United Nations

Whose Truth Do You Trust in the Gaza Conflict?

Ryan Rodrick Beiler 1-07-2009

In addition to the obvious and outrageous tragedy of those killed by the Israeli bombing of Gaza (640 killed so far in this

Burma's Untold Suffering

Aaron Taylor 12-08-2008

Soldiers entering villages and killing people on sight. Landmines blowing pregnant women to smithereens. There's no way this is really going on. The world would never tolerate this.

The Gentler Gamester is the Soonest Winner

Jim Wallis 12-04-2008

"The appeal of terrorism is waning," said Mathew Burrows, head of long-range analysis in the office of the director of national intelligence.

'Elders' Refused Entry to Zimbabwe as Cholera Claims Lives

Nontando Hadebe 12-02-2008

"Either they don't know or they don't care."

-Gracia Machel, referring to the government attitude on the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe.

Twenty heads of state descended upon Washington this past weekend to discuss the global financial crisis and how to solve it. A communiqué and action plan came out of the meeting, but without President-elect Obama there, few had expected much to come in terms of concrete results

You Touch a Woman, You Touch a Rock

Nontando Hadebe 10-31-2008

"Wathinta abafazi, wathinta imbhokodo." (You touch a woman, you touch a rock.)

Micah's Challenge to the Future President

Brian Swarts 9-26-2008

Yesterday, the United Nations met to discuss our progress toward cutting global poverty in half by 2015. Tonight, the U.S.

A 'Micah Challenge' to U.S. Christians

Jim Wallis 9-25-2008

This week, with the news of the U.S. financial crisis dominating the headlines, the United Nations General Assembly opened its annual meeting.

Beyond Just War Theory

Valerie Elverton Dixon 9-16-2008

Just War Theory is a mode of analysis that lists criteria by which war may be considered righteous before, during and after its execution. The criteria to consider before a war are: declared by legitimate authority, just cause, right intent, reasonable hope of success, last resort, and announcement. The criteria to consider during war are: non combatant immunity, proportionality of damage to good that will result, limitations on weapons and tactics. Young scholars in [...]

Where Wars Come From

Valerie Elverton Dixon 9-03-2008

Peace is a respectful, harmonious, and cooperative relationship between groups and nations. Peace is the serenity that comes from clarity, the assurance that the truth will reveal itself, even if only in part. Biblical wisdom teaches us that "there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed nor hid that shall not be known" (Luke 12:2). Violence arises from fear born of deception. Scratch a conflict and find a lie. Love rejoices in the truth and perfect love, complete, [...]

An International Day of Peace

Valerie Elverton Dixon 8-22-2008

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God" (Matthew 5:9).

Peacemaking is an important responsibility of people who follow Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Christianity requires that we, ourselves, become the living, breathing, flesh-and-blood manifestation of the teachings of Jesus. Our calling is to a radical obedience to Jesus' call to follow him (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship). The teachings of Jesus are extreme [...]

Diplomatic Progress, Continuing Violence in Zimbabwe

Nontando Hadebe 6-19-2008

I will begin with some positive news of growing international pressure on the Zimbabwean government. The United Nations secretary general has demanded an end to the violence and lifting of the ban on food aid. The U.S. secretary of state has called a meeting with African leaders to discuss the situation, and the Botswana government has issued this statement: "Botswana [...]