Tag Archives: Peace
The Psychology of Projection in Conflict
Afghan boy in Kabul is a reflection of the violence he has witnessed in his brief life. Photo by Tim King
I have chosen and quoted words to illustrate my discussion about the significance of projection and the importance of unconscious emotional content in any conflict.
Robert J. Burrowes Global News Centre
(TASMANIA) Understanding human conflict requires us to understand human psychology. And it is only when we understand the psychology that drives conflict that we can take intelligent steps to address it.
Exposing lies, telling the truth
In ‘Exposing Lies of the Empire’, Andre Vltchek documents, with chillingly violent detail, the sins of Christianity which has wanted converts (at the point of a gun if necessary) and does not tolerate, let alone ‘love thy neighbour’, when the neighbour is of a different faith.
Robert J. Burrowes Global News Centre
(TASMANIA) I have just read Andre Vltchek’s new book ‘Exposing Lies of the Empire’. http://badak-merah.weebly.com/exposing-lies-of-the-empire.html Let me tell you something about this book of 800 pages.
Vltchek writes with passion and poetry, describing the true horror experienced by the world at large, living at the gunpoint of the imperial powers, while also describing and drawing you into a world of progress, culture and refinement that exists in some places and, so we are tantalised, might exist elsewhere too and even, perhaps, one day for us all.
The active defense of the cultural heritage of humanity
Professor Nicholas Roerich
There are periods in the history of humanity when some great new ideas are introduced, beneficial for all. Such ideas mark the beginning of a new era with far-reaching effects, creating new conditions for cooperation. The Roerich Pact for the protection of the cultural heritage of humanity signed by 21 States in a Pan-American Union ceremony is such a sign of a new era which transcends all obstacles, prejudices and intolerances.
Article by René Wadlow for Global News Centre
(WASHINGTON DC) 15 April is the anniversary of the signing of the Roerich Peace Pact at the White House in Washington D.C. in 1935. Henry A. Wallace, then the US Secretary of Agriculture and later Vice-President signed for the USA saying “At no time has such an ideal been more needed. It is high time for the idealists who make the reality of tomorrow, to rally around such a symbol of international cultural unity. It is time that we appeal to that appreciation of beauty, science, education which runs across all national boundaries to strengthen all that we hold dear in our particular governments and customs. Its acceptance signifies the approach of a time when those who truly love their own nation will appreciate in addition the unique contribution of other nations and also do reverence to that common spiritual enterprise which draws together in one fellowship all artists, scientists, educators and truly religious of whatever faith.”
Vykom: strategic nonviolent action against untouchability
Mahatma Gandhi image courtesy: websiteboyz.com
The Vykom struggle was designed by Gandhi to eliminate untouchability by ‘converting’ the high caste Hindus ‘by sheer force of character and suffering’.
Robert J. Burrowes Global News Centre
(TASMANIA) Why does nonviolent action work? And how good was Mohandas K. Gandhi as a nonviolent strategist? If you want high quality evidence in your search for answers to these two questions then I encourage you to read Professor Mary E. King’s latest book on the struggle against untouchability, unapproachability and unseeability in the south Indian village of Vykom during the 1920s. See ‘Gandhian Nonviolent Struggle and Untouchability in South India: The 1924–25 Vykom Satyagraha and the Mechanisms of Change’ http://www.oup.co.in/product/academic-general/sociology/111/gandhian-nonviolent-struggle-untouchability-south-india-192425-vykom-satyagraha-mechanisms-change/9780199452668
History is not always considered instructive and yet the major achievements, and failures, of nonviolent activists throughout the twentieth and now twenty-first centuries can be better understood if we understand what happened at Vykom.
Why do we fear love?
afsc.org
Fear is the opposite of love. If you want someone to do what you want, you are frightened, not loving. The poets and songwriters have long told us that love is ‘letting go’. The person in your cage is not a loved companion; the individual who is genuinely free but chooses to stay feels loved.
