by Andre Sheldon
How beautiful a saying, peace on earth? How tranquil and loving? For one day of the year, many people believe peace on earth can happen and that a savior can make it happen every day. How wonderful an idea, a savior? The savior is a concept and idea which means we are saved by an idea. Therefore, we can find peace on earth, even amongst all the violence. If we want to try and stop violence, doesn’t it make sense to follow a doctrine of nonviolence? Jesus, The Prophet - Muhammad, Gandhi, King, and many other sages of the past attempted to teach us that nonviolence was the key to both inner peace and global peace. Have we learned from these sages? When the time comes, will we know how to be nonviolent? Can we have peace on earth every day? How do we interpret the sages’ messages? To attempt to answer these questions, over the past week I watched and studied the 1982 movie, Gandhi. I learned following a nonviolent path would be difficult, need sacrifice, and confront mortality, but was possible. The movie confirmed my belief that the world needs a “Global Strategy of Nonviolence.” Following, in quotes, are words from the movie to best describe the pragmatic and the idealistic nonviolent path. Gandhi (in the movie) knew of the inner struggle and there would be anger against the opposition, but he knew we must “fight the anger, not provoke it.” “An eye for and eye makes the whole world blind.” “The devils are in your own heart and that’s where the battles should be fought.” Gandhi’s reality of trying to bring about change led him to profound convictions. “Change their minds, not kill them for weakness that we all possess.” “Resistance must be active and proactive.” “…must defy authority, not with violence but with a firmness that will open their eyes.” Most profoundly of all were Gandhi’s commitment to nonviolence and the awareness of the risks. Gandhi said, “If we obtain our freedom (objective) from murder and bloodshed, I want no part of it.” Gandhi was confronted with people’s fear, violent retaliation and willingness to die. His response was, “I praise such courage. I need such courage because in this cause I too am prepared to die, but my friends, there is no cause in which I am prepared to kill. Whatever they do to us, we will attack no one, kill no one. They will imprison us, fine us, seize our possessions, but they cannot take away our self respect, if we do not give it to them.” “We will not strike a blow.” “…must prove ourselves worthy.” “Let us take a solemn oath.” Gandhi’s fellow leaders concurred and declared to their followers, “We will not raise a hand. They expect us to lose heart or to fight back. We will do neither.” Gandhi’s strategy was of non-cooperation and constructive proposals. I suggest the same for Peace on Earth. I suggest initiating the “largest, nonviolent” movement the world has ever seen! First, a global oath of nonviolence, together with a direct action phase and an awareness campaign. Second, a transition phase of conflict resolution with a focus on disarmament. Third, a constructive phase of programs “For the Children” designed for everyone to work together on a common goal. Each day our world is becoming more violent and going in the wrong direction, separating people. The world needs a counter balance, a movement for world-wide unity and nonviolence, giving credence to the moderate voice and showing mutual respect. People around the world are waiting for something different, a new vision! I am a peace activist, a facilitator, who has designed a strategy for peace based on nonviolence. The strategy states: We come in peace, we offer the olive branch, we are not a threat, we are not enemies, we are all part of the family of the human race, we have common bonds, we apologize for our misdeeds, we forgive your misdeeds, we need to heal the wounds. We need an OVERT EXHIBIT OF NONVIOLENCE to bring World Wide Unity, to start a global action to break down borders and build bridges. We need all the practical methods to, step by step, find peace. We also need idealistic, symbolic inspiration. A “Global Strategy of Nonviolence” is a new political philosophy. Throughout the world, people are realizing there must be world-wide unity – unity based upon trust and common goals, nobility found through compromise, peace through nonviolence and love. People can work together. People must show each other that they are not enemies. Martin Luther King stated, in the Riverside Church speech, “Beyond Vietnam”, April 4th, 1967, “Every nation must now develop an overriding loyalty to mankind as a whole in order to preserve the best in their individual societies.” Mahatma Gandhi said, “Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.” How could a strategy of this kind be implemented? Who would be first? Who are the leaders? Andre Sheldon, Member of NOW, WILPF, CODEPINK |
PEACE and LOVE
How beautiful the world is when we live and work together in peace.
Global Strategy of Nonviolence
Mother Theresa said, “Peace begins with a smile.”
Welcome! A Global Strategy of Nonviolence
FOR the CHILDREN A World-Wide Unity Campaign
A Strategy to Bring Peace For the Children and Stop War
FOR the CHILDREN A World-Wide Unity Campaign
A Strategy to Bring Peace For the Children and Stop War
| (GS of NV) |
| GUIDELINES In 3 years, we the people, can change the world. PLAN ALL 3 PHASES PHASE ONE: Mobilize, in every village, town, and city,in every country! Select Demands and Deadlines One year awareness campaign Starting Event September 11, 2021 +23 scheduled events |
PEOPLE POWER The People must be HEARD, the Moderate Voice We want the children to see an overt exhibit of nonviolence. |
| PHASE TWO: Conflict Resolution and Disarmament PHASE THREE: Programs For the Children |
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| Origination |