Conference hydra::dejavu

    
    When Mother Teresa was asked how one could further the cause of world
    peace, her response was, "Go home and love your family."

    What a wonderful subject, Cindy!
    
    Yes, PEACE. What is it? Mother Teresa, in Cindy's message, gave
    us a clue. It is impossible not to be at peace when you love.
    God is love. To love is to be at peace. To be at peace is what
    I (for I don't know what others are attaining) am striving for.
    When I meet someone new, I love them. I see the God in them.
    Oh lord, let me love everything, for in you, you are love.
    
    Enough. Bye.

    
    Godd subject Cindy.
    
    Love is giving everything of your self, no holding back. Love is
    forgiving others, puting others before your self, love is expecting
    nothing in return for you love and much more.
    
    God is love, for He gave His only son, that is true love.
    Christ died for us, and that that is true love. For few if any would
    die for anyone.
    
    Peace,
    bill

    
    If by definition, peace is the absence of conflict, it is a misnomer
    and an insidious concept. Nowhere in nature, will you find peace.
    This planet was born from conflict( the big bang?) and has always
    been a contentious and vibrant place. Witness a free flowing river,
    or the wind as it erodes the mountains.As part of this ecosystem,
    we too are born violently, and any attempts to harness our natural
    energies and inclinations, are dangerous at best. The concept of inner
    peace, belongs with those other great concepts- Santa Claus and the
    Easter Bunny. But hey, if it gets you through the night, that's 
    okay. Just dont get confused and start trying to change other people
    to fit your concept of "a peaceful world" Controlled violence is
    healthy. 
    
    			Jim

    
    re: .4 (Jim Maynard)
    
    I don't understand what you're trying to say.....
    
    Are we violent by nature?  Should we try to control this "violent
    nature" within us?
    
    On one hand you say we shouldn't try to change other people, and on
    the other you say that controlled violence is healthy.  Your first
    statement might be taken as a vote against control and the second
    FOR control.....I don't get it.
    
    guy

    
    A human being is violent by nature, if violence is conflict and
    turbulence. We take away the best part of our humanity, when we
    attempt to "not make waves", to get along, to compromise.
    Control can be a healthy thing if applied in moderation. Obviously
    we cannot give vent to our every impulse and passion- living with
    other people on this planet demands otherwise. But we fall into a
    dangerous trap when we allow others to dictate how we should feel
    in any given situation. An ideal relationship is not one where two
    people NEVER fight or argue. The best relationship is one where two
    people accept each other's anger and passion as a real part of our
    human make up. By extension, the world is a better place when we 
    accept our violent natures and use them for positive purposes, rather
    than sublimate them, for someone elses purposes.
    
    							Jim

    I agree that conflict is healthy.  I would go as far to say
    that no growth occurs without some degree of conflict.  At the
    same time, conflict need not involve violence nor the use of
    deadly force.
    
    At one time, there was a state of peace called PAX ROMANA.  It was
    an enforced, or coerced, peace under the auspices of Roman rule.  Peace
    through coercion is not genuine.
    
    Richard

    Peace through coercion is oppression or dictatorship. Peace through
    choice is love. THis love has to be unconditional. I have only felt
    this a few times, and only 3 times with non-family members. Every time
    I think of these people, I feel a contentment in my soul and know
    peace. It seems to me that I can't feel a true peace, because I can't
    feel like this all the time. I suppose that's good to a point. I need
    the conflict to function on a daily basis and not get stomped on by
    others. Maybe it's better this way. Maybe we all need the conflict so
    we can appreciate the peace and love a little more when we get it.
    
    Thank you Cindy, for putting this topic in. I miss our little chats
    here at NQO and was sorry you left us. Hope your doing well at the new
    facility.
    
    Phil

Peace on a global scale is achievable, I believe.

There is a general acknowledgment that no one can afford the luxury of
possessing an enemy, that as stupid as going to war is, that total
all out war at this or any future time would be the ultimate insanity.
Our planet is too small.  The damage wrought would affect an unknown
number of future generations.

There is a growing awareness that weapons, even if they are never used,
are hurting people and the environment.

