A strange and wonderful thing is happening in my very conservative, West Texas town. A group of people are meeting each week to discuss Peace...and read and discuss books about achieving peace in the world, in our town...and in our homes and selves. We have read and discussed:
The Faith Club
Non-violence: The History of a Dangerous Idea
Three Cups of Tea
Oneness
We are beginning to read "The Courage for Peace." The group is open to everyone and each week we see new faces. It is the most accepting group I have ever been a part of...everyone's comments are listened to, everyone's ideas are accepted. The discussion is lead by anyone who will volunteer. The members of the group have varied backgrounds and religions...Muslims, Taoists, Hebrews, Catholics, and most of the protestant churches are represented. In our discussions, we learn not only about other religions but other cultures. The meeting is scheduled to last for an hour and a half...and we try to hold to that schedule, but we often stay on to continue discussion after the meeting is over. I cannot speak for everyone in the group, but I have found that after our meetings, there is a calmness within me that I haven't experienced in a while.
The group is an off-shoot of the Ambassadors for Peace...a group that was formed after 9-11 by the local Inter-Faith Council.
