THEOLOGY AND PRACTICE OF PEACEMAKING

Transcription

1 THEOLOGY AND PRACTICE OF PEACEMAKING ET/ST1729P. A study of the theologies and practices of the Christian tradition in a world of diverse religions and multiple conflicts. We will consider the relations of atonement and reconciliation to the Christian tradition of pacifism, just war and crusade, and the new paradigm of just peacemaking. What do examples such as those of Jesus, St. Francis, Gandhi, Mandela, Martin Luther, King, Jr., and the Dalai Lama provide? What are the theological and ethical implications of their views for different kinds of crises? Readings include major theologians Paul Tillich, Reinhold Niebuhr, and John Cobb. Winter, 2011, Tuesdays 6:00-8:50 PM Instructor: Richard Gelwick, Th.D (home office) rprogel@juno.com Appointments before class or by arrangement. GOALS 1. To acquire a background for understanding the role of religious faith and theology in shaping personal, church and state policy in an environment of conflict. 2. To examine the case for war in the past and today including the violence of Nazism, the genocide of the holocaust, the Cold War with Communist USSR, and the new threat of non-state global terrorism. 3. To see why current war and peace scholarship finds "an ethical mandate" to correct the traditional options of pacifism, just war, and crusade theory with a new paradigm of just peacemaking. 4 To develop personal and group strategies educating about and advocating for just peacemaking in our time including interreligious cooperation, church alliances, secular peace action groups, environmental, population planning, and international bodies such as the United Nations and the International Criminal Court. 5. To relate to the wisdom and inspiration of great religious peace leaders of all time such as the biblical prophets, Gautama Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, St. Francis, Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Martin Buber, Confucius, Lao Tzu, et al. REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS AND ABBREVIATIONS FOR THEM Edward LeRoy Long, FACING TERRORISM, RESP0NDING AS CHRISTIANS, Westminster John Knox, FTRAC Joseph J. Fahey and Richard Armstrong (eds), A PEACE READER, ESSENTIAL READINGS ON WAR, JUSTICE, NON-VIOLENCE AND WORLD ORDER, APR Martin E. Miller and Barbara Nelson Gingerich, THE CHURCH S PEACE WITNESS, William B. Eerdmans, CPW Glen Stassen (ed.), JUST PEACEMAKING, THE NEW PARADIGM FOR THE ETHICS OF PEACE AND WAR, Pilgrim Press, JPM SYLLABUS Part I Terrorism and the Problem of Peacemaking 1. Jan. 31. Introduction and beginning in the context of the 9/11/2001 challenge to just peacemaking

2 2 Edward L. Long, "What Is Terrorism?" The Causes of Terrorism," "Models for Countering Terrorism," FTRAC, vii-59 Michael Howard, "The Causes of War," APR, Paul Kennedy, "A Declining Empire Goes to War," APR, Feb 7. From fighting terrorism toward forgiveness and reconciliation. Long, "Terrorism and the Erosion of Civil and Political Liberties," "Religion, Morality, and Terrorism," "Being Faithful amid Risk, Differences, and Uncertainty," FTRAC, Dianne Bergant, "Yahweh: A Warrior God?" CPW, David G. Hunter, "The Christian Church and the Roman Army in the First Three Centuries," CPW, Part II. Peacemaking Initiatives. 3. Feb. 14. Introducing the new paradigm of just peacemaking and its differences with pacifism, just war, crusade, and agonized participation. Duane K. Friesen, John Langan, and Glen Stassen, "Just Peacemaking As The New Ethic for Peace and War, JPM, Betty A. Reardon, "Toward a Paradigm of Peace," APR, Elise Boulding, "Can Peace Be Imagined?" APR, Feb. 21. Guidance for peace in world religions and non-violent direct action. John Cartwright and Susan Thistlewaite, "Support Nonviolent Direct Action," JPM, Mohandas K. Gandhi, "Ahimsa, or the Way of Nonviolence," APR, , "The Brahmin Buddha," APR, 461, "Laotse," APR, 462, Martin Luther King, Jr., "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," APR, , Chief Seattle s Message and William Penn s First Letter to the Delaware Indians, APR, Gene Sharp, "The Techniques of Nonviolent Action," APR, , "198 Methods of Nonviolent Action, APR, *Review guide for Quiz I will be handed out. 5. Feb. 28. Quiz I Biblical imperatives for peace. Hosea, Micah, Amos, Luke, Matthew, Ephesians, APR, , and correlate with relevant notes in THE NEW OXFORD ANNOTATED BIBLE and THE JEWISH STUDY BIBLE or comparable study bibles. Paul N. Anderson, "Jesus and Peace," CPW, Richard L. Jeske, "Peace in the New Testament," CPW, A little known peace strategy. Glen Stassen, "Take Independent Initiatives to Reduce Threat," JPM, March 7. Realism and Conflict. Reinhold Niebuhr, "Why I Leave the F.O.R., APR,

