Religiously Political and Politically Religious- Reflections for Peace Education

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About the Book The book titled "Religiously Political and Politically Religious," with the tagline-Reflections for Peace Education is, in many ways, a sharp and painful nudge to observe, think, analyze, dialogue and ACT. The author looks with unflinching severity at the present day situation all over the world, and more elaborately that in India. The background is the COVID-19 pandemic that brought the entire global population to its knees, inflicting enormous suffering, deaths, deprivation and desolation, not to speak of the horror of insensitivity on the part of the rulers...This compilation is the author's anguished, yet hope-filled, call to the readers to stand up as one to save one another and our planet. It is a call to shed our labels as apolitical or neutral, to come out of the complacent comfort of our privileged cocoons, to be true Christians, sisters and brothers of all.

About the Author M. K. George is the General Counselor and Regional Assistant to the Jesuit Superior General, in Rome. Earlier he was the Provincial of Kerala Jesuits and the Principal of Loyola College, Trivandrum. With Masters in Andragogy and Sociology, he did his Doctorate in educational backwardness of Marine fish workers. He has coordinated a number of research projects while in Loyola and in Indian Social Institute, particularly in Participatory Research. An International Visiting Fellow at Holy Cross College, Worcester, USA, he has contributed several scholarly articles to various journals and has co-authored the books Extension in Higher 1 Education; Development-Induced Displacement; Participatory Development for Water, Human Development Approach to Access to Income, and co-edited Towards a Politics of Change and Education for Human Capital Formation. Two other books on Family Matters and Thenthullikal (Malayalam) were based on his experience in family counseling and talks on the All India Radio.

Preface This compilation of short and pithy articles titled "Religiously Political and Politically Religious", with the tagline-Reflections for Peace Education is, in many ways, a sharp and painful nudge to observe, think, analyze, dialogue and ACT. The author, Fr. M. K. George SJ looks with unflinching severity at the present- day situation all over the world, and more elaborately that in India. The background is the COVID-19 pandemic that brought the entire global population to its knees, inflicting enormous suffering, deaths, deprivation and desolation, not to speak of the horror of insensitivity on the part of the rulers. The physical