Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:8
Last Saturday morning we went with our friends north of Kingston to the local snowmobile club for a hearty helping of cholesterol. Apparently these breakfasts happen every two weeks in support of the trails and other activities of the club.
Most of the people around us were in snowmobile suits but there was a small group of outsiders (like us) who weren't dressed in the appropriate fashion items. They were in the area for a Christian Peacemakers meeting. http://www.cpt.org/work Their presence in rural Ontario isn't quite as strange as it might sound. They have been around, on and off, for the past few months extending back to last summer. A uranium mine has been proposed on nearby property and there have been peaceful protests staged by the local native band and those who support them. The Algonquins are convinced that the land is theirs.
Some locals are supportive and some aren't. A fair number of people are opposed to the mine for environmental reasons, sure that it will affect the water supply. Our friends invited some of the peacemakers to their home for a meal, along with some folk from the community, including someone who is in favour of the mine. Their United Church has been involved, including providing accomodation. A retired UCC minister from the area was part of one of the peaceful protests and because he admitted that he was at the mine site in a letter to Premier McGuinty he is facing a fine of up to $50,000.
John, the fellow sitting next to me at breakfast is a retired college professor from British Columbia and he happens to be a Mennonite. He recently returned from Gaza where he and others peacefully got in the way of clashes between Palestinians and Jewish settlers. That is the goal of the peacemakers, to be a non-confrontational presence in situations where violence may escalate. They figure it is Jesus' way.
The reason we have heard little in the news about the Robertsville stand-off, compared to Caledonia, is because there have been no violent incidents. The band leaders are committed to non-violent protest and the peacemakers are there to support them.
You never know who you will meet over breakfast.
Would it be possible for me to use some of this post with my students? We have just been talking in Media Literacy about what makes the news. We have seen that it is violence and things that are sensationalized. We have also been looking at points of view and how the same news item can be reported differently depending on the experience the reporter brings to the article. Thanks, N
ReplyDeleteSure Nancy. There are a fair number of articles out there in cyberland and if you type in Robertsville Uranium it will get you to what you need.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. The expression "if it bleeds, it leads" is unfortunately true.
Thank you. N
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