CHRISTIAN PEACE
An open forum for theological and political
debate on issues of peace and justice
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Several years after the political changes in Eastern Europe and
several years before Eastern European states are accepted into the
European Union, there is growing discontent in our country with the
present world order (or disorder), the market economy, globalisation,
uncontrolled technical development, or Western civilization in
general... Although there are many different names for the structures
of evil and different theoretical approaches to them as well, the
vague conviction has become almost universal that the present
development of our society cannot continue in this way. Nobody today,
whether Christian or non-Christian has a clear alternative or grand
theories to offer. However, we think that alternatives cannot occur
without people entering into dialogue.

At present in the Czech Republic we are certainly not world masters
in dialogue. It is rather because we feel that an open discussion on
vital economic and political issues is consistently lacking in our
society that we want to undertake this attempt. We hope to find a few
courageous Christians and non-Christians from the Czech Republic and
from other countries, who are ready to give some of their time and
attempt a deeper analysis of the current problems of our societies
and learn together to think in a global context, share information,
cooperate across borders and develop alternatives.

Among today's Christians there is a growing awareness of the fact
that the economic structures of our world influence everyone's life.
But they cannot be without an impact on the witness of Christians and
the Church, either. Our times need individuals and groups who think
and act in a mature way. The only way forward is to begin to think in
a global framework, inform each other, cooperate across state
borders, and think of economic and political alternatives which can
work on a global level.

Don't be afraid of thinking and expressing yourself in a simple way -
English will not be the mother tongue of the majority of us. But let
us make an effort to listen to each other's opinions and arguments
and take them seriously. Only in this way will we be able to
progress.

We shall be happy if some of you join our new attempt to communicate
on issues of peace, a just society, and sustainable development.

Marta Peskova
Prague, Czech Republic



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