The following interesting point of view was sent o me by a friend. I offer it for whatever value you may find in it -- personally I am inlcined to agree with many of the points in it, but YMMV:

Is There A Recipe For Peace?

Peace seems to be the goal we are all seeking in this life. Or so we say.
We will carry signs, spout religious principles, criticize our leaders, or other leaders and many will die when necessary to have it. Why then is it not here?

The reason, I believe, is that we are unwilling to realize that "peace" is not something we have, but rather someone we "are". It is not simply the absence of war. It is much more than that.

Peace cannot exist in the current climate that is in the world today because peace must include the following ingredients:
Courage
Freedom from oppression
Basic human rights for all
Understanding
Tolerance
Willingness
Spirit of cooperation
Agreement
Balance
Open-mindedness
Forgiveness

Peace cannot co-exist with the following ingredients:
Absolute Dictators
Religious self-righteousness (religious or otherwise)
Fear
Judgement
Jealousy
Hatred
Greed

If Hitler had won the war there would be a relative "peace" in the world. I am sure his intention was some form of "peace". No one would be left alive to oppose his government, after his so-called "purification" or "cleansing of the infidels", so the survivors would all agree. There would be relative equality among the people, somewhere at the poverty level and lots of goodies for Hitler and his little group of loyal followers. Those of us who believe in true, lasting peace, freedom and justice would be among the "infidels" so we would not be around. The remaining "loyalists" would be staring at his picture on every street corner and shudder in fear.

As long as there are those in the world who exhibit the behaviors of the "dictator", as in pictures of themselves posted everywhere, absolute rule, annihilation of any opposition and a different set of rules for "his people", there can be no peace. As long as religions believe and teach they are "right" and all others are "wrong", "evil" or for some reason cannot be "saved", there will be no peace. As long as I am jealous of what another nation or individual has achieved through hard work and effort, there can be no peace. When I hate anyone because of his or her differences, color, religion, or otherwise, there can be no peace. When I want what you have without any regard for you, or your needs, because I am greedy, there can be no peace.

When self-serving political "leaders" will block humanitarian aid to their people so that the leader can prosper, there can be no peace. Or when these same political leaders don't allow basic human rights to their citizens, there can be no peace.

When religious leaders will not allow their "flock" to even think about, or question their own religion, or other religious and spiritual paths, there can be no peace. There would be only one religion. All others would be outlawed, and live in fear, so no conflict would exist. Of course the prevailing "God" would be always on "our" side because we all would believe exactly the same thing. No questions ever. Ah yes, peace at last! I say no, when one religion rules through fear or government edict, there can be no peace.

So here comes the part none us want to hear. To have real "peace" it takes COURAGE. The courage to stand for what is "right", even if it means conflict, whether it be a political debate or in some cases a war. As to what is "right" refer to the ingredient list. We cannot have peace as long as others in the world live under absolute rule. To say this is their "choice" is not correct, even from a so-called spiritual standpoint. Peace without its close partner, "freedom" is impossible. How can you be at peace and live in servitude? How can you be at peace when others live in servitude? When societies exist where women are still considered second class citizens and cannot even vote or assume any type of leadership roles, there can be no peace. Or where people of differing races, religions or political views, wind up in prison and certainly cannot hold a political office, simply because of their beliefs.

The willingness for peace has to be equal on all sides, regardless of political views, religious views or personal opinions. Every party would have to be willing to give understanding, tolerance and a spirit of cooperation to the other. All governments would have to recognize and allow basic human rights to all, not just the ruling classes. All governments would have to recognize and encourage input from their citizens. All religions would have to allow for open mindedness about other beliefs and encourage people to think about those beliefs, rather than condemn them. In other words, non-tolerance cannot be tolerated! Anarchy won't work because no one will be there to enforce the rules. Cooperation on all the ingredients for peace would have to be agreed upon unilaterally and a non-partisan group would have to run the show, so to speak. All must have representation to achieve a balance.

Even many so-called pacifists are not willing to be non-judgmental about their own governments or other views of the world situation. They chalk everything up to "our government and the media is lying to us." Rather than see that what our leaders are telling us is at least part of the facts involved. It's as though they think the government has nothing better to do with their time then stir up wars and provide false information. Yet when the Twin Towers fell, many said "Why didn't the government protect us from this tragedy?" If the U.S. had gone in and bombed the Taliban before 9/11 we would have been considered barbarians. If we now wait for the terrorists to act before anyone can take action we would be guilty of "not protecting our people".

Which side of the fence are you on? Who will you appease? Unfortunately the lines "are" drawn, like it or not. The grounds for war are alive in each of us everyday. Sometimes the so-called "peaceful solution" does not work when there is no common ground or willingness on all sides to find that solution. When the bully kicks sand in your face, the peaceful solution is not to back away or run because he will follow you everywhere after that, and you will have no peace. Telling him you love him won't work either. The only way out is to fight back. Then you can have peace later as opposed to no peace ever.

The road to peace is there, but how many are really willing to travel that road. How many politicians will be willing to open their minds and hearts? How many religious leaders are open to listening to other thoughts on the subject? How many "pacifists" are willing to face the reality of their demands, and what they will have to give to get there? How many of those who are non-committal or simply do not care, are willing to start caring? How many of us are willing to give all, as our soldiers have done, for decades, to give theirs lives, to have peace?

These questions are for each of us to answer. The real question is "Who are you in this situation?" The answer will tell you who you truly are!

Respectfully:

Michael Gregory