The Persistent Peace of John Dear
Join Ray for a conversation with John Dear – peace activist, author, theologian, Catholic priest, and all-around amazing man! John has worked in homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and community centers; traveled in warzones around the world, including Iraq, Palestine, Nicaragua, Afghanistan, India, and Colombia; lived in El Salvador, Guatemala and Northern Ireland; been arrested over 75 times in acts of civil disobedience against war; and spent eight months in prison for a Plowshares disarmament action. In the 1990s, he arranged for Mother Teresa to speak to various governors to stop the death penalty. In other words, John is very passionate about peace and nonviolence in the way of Jesus! This conversation is a whirlwind trip through John Dear’s life so far, as we talk about his autobiography, A Persistent Peace. Thank you John Dear for taking the time to share your life and witness for peace with us! Make sure to check out John’s website www.johndear.org, where you will find his books and much more. Also, check out www.campaignnonviolence.org where John and others are imagining a new world with dignity, justice, and peace for all!
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March 12th, 2015 at 7:10 pm
Appreciate the podcast. Been trying to get my mind wrapped around what I would call aggressive anti-empire activism and its purpose(s). I just don’t see Jesus calling us to change empire through demonstration. Seems to me the only hope we have for undermining any man-made system (which obviously is going to reflect man’s violence) is the subversiveness of love changing the individuals involved in running the systems. My thoughts are all theoretical. I have no practical experience of activism so far. Just seems that being offensive to them (even when we know they are committing great evil) is not going to help them see the love of god for them. Not sure what others are thinking. I reserve the right to be wrong about this….won’t be my first time.
March 19th, 2015 at 1:12 pm
Just heard podcast. Powerful. Lot to think about. He lives Jesus’ teachings.
Love is the answer and truth spoken in love. That is where it
gets tricky. And we must be will to accept the consequences.
May 5th, 2015 at 10:37 am
Thank you, Kent for putting into words something I have felt. There is more than one way to skin a cat…..forgive the violent reference……Some are called to the kind of activism that Fr John is involved in, but it comes with great temptation……If demonstrators confront the empire with love, it can have positive impact, but equally important are the quiet servants behind the scenes who make personal connection to the warriors….John Dear has family members who have been exemplary at this