Dec 27, 2008

Peace on Earth and Good Will towards Men

by Margaret Turley

Today’s blog is a response to Kerry Blair’s blog on 12/19/08, about her wish for peace on earth. In her blog she tells how her son told her that peace wouldn’t be a good idea as it would put two of her sons and a nephew out of work. My answer to him is: wouldn’t that be nice if militias weren’t needed or the war machines and equipment to kill – to supposedly keep the peace.

What would happen if we didn’t have wars? Would that ruin the world’s or even this nation’s economy? Yes, I have been taught that when we are at war our economy does well, creating jobs in many sectors. We have been at war now for years and the US economy is head in the direction of the Great Depression. The economy of the world is in a terrible downturn.

So what would happen if all of a sudden peace was declared? We would have army, navy, air force, marines, national guardsmen and contractors for the military that no longer had a job. That could be disastrous.

What if we used the billions of dollars we now spend on war and paid off the national debt, to feed the hungry, pay for medical care, finance research for incurable diseases, improve our education systems, or retrain displaced workers to a field that not only help their family financially but will also help the nation? What if we used those dollars now spent on the military to research and develop renewal energy systems, or to halt and reverse global warming? What if we took all of the current military persons and put them to work rebuilding infrastructures? Or what if we used the entire military R&D for making useful every day products out of all the items that would otherwise be scrap metal? Or maybe they could help our industries clean up the air, water and land of pollutants. What if we use the military medical personnel in local civilian public health or world health outreach?

With true world peace, national peace we would have no need for the CIA, the FBI, the Secret Service, or any other spy, body guard, system. Oops – they would also need different jobs and careers. How about having those people service the third world countries and bring them up to pace with the rest of the world? Yes they could make sure there was clean water, enough food, plenty of schools and health care facilities to meet the needs so that there would be no need to go back to fighting over what little resources were available. Maybe they could teach tolerance, diversity, living green, and or arts? Who knows? I’m sure there are plenty of things that could be done once the focus is off how to beat the other guy to the punch.

Homeland Security could focus on building bridges, dams, roadways. They could be ready to respond to natural disasters. Instead of spending time on wondering when the next terrorist attack will happen, they could bring us back to the land of promise, the land that the Statue of Liberty stands for.

“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

I think, and I know this is probably a dream that could only come true in the millennium, that we would not only have peace, but we could eliminate poverty, illiteracy, and disease. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

The lyrics and music to the song “Let There Be Peace on Earth” were written by Jill Jackson and Sy Miller in 1955. I feel they are more relevant now as they were then.

Let there be peace on earth,
and let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on Earth,
the peace that was meant to be.
With God as our Father,
brothers all are we,
Let me walk with my brother,
in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me,
let this be the moment now.
With every step I take,
let this be my solemn vow,
To take each moment and live each moment
in peace, eternally.
Let there be Peace on Earth,
and let it begin with me.

So if Peace on Earth begins with me, what am I going to do to help achieve that goal? I will smile to spread good will. I will extend a helping hand every time that I can. I will practice tolerance. I will think twice before speaking. When I feel angry I will count to ten, walk around the block, do anything other than retaliate so that I don’t perpetuate the situation. I will vote for leaders who seek peace. I will love my neighbors.

Have a very Happy, Peaceful, and Loving New Year!

12 comments:

  1. You do know that you took my blog totally out of context, right? Not only was that not the message, my son was kidding. A joke. Just so your readers know.

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  2. I've thought the same thing about the money our society spends on the police force and all of the anti-theft devices stores use to keep people from stealing.

    Think of what society could use that money for (and how much less things would cost in the stores.)

    Too bad that peace and honesty are not likely to happen any time soon.

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  3. Yes, Kerry:
    I know I took things out of context and your son's statement was in jest. And I thought about all the other ways of having peace in your life you mentioned.
    I just bounced off the military idea into my own blog. That is why I included the URL to your blog so that readers would be able to read what you really said for themselves in case they hadn't read your blog initially.
    Hope you had a Merry Christmas and will have a Healthy New Year!

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  4. Janette:
    I thought about police forces, security personel and many other positions that would be obsolete with true peace on earth. But unfortunately that Utopia will probably not be obtained in our lifetimes. I can always pray and dream for my grandchildren.

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  5. Thanks with your beautiful, passionate thoughts.I am with you!
    Eduarda

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  6. Wonderful! Let there be peace on earth! Well said!
    Darlene

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  7. Wow, what a thought provoking blog Margaret! I always enjoy reading your blogs. That would be wonderful if there were no more wars here on earth but peace to replace it! I think of how many innocent lives would be saved, as so many are lost as a byproduct of war. So many lives are devastated at the loss of a dear son, brother, husband or father, daughter, sister, wife or mother. I do believe that an end to war will come because of the promises of the Bible.
    Candis

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  8. Wow, I feel I have to stuck up for the military here. I think peace on earth is a wondeful concept and I hope it comes one day but like you said Margaret probably the Millenium. That said, I think there's nothing wrong in paying for defense. The Nephities certainly did, the Israelis did and do. We do. And IF there can be peace on earth, then we wouldn't need social programs either. I fully support all expenditures for our safety and protection for spreading freedom to all mankind here and now. But believe me when I say I look forward to the day when the lamb and the lion lie down together as do most soldiers if you listen to them.

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  9. Thanks Teri:
    I agree, for now the military is necessary and I appreciate the sacrifices made by all the men and women in our armed forces. I have several relatives who are in the armed forces, and in local law enforcement. We couldn't do without them at this time. I'm just dreaming of the day they won't be needed. And like you say - when that day comes we probably won't need all the social programs because we will probably be living the law of concecration.

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  10. Again Margaret - a good blog. I really enjoy many of your blogs. I hope your family is saving these. I would love to have these from my mother as a remembrance of the things that ment the most to her. I wish I had the talent to write. I was given the gift of gab but has a horride time writting what I feel. Have a wonderful New Year my friend, Sheree

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  11. Margaret, we'll miss your blogs, but will enjoy you elsewhere. I share your wish for a peaceful existence. It IS coming. The millenium is no longer milleniums away. It is prophecied that times will be very rough as Satan has his last battle before being bound, but it WILL happen. As I read of the destruction at Christ's crucifixion, I shudder to think we might have to endure something similar, but I take courage because I do know that though even the faithful may suffer, they will endure, and eventually triumph. I just hope that my family, friends, and I will be among the faithful who make it through our choices, but moreso through the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

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  12. Thanks for the thought provoking post, Margaret. I will miss reading more of your thoughts here. I so enjoy your perspective and insights. I hope you have a very happy new year!

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