A peace march's unexpected gift
an article by Linda Tarr

On January 18, 2003, fifty citizens of our tiny, historically conservative town, Port Orford, in southern Oregon, USA, gathered to walk the length of the town, celebrating the principles of non- violence and protesting the US governments' threats of a war against Iraq.

We were halfway through our march, when a man pulling along a 12 foot cross attached to a bicycle wheel did a u-turn on highway 101, and joined us. He got in front of our march with his cross-cycle with an American flag attached to it. Though most of us marching aren't religious, and some among us believe that religion is often a barrier to peace, we welcomed him.

That evening we held a dance at our community center. Many people came and enjoyed the luxury that is a peaceful existence.

We hope that all people on the planet will someday enjoy a life that does not include war, or racism, or the impoverishments that these things bring.

DISCUSSION

Question(s) related to this article:

Religion: a barrier or a way to peace?
What makes it one or the other?

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RELIGION AND CULTURE OF PEACE

LATEST READER COMMENT:

I have a question for the Agape Community poster, who related experiences of rejecting white priveledge.  I have certainly considered rejecting priveledge, but I have a hard time understanding where to draw the line.  So much of my upbringing, who I am, what I have and so on, are a construction of the many priveledges I have grown up with.  White, middle class, US citizen, female (can be considered a priveledge in some senses, male priveledge in other senses), able, assumed straight, etc.  When I've looked deeply into the matter, even my basic principles have basis in my class background, and I find they are still important to me, nonetheless.  Your story is inspiring and I hope you will provide some insight into the matter.. . ...more.

This report was posted on February 3, 2003. The moderator is Robin.

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