The Soviets are no longer perceived as the threat that they were in the
past 40 years.  The real threat is perceived to be the smaller, more
fanatical governments: Iran, Libya, etc..  Don't get me wrong.  There's
still a lot of smoke & mirror stuff going on within and among the world's
principalities.

There is a growing sense of community in the world.  People of cultures
other than the U.S. are not being systematically dehumanized through the
use of language, political portrayal, and other forms of propaganda to
the degree that was popular in the past.  It is no longer acceptable to
make your enemy less human than you.

Richard

    
    
            A popular concept these days is *think globaly; act localy*.
    If I apply this method to the concept of peace I must first love 
    myself. That is to say that I can not do for someone else that which
    I can not do for myself. When I am at peace with myself the world
    gains. In order for me to attain this state of inner peace I must 
    give freely of myself- the good (love,joy,laughter) as well as the 
    not so good (anger,sadness,conflict). I have a great deal of trouble 
    giving of the not so good. I am not yet at peace with myself. The 
    world will just have to wait a little longer. 
    
    
                                   Later,
                                    Mark
    
    ps. I agree with reply .6
    

    re .10
    
    Agreed.  Personal peace is paramount.  Understand that peace
    is not the absence of conflict.  And so, do not allow presence of
    conflict to prevent you from seeking peace and pursuing it.
    
    There is an old concept which says *if you aren't part of the
    solution, you're part of the problem* (Malcom X).  And another
    says *there is no way to peace; Peace is the way* (A.J. Muste).
    Peace is a process, not a goal.  Peace is a voyage, not a destiny.
    
    Richard

Responsibility:

Social scientists have discovered some things about the human
sense of responsibility.

They set up a roadside situation of a woman and a car with the hood up,
and then from a hidden area the scientists counted the number of people
who drove by offering no assistance.  They found that the more traffic there
was, the less likely the possibility that someone would stop.  They postulated
that the more that responsibility was spread out among persons, the less
responsibility each one of those persons felt.

An identical situation was set up, only this time a truck was stopped in
such as way as to give the impression that it was there to offer help to
the woman with the hood raised.  Further down the road, at the same time,
another stranded car scenario was set up.  Many, many more cars stopped
to offer help at the second car having seen the first one with someone
who had stopped to help.  This is the *power* behind the role model.

Impeding the progress of peace are 2 conditions:  1. Not enough people
feel a personal responsibility for peace.  2.  Too few role models.

Richard

Another consideration in creating peace is a level of commitment.
Will we take a posture of peace only when it is comfortable to do so?

The examples of Jesus of Nazareth, Martin Luther King, Mother Theresa,
Gandhi, Daniel Berrigan, and many others who are less well-known may (or
may not) help guide us in our decision, our level of commitment, to a peace
conducive lifestyle.

Fear invades so quickly and readily.  As it is the opposite of love, fear
is also the antagonist of peace.

Richard

    
    I see a big stumbling block to peace,and,that is,the pursuit of self
    interest. We all are trying to survive and reach certain goals,and,in
    this world its called competition,and,it can get pretty rough! We try
    to get ahead of the other guy,and,forget his interest in leu of ours.
    The solution? A world government,with no currency,useing the resources
    to give a good life for all of us on this planet,working toward that
    common goal.
    
    Peace
    Michael
    

    re .16
    
    The Bah'ai faith has a very similar vision.  They include a
    universal second language.
    
    You awareness of striving is very relevant.
    
    Richard

One of the most obvious ways to work for peace is to become aware of
the ways of accumulating wealth, spending, and/or investing are actually
oppressing others.  It is then a matter of conscious and conscientious
choice.

Have you seen the biographical movie "Romero"?  Have you ever wondered
why Costa Rica, while possessing no formal army and surrounded by
countries in turmoil, is not immersed in civil war or being invaded
by outside powers?

Richard

    
    ref .17
    
     Thats a good point. Either a common language or develop a translator.
    I think a common language would be what is desireable,but,in the
    meantime a translator device could work. The question is,where would we
    start? Are the people of the world ready to start the process? It could
    start as a proposal from us,after a thorough study was done,then,expand
    it. I think the atmosphere in the world,one of people demanding
    changes,and,getting them,is right to at least start something in that
    direction.
    
    peace
    Michael
    

    �      Are the people of the world ready to start the process? 
    
