Date: October 16, 2014
By Jude Obuseh
War is the ultimate defeat of humanity, and only through peace can we truly respect human dignity and uphold its inherent rights. These words of wisdom from Pope John Paul II underscore the grim reality of human civilization—a history written in blood. Throughout time, we have witnessed the callousness, insanity, and bestiality of our species as we engaged in violence, leaving behind a trail of death, pain, and waste; a symphony of destruction.
Despite our claims of evolution and progress, we remain as primitive and savage as our cave-dwelling ancestors. Our history is marred by the most reprehensible manifestations of darkness in the human heart, with over 100 major conflicts since the establishment of the United Nations in 1945, resulting in millions of casualties, wounded, refugees, and displaced persons.
Instead of dedicating our time to peace, we have wasted thousands of years in warfare and developing more destructive means of hurting one another. Our civilization has become fixated on technological advancements for both sustenance and destruction. President Bill Clinton aptly stated that globalization and information technology have magnified our creative and destructive potential, leaving the world filled with fear and hopelessness.
The dawn of the 21st century presents a grim picture, with numerous challenges such as environmental threats, wealth inequality, social injustices, and political oppression fueling violent conflicts worldwide. Unfortunately, attempts to address these issues often lead to more violence, exacerbating the conditions we aim to improve.
The root cause of these conflicts lies within ourselves, the human factor. From politicians declaring war to citizens supporting it, the truth is that humans have an inherent inclination towards violence. Even with the establishment of global bodies like the United Nations, positive peace remains elusive because our violent tendencies persist.
To achieve true peace, we must undergo a profound transformation. We need to change our attitudes, acknowledge the suffering of others, and seek ways to alleviate their misery. By putting others before ourselves, we can find meaning and purpose beyond violence. Embracing non-adversarial methods to resolve conflicts is essential to break the cycle of violence.
The journey to positive peace is not an easy one, but it is imperative for the survival of our civilization. Only by shedding our animalistic instincts and embracing empathy, compassion, and cooperation can we bring lasting peace to our world.
May humanity rise above its violent past and embrace a future where peace prevails. God save the world!
Jude Obuseh,
Founder/Executive Director, CPPBI
