Michael Rass

Michael Rass

Michael Rass is the web producer for The World.

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How do you define peace?

June 9, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

Is it merely the absence of war? How do the personal and political meanings of peace relate to each other?

Discussion

14 comments for “How do you define peace?”

  • tom maclean

    I’d say that ‘peace’ is not an absence of conflict; rather, an agreement to resolve conflict in a respectful, open style.

    This viewpoint is affirmed, I believe, in Ann Weiser’s small offering, “Agreements of the Open Space”, accessible on Google from “Ann Weiser Agreements of the Open Space”. Another bit of insight on style can be found as “Strategic Questioning”, again on Google.

    A number of thinkers affirm the usefulness of our acknowledging the inevitability of conflict. Among them is the British Quaker, Adam Curle.

  • DeaconChrista

    I have only recently found and understood peace. Peace for me is the absolute certainty, based on experience, that God (or whatever you choose to call the creative power that made you) is real and cares for each of us personally. I know I am always completely safe and loved and I can verify this through the tools of prayer and meditation. And because I know this, I know that peace on earth is possible for all people, and I know the way to achieve peace through the sustained and purposeful action of prayer and introspection by committed people. We all carry anger. If each of us who cares about peace would choose to own and heal our anger, how great would be the resulting force for change in the collective mind of the earth!
    I quote Mother Clare Watts, of the Sophia Peace Center: “We can all be preparing ourselves, not for war . . . but for peace. Not for revenge, but for forgiveness. If each of us does this, and others follow our example, we will grow a large force for peace and justice, one which will be ready to move forward… We will never harm others. But we will be willing to risk being harmed. We will be strong, while being gentle; active, while having inner peace; and determined to stand up for what is right and just.”

    Deacon Christa Rathe
    Milwaukee WI

  • Verity

    Peace as relates to a truly coherently stabilizing effect, is – when actually implemented- a powerful, even indomitable influence, in its purest essence and acomplishment; being more than empty blandishments and ineffectual gestures, and most assuredly is devoid of that which induces hatred and fear -although people do seem to fear its achievement and actual realization, threatened by the self serving losses which must attend its global realization.

    Violent warfare can never produce peace, because the effects of violence always seeds retaliation, disorder, death,impoverishment,dis-satisfaction, loss, disease,hatred, anger, guilt etc and such things interfere with the realization and enjoyment of peace. “As never before the essence of war is fire, famine ad pestilence; they contribute to its outbreak and are its consequences.___Dwight Dabvid Eisenhower. And as the brother of the Prince of Peace stated: “The fruit of righteousness has its seeds sown in peace, by those who are make peace. From what comes wars and fightings among you? They come even of your lust[ful thoughts] that war in your member…” The flow of adrenalin produced by antagonistic fear engendering thinking has many an addict.

    People seem to delight in scenes of gore and a religion is even based sordidly upon crucifixion, making it appear a sacred rather than abominable and reprehensible enactment. “Never think that war however justified, is not a crime. Ask the infantry, ask the dead.” ++__ _Ernest Hemingway. “As long as war is regarded as wicked it will will have its fascinations. When it is considered to be vulgar it will cease to be popular____ Oscar Wilde

    Waging destructive wars can never protect a people from its longer term de-structive and destabilizing consequence,s which do not construct and produce peace, but more a longing for revenge on the part of those so violently defeated. Peace better triumphs in peace egendering ways!

  • Max Entropy

    It’s a great question, and I am surprised not to have encountered it before.

    I am tempted to describe peace as a sense of security, freedom from external threat. But the quest for security has led America to become an armed camp, suspicious of most foreigners. Other nations and societies that have made security a priority fall prey to demagogues, as America is doing or worse.

    I don’t know what peace is, but I have known contentment, which makes me wonder if we can have peace as long as we seek saviors. Following their instructions tends to beget a lot of suffering, whether of the acolytes or their victims.

  • DeadBee

    Peace is not something you wish for; it’s something you make, something you do, something you are, and something you give away.

  • bcav4294

    Peace is the ability to have free will in making choices
    there must not be an opposition when making these choices

  • chopper2012

    it is our nature to not live in peace but is also our nature to search for it and enjoy it when we have it. it is like the ying and the yang. peace can’t be without war, and war can’t be without peace. it has been like that since the begining of time.
    Flag comment as inappropriate

  • mariacure

    Peace is something that Osama Bin Laden and other terrorists do not like :)

    Maria

  • natasha91

    I would define PEACE as an action that always has a good reaction !!
    I would also define it as a tonic of happiness !!

    Natasha

  • brother Joseph, SFO

    Peace is more than just an experience. It is a state of being. Synonyms for peace are: serenity, quiet, tranquility, rest, balance, harmony and stillness. As far as peace being a social concept, I would argue that peace MUST begin within. If one is not at peace with himself – is fighting,struggling and seemingly at war with himself – how can he bring peace into the world – even be at peace with those closest to him? Since peace also has the aspects of security and safety, one who is truly peaceful is calm and serene, even in the face of violence, hatred, destruction and death. I learned my understanding of peace from a man who, when facing death (a horrific death at that, including torture by ‘friends’) spoke about the peace He felt as being something the world could never understand or give. My friend offered me this peace and promised me I would never lose it – it could never be taken from me. That friend’s name was Jesus. Since then I’ve faced death (and/or the threat thereof) on several occasions and I’ve found this gift of peace to be as deep and vast as the ocean. Without fear one can trust and with trust one can love and . . . what is more powerful than love? Who fears love and the desire to do good and to help and take care of others and to laugh and/or cry with all others in their joy or their sorrow? St. Francis of Assisi prayed, “Oh Master grant that I may never seek, so much to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand and to be loved as to love with all my soul.” He is known as a man of peace and considered everyone to be his friend: robbers, Muslims, the jealous, petty, self-righteous, ignorant, cruel, abusive, unbelieving, heretic – everyone was his friend and he brought to all of them peace and love. What great men these were and there were (are) many besides! I try to be one as well. Peace to you all! http://www.stfrancisspeaks.blogspot.com

  • Eric

    Peace could Theoretically be achieved, If as many civilized
    people as humanly possible could
    come togather to realize and truly
    understand The following concept

    Life and everything in it
    is a gift from the infinite mind,
    And the only way life could go wrong,
    Is through the limits of the finite mind.

  • Brittany Cannino

    Peace is definitely not just the absence of war. It is the ability to communicate fully and with maturity, reverence and toleration. Peace is furthermore the toleration of religion, opinions, no discrimination what so ever. Peace should also be expressed through non-violence. People should display consideration for one’s rights, borders, and policies.

  • Asha Gibbs

    being on 17 years old, my ideas about peace may be a little idealistic but…. to me peace could mean any different things given the context its used in. If talking about peace in the world, then it would be where there is no violence or murder of any kind. People respect and tolerate one another with out any conflict or dispute. When discussing personal peace however, it means complete and total understanding and acceptance of yourself.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_I3UROHU2ULTESA2YANGWCZQIKE Charles

    Peace is a state of mind. It is an internalized acceptance of whatever the circumstances are or may be- whether pleasant or unpleasant. An act of violence is NOT necessarily antithetical to peace; it is rather a behavioral expression that may be linked to any random reason.