    I suggest the question is:   
    
        Am I ready to start the process?
    
�   I think the atmosphere in the world,one of people demanding
�   changes,and,getting them,is right to at least start something in that
�   direction.
    
    I suggest that it's not a question of demanding change (of others),
    but rather of changing (oneself).
    
    /bruce
    
    

re .18, costa rica:

Never occurred to me - so, Richard, what's the answer?

re becoming aware of the ways accummulating wealth, spending and/or 
investing are actually oppressing others:

I do the best with the knowledge that I have, but that knowledge is pretty
paltry.  How can I find out information that will enable me to make 
informed choices about products to avoid buying, etc.?

z

    
    BRUCE,
    
       To accomplish a task of such magnitude,it must be brought out to the
    world population,and,if there is enough people who are ready to accept
    the change,and,work for it,it can happen. It requires and needs a
    beginning,a movement world wide. The recent changes in Europe is a good
    example of what I am saying. It is something that will have to be
    demanded by the people. It cannot just stay within us,as a
    hope,but,must be brought out and expressed. Such change is
    difficult,but,I see a vision,that probably wont happen in my
    lifetime,but,needs to if Man is to survive and grow. It is time for us
    to grow spiritually,rather than just technologicly. I believe there are
    large numbers of people who are now ready and open for the idea.
    
    Peace
    Michael
    

    
    Re.21
    
    Hi Lennice,
    
    Well, just ask and ye shall receive!  (;^)  Where would you like to
    start?  Animal testing?  Food safety?  Biodegradable material (or not)?
    There is even a Master Card which supports only funds which focus on
    ethical investments.                        
    
    Maybe starting a new topic here to discuss these things is in order.  
    Go for it!
    
    Cindy

Cindy - 

I had no idea you are such a fount of knowledge!  At the risk of sounding 
backward, I don't think I'm the one to start the topic - I don't know what 
to say other than what I already have - which is ?????  Why don't you start
it?  With answers to some of my burning questions - the Master Card is a
good beginning.  I already know about animal testing, but perhaps others
don't.  I just had a flash - our own version of Standard and Poors, with
the low-down on who would be good to support with our business and who 
wouldn't, and why.  Are ecology-type questions of this sort in another
file?  Perhaps to avoid duplication and to focus the scope, we could focus
on companies that contribute to world misery in a more political sort of
way - companies that do business with South Africa, for instance.

z

RE:            <<< Note 1325.20 by HYDRA::LARU "goin' to graceland" >>>
>              -< _Be_ peace;  focus internally, not externally. >-
    
>    I suggest that it's not a question of demanding change (of others),
>    but rather of changing (oneself).

Yes, Bruce, I agree completely.  Now if it were just easy to do...:-)

		Dave

    re:               <<< Note 1325.22 by DNEAST::PUSHARD_MIKE >>>
    
�       To accomplish a task of such magnitude,it must be brought out to the
�    world population,and,if there is enough people who are ready to accept
    
    
The major, if not the only cause of [unpeace]
is the phenomenon of people who think:

   I/we have the answer, the one true way to
   peace, and the world would be oh-so-much
   better if only you/they/[the masses]
   would see it my/our way.

However, one doesn't teach by preaching;
how can one teach peace by making war
on another's ideas?

We teach best by example, by living the
peace we profess to have found.


/bruce
                           
    

    
    
    Bruce,
    
       You seem to think for some reason,that I am advocating forcing
    something onto someone,which is not the case. Everything starts with an
    idea,and,if enough people accept it,it becomes. Hey,if the people dont
    want it,fine,but,if I think I have a solution,that,I believe in,I
    certainly should express it,and,attempt to get acceptance of it. I dont
    believe in forcing anyone to believe anything,but,I would ask that they
    could at least listen and decide for themself.
    
    Peace
    Michael
    

    
    Hi Lennice,
    
    I really think you should start it.   
    
    So there!  (;^)
    
    Cindy

                                                     
    There was this song I used to sing in Sunday School many moons ago:
    
    Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me.
    Let there be peace on Earth, the peace that was meant to be,
    With God as our Father [and Mother], brothers all are we. [sisters too]
    Let me walk with my brother, in perfect harmony.
    
    Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now.
    With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow
    To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.
    Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me.

