Resources on War and Peace
for Adults and Older Youth
Compiled by Rev. Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley, Adult Programs Director
UUA Lifespan Faith Development staff group
Index
Education and Advocacy Resources - Websites
Education and Advocacy Resources - Books
Worship Resources - previously-published materials, books
Education and Advocacy Resources - Websites
"An Alternative to War for Defeating Saddam Hussein," a six-point plan. Online at Sojourners Magazine
MoveOn is an on-line advocacy organization that has been effective in gathering nearly a million signatures for a recent "Virtual March on Washington" that blocked phone and fax lines in official Washington in protest of the impending war with Iraq.
Started during the Clinton administration, MoveOn's website says that it "is working to bring ordinary people back into politics." MoveOn is associated with the "Win Without War Coalition" which includes 32 national organizations, including the UUA, "that have joined together to advocate alternatives to war in Iraq."
American Friends Service Committee is offering "Conflict with Iraq: Letters and Statements -- Recent AFSC Letters and Statements" and a summary of actions by various faith-based organizations, including Unitarian Universalists.
"Alternative Resources on the U.S. 'War Against Terrorism" includes links to alternative news, analysis, and commentary as well as to petitions, call-in, e-mail and letter-writing campaigns, resolutions, demonstrations and other anti-war activities.
Education and Advocacy Resources - Books
War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning by Chris Hedges (New York: Public Affairs, 2002).
On Killing: the Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society by Col. Dave Grossman (Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1995).
From the Ashes: A Spiritual Response to the Attack on America, edited by Beliefnet and Neale Donald Walsch (Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 2001). Experience, strength, and hope from spiritual leaders and extraordinary citizens
When War Is Unjust by John Howard Yoder (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1996). A Mennonite theologian and pacifist, the author systematically explores ethical, historical, and theological questions: "Can any war really be considered 'just'? If so, which wars, and under what circumstances? If not, why not?" (from the back cover). In addition to outlining the acceptable conditions that must be satisfied before a war is deemed "just" in traditional Christian theology, he offers a critical framework for evaluating these conditions, and "holds proponents [of just war theory] accountable." Includes detailed ethical questions from which to analyze the validity of any reasoned argument--whether by a pacifist or a crusading warmonger. Appendices include The Laws of War in Modern Treaties and a bibliography on both just-war tradition and nonviolent defense alternatives.
Peace is the Way: Writings on Nonviolence from the Fellowship of Reconciliation, edited by Walter Wink (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2000).
"With Weapons of Will" by Peter Ackerman and Jack DuVall. Sojourners Magazine, September-October 2002, pp. 20-23. The authors argue that it is possible to overthrow Saddam Hussein without war--a campaign that would be carried out by the 22 million people of Iraq.
"We Declare Peace" by Lee Griffith. The Other Side, March & April 2003, p. 16. The author talks about the difficult task of envisioning peace in time of war and group conformity.
"By the Sword" by Jack Nelson Pallmeyer. The Other Side, November & December 2002, p. 24. An exploration of the link between U.S. militarism and big business. Calls churches to a "deeper rooting" in peacemaking. A liberal Christian perspective.
"Nonviolence and the War Without End" by Stanley Hauerwas. The Other Side, November & December 2002, p. 28. The author argues that nonviolence is at the center of the gospel message. A liberal Christian perspective.
"Fearless and Full of Hope" by Frida and Kata Berrigan. Sojourners Magazine, March-April 2003, p. 30 and The Other Side, March & April 2003, p. 20. Daughters of Catholic activist Philip Berrigan reflect on what he taught them about freedom and perseverance in two articles of similar content.
"Seeing the Faith of the Enemy." Sojourners Magazine, March-April 2003, p. 34. More than 700,000 Christians are among the prospective targets of the U.S. war on Iraq. A two-page photo essay on Roman Catholics gathering for peace in Basrah, Iraq.
Understanding Prejudice is a web site for students, teachers, and others interested in prejudice. It has more than 2,000 links to prejudice-related resources. This web site is intended to supplement a McGraw-Hill anthology entitled Understanding Prejudice and Discrimination, but can be used with other texts or on its own.
Liturgical Resources
(previously published material including books, articles, web publications)
Peace Prayers: Meditations, Affirmations, Invocations, Poems, and Prayers for Peace, by Carrie Leadington, Joann E. Moschella, et al. (New York: HarperCollins, 1992). Highly recommended, this is a book written by people from around the world-some well known, others less well known. Many selections are appropriate for worship.
The Words of Martin Luther King, Jr. , edited by Coretta Scott King (New York: Newmarket Press, 1978). pp. 78-90 are on non-violence and peace.
The Words of Gandhi, edited by Richard Attenborough (New York: Newmarket Press, 1982). pp. 43-71 are on nonviolence; pp. 85-103 are on peace.
Day of Promise: Collected Meditations, v. 1. , edited by Kathleen Montgomery (Boston: Skinner House Books, 2000). See the following selections: "When My Anger is Over" by Raymond John Baughan, p. 45; "Hawks" by Lynn Ungar, pp. 95-96; and "Meditation on the Word" by Paul N. Carnes, pp. 117-118.
What We Share: Collected Meditations, v. 2, edited by Patricia Frevert (Boston: Skinner House Books, 2000). See the following selections: "Hope, Not Optimism" by Bruce T. Marshall, pp. 24-26; and "The Courage of Patience" by Richard S. Gilbert, p. 67.
Listening For Our Song: Collected Meditations, v. 4, edited by Margaret L. Beard (Boston: Skinner House Books, 2000). See "Storm Watch" by Elizabeth Tarbox, pp. 28-29.
Life Prayers, edited by Elizabeth Robert & Elias Amidon (New York: Harper SanFrancisco, 1996). Similar to but more generic than Peace Prayers, this is a book of 365 prayers, blessings, and affirmations "to celebrate the human journey" written by people from around the world. Section Four is "Prayers for Solidarity and Justice" and selections in others sections are appropriate as well.
Prayers for the Common Good, edited by A. Jean Lesher (Cleveland: Pilgrim Press, 1998). See in particular pp. 43, 68-69, 73, 95, and 102.
Prayers for Healing, edited by Maggie Oman (Berkeley: Conari Press, 1997). See in particular entries for January 10, 15, 19; February 12, 15, and 20.
Growing Edge by Howard Thurman (Richmond, IN: Friends United Press, 1956). A book of sermons. Part I, "Concerning Enemies," includes the following sub-themes: Love Your Enemies, and Confronting the Enemy I and II.
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