Editorial March 20, 1995 Issue

peace in times of change

Michael A. Seek

In the last five years the political map of Europe has changed in ways we could hardly have expected. Some nations have completely disappeared from the scene—notably the German Democratic Republic and Yugoslavia—while others, for example in the Baltic region, have regained their independence. Still others, like the Czech Republic and Slovakia, have been newly formed as a result of political changes.

Despite the fact that hostile confrontations such as those in Bosnia and some former Soviet republics have dominated the pages of the newspapers, many of the changes have occurred without bloodshed. Still, these changes are far from over, and many ethnic groups are struggling for national identity. Uncertainty over the political development is at times mixed with anxiety about facing a future defined by civil wars, terrorism, and international armed conflicts.

Since these events affect us all, we would do well to ponder the contribution each of us can make to peace. It should be obvious that the threat and use of force to achieve national goals are based on a material, that is, limited and mortal, picture of man. Every form of material and even mental aggression, for example extreme nationalism and xenophobia, is inconsistent with the spiritual truth of man.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Testimony of Healing
In the early 1970s, just prior to an airplane trip across the...
March 20, 1995
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit