February 13, 2019 – Conflicts which in many ways adversely affect the lives of people can be heard of and be seen regularly. The many forms of conflict jeopardise the well-being of many persons, be it physical, emotional, mental, financial or otherwise.
Peoples struggles for a better way of life and in some cases for survival may sometimes propel them into a more confrontational mode. The social, economic, political, personal, family and other issues which demand their attention push them into being less tolerant with a fighting mood surfacing which fans flames of conflict.
Such responses whether impetuous or calculated destroy not only good relationships which are necessary but affect the well-being and tranquility of those involved.
In our World, full of lofty ideals, religious teachings and vociferous outpourings on subjects of love, harmony, compassion, and understanding, the forces of conflict seem to be getting stronger. Instead of searching for common bonds of unity to face such problems as poverty, disease, hunger, and want and focus on organizational and national goals, the tendency is to create and promote conflict.
Every person will state acceptance of the need for Peace whether in the homes, schools, workplace, nationally or in the World. Yet too few are prepared to be instruments of Peace. We seem to forget the Biblical statement “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.” The question may be asked – What should the conflict lovers be called? Would the answer be children of the Devil! Surely none of us would like to be so categorized, although we may sometimes place ourselves in that group.
Writing on Vision of a Better World, Sir Peter Ustinov stated:
Ideally, men should be judged by their actions not by their beliefs. This is still sadly far from being the case. Whereas religious have succeeded in elevating mankind to wonderful isolated examples of spiritual strength, their message of love, concord, or even tolerance has been tragically ignored by those who use faith as something by its very nature divisive, exclusive and true to the detriment of other truths. And yet, despite these threats to the world’s peace of mind, enormous changes in our sense of values are thrillingly discernible……
The quicker ideas of victors and vanquished are relegated to the sports arena, where they belong, to satisfy the chauvinistic diehard streak in all of us, the better. In the forward-looking terms of future coexistence, these criteria have no place….
In our own society, we witness the perpetuation of divisions, promoting conflict which is inimical to the interests of our People and to the development of our Nation with its motto of:
One People, One Nation, One Destiny.
Too often we have the dissipation of energies in argumentative sessions aimed at out-maneuvering and gaining advantage over others, rather than striving to achieve desirable goals beneficial to all. The desire to prove others wrong is then a greater priority than the subject matter itself.
I was thrilled some years ago when the then Prime Minister of Israel in response to a question as to whether he was prepared to give up the Golan Heights, replied in a Statesman like manner that the issue was not the land in dispute but Peace.
The need for promoting Peace is self-evident! In this regard, we have a role to play in our homes, offices, neighbourhoods, communities, and country.
The Italian Poet Petrarch writing on Peace stated:
“Five enemies of peace inhabit with us – avarice, ambition, envy, anger, and pride; if these were to be banished, we should infallibly enjoy perpetual peace.”
My view is that we must seek Peace within ourselves. We must pray that the Lord will lift up his countenance upon us, grant us Peace and make us instruments of Peace.
Guyana with its natural resources, vast areas of fertile land, hospitable people and lovely climate will not grow, develop and prosper unless those powerful and influential Leaders place the interest of the country and its people first.
Leaders in the social, cultural, political, religious, professional and educational streams of Guyana who enjoy the status of influencing public opinion and behavioural responses, need to give priority to building bridges of understanding and promoting purposeful unity.