    Remember it?  I sing it every Sunday at church.  :-)
    
    (We replace the "brother" with "each other" and "God as our Father"
    with "God as our center".)
    
    Nanci
    

    Changing yourself will impact your environment, as so many
    have stated.  The self is the elementary school of learning
    peace.  In good conscience, I must ask those who are able to
    continue their efforts and education, and not become cosmic
    drop outs.  The world is not in short supply of these.
    
    Richard

    re:            <<< Note 1325.33 by CSC32::J_CHRISTIE "Crusader Rabbit" >>>

�            In good conscience, I must ask those who are able to
�    continue their efforts and education, and not become cosmic
�    drop outs.
�
    
    Please, let's have no name-calling of those who choose not
    to live their lives as you would direct, however good your conscience....
    
    
    /bruce

    
    The world won't get no better, if we just wait and see....

    re .33
    
    Please be a wee bit more explicit for the uneducated. I must be,
    because I can't figure what you mean.
    
    Thanks

.36  in reference to .33

If I may ...
What I read was, simply translated, ...

>   ............  The self is the elementary school of learning
>   peace. 

Peace begins with me.

>   ......  In good conscience, I must ask those who are able to
>   continue their efforts and education, 

Don't stop at learning peace within. Continue on.

>   ..................................... and not become cosmic
>   drop outs.  The world is not in short supply of these.

So many _do_ stop. It's a shame.

Peace,
Jay

    You can't have Peace without Justice.
    
    True____   False____    
    
    

    I see I may have stepped on some folks toes in my poor choice of
    analogy.  I apologize.
    
    Cindy and Jay articulated the thought much better than I.
    Francis of Assissi also put it very well:
    
    "(Ineffible One), Let me be an instrument of (Divine) peace....."
    
    Richard

         Sometimes the course we tread
            in life,
         Do not flow as smooth
            as we like
    
         Not placed to be
            perfect swimmers
         None are we
    
         For to master an art
           is to grow from the deep
         So always remenber
           it is love that can reap
    
         Love returned in the face
           of a storm
         Has mastered the seas
           bringing forth a new dawn
    
         For love is truth
           and truth is light,
         Light shines bright
           for passing Ships in the Night
    
    
    
          PEACE
     
           and light is truth
         
        
    

    RE: .39
    
    As I recall, this is the first line of a prayer for peace.
    Would you, or someone, have the complete text?  It has 
    some wonderful thoughts to meditate (and act) upon.....
    
    Martha

The Prayer of Francis of Assisi

  Make me a channel of your peace.
  Where there is hatred, let me bring your love
  Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord
  Where there is doubt, true faith in you.

  Make me a channel of your peace.
  Where there is despair in life, let me bring hope
  Where there is darkness, only light
  Where there is sadness, joy.

  O Master, grant that I may never seek
  So much to be consoled as to console
  To be understood as to understand
  to be loved as to love, with all my soul.

  Make me a channel of your peace.
  It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
  In giving that we receive
  In dying that we become truly alive. Amen.

    I have a tape by John Astin of the prayer put to music - one
    of my favorites, I usually play it each morning as I get ready
    for work.
    
    Ro
    

    Thank you, Richard; somehow seeing this again 
    has helped this day along....
    
    
    
    

>re .18, costa rica:
>Never occurred to me - so, Richard, what's the answer?

Can't provide a simple answer, but I can mention some of the influencing
factors.  The conflict in countries surrounding Costa Rica seem to revolve
around wealth and power.  Costa Rica has an aggressive national program to
wipe out poverty by the year 2000.  Health care is affordable.  The
non-polluting bicycle is the most commonly used means of transportation.  The
National Geographic Society put together an excellent presentation on
Costa Rica.  See it if you get a chance.

> How can I find out information that will enable me to make 
> informed choices about products to avoid buying, etc.?

There are *lots* of sources.  Tap into one and you'll usually tap into
others.  I hesitate mentioning any particular one out of fear of neglecting
others.

>Cindy - 

>I had no idea you are such a fount of knowledge!

Indeed, she is a peace hero.  Peace heroes are seldom honored.

