Roadmap to peace and tranquility in the context of Manipur Hill areas
- A Theological Perspective -
- Part 2 -

Rev Th Mangthianlal *

The Road leading Ukhrul :: March 2010

3.8. Adopting Reconciliatory Policy and Gesture

"[F]irst be reconcile to your brother or sister, and then come and offer gift." (Matthew 5:24)

How many of our community based organizations and Civil Societies/NGOs ever made a gesture and framed policy which are reconciliatory in nature? Have we made goodwill gesture to those communities or villages we are in misunderstanding or conflict with? In the Bible we see, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." (Romans 12:19). Let us keep aside avenging and revenging but concentrate on areas that will strengthen our reconciliation with God – who in Jesus Christ reconciled us to him while we were still his enemies!(Romans 5:10)

If we stop press release which are provocative in nature or change the way we make slogans or declaration which are highly sensitive it will do miracle in peaceful coexistence. If we have a face to face careful confrontation or care-fronting between conflicting parties before we come up with highly orchestrated communal tones, then much of the violence, animosity or apprehension can go away and peaceful atmosphere will be previal.

3.9. Listening to One Another

Zac Poonen states, "Despite man's advancement in many areas, human relationships continue to present problems all over the world."10 And this area is where peace building must be given a great deal. Coming together, listening and sharing our thoughts like today's consultative meet is one of the way to reach to a place call peace.

There may be hurdles and hiccups in coming together. But let us find encouragement from Billy Graham's words: "If we can't meet at the cross of Christ as brothers and sisters we can't meet in any other area."

And speaking about common life and life in a community, Bonhoeffer wrote, "When one person is struck by the Word, he speaks it to others. God has willed that we should seek and find His living Word in the witness of a brother, in the mouth of man. Therefore, the Christian needs another Christian who speaks God's Word to him. The Christ in his own heart is weaker than the Christ in the word of his brother; his own heart is uncertain, his brother's is sure."11 I think there is no further need of explanation on the importance of meeting each other face to face and speak out our hearts if we understand fully the expressed intention of Bonhoeffer.

3.10. In Peace Process the End Result Must Be One of the Motivating Factor

Micah 4:3-4 reads, "...they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more; but they shall all sit under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken."

> "swords" = plowshares

> "spears" = pruning hooks

> "nation shall not lift up sword against nation" (no more tribal conflict)

> "neither shall they learn war any more" (no training in warfare; in other words, no distraction from pursuing one's interest, goals or duty/purpose in life)

> "all shall sit under their own fig trees" (no one shall make them afraid; in other words, not just the absence of conflict but total state of peaceful environment and tranquillity)

If we focus on the end result then peace is something which everyone must contribute and involve in.

3.11. Let Us Be a Hero Together

In Biblical Perspective of the Land, Ateek mentioned:

"Israeli Jews must come to accept the fact that, in order to live their religious faith, they do not have to have an exclusive political control of the whole of Palestine." Jews, Palestinians, and even Christians 'can have achieve a full expression of religious life by sharing the land. Once this principal is affirmed, justice is not far off, and peace and reconciliation will become a welcomed reality.'12

This is a state of mutual compromised position adopted by some for lasting peace in the Middle East. It is a principle of mutual-sacrificed and mutual-benefit. Instead of competing to be the lone winner, if we can hold hands to reach the top together as individuals and as different communities it will be a very peaceful journey.

3.12. Christian Peace Education

In the aftermath of World War II, Archibald MacLeish made a statement, "Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed."13

May be that is why Hague Agenda for Peace & Justice for the 21st Century made the following statement:

A culture of peace will be achieved when citizens of the world understand global problems,

have the skills to resolve conflicts and struggle for justice non-violently, live by international standards of human rights and equity, appreciate cultural diversity, and respect the Earth and each other. Such learning can only be achieved with systematic education for peace.14

The Bible also clearly understood the importance of training our minds and educating ourselves for a proper and godly conduct in life.15 If we heed this pointer, peace within our minds will be established before it is experience in our land and in our daily life.

