti” three times. Shanti means
let there be peace within us, in our family, and in the world.
E. Indigenous traditions
Indigenous communities have contributed their wisdom toward peace.
They have profound reverence for nature.
Similarities in culture and spiritual practices: