They shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more.
Peace, a state of tranquillity or quiet; freedom from civil disturbance; a state of security or order within a community; freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions; harmony in personal relations; a state or period of mutual concord between governments.
There are many different definitions of peace and many different ways to experience peace. One of the following organizations, campaigns or philosophies may appeal to you.
a way to peace
- Seeds of Peace
- Peace is made by people. Seeds of Peace is doing what no government can. It is sowing the seeds of peace among the next generation of leaders.
- A Season For Non-Violence
- A national 64-day educational, media, and grassroots campaign dedicated to demonstrating that nonviolence is a powerful way to heal, transform, and empower our lives and our communities.
- Department of Peace
- Lobby Washington to create a U.S. Department of Peace!
- The Carter Center
- Creating a world in which every man, woman and child has the opportunity to enjoy good health and live in peace. Founded by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn.
- Kids Create Peace
- Committed to bringing peace into the world through art and dialogue.
- Bridges of Peace
- To raise awareness for peace and love through music & the arts & to help children whose lives are affected by war & poverty.
- Plowshares Institute
- Plowshares contributes to a more just and peaceful world community through research and education, service to developing communities, and innovative training in conflict transformation.
- White Dove Foundation
- Seeking like-minded individuals, professionals and institutions who partner to provide for the lost, the poor and the uneducated youth in our world.
- Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy
- Peacebuilding through collaborative action.
- Jane Goodall: The Big Picture
- Four Reasons for Hope
- Peace Corps
- Since 1960 more than 182,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have been invited by 138 host countries to work on issues ranging from AIDS education, information technology, and environmental preservation.
- People's Initiative for Departments of Peace
- Calls for a fresh approach to resolving international conflict. In particular, we call urgently for the non-violent resolution of the growing conflict involving China, France, Germany, Iran, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United Nations, and the United States of America.
- How to Give Peace a Chance?
- National Guidebook outlines step-by-step approaches.
- Religious Society of Friends
- As a Peace Church, the Society of Friends has always played a leading part in opposing preparations for war. The Peace Testimony, which is a very important Quaker principle, arose out of the belief in the in-dwelling Light or 'that of God' in people. If that of God was a reality within oneself it would be denying the inner Spirit to take up arms against another.
- The Foundation for P.E.A.C.E.
- The Foundation for P.E.A.C.E. was founded in 1979 to promote community and international peace by helping people find personal peace; share their views of world peace and how to achieve it; and promote peace at community levels.
Peacemakers
- Jesus of Nazareth, Prince of Peace
- "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."
- Dalai Lama
- "It is because our own human existence is so dependent upon the help of others that our love lies at the very foundation of our existence. Therefore we need a genuine sense of responsibility and a sincere concern for the welfare of others."
- Mahatma Gandhi
- "My life is my message."
- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- "I have a dream."
- Nelson Mandela
- "As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
- Jimmy Carter
- Nobel Laureate and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
- Mattie Stepanek
- He gave the world a message of peace and hope.
- Bono
- To be one, to be united is a great thing. But to respect the right to be different is maybe even greater.
words of wisdom
"All works of love are works of peace." - Mother Theresa"Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding." - Albert Einstein
"True peace is not merely the absence of tension but is the presence of justice and brotherhood."
- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Give peace a chance." - John Lennon
music
- Soulpajamas
- Listen to 'A World At Peace.'
- New Songs for Peace
- This UNESCO-endorsed project is intended to encourage people to think about peace, talk about peace, and write a new song that they will collect and self-publish in a book. These new songs will promote peace, cultural acceptance and understanding for those who work towards peace throughout the world.
- Out Beyond Ideas
- "When this Rumi poem spoke to us from the pages of a book several years ago, we did not consider its global implications. We just knew that we could relate to the concept in our own hearts. From there emerged the music and songs in Out Beyond Ideas, which draw from the unifying words of Rumi and other ancient mystics from the world's faith traditions, such as Hafiz, Tukaram, HaLevi and St. John of the Cross, to lift the hearts of people everywhere in a powerful call for peace." -- David Wilcox and Nance Pettit
- Emissary of Light
- James Twyman is an internationally renowned author, singer and "Peace Troubadour" who has a reputation for drawing millions of people together in prayer to influence events of world crisis. In 1995 he had an experience in the mountains of Croatia that led to his best-selling book "Emissary of Light," called "the second coming of the Celestine Prophesy" by Variety Magazine. His six books have been translated into over a dozen languages, and his cd's are distributed around the world.
- Positive Music
- Find artists and listen to radio POZ.
- Tipperary Peace Convention
- Promoting the concept of peace through music, song, discussion and debate.
further reading
Just Peace: A Message of Hope
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 07/25/2008)
For the Sake of Peace: Seven Paths to Global Harmony
Amazon Price: $25.95 (as of 07/25/2008)
Choose Hope: Your Role in Waging Peace in the Nuclear Age
Amazon Price: $18.68 (as of 07/25/2008)
The Personal Beliefs of Jimmy Carter: Winner of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize
Amazon Price: $12.71 (as of 07/25/2008)
Peace in Our Lifetime: Insights from the World's Peacemakers
Amazon Price: $15.00 (as of 07/25/2008)
Multi-Track Diplomacy: A Systems Approach to Peace THIRD EDITION (Kumarian Press Books for a World That Works)
Amazon Price: $22.95 (as of 07/25/2008)