Love Lennice,

Richard

	The following letter was sent to the IRS, each of my U.S. congress-
	persons, the U.S. President, and the editorial page of local newspaper.
	It was published.
===============================================================================
	April 15, 1990
    
	Dear Taxpaying Friend,

		Once again, I am forced to confront a moral dilemma.  Do I
	continue to profess values that affirm the sacred worth of every
	person, and yet continue to support through taxation the oppression
	and extermination of human life on foreign soils?  Do I continue
	to advocate peace, tolerance and reconciliation, while contributing
	to the purchase of hardware and the hiring of assassins in order to
	silence the voices of dissenters?  Ultimately, the question is this:
	shall I choose integrity, or shall I succumb to fear and yield to
	hypocrisy?

		I work and pray for peace, and yet I pay taxes which support
	the machinery of war making.

		It's my money, and yours, that bought the bullets that killed
	the Roman Catholic Sisters in Nicaragua.  It's my money, and yours,
	that financed the murder of 6 Jesuit priests, their housekeeper
	and her daughter in El Salvador.  It's my money, and yours, that
	underwrote the invasion that killed hundreds of Panamanians and 23
	Americans.

		Yearly, I refuse to participate in the deceit, corruption and
	malice perpetrated worldwide by the U.S. government by enclosing a
	statement such as this and excluding payment of a symbolic portion of
	my taxes in filing my income tax return.  Yearly, I receive a computer
	generated notification from the IRS of taxes owed with penalties and
	interest, plus a document outlining what legal action may be taken
	against me should I continue to withhold payment.  Yearly, I
	compromise my conscience, buckle under the threats of possible
	seizure, incarceration and punitive fines, and remit the amount in
	question.

		Again this year, I stand in direct opposition to a multitude of
	atrocities committed by U.S. government agencies and officials in the
	name of national security and the preservation of liberty.  Again this
	year, I am refusing to become an accomplice by virtue of having
	financed such operations.  Again this year, I am denouncing our
	society's addiction to power and our misguided faith in militarism.

		Will I again this year submit to coercion?  Or will I resist the
	legalized extortion imposed upon me through the IRS, and keep my actions
	consistent with my principles?  Time will tell.  But regardless of my
	decision, I vow to remain vocal on this issue until the injustices and
	provocations cease, and I will encourage others to do the same.

	Respectfully,

	Richard Jones-Christie

    Re .38
    
    As I see it, peace and justice are something like colors in
    a spectrum in that each color is distinct and yet each color
    flows into the next.
    
    What do you think?
    
    Richard

    Some colors are made by combining two different colors together.  It
    is the combination that forms the third color.  
    

    RE: .46
    
    It's too bad that we cannot dictate which government agencies,
    departments and programs our tax dollars are allocated to.  It would be
    interesting (and easier to swallow...paying the taxes that is...) if we
    could split our specific taxes up between programs we support and those
    we don't (sort of like you can do in the SAVE program).
    
    Perhaps if there were a law allowing us to do this Congress (and the
    President) might yet come to terms what we **really** support our
    government doing.  Might be an interesting experiment! <:)
    
    Visualizing Universal Peace,
    
    susan

    
    
    The current situation in the middle east is a good example of why Peace
    is far away for mankind. First you have one nation that wants what the
    other one has,so,they take it. Then,you have a gov't,that,always wants
    to jump right in the middle of it,and,take over,kick a little ass,etc.
    
    It seems to me that the Arab nations should take care of their
    problems,and,if the united nations were to intervene,it should be
    an equal participation by the countries involved. 
    
    Peace
    Michael
    

    re .49
    
    A bill called the World Peace Tax Fund Act has been introduced into
    both houses of the U.S. Congress since the early 70's.  Every year
    it gets bogged in committee.
    
    We shall overcome.........somedaa-a-a-a-ay
    
    Richard

	Yesterday CXO's "TREE OF PEACE" was planted in the lawn of the 

	South Lobby at CXO1/2.  It is the smallest Ponderosa Pine on 

	the lawn, that is starting to get covered with ribbons.  


	A long time ago, according to Native American legend, the 

	Great Spirit told all the people to lay down their weapons

	and fight no more.  The weapons were placed in the hole in

	which the "Tree of Peace" was planted.  The roots of the 

	tree grew and tangled the weapons such as clubs, hatchets, 

	pistols, rifles, bows and arrows so they could never be 

	used again.  