3.13. Dance and March According to the Drumbeat of Heaven – The Bible

One lesson Lisa Sowle Cahill learned in her involvement in peace process is how important the Scriptures are to Catholic peacebuilding around the world. She said,

In North America and Western Europe, and in international institutions like the U.N., Catholic social teaching is the most widely used foundation of Catholic work for justice. In other cultural settings, people often use more directly biblical language. They refer to the example of Jesus and to the bible, especially the New Testament. Jesus' teaching and ministry are held up as examples of love, forgiveness and reconciliation.16

If this model is implied among the Hill Tribes in Manipur, I believe peace process will be speedier and will be built on a firm and lasting foundation.

Here is a powerful statement from a consultation on The Bible and the Land: "We repudiate violence and injustice from any quarter, toward people or property and we call upon all believers in Christ to discuss their differences within the framework of the Word of God."17

Giving the Scripture a prominent place and abide by its values and teachings by the conflicting parties who are Christians will create a common ground for a peaceable journey.

3.14. Let the Church Play Pro-Active Role in Peace Initiatives

For the first 200 years of the Christian faith, Christ's followers, like their Master, renounced the sword, rejected war and died refusing violence even in self-defense. By the year 400 Augustine was approving a "just war"; by the year 1000 "Christians" were fighting a "holy" crusades; and by the twentieth century churches and Christians were accepting violence as long as it served to stop the Nazis, the Fascists, the communists. During the two World Wars, bishops blessed bayonets and bazookas on both sides.18

That may be some of the poor records of Church's roles in peace. But there are also many encouraging historical records where the Church and people of God played crucial roles. If the Churches in Manipur Hill Areas play pro-active role in peace building, it has great potential for many milestones to cover. If the Church and the people of God – who are called to be peacemakers - do not engage in this area, who will?

3.15. Absolute Worship19 of Ones Community Must Be Replaced with "Thy Kingdom Come"

During the last few decades, amongst the Hill tribes in Manipur, we have arrived to a state where tribalism or assertion of ethnicity is identified as nationalism and patriotism. And this identification is not only dangerous but idolatry.

David Augsburger has something to say in this regard: "To give everything for one's country simply because it is one's country is absolute worship. Nationalism becomes religion. Patriotism turns into idolatry. It denies that there is a God in heaven whose truth is eternal and whose kingdom is above all. Such idolatry is neither moral nor rational."20

Therefore, to arrive to a place called peace and tranquillity for the Manipur Hills we must be ready to abandon and totally give up "absolute worship" of our communities. That is not enough, we must be willing to say, "Thy kingdom come". And this kingdom coming in our midst is the sovereign lordship of Jesus Christ over all individual's and community affairs and realms of life – land, culture, geo- politics, governance, welfare, tribal jurisprudence and administration, etc.

3.16. Redefining Our Theological Understanding of Land

Most of the tribal conflicts in Manipur Hills have its root to land issues. Therefore, it is pertinent that we redefine our theology of land with this background in mind.

Manfred Kohl said, "The long-standing Israeli-Arab conflict in the Middle East is based in large part on the rival claims of Jews and Palestinians to the land." He further said, "According to Scripture, however, all land belongs to God. Moreover, all territorial land promises are negated by God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. The fulfilment of every previous covenant lies in the redemption provided in Christ. His new covenant has at its centre God's Kingdom, which encompasses all believers, for whom earthly possessions – including property – become secondary. Justice and truth, surrounded by mercy and forgiveness, must replace land as the focal point for Jews and Palestinians alike."21

"All land and power is God's."22 But often we put our ethnicity or land or religion above God. And it was going to take the exile to teach the Israelites that there assumption about the land they now live is not for their perpetual inheritance. "Until then, and even afterwards, they were tempted to think of the land as their right and Yahweh as their national god."23 Therefore, we must be awaken to the truth that God is the absolute owner of land and he has the right to give to any one or to take it from anybody! And only who pleases Him will enjoy the peace and prosperity of the land.

To be continued....