Yesterday’s Zoom round table discussion of the covenants given by the Prophet Muhammad to respect and protect Christian and Jewish communities drew forth concerns for creating relationships that embody commitments to respect others and live in peaceful coexistence.
The conversation brought to my mind violence.
Why so much violence?
A war in Ukraine, hundreds of thousands killed, more wounded, as I have read.
A war in Gaza, many thousands killed, more wounded.
On October 7, 2023, a killing spree with associated rapes and other wanton brutalities in Israel.
On July 13, a 20-year-old “kid” tried to kill Donald Trump.
Where does the inner compass of each of us end up – pointing to violence or pointing to harmony?
The teaching of history is clear – violence is in our DNA. Some speak of original sin, which can only be remediated by a divine gift of forgiveness for our trespasses if we look to ourselves and work to deserve redemption.
But so is a moral sense in our DNA – a higher level of consciousness with more ability to create well-being – spiritual, social, economic, political. But building moral competence out of that potential is not an automatic reflex, like the fight or flight response to danger. Nor is it fully instinctive as breathing.
We are left with freedom to be violent or to seek peace. Violence is sometimes forced upon us by others, making the choice of how to live for us.
My colleague, Michael Hartoonian, put the challenge before us as: “Given what I know, how should I conduct myself?”
So, then: what do I know?
And then: what should I know?
Those who can help us turn away from violence by sharing their learning and their good conscience are most needed at all times.