Going to War

 

Rules Review

-         Respect the Talking Stick-one person speaking at a time, no interruptions, comments, questions etc. during check-in and first round of sharing on topic

-         Make I statements whenever possible

-         Use Active Listening

-         Respect confidentiality of shared information 

-         Avoid giving advice

o       May ask clarifying questions during second round

o       Speaker may ask for advice which will be shared later

-         Share time so everyone who wishes to may speak

-         Anyone may pass at any time

-         Encourage holding silences

 

Check-in

 

Opening Words-

From a Distance by Nanci Griffith

 

From a distance the world looks blue and green

And the snow-capped mountains white

From a distance the ocean meets the stream

And the eagle takes flight.

 

From a distance there is harmony

And it echoes through the land.

It’s the voice of hope; it’s the voice of peace

It’s the voice of every man.

 

From a distance we all have enough

And no one is in need

There are no guns, no bombs, no diseases

No hungry mouths to feed.

 

From a distance we are instruments

Marching in a common band.

Playing songs of hope, playing songs of peace

They’re the songs of every man.

 

God is watching us. God is watching us.

God is watching us from a distance

 

From a distance you look like my friend

Even though we are at war

From a distance I can’t comprehend

What all this war is for

 

From a distance there is harmony

And it echoes through the land

 

It’s the hope of hopes; it’s the love of loves

It’s the song of every man.

 

Questions:

What factors justify a nation going to war? (any nation, any war)

 

What are your gut-level feelings about the prospect of the United States going to war with Iraq?

 

What do you feel most uncertain about in your position on war with Iraq?

 

 

Check-out

Make a brief statement about how we feel after tonight’s discussion

 

 

Closing Words

If there is to be peace in the world,

     There must be peace in the nations.

If there is to be peace in the nations,

     There must be peace in the cities.

If there is to be peace in the cities,

     There must be peace between neighbors.

If there is to be peace between neighbors,

     There must be peace in the home.

If there is to be peace in the home,

     There must be peace in the heart.

 

              Lao-Tse

    

May we all find peace.