Friday, March 13, 2015

Violence Proofing the World-II
Part I of VPW reviewed grace-filled theological foundations to address the call to VPW. Now it is important to focus on the practical, in world actions that appear to run counter to VPW and to those that tend to be consistent with a more faithful, non-causing violence action. Christian witness necessitates engaging the world in manners that resonate with diverse cultures and religious expressions. Hence, there is a practical "secularity" that surfaces and seeks common ground. Christian "holiness" affirms global oneness, uniting knowingly and unknowingly, ALL people.  All people are created in the Image of God.

First, a review of axioms that I find helpful in understanding causes of violence in the world, followed by axioms that tend to prevent violence. 

CAUSES OF VIOLENCE
Dictatorships
Fascism: Collusion of corporate wealthy with government control
Doctrine of Discovery: Theological justification for colonialism
Poverty: Revolutions usually begin from the bottom up, from the poor
Economic Inequality
Poverty and Lack of Opportunity
Slavery-Child Exploitation
Gender Oppression
Racism
Unemployment
Plutocracy and Oligarchy: Government by the wealthy
Quest for Oil
De-Regulation: Elimination of Glas-Steagal Bill, weakening of Dodd/Frank
Lack of Education and Access to Education
Unwillingness to Engage and Celebrate Diversity
Militarism
Money Influence Upon Elections
Voter Suppression
Environmental Degradation
Extremist-Fundamentalist Religious Expression
Ideological Intolerance
Unwillingness to Seek Common Ground in our Politics
Lack of Justice for ALL
Anti-Semitism
Lack of Common Sense Gun Regulation
Family Breakdown
Rise of Extreme Nationalism
Unbridled Nationalism at Expense of Patriotism 
Censorship
Building Walls (Berlin Wall and Israel/Palestine)

CAUSES OF LESS VIOLENCE
Mandatory and Access to Education for all
Fair Financial Arrangements for College, University and Specialized Education 
Democratic form of Government (Democracies do not attack each other)
Economic Equality
Job Creation and Opportunity
Bill of Rights
Equal Access to Voting without Undo Requirements
Public Financing of Elections
Support for and Participation in the United Nations
Leadership Possibilities for ALL
Employment Opportunities for ALL
Fair Regulation of Corporations, Banks, and Wall Street
Balance Between Socialism and Capitalism
Environmental Stewardship
Inclusive and Welcoming of Diversity
Religious Ecumenism
Welcoming of Political Diversity
Less Military Focus
Focus on Human/Public Needs
Appropriate and Common Sense Gun Regulations
Pensions for ALL
Fair Taxation
Global Tax to provide resources for economic justice for ALL
Global Imagination
Transparency and Free Flow of Information

"We may have democracy, or we may have wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we cannot have both." 
Justice Louis Brandeis

As people of faith, violence needs to be addressed. The ethic of Jesus was nonviolence. Faithfulness means not only "believing" but also and more profoundly "beloving" the world. 

Let the conversation begin! 

Peace!





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