Robert J. Burrowes Global News Centre
(TASMANIA) Why do human beings fear love? That is, why do we fear loving ourselves and others, and why do we fear being fully loved ourselves?
If someone does not receive what they need emotionally as a child, their capacity to give will be limited accordingly. The less of what they need they actually get, the less they will be able to give (and the more they will take for themselves without consideration for others). In order to give, one must have experienced receiving during childhood. If we do not experience love in a way that is truly meaningful, then we will never be able to love ourselves. And if we do not love ourselves, we cannot truly love another.
The wreckage of a soul
Tormented soul by NayrDavis
Until per chance for an age perhaps
Seeped in the restorative waters of profound contrition
Redeemed, arise anew in humility
Rectitude, empathy, purpose and communion
Poem by Soraya Boyd Global News Centre
Drifting in the fevered winter of a desolate mind
The captive pursuit of status and power a daily grind
In such a space the stilled bells of conscience no longer toll
For travailing arduously against sense and dignity many lose their soul
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar Discusses Evolution of Islam
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar New York Times
One of America’s top scholars on Islam tackles the controversial subject of reformation; says no aspect of Quran endorses abuse of women.
Scholarship for a student from Gaza to study in the UK (Rana’s Story)
Rana
The Global Right to Education Project (based in LSE and other London Universities including Imperial College) helps underprivileged students, in conflict zones, to maximise their educational opportunities abroad. The vision is for students to contribute back to their communities.
Global News Centre
(LONDON) Rana Alshami is from Gaza and has received an offer to study a Master’s degree in Law at a top UK University: the School of Oriental and Asian Studies (SOAS) in September 2015. Her neighbourhood of Khan Younis was directly struck during the current conflict in Gaza, and she has had to flee her home.
There is only one obstacle preventing her from fulfilling her university place; she does not have the financial means to cover the tuition fee (£16,425). Funding and bursaries are unfortunately scarce; hence she will also need an additional amount to cover her maintenance fees and travel costs (at least £7,088) which will be raised separately. We will be raising money in two phases: phase 1 (tuition fees); and phase 2 (maintenance and travel) - please see ‘Official Campaign Letter’ for details.
DOES MIGHT MAKE RIGHT?
Muhsin Corbbrey Global News Centre
The idea that “might makes right” can be found discussed in the works of Plato which date back to 380 BC, although the issue probably has existed since the days of the cave man. This cynical comment about the powerful can be seen in today’s world stage as powerful world leaders attempt to justify their aggressions by labeling their opponents “terrorists.” Innocent civilians are often slaughtered on both sides of the resulting conflicts, yet the “mighty” claim to have a legitimate moral authority to slaughter, while damning those who resist their aggressions as criminal evildoers. Very often, the big guy responds to resistance in a very disproportionate manner. Ring any bells?
PAKISTAN: Targeting Christian girls for rape and outrage
A 12-year old is forcibly raped by two men and her family says police are not investigating fairly.
Global News Centre
(LAHORE) LEAD (Legal Evangelical Assistance Development) along with the family of the victim, protested Tuesday after complaints of police not fairly investigating the case of a twelve-year-old Christian girl’s rape.
Liaqat Masih has four daughters and four work in homes as maids. His wife also work in a home as a maid. He has one minor daughter, 12-year-old Muqadas, who also works in a home as maid. On 2 August 2014 at about 2:00 pm, when Muqadas and her elder sister Asma were coming back home from work, Muqadas was forcibly kidnapped by two men and three unknown women. They took her in a school building and two men, Ashraf Alias Achi and Ghaffor Alias Paida, raped her one by one.
How Can We Destroy Love?
dayviews.com
Self-love is true love. The individual who does not truly love themselves cannot love another.
Robert J. Burrowes Global News Centre
(TASMANIA) Love is a serious problem in our world. There is too much of it. So I want to explain how we can destroy it systematically. If we can destroy love completely, we can destroy life on Earth.
But first, what is love?
