Conflict is the perception or actual occurrence of diverging, opposing, competing or incompatible differences between two or more people. Unresolved can escalate into a dispute.
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What Did Jesus Really Say?
Most people, even if they’re not Christians, acknowledge that an exceptional spiritual master named Jesus lived and died 2,000 years ago. The story of his life and teachings are chronicled in the four gospels of the New Testament and they have captivated and inspired the Western world ever since. But how do we know what Jesus actually said? There was no stenographer or tape recorder present and the first gospel to be recorded, Mark, wasn’t written until 30 years after Jesus’ death. How much do you remember of any conversation you witnessed 30 years ago?
From the time Jesus spoke until the time his words and actions were eventually recorded on paper there were many opportunities for mistakes, misinterpretations and mistranslations. Jesus was a mystic and often spoke in parables and metaphors. Those who were present interpreted his teachings and their meanings through the filters of their own limited spiritual understanding. These impressions and memories were substantially diluted and distorted with the passing of over 30 years’ time between their occurrence and their recording.
The gospels we have today were based on documents copied and recopied by scribes for 400 years after Jesus died (the original writings were lost to history). Scribes, being human, sometimes made mistakes and sometimes changed things to fit their preconceived notions or agendas. Each new generation of copied gospels compounded the errors of all previous scribes.
Additionally, Jesus spoke in Aramaic. The first gospels were written in Greek, which was eventually translated into Old English and then to modern English. Each of these translations provides opportunity for lost meaning. Finally, the Council of Nicea, convened by the Emperor Constantine in 325 AD after declaring Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire, discarded parts of the gospels which were inconsistent or contradictory in an attempt to make them more cohesive and consistent. For example, all references to reincarnation were stricken. Sadly, many of Jesus’ teachings were lost forever because they did not square with the spiritual views of the Council.
What exactly did Jesus say? No one really knows. Those who
Congo-Kinshasa: More Children Drafted By Armed Groups in East, Unicef Finds Children continue to be enlisted by armed groups in the war-ravaged eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the United Nations reported today. Uganda: Deal the LRA a Death Blow Uganda plans to consult regional leaders on how to proceed with the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) dilemma. Congo-Kinshasa: UN Human Rights Council Demands Immediate Cessation of Violations On Monday, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted by consensus a resolution condemning the exactions perpetrated in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's North Kivu province, and demanded an immediate cessation of all violations of fundamental rights by the warring parties. Sudan: Displaced Clash With Militiamen in Darfur Peacekeepers serving with the joint United Nations-African Union mission in Darfur (UNAMID) are working to calm tensions in the south of the war-wracked region after violent clashes between Janjaweed militiamen and the residents of a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs). Nigeria: Gov. Ohakim Commends Chevron, Nigeria THE Imo State Government has commended NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture over the successful implementation of community development projects in Izombe, Imo State, under the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) signed between the company, Jisike Regional Development Council and the Imo State Government. Zambia: Mahatma Gandhi Championed Peaceful Conflict Resolution INDIA'S founding father, Mahatma Gandhi may have long died but the non-violence that he preached for the resolution of conflicts is as relevant today as it was when he lived. Uganda: Kony Disappoints North Leaders LEADERS in the north have expressed disappointment and frustration after LRA rebel leader Joseph Kony failed to sign the final peace deal on Saturday. Uganda: North Advised Not to Revenge Against Rebels THE people of northern Uganda should not revenge against the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels when they return home. Rwanda: Kabarebe Extols RDF Troops Upon Return From Darfur The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. James Kabarebe has commended the performance of Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) peacekeeping operation in Sudan's conflict-torn Darfur region. Rwanda: Museminari Raises Issues of Security and Universal Jurisdiction in Doha Foreign Affairs Minister, Rosemary Museminari, Sunday drew world leaders' attention on the country's current security concerns and the ongoing battle over the apparent abuse of the Principle of Universal Jurisdiction. Uganda: Leaders Ignorant of Peace Plan - Lira Chief POLITICAL leaders are ignorant about the Peace, Recovery and Development Plan (PRDP), the Lira LC5 chairperson has said. Uganda: Regional Leaders to Decide Kony Fate UGANDA will consult regional leaders on the fate of LRA leader Joseph Kony, who refused to sign the final peace agreement over the weekend. Somalia: Islamists Capture Military Base Near Baidoa Islamic Courts Union (ICU) gunmen captured a key military base in the outskirts of Baidoa, 250km northwest of Mogadishu, Radio Garowe reported Monday. Somalia: Omar Hashi Urges Somalis to Support Peace Talks. The interior secretary of the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia Omar Hashi aden urged Monday Somalis to back The Djibouti peace deal signed in Djibouti. Congo-Kinshasa: A Visit to Rutshuru At first observation, everything looked like it was staged. The area's 'President' and head of National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP) General Laurent Nkunda, was meeting General Olusegun Obasanjo. Rwanda: Darfur - Mission Accomplished A contingent of 155 soldiers of the 35th battalion of the Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) returned home yesterday, after serving a year in the joint United Nations (UN) and African Union (AU) mission in the troubled Sudanese region of Darfur. This is part of the rotation exercise that started last month. Uganda: Karamoja Region Still Unsafe - UN KARAMOJA sub region is still unsafe for travellers, a United Nation's report has revealed. Uganda: Mbabazi Inspects DRC Refugee Camp in Ishasha THE Minister for Security, Amama Mbabazi, has expressed concern about the appaling living conditions of Congolese refugees currently camped at Ishasha transit centre. Somalia: President Condemns Djibouti Peace Talks Somali president has condemned Djibouti peace talks according to an interview with Alajeera on Sunday. Uganda: New Delay to LRA Peace Deal A MEETING between the LRA leader, his team and elders from northern Uganda at Ri-kwangba dragged on yesterday and delayed the anticipated signing of the final peace agreement. Congo-Kinshasa: North Kivu - Monuc Increasing Its Military Presence in Masisi World Aids Day Though no clash was reported Sunday 30 November 2008 in Masisi, MONUC is increasing its military presence there to prevent civilians being caught in the crossfire between belligerents. Somalia: Parliament Speaker Welcomes Djibouti Peace Deal Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nor (Madoobe), speaker of the Somali national parliament, welcomed Djibouti peace deal on Monday after he held a press conference in Baidoa, the seat of the Somali parliament. Nigeria: Philosophy of Peace - How Realistic? PEACE and freedom walk together, and peace is, in the last analysis, basically a matter of human rights", so says former United States President, John F. Kennedy who ironically paid the supreme price when he was assassinated before the expiration of his tenure. Sudan: Cleric Calls for Rwanda Assistance The Chairperson for Justice, Peace and Reconciliation in the Anglican Church of Sudan, Bishop Micah Laila has, appealed to religious faiths of the Great Lakes region to intervene and stem the tide of violence in Southern Sudan. Uganda: Rugunda Flies to Juba for Signing THE Government delegation to the Juba peace talks yesterday flew to Juba, South Sudan for the anticipated signing of the final peace agreement with LRA leader, Joseph Kony, today. Uganda: Country to Use UN Seat for Peace in the Region UGANDA will use its membership in the United Nations Security Council to promote peace. Uganda: The Long Search for Peace in Country Acholi singer Justine Obol, popularly known as Simpleman, vividly remembers the day the Lord's Resistance army rebels stormed their home and killed his father. Uganda: IGAD to Control Pastoralist Conflicts THE intergovernmental Authority on Development should design ways to deal with pastoralist conflicts. Rwanda: UN Has Failed at Peace Keeping Role RWANDA'S president, Paul Kagame, has accused the United Nations of betraying a pledge to combat Hutu extremists in eastern Congo and then blaming his country for the failure of a costly peacekeeping mission to end years of conflict. Uganda: Amnesty is a Case of International Law THE Juba peace process brought to the fore the old debate on restorative justice against retributive justice as a means of remedying the injustices caused to the people of Northern Uganda during the 21-year-old armed conflict between the UPDF and the Lord's resistance Army (LRA) rebels.
interpret the Bible literally and hang on every word are missing the point. Countless controversies, conflicts, condemnations and ill judgments have resulted from (often petty) differing literal interpretations of Biblical scriptures. This has created fertile ground for ego gratification and the rise of fundamentalism. Ironically, judgment and condemnation seem to increasingly have trumped Jesus’ core message of love and forgiveness.
Given that Jesus’ exact words were lost to the wind 2,000 years ago, the best we can do is to search out themes found in the gospels that appear time and again. In this way the essence of Jesus’ teachings comes through loud and clear, over and over, to those who take the time to distill his wisdom from the gospels. It is simply: open heart, open mind—love and forgiveness. Do not judge. Tolerance. Or to sum it all up into one sentence: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
The Prince of Peace told us that the kingdom of heaven was at hand and that the way to experience it was by following his teachings. At hand means here, now, in this life. What are you waiting for?
John Penberthy is the author of the spiritual allegory—now in 11 languages—To Bee or Not to Bee (Sterling Publishing). Available in bookstores, including Barnes & Noble, throughout North America. View the 60 second Preview and send free ecards at www.ToBeeBook.com. An endearing gift!
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