What is “peace” anyway?
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Editor,
So much discussion surrounds this word, especially lately when we are promoting our various views about war. Today is the anniversary of 9-11. Would we in America have lost our freedom if we had not attacked back?
Mahatma Gandhi, the famous leader in India, helped his country gain independence through peace, and also inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. How did he achieve that? He said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
He also said, “What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty and democracy?”
Putting war issues aside, can we imagine a world without reacting when we are attacked? Is it possible? Gandhi proved it historically and said, “An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind.”
While I ponder this idea, I ask the question personally and collectively, “what is peace anyway?” This letter is not written to suggest who is right or wrong, but to simply put the question out there. Gandhi’s efforts to promote peace included, “There are many causes I am prepared to die for but no causes that I am prepared to kill for.”
Mother Teresa was asked years ago to join a group which was fighting against a cause. She refused but said that if there was a cause which promoted peace she’d be on board. Her efforts were thoughtfully showing that the energy put behind fighting against something we do not want only increases what we don’t want.
I simply promote a peaceful thought about what peace means to you today. Look for peace and you shall find it everywhere.
Lynn Peters
Polson