	The four ribbon colors, Red, White, Black, and Yellow depict

	things sacred to American Indians.  For example the four

	directions, East, South, West, and North and the four winds.  

	The ribbons are made of 100% cotton, a natural product which 

	will deteriorate with the weather and be returned to Mother 

	Earth at time goes on.


	If you would like to tie a ribbon on the "Tree of Peace", I have

	extra ribbons available.  Come to my office, which is near the

	South Lobby and pick one up (office location is CX01, floor 1,

	just inside the doors closest to the stairway, under pole Q17 in

	Engineering).  Pick out the ribbon, proceed to the tree and say 

	a prayer for peace or just VISUALIZE PEACE and tie the ribbon 

	onto the tree.  If you would like to tie more than one ribbon, 

	you are welcome to!  If you need assistance getting to the tree

	since it is in the middle of the lawn and some wheelchairs and

	other means of mobility don't travel too well on grass, please 

	contact me at DTN 522-2162 and I will gladly assist you.


	Judy Kilgore
	Spokesperson for DANCE
	Digital American Native Council Effort

	P.S.  The "Tree of Peace" is sponsored by DANCE, CXO's Native 
	
	American Leadership group, a part of Valuing Differences.

re: .52 (Judy)

    Do you have any ribbons that will reach Atlanta?  If not, tie one
    on for me.  Good going!

    Terry

Terry,  I'm afraid they are only 12 inches long and won't reach.  Tomorrow
when I tie my 4th one at noon I will do one for you also.  :-)  Do you have
a color request?

Judy

Judy,

    > Do you have a color request?

    White (since in the spectrum it contains all colors) would be nice, 
    but any will do!

Thanks!
Terry

    Please tie one on for me, too  =8-)
    
    I'm sure whatever color you chose will be the right one!
    
    Cindy-2
    

    Judy,
    
    When you tie your fifth one on, put one on for me too.   Pick a 
    color, I like them all. 
    
    Thanks,
    Joanne

Will do, Joanne!  Glad to!

I tied a white and a black ribbon Friday per the requests.  Will tie Joanne's
today.  That little tree will probably look like it is getting strangled!  :-)

Judy

    I tied four ribbons--one of each color--on the Tree of Peace a few
    weeks ago.  I think that the Tree is an absolutely wonderful idea, and
    I wanted to thank Judy for her efforts.  Particularly, in times like
    this, with war looming on the horizon, the message of peace is
    something that needs to be stressed again and again--both at the
    spiritual and the political level.

    -- Mike

    I Wouldn't be able to sleep tonight if I didn't put in a little
    bit about peace (especially when there is a forum for it right here
    that's *very* accesible to me).
    
    I also participted in CXO's tree-of-peace ceremony, although I am
    here in Albuquerque (on the eastern side of the Continental Divide)
    and not exactly anywhere near Colorado Springs, I felt very strongly
    that I could find a tree here that could "talk" with the tree up
    there at CXO and unite all our thoughts of peace.
    
    It was refreshing.  Now the next step is to do a little bit more
    -- write my congressman, share this story at a next family gathering,
    just so that the idea of peace doesn't get washed away by the media's
    blasting scenes of war in our minds all the time.
                                            
    Take a pause and pray for peace.        
                                            
    Anthony 

Article          399
Path: shodha.enet.dec.com!shlump.nac.dec.com!rust.zso.dec.com!bacchus.pa.dec.com!decwrl!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!lll-winken!looking!clarinews
From: [email protected] (DAVID E. ANDERSON, UPI Religion Writer)
Newsgroups: clari.news.religion,clari.news.gov.international,clari.news.issues.conflict,clari.news.hot.iraq,biz.clarinet.sample
Subject: Christians, Moslems, Jews join in Mideast prayers
Keywords: organized religion, religion, international, non-usa government,
	government, war & peace, social issues
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Date: 11 Sep 90 16:27:39 GMT
Followup-To: biz.clarinet.sample
Lines: 60
Approved: [email protected]
Xref: shodha.enet.dec.com clari.news.religion:399 clari.news.gov.international:4948 clari.news.issues.conflict:644 clari.news.hot.iraq:1121 biz.clarinet.sample:1352
Location: mideast
ACategory: washington
Slugword: iraq-prayer
Priority: regular
Format: regular
ANPA: Wc: 619; Id: a0968; Sel: na--w; Adate: 9-11-1220ped
Codes: ynrorxx., yigfrxp., ynxwrxx., //na--w/
 
