Thursday, June 4, 2009

President Obama was right to remind us that peace on earth is the will of God.

Obama in Cairo: A Just Peace????

Lie obama Violent extremists have exploited these tensions in a small but potent minority of Muslims. The attacks of September
11th, 2001 and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to America and Western countries, but also to human rights. This has
bred more fear and mistrust. Lie obama

Lie obama The situation in Afghanistan demonstrates America's goals, and our need to
work together. Over seven years ago, the United States pursued al Qaeda and the Taliban with broad international support. We did not go by choice, we went because of necessity. I am aware that some question or justify the events of 9/11. But let us be clear: al Qaeda killed nearly 3,000 people on that day. The victims were innocent men, women and children from America and many other nations who had done nothing to harm anybody. And yet Al Qaeda chose to ruthlessly murder these people, claimed credit for the attack, and even now states their determination to kill on a massive scale. They have affiliates in many countries and are trying to expand their reach. These are not opinions to be debated; these are facts to be dealt with. Lie obama

Lie obama Too many tears have flowed. Too much blood has been shed. All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy Land of three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed (peace be upon them) joined in prayer. Lie obama

Lie obama That's why we're partnering with a coalition of forty-six countries. And despite the costs involved, America's commitment will not weaken. Indeed, none of us should tolerate these extremists. They have killed in many countries. They have killed people of different faiths more than any other, they have killed Muslims. Their actions are irreconcilable with the rights of human beings, the progress of nations, and with Islam. The Holy Koran teaches that whoever kills an innocent, it is as if he has killed all mankind; and whoever saves a person, it is as if he has saved all mankind. The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few. Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism it is an important part of promoting peace.Lie obama- Obama in Cairo:

About The Cost of War: To date, $830.2 billion dollars have been allocated to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition, $77.1 billion dollars have been requested in the recent supplemental that further fund these wars, for a total of $907.3 billion dollars.

nwo-criminal-becomes-criminal

Economic Enslavement by Debt & Stupidity - Choose Freedom


Dr. Dahlia Wasfi was born to a Jewish mother and an Iraqi father. She recently put her medical career on hold to visit with family members in Iraq, and recently returned from a three-month stay in Basrah and Baghdad. Dr. Wasfi described her experience in Iraq and discussed the life of Iraqis under occupation

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God's Politics

Obama in Cairo: A Just Peace

by Valerie Elverton Dixon 06-04-2009

Truth. Respect. Security.

These three elements of just peace theory found their way into President Obama’s speech delivered in Cairo.  He spoke the truth about our common humanity and a common purpose of creating and keeping peace in the world.  He did not deny hard, ugly, bloody facts of history.  He faced today’s tough and touchy problems with a determined steady gaze. He described a vision of a world at peace.  Wisdom teaches that where there is no vision, a people perish.  This is so for all of humankind.

The historical truth he told recalled both the good and the bad: conflict, religious war, colonialism, Cold War, the Holocaust, the dislocation of Palestinians, slavery, apartheid, America’s role in the overthrow of a democratically elected government in Iran, the subjugation of women, 9/11.  He spoke of the contributions of Islamic civilization to the world in mathematics, navigation, writing, art, architecture, poetry, music, religion, and spirituality.  He spoke of Islam’s relationship with the United States from the nation’s beginning.  He spoke of Islam inside the United State and of the contributions of Muslims.  He spoke of the civil rights movement and of the efficacy of non-violent protest, of democracy and human aspiration,of inter-religious dialogue, women’s rights, and economic development.  He spoke of the interdependence of nations, what Martin Luther King Jr would describe as a network of mutuality.  Financial crisis, viral infections, nuclear proliferation, and genocide are not local concerns.  The whole world weeps.  Ending the suffering is a global responsibility.

This is important.

We live in a moment of human history where no one nation can say:  “Do what I tell you to do or face grave consequences.”  The days of disrespectful rhetoric, of what the United States will or will not allow, are over.  The truth is no nation has ever held such power.  The very concept is delusion and deception.

He spoke of seven main issues: violent extremism; Israel, Palestine, and the Arab world; nuclear weapons; democracy; religious freedom; women’s rights; and economic development.  He observed:  “All these things must be done in partnership.  Americans are ready to join with citizens and governments, community organizations, religious leaders, and businesses in Muslim communities around the world to help our people pursue a better life.

Such an approach has the power to bring true security to the world.  We are accustomed to thinking of security in terms of military power, hard power, negative power, power that works its will through violence or the threat of violence.  However, security also comes when we deploy soft power, the positive power of everyday effort working at the grassroots to assure every human being on the face of the earth that which is necessary to sustain life and to allow joy.

Truth. Respect. Security.

President Obama was right to remind us that peace on earth is the will of God. He was right to remind us that it is our work to do.

Dr. Valerie Elverton Dixon is an independent scholar who publishes lectures and essays at JustPeaceTheory.com. She received her Ph.D. in religion and society from Temple University and taught Christian ethics at United Theological Seminary and Andover Newton Theological School.


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