Friend,
All the world’s great religions teach us about the importance of working for peace through justice. Wise people tell us that without justice there can be no peace. When there is no peace, we all suffer. Those of us who follow great teachers such as Jesus of Nazareth, Julian of Norwich, Mahatma Gandhi, Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him), Prophet Isaiah, Bishop Romero, Thich Nhất Hanh and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. know that peace is a way of life as well as a goal of relationship within community.
In response to the call of these wise leaders, I twice traveled to Iran with Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR), as a member of Civilian Peace Delegations. Civilian Diplomacy is a grassroots movement that advocates for talks between nations when the citizens of those countries feel their governments are not acting in the best interest of the people. They were incredible trips! We saw snowcapped mountains and desert valleys. We met people from all walks of life, all age groups, and several faith traditions. Americans might be surprised to know that there is a Christian community, as well as a Zoroastrian community and a Jewish community in Esfahan. These communities of people feel safe and integrated into the culture of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
I seek to share my experiences with all who will listen with an open mind and compassionate heart.
It has always been my belief that as different as people around the world might be – there is more that connects us than separates us. I have found that the people in Iran… Palestine… Cuba… everywhere… want the same things in life as the people in the United States… or Israel… or Europe. People everywhere want to live in peace, with security. People everywhere want to have health care and education for their children. People everywhere want work with purpose and freedom of faith. Now I can say with great confidence that the people of Iran, Palestine, Cuba, and every other country around the world, want these same things.
One of the differences that I have seen between the people of the US and the people of many other countries is that people in other countries seem more able to differentiate between a government and its people. Some people around the world do not respect the actions of the US government because it has brought violence, oppression and all manner of suffering to them. But then many of these same people do not respect the actions of their own governments either, because they also have brought injustice. Yet, these same people welcome American citizens with open arms and warm hospitality. It troubles me that most Americans are not able to make that same kind of distinction; to see that a government is not the same as the people of that nation.
It is my great hope and my fervent prayer that we Americans can begin to examine the possibility of living in peace with Iran, Venezuela, Palestine, Cuba, and with all other countries of the world. But peace cannot be the way if our government refuses to authentically enter into dialog with other nations.
As a nation, we were once the respected and beloved friend of many nations around the globe. Now people in many nations only fear us. You and I, we are citizens and taxpayers of a nation that supports a web of more than 800 military bases around the world. Yet, here at home, many of our own citizens are hungry or die from lack of healthcare or cannot afford a quality education; even as our government continues to put the majority of our resources into military equipment and personnel in the name of ‘security’; almost $1 Trillion in fiscal year 2022-23.
I am committed to speak about peacemaking to as many people as possible. I invite you to be in touch with me if you would like to set up a speaking engagement for your church, school, library, or community group. Please contact me at smackie8@embarqmail.com, 717-334-0875
May God’s peace be with and among us all,