 
	WASHINGTON (UPI) -- On Sunday, worshippers at St. John's Episcopal
Church, just across Lafayette Square from the White House, will bow
their heads and ask their God to ``save us from from weak resignation to
violence'' and to ``hear, we beseech thee, our prayer for peace in the
Middle East.''
	The prayer of the faithful at St. John's -- also known as the church
of the presidents for its proximity to the White House and the string of
national leaders who have worshipped there -- will be echoed by tens of
thousands of other American Christians, who will ask their Lord: ``Help
us to love our enemies, not by countenacing their sins, but by
remembering our own.''
	And that prayer by Christians will mingle with the voices of
countless other American Moslems and Jews on their holy days this
weekend as they, too, lift up prayers in a unique plea for divine
intervention on behalf of peace in the Middle East.
	The three prayers are the work of the U.S. Interreligious Committee
for Peace in the Middle East, a 3-year-old group of 1,200 Christian,
Muslim and Jewish leaders who have labored together to encourage active
U.S. involvement in bringing about a negotiated settlement of the Arab-
Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
	``We are Christians, Jews and Moslems who believe working together
for peace is a fundamental moral imperative of our time,'' four leaders
of the group said in a joint statement calling members of their faiths
to prayer over the Sept. 14-16 weekend.
	Signers of the statement were Al-Hajj Dawud Assad, president of the
Council of Mosques, USA; Dale Bishop, director of the Middle East office
of the National Council of Churches; the Rev. J. Bryan Hehir, counselor,
U.S. Catholic Conference; and Rabbi Arthur Hertzberg, vice president of
the World Jewish Congress.
	``While at times religion appears to contribute to Middle East
conflicts, we believe the deepest sources in our traditions provide
inspiration and wisdom for resolution of these conflicts,'' the joint
statement said.
	Ron Young, executive director of the interreligious committee, said
each of the three prayers was written by someone deeply immersed in the
spiritual tradition of the particular faith.
	And they are being widely circulated for use this weekend.
	Young said, for example, the Council of Mosques has sent the prayer
to 200 mosques and Islamic centers for their use. The National Council
of Churches has sent it to the head of each of its 32 member communions
as well as the heads of all state and local councils of churches for
distribution.
	Bishops and regional leaders of the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ), the Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church, the
United Church of Christ, the United Methodist Church and the
Presbyterian Church (USA) are also circulating the prayers and
encouraging their use.
	Among Jewish groups, the Union of American Hebrew Congregations has
sent the prayer to Reform rabbis for use and Hertzberg has written a
letter encouraging all Conservative rabbis to make use of the prayer.
The Federation of Reconstructionist Synagogues has has also embraced it.
	``What I found so moving in the prayers is that in each of the
three, reaching down into the deepest resources of their faith, there is
a spirit of which is very complementary.
	In their statement encouraging participation in the weekend of
prayer, the four religious leaders said: ``At this time of world crisis,
when all of us are reminded that our human efforts for peace are
inadequate, we are simply asking for your prayers and the prayers of
your community.'' 

Article          400
Path: shodha.enet.dec.com!shlump.nac.dec.com!rust.zso.dec.com!bacchus.pa.dec.com!decwrl!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!lll-winken!looking!clarinews
From: [email protected]
Newsgroups: clari.news.religion,clari.news.gov.international,clari.news.issues.conflict,clari.news.hot.iraq,biz.clarinet.sample
Subject: Prayer texts
Keywords: organized religion, religion, international, non-usa government,
	government, war & peace, social issues
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Date: 11 Sep 90 16:27:43 GMT
Followup-To: biz.clarinet.sample
Lines: 75
Approved: [email protected]
Xref: shodha.enet.dec.com clari.news.religion:400 clari.news.gov.international:4950 clari.news.issues.conflict:646 clari.news.hot.iraq:1123 biz.clarinet.sample:1354
Location: mideast
ACategory: washington
Slugword: iraq-prayer-texts
Priority: regular
Format: regular
ANPA: Wc: 703; Id: a0977; Sel: na--w; Adate: 9-11-1229ped
Codes: ynrorxx., yigfrxp., ynxwrxx., //na--w/
 