3 3 Central Committee for Conscientious Objection, "Are You a Conscientious Objector?" APR, National Conference of Catholic Bishops, "The Challenge of Peace: God's Promise and Our Response; A Pastoral Letter on War and Peace, David Steele, Steven Brion-Meisels, Gary Gunderson, Edward LeRoy Long, Jr., "Use Cooperative Conflict Resolution," JPM, March 14. Human Nature and Hope. Ashley Montagu, "The New Litany of 'Innate Depravity, ' or Original Sin Revisited," APR, Christine Sylvester, "Patriarchy, Peace and Women Warriors," Christine Sylvester, Mark Twain, "The War Prayer," APR, 454. Alan Geyer, "Acknowledge Responsibility for Conflict and Injustice and Seek Repentance and Forgiveness," JPM, Part III. Justice and Peacemaking. 8. March 21. Citizens and Freedom From Oppression Jeanne Kirkpatrick, "The Lesser Evil over the Greater Evil," APR, Charles William Maynes, "America's Liberal Tradition," APR, Bruce Russett, "Advance Democracy, Human Rights, and Religious Liberty," JPM, *Review guide for Quiz II will be handed out. 9. March 28. Quiz II Citizens and Freedom From Hunger. Mother Jones, "The Wail of the Children," APR, Michael Harrington, "Socialism Informs the Best of Our Politics," APR, Garrett Hardin, "The Case Against Helping the Poor," See: Causes of Poverty, Structural Adjustment pp. 1-7, at David Bronkema, David Lunsdaine, Rodger A. Payne, "Foster Just and Sustainable Economic Development," JPM, Part III. Towards Love and Community. 10. April 4 Marlin E. Miller, "Toward Acknowledging Together the Apostolic Character of the Church's Peace Witness," CPW, Paul W. Schroeder, "Work with Emerging Cooperative Forces in the International System," JPM, April 11 The Work of the United Nations "The Universal Declaration of Human Rights," APR, Michael Joseph Smith, "Strengthen the United Nations and International Efforts for Cooperation and Human Rights," JPM,

4 4 April Passover, Good Friday and Easter Week. No class meeting 12. April 25 Economics, Militarism, and Commitments "Militarism in America," APR, Barbara Green and Glen Stassen, "Reduce Offensive Weapons and Weapons Trade, JPM, *Review guide for quiz on May 6 will be handed out. 13. May 6 Quiz III Acting Together "Amnesty International," APR, Duane K. Friesen, "Encourage Grassroots Peacemaking Groups and Voluntary Associations," JPM, Due dates for final version. The final version and all required work must be completed and received at Portland BTS office, 159 State St., Portland, ME by May 9 for seniors and May 20 for all others. No due to risks of electronic failures. STUDENT WORK AND EVALUATION 1. Grading method will be letter grade (See Student Handbook) based on the standards below. A. Class Participation. 30% of grade. Regular attendance, involvement in class discussion by asking questions for clarification or further information, listening and expressing opinion, and responding to other person s comments are all ways of taking part actively. Developing skill in verbal communication of ideas, as well as private study, is an important part of just peacemaking and advocacy. B. Letters to the editor. 30% of grade. A weekly opinion or commentary 1 1/2 pages or about words. Longer pieces are missing the goal of communicating well and briefly. Excepting Quiz days (3), the first day of class, and the day she/he makes a class presentation, students should submit a total of 7. One purpose of the "letters" is to communicate with me and express your reflections, insights, questions, or concerns as you participate in the course. Another important purpose is to learn to write a thoughtful message of not more than words, which is a common newspaper standard and the standard for this assignment. In the past, some students have submitted views that were also published in their local newspaper. One desired outcome of the course is the encouragement of writing for the public forum. C. Three in class quizzes. 10% of final grade. Each quiz is based on key terms, concepts, persons, and issues from the readings and class discussion listed on a review sheet given out at the class before the quiz. D. A Class presentation of 15 minutes then final written version due as listed below. 30% of grade. The class presentation should be on a topic or project of each student s choice. The general aim is to formulate an educational and informative view that promotes just peacemaking. The topics must be submitted for approval in one of the

5 5 letters to the editor" and by March 7 at the latest. Some suggested projects are: 1) a report on the life and thought of a significant and inspiring peace advocate such as Thich Nath Hanh, Albert Schweitzer, Thomas Merton, Helen Caldicott, Mother Teresa, Gandhi, 2) a proposal for a local church just peacemaking study group 3) a primer or introduction to conscientious objection for persons approaching draft age in the USA, 4) an introduction/promotional about a peace advocacy or disarmament group such as PICA (Peace Through Interamerican Community Action of Bangor, ME), Maine Veterans for Peace, Maine Model United Nations program for high school students, the American Friends Service Committee, Peace Action, the War Resisters League, and the Fellowship of Reconciliation, 5) a written sermon or meditation about just peacemaking, 6) an editorial on just peacemaking as the new paradigm for a warring world, 7) a discussion about one of the historic peace churches today such as Quaker, Mennonite, and Church of the Brethren, or what some other denominations such as Methodist, Presbyterian, UCC, etc are doing 8) a bibliography or examples of prayers, poems, hymns, scriptures useful in thinking about peacemaking and leading worship or 9) a topic created out of your special interests. 7. Evaluation of the written project follows the standards of the Student Handbook of BTS. 8. Please notice the opportunity for individual appointments for consultation before class or by arrangement.