Defining Peace:

Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. - Psalm 34:14 NRSV

The Hebrew word for peace is shalom. Shalom is rich in meaning. It is a comprehensive concept that means wholeness, peace, joy, freedom, reconciliation, community, harmony of all creation, righteousness, truth, justice, communication, humanity.

Shalom is wholistic and embraces all persons and all of creation in reconciliation and harmony. When Jesus taught about peace, he was using the word shalom in all its richness. Jesus, when teaching the Beatitudes, really said, "Blessed are the shalom-makers." The New Testament was written in Greek and eirene was the word used to translate shalom. Perhaps the best English word to translate shalom is not "peace" but the word "Zion."

Defining Justice:

Justice and only justice, you shall pursue. - Deuteronomy 16:20 NRSV

One word for justice in Hebrew is zedakah. The concept of justice in Judaism is different from Greek-Western views of this concept. The emphasis is not on "retribution" (punishment) or "distribution" (fair shares for all). It is more what human living should be like. That is why the word zedakah is not only translated into English as justice but also as righteousness, which means living a just life personally.

Also "justice" (zedakah) is consistently paired with "mercy" or "grace" (hesed) in the Hebrew scriptures. Jesus put them together in the Beatitudes, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful for they will receive mercy.

In the church seal, the lamb can represent mercy and the lion justice. The two can work together for the blessing of children and bringing peace.

To learn more about peace and justice:

Community of Christ World Church Peace and Justice Ministries

Suggestions for Congregations:

Congregations are invited to pursue peace and justice in their communities. For help getting started:

Activities for Congregations

Current Issues:

HUMAN RIGHTS
All persons are of great worth in the sight of God. There can be no exceptions anywhere, at anytime. Community of Christ stands for human rights for all people. Read the new human rights newsletter, In the Forefront:

In the Forefront...

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
At Region Conference 2003, the following resolution on restorative justice was passed:

BE IT RESOLVED that the Australia Church:
1. Explore ways in which it can encourage and pursue principles of restorative justice with other faith traditions,
2. Suggest to members and friends who are legally trained to explore avenues in which restorative justice principles may be incorporated into their practices,
3. Write to the appropriate departments of justice asking that they seek to explore restorative justice as a paradigm of possibility in their jurisdiction, and
4. Put a similar resolution to the World Conference in 2004.

Links to Other Peace and Justice Organisations:

Outreach International	World Peace Prayer Society	Amnesty International Australia
The Hunger Site	Jubilee Australia	World Institute for Nonviolence and Reconciliation
Australian Conservation Foundation	Solve Poverty.com	Greenpeace Australia Pacific
Opportunity International Australia		Tear Australia