Written by Martin Hoegger. www.hoegger.org
We hear about the war economy every day. Is this inevitable? Can we turn the situation around and talk about a peace economy? This was the question asked by a round table at an interreligious conference hosted by the Focolare movement on the Roman hills.
first guest speaker, Luigi Bruni, A professor at LUMSA University (Rome) explains the ambivalence about the relationship between the economy and peace. The earliest written works that we know of are accounting documents. Trading things means you don’t have to steal or go to war to get them. Commerce has always been an opportunity for meeting. Consider Venice and Constantinople. Merchants meet! Where we work, the exchange is better.
Economy and peace have historically had a complex relationship.
Montesquieu developed a theory of gentleness. Commerce”, According to this, as commerce spreads among people, morals improve, behavior becomes less violent and predictable, and energy towards peaceful goals and manners becomes more polite. On the other hand, another paper by A. Genovesi argues that trade is the greatest source of war. Men are jealous, and jealousy arms men.
The commercial spirit is bad when it becomes warlike. L. Bruni deplores the militant language that economics students learn. For him, the basic laws of economics are not selfishness or altruism, but reciprocity and encounter. They alone build peace. In the economy there is a vocation for communion.
women and peace
There are specific characteristics of female wisdom in the Bible. It manifests itself in different ways. Abigail fleeing David’s war with her clumsy husband; Naomi teaching her daughter-in-law Ruth how to conquer her future husband Boaz; Or the wise mother of Tekoa (2 Samuel 14.5-7) who persuaded David to save his brother-killing son by repeating the “sign of Cain.”
The Bible reveals the diverse intelligence of women, often characterized by a special intuition that cares for relationships and life above reason, profit, power, and religion.
Olive Schreiner wrote this amazing article:When a woman can make her voice heard in the American government, it will not be because of cowardice or incompetence, and certainly not because of superior virtue, that will end the war. But in this respect women’s science is superior to men’s science. Women know the history of the human body and its value, but men do not know it. In a city under siege, it’s easy for people to tear down precious sculptures from galleries and public buildings to create barricades and toss them thoughtlessly to fill the gaps. If it’s a stone on the sidewalk.
But there is only one person who cannot do so: the sculptor. Even if this work of art is not his, he knows its value. Instinctively, he would sacrifice all the furniture in his house, all the gold, all the silver, all the things in the city before destroying the work of art.
However, a man’s body is a work of art created by a woman. Give her control and she will never abandon it to fill the gaps carved into her relationships by her ambition and narrow-mindedness..”
It all starts with inner peace
hindu Priya Vaidya, I am talking about Gandhi of the University of Mumbai, who said that international peace can exist only when there is national peace. This can only begin with inner peace. Therefore, we must change ourselves by developing spiritual life and clarity of thought.
It is important to look within yourself. The goal of all religions is the same. The difference lies in the method and language. Their first message is “Peace be with you“! Gandhi emphasized ethical living and the practice of nonviolence.
In conclusion, she reads the poem she just wrote and invites us to:Maintain silence at least once a day“.
“Baraka”
Mohammad Shomali, The founder of the Institute of Islamic Studies is a prominent figure in interreligious dialogue. Represented by one of his colleagues, he presents a Muslim perspective. According to the Quran, peace is an ideal for this world and the hereafter. It is the name of God. It is no coincidence that we greet each other with ‘Salaam’.
However, according to the Quran (Sura 2:208), the devil, Satan, is the enemy of peace. We must not follow him. Because it stifles inner peace and creates conflict that divides us. On the other hand, God makes us brothers and sisters. We can find peace if we follow His Word.
When it comes to the economy, you should never be left to your own devices. In this case it becomes dangerous. Greed and the pursuit of power are the roots of all evil. Money itself is neutral, but our attachment to money and desire for wealth is problematic.
Paradoxically, Shomali advances the idea that the primary beneficiaries of charity are the givers, not the receivers. Economic activity creates peace if we live in God. “baraka” – Blessing – This means that certain places, businesses and activities are blessed if they are done with prayer, justice and dignity. It brings peace to everyone and leads to trust, tranquility, support and forgiveness. “God appreciates those who bring ethics and spirituality into the economy.“He concludes.
seeds of hope
Fabio Petito, The University of Sussex professor and International Policy Institute (ISPI) believes the “Sustainable Development Goals” are at risk due to multilateral violations of law. Unfortunately, religion seems to favor them. This is considered part of the problem.
But seeds of hope grow through interreligious solidarity. Leaders try to respond collectively to violence. “Documents abouthuman brotherhood” The article from Abu Dhabi proves this. If we are all brothers and sisters in God, we all deserve recognition, respect, and equal participation in public life.
Therefore, interreligious dialogue must move from theology to practical cooperation. It is the most promising place for collaboration. Especially young people and women. Religion may therefore be part of the solution rather than the problem.
“In this room,“He said in a speech at the general meeting., “You are the seeds of hope for this new global solidarity through a new way of life. You are the vanguard and the little light that can change the face of our planet. “We need your creativity to make Chiara Rubik’s prophecy come true.”
Other articles about this conference: https://www.hoegger.org/article/one-human-family/
