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Unite for human rights in Iran, Today

ON February 11, in 1979, the Shah of Iran was overthrown. Feb. 11, equivalent to July 1 in Canada (Dominion Day), or July 4 in the United States, became a day commemorating liberty, independence and freedom.

There was hope in 1979. What happened however was that one brutal, oppressive and corrupt regime was replaced with another brutal, oppressive and corrupt regime.

It’s a failed revolution that millions of Iranians desire redressed.

The Iranian government has consistently violated basic human rights. It is responsible for executions (Recently two activists who were accused of inciting the post-election protests on June 12th were executed – even though these men had been held in detention long before the violence erupted), torture, arbitrary arrests, countless abuses and of course censorship, wherever and whenever possible.

But censorship is increasingly difficult to maintain in today’s networked world. And so, Grow Mercy, along with thousands of other blogs are making today, Unite for Human Rights in Iran day.

Spread the word. Link your Facebook page, your blog, your website.

Martin Luther King Day 2010

MLKThis problem of spiritual and moral lag … expresses itself in three larger problems which grow out of man’s ethical infantilism. Each of these problems, while appearing to be separate and isolated, is inextricably bound to the other. I refer to racial injustice, poverty, and war.  MLK

It was my contention that one of  the disappointments of last year was President Obama’s course of action concerning the escalation of military action in Afghanistan and his subsequent acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize. Here, commemorating Martin Luther King Day, is an article expressing similar concerns, but by someone much closer to a personal knowledge and understanding of war.  Rusty Nelson, was a U.S. Army lieutenant in South Vietnam when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. Rusty spent 22 years helping staff the Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane.

Iran’s Green Revolution

There’s some hopeful news coming out of Iran:

…a new generation of activists is working behind the scenes to sustain the movement’s momentum.

"There appear to be a core of student leaders, recent graduates and people who were students in 1999," said Kenneth Katzman, an Iran specialist at the Congressional Research Service in Washington.

He said these leaders have "agreed on nonviolence and are trying to reach out to their parent’s generation" and to supporters outside Iran.

Full story here.

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4
Feb

Nobel Peace Prize nomination – Mustafa Barghouthi

Reuters1-b23e8 Founder of the political party the Palestinian National Initiative, Mustafa Barghouthi was nominated for the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize by Mairead Maguire, Nobel Peace Laureate and co-founder of Peace People in Northern Ireland.

"For the Nobel Committee to give their 2010 Award to Dr. Barghouthi would be a recognition of not only his great spirit of peace and nonviolence, but also the Palestinian Nonviolent Movement, which gives us all hope for the future of Palestine, Israel and the Middle East Community.

24
Jan

Martin Luther King’s double surrender

Is it possible to be a devotee of Jesus, but not be committed to nonviolence?

MLK Double Surrender Journal Jan 23 2009

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4
Jan

Jews protest brutalised Gaza

There’s a growing discontent among ordinary Jews over the occupation of Gaza, and many are beginning to speak out.

Last week in Cairo, Hedy Epstein, a frail 85-year-old American woman, embarked on a hunger strike for the first time in her life to protest the ongoing blockade of Gaza. She has no idea how her body will hold up, she says, but that isn’t her priority. She is one of more than 1,300 international participants from 42 countries who flew to Cairo with the aim of participating in the Gaza Freedom March, initially planned to coincide with the first anniversary of Israel’s Operation Cast Lead. Many of these committed individuals of all hues and religions are elderly; all have dug deep into their pockets to pay for their own flights and hotels.

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29
Dec

Welcome to Christians for Creative Nonviolence

Christians for Creative Nonviolence is a kind of reclamation project. It’s an invitation to Christians from all backgrounds to readopt the way of nonviolence.

In accord with early Christians, we recognize the overarching expression of nonviolence in the teaching and life-way of Jesus Christ. And we desire to imitate that way.

cfcnvlogoweb We see nonviolence as an inner posture that is obtained and maintained through modeling Jesus’ methods of nonviolence, and his acts of love and charity.

We see nonviolence as beyond the mere absence of violence. Therefore we do not accept that peace can be created or sustained by any form of violence.

We do not see Christian nonviolence as anything like a higher form of peace. Nonviolence at base is indivisible. Instead we see all efforts toward the growth and adoption of a nonviolent way of "being," as nourishing the one social human organism.

We encourage active nonviolent resistance, as we recognize that peace is the presence of justice. We encourage nonviolent resistance in love, as a way through fear. As we recognize that peace is the absence of fear.

It is our hope and prayer that "Christian" could again become synonymous with peace-natured.

Finally, we take seriously the charge and the implied admonition of Mahatma Gandhi, that, "the only people on earth that do not see Christ and his teachings as nonviolent are Christians." Therefore we will strive to recognize our inevitable inconsistencies. We are committed to growth and open to new information.

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