 
	WASHINGTON (UPI) -- Here are the texts of Christian, Jewish and
Moslem prayers being circulated in the U.S. religious community for use
the weekend of Sept. 14-16.
                              ------
	_ _T_h_e_ _p_r_a_y_e_r_ _w_r_i_t_t_e_n_ _b_y_ _a_ _C_h_r_i_s_t_i_a_n_:
	Eternal God, shepherd of every hope, refuge of every bewildered
heart, and fountain of forgiveness for every contrite one, hear, we
beseech thee, our prayer for peace in the Mideast.
	Save us from weak resignation to violence. Teach us that restraint
is the highest expression of power, that thoughtfulness and tenderness
are marks of the strong.
	Help us to love our enemies, not by countenancing their sins, but
by remembering our own. And may we never for a moment forget that they
are fed by the same food, hurt by the same weapons, have children for
whom they have the same high hopes as do we.
	O God, as Moslems, Jews and Christians, we acknowledge that thou
has made of one blood all the nations of the earth. Thou dost love all
of us as if all were but one, and dost care for each as if thous hadst
naught else to care for.
	Remembering such love, may we not weary in our efforts to fashion
out of our failures today some great good for all thy people tomorrow.
And not unto O God, not unto us, but unto thy name be the glory. Amen.
 ------
	_T_h_e_ _p_r_a_y_e_r_ _w_r_i_t_t_e_n_ _b_y_ _a_ _J_e_w_:
	O God, who makes peace and harmony in the heavenly spheres, help
Your bewildered humanity understand the futility of war, and hatred and
violence.
	Help us to overcome the rationalizations that ultimately end in
justification of actions which inevitably lead to bloodshed and
suffering.
	As hundreds of thousands of human beings look at their brothers and
sisters over the barrels of guns, canons and missiles, help us to hear
Your voice which counsels compassion, patience and rational discourse.
	How long, O loving God, will we continue to kill in your name? How
long will we refuse to register the unalterable fact that all human
creatures on this earth are brothers and sisters?
	Help us to understand that the search for peace and well being is
not weakness nor lack of its conviction but rather the only way to
ensure continued life on this planet upon which you have placed us.
	Grant us the ability to find joy and strength not in the strident
call to arms, but in stretching out of our arms to grasp our fellow
creatures in the striving for justice and truth.
	You are truth. You require justice, mercy, compassion and love. You
are love.
	Help us prove ourselves worthy of your creation, God of all space
and time and worlds. Amen.
 ------
	_T_h_e_ _p_r_a_y_e_r_ _w_r_i_t_t_e_n_ _b_y_ _a_ _M_o_s_l_e_m_:
	O God, Lord of the universe, All-merciful and compassionate, have
mercy upon us and illumine our way, our hearts and our minds in this
hour of darkness.
	O God, creator and sustainer of all things, Lord of infinite love,
kindness and mercy, guide us to the way of love when hatred and pride
appear to be the easier and more attractive way.
	O God, cherisher and sustainer of all beings, sovereign lord over
all your creation, in your boundless mercy and care, teach us wisdom and
compassion to face this threat of suffering, discord and death. Teach
us, our most holy creator, to love mercy and justice, as you love mercy
and justice.
	O God, Lord of all dominion, in whose hand is all good, teach our
leaders humility, wisdom and good judgment. Help us all to defuse this
crisis peacefully before it plunges us into a whirlpool of senseless
suffering, bloodshed and war.
	O God, we give thanks to you for giving us this good earth as a
sacred trust to enjoy and share with all your creatures. Help us to keep
your trust and not destroy it.
	Save us, our compassionate Lord, for our folly by your wisdom; from
our arrogance by your forgiving love; from our greed by your infinite
bounty and from our insecurity by your healing power.
	O God, guide us to your ways, the ways of righteousness and peace.
Grant us peace, O Lord of peace. Help us to do your will in our lives,
in our relations and in our affairs. Forgive us all your creatures in
your mercy, and save us from our own evil. Yours alone is all praise,
all dominion and all power forever and ever. Amen.