Shalom Activism
In the Hebrew Scriptures the word most often translated into the English word ‘Peace’ is the Hebrew word ‘Shalom’. The biblical vision of Shalom is one of the cosmic wholeness and interconnectedness of all things. Shalom expresses the world as it should be - experiencing completeness, unity and fullness. It is a word that expresses well-being on a personal and a corporate level.
Shalom is about relationships; relationships between people, our relationship with creation, and our relationship with God. Shalom connects concerns for global justice, the environment, freedom, truth, equality and diversity.
Peace School ’s exploration of peace is the exploration of the biblical understanding of peace as ‘Shalom’. Our English word peace is too often taken to simply mean the absence of conflict; shalom on the other hand is a positive term denoting the creation of something good and complete, not merely the absence and removal of something bad.
Shalom unites the whole of life in one all embracing concept. Shalom is both tangible and yet a mystery; it is so simple to grasp and yet its implications are mind-bending and life altering.
Peace School is a voyage of discovery to the root of what it means to live as, and to be, a Shalom Activist.
The term ‘Shalom Activist’ was coined by Noel Moules, founder of Workshop, as an alternative description of ‘pacifist’ and ‘non-violent activist’. Rather than using a term that sounds passive, or defining our goal by a negative term, Shalom Activism is a positive, assertive, disturbing and active statement of intent. The language we use to talk about peacemaking is an important part of the Peace School journey.
