Peacebuilding &conflict transformation A ... - Peaceworkafrica

1. PEACE – What does peace mean?One of the first reactions to the question “What is peace?” might be “the opposite ofwar”. This, in turn, leads to the question “What is war?” This leaves the impressionthat it is almost impossible to define peace without using the term ‘war’. But is itfair to describe peace as the opposite or absence of war? What about other factorslike security or the role of justice? Is it possible to have circumstances that are bothpeaceful and unjust? Given that politicians, scientists and political philosophershave deliberated on these questions for centuries, it is impossible to address thesequestions in depth in this book 1 .The ideas presented in this chapter might offer some answers, but the mostimportant objective is to provide ideas to trigger people’s thinking processes, so thatthey may exchange and discuss with others the various issues surrounding peaceand find their own way to deal with them.1.1 Origins of the term peacePeace in classical Judaism was seen as a necessary precondition for the preservationof the existence of humanity and also a requirement for its development. This meansthat peace was defined with an explicit reference to the internal working structuresof a society: source, creator, supporter, multiplier and protector of all that is goodin heaven and earth. In the Old Testament, the term Salom is used to define theconformity between God and man, and the condition for peace is the total defeatof the enemies of Israel. Peace is given through the power of the divine ruler, fromwhom the granting of internal justice is also dependent 2 . “He shall judge betweenthe nations, and shall decide for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords intoploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nations shall not lift up swordagainst nation, neither shall they learn war anymore,” Is 2.4. A radically oppositeposition is found in the New Testament with the call to love your enemy “You shalllove your neighbour as yourself ” Mt 22.39–40 or “But I say to you that hear, Loveyour enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray forthose who abuse you. To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; andfrom him who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt.” Lk 6.27–29Peace in the New Testament is understood as a worthwhile aim to be achieved“Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” Rom 14.19and furthermore there are implications that happiness comes from working forpeaceful relationships: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sonsof God.” Mt 5.9.18 I . P E A C E