SENTINEL WATCH March 29, 2010 Issue

SPIRITUAL DIPLOMACY WITH CHINA

DAVE HOHLE

RECENTLY, THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT issued several statements expressing frustration with, among other things, US arms sales to Taiwan and President Obama's meeting with the long-exiled Tibetan leader, the Dalai Lama. The US State Department is responding with diplomatic measures, but whenever tension increases somewhere in the world, it's worth remembering that it's not just up to diplomats to smooth things out. We can all contribute to harmonious international relations.

A hundred years ago, Mary Baker Eddy actively supported and nurtured peace around the world. In 1905 she even requested "that every member of The Mother Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, pray each day for the amicable settlement of the war between Russia and Japan; and pray that God bless that great nation and those islands of the sea with peace and prosperity" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 279). She knew that focused thought and prayer could be of immediate value internationally.

Twenty years ago the term "multitrack diplomacy" was coined in recognition of the fact that simultaneous efforts on multiple fronts can be beneficial in achieving peace or resolving conflict. In support of official action taken by professional diplomats, a variety of other "tracks" working together can help normalize situations by maintaining an attitude of cooperation, reason, and reconciliation. Some of these include businesses, private citizens, the media, religion, and philanthropy, to name just a few.

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