Another thing that the church can do to make the principle of brotherhood a reality is to keep men’s mind and visions centered on God.  Many of the problems America now confronts can be explained in terms of fear...One of the best ways to rid oneself of fear is to center one’s life in the will and purpose of God.” 
                                                                                                                                 Martin Luther King, Jr.

You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’  But I tell you 'Do not resist an evil person.  If someone slaps you on your right cheek, tur to him the other also.  Mt 5:38-39

Repel evil with something that is better and so your enemy will become your intimate friend.  Quran 41:34

 The Spirituality of Peacebuilding

Peacebuilding is a call to move ever closer to the great compassion God has for all of creation. Nonviolence is
  • a spiritual stance
  • a means of engaging with other humans and,
  • sometimes, a political strategy.
Everyone who commits to nonviolence, to unconditional love for the other, is required to engage in personal jihad - the internal struggle to let go of our own willfully destructive impulses and step ever more deeply into God's vision for us and our world.

This spiritual work of inner transformation provides a foundation for interactions in our homes, workplaces and public spaces. It is the only stance likely to bring about peace between faiths and reconciliation when members of a faith disagree internally. Some wise people say nonviolence is our only hope for longterm survival.

What Is Nonviolence?
Nonviolence is not simply refraining from physical harm. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his colleagues formulated these six foundational principles:
  • Nonviolence is the way of the strong
  • The goal of nonviolence is redemption and reconciliation
  • Nonviolence seeks to defeat evil, not people
  • Nonviolence includes a willingness to accept suffering without retaliation, to accept blows from the opponent without striking back
  • Nonviolence avoids not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit It practices agape/love in action.
  • Nonviolence is based on the conviction that the universe is on the side of justice


Grounded in Prayer and  Scripture

As people of faith we believe we are simply not capable of consistently transcending our perceived self-interest on our own - it's just too hard. We need the inspiration of Scripture and fellow believers, and a consistent practice of prayer and surrender to God.

Martin Luther King, Jr. said,,
"Many of the problems America now confronts can be explained in terms of fear...One of the best ways to rid oneself of fear is to center one's life in the will and purpose of God."
Stride Toward Freedom, 1958

Gandhi, a Hindu, began his daily prayer with this passage paraphrased from the first chapter of the Koran:

"Thou art the Compassionate and the Merciful.
Thou art the Creator of the universe.
Thou art Lord and master.
I praise Thee alone and desire only Thy help.
Show me the right path,
The paths which Thy saints have taken”