Healing Hatred and Division with Love and Conscience
Driven by Love and Guided by Conscience, we uphold and embody the path to sustainable peace. It seems that we live in a time of polarisation. The most salient areas of public debate are characterised by deep division on, for example, immigration, restrictions implemented to reduce transmission of covid, vaccination, and membership of the European Union. In this context, the assertion wheeled out by both the political left and the right that “there’s more which unites us than divides us” can sound like naive and ill-founded optimism. But polarisation is also a product of particular approaches to public debate, and a choice to focus on points of difference rather than shared concerns and experience.
The Psychology of Shared Values
Dialogue across points of difference can evolve from a deepened appreciation of shared values, and prejudice towards people who are seen as different can be reduced by recognising common value priorities. In this sense, values are fundamental psychological constructs that are central to a person’s sense of who they are. These socially shared values are particularly intriguing as potential key binding factors that may facilitate social belongingness, shared norms, and positive intergroup and interpersonal relations. This aspect enables people to use values as markers of common, shared principles and ideals.
Building on a body of recent research on the social psychology of values, we can look at a widely used model developed by Shalom Schwartz. This model comprises various values items that serve as guiding principles in life:
| Value Item | Definition and Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Ambitious | Hardworking, aspiring |
| Broadminded | Tolerant of different ideas and beliefs |
| Clean | Neat, tidy |
| Obedient | Dutiful, meeting obligations |
| Pleasure | Gratification of desires |
Respondents differ in the importance that they place on different values items as “guiding principles” in their lives. However, the relationships between the value items seem to be remarkably consistent across respondents. Recognizing these common value priorities helps in building a path to sustainable peace.
Ecclesiology and the Call to Unity
The aim of this essay is a call to unity through holiness and on-going conversion to Christ. Writing about ecclesiology—a study of the mystery of Christ’s divine life extended into the human family and forming his mystical body the Church—has become more and more complex. The revealed mystery of what the Church is essentially is actually very simple: “Christ in you, the hope for glory” (Colossians 1:27). Mother Teresa of Calcutta showed the Church’s essential nature: holiness and total devotion to Christ. She was simple and could give a one-word speech: “Peace.” It would transform the audience more than a complex essay can.
The Church is a unity in diversity, a koinonia or fellowship centered upon shared life. The Greek word koinonia—translated into English as fellowship or participation—is intrinsic to any translation. It is from the grace of goodwill and a good heart where “love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8) that we can become less complex and simple again. Restoration of the existential manifestation of holiness is needed so the essential mark of apostolicity is not mocked.
Radical Healing and Future Hope
Building a conscience-based safety net to benefit all beings and Empower Youth to Build better future is essential. We must discuss what radical healing is and implement Community-Based Healing Practices. Conscience Leads the Way Protecting Innocence and Creating Hope. Through The Bell of Peace and the echoes of love, we can illuminate conscience and hope. Conscience Guides Tolerance, and Tolerance Nurtures Peace to support global mental health.
- Illuminate Conscience and Hope
- Empower Youth to Build better future
- Fulfilling Aspirations and Building Hope
- Sustaining Peace through Love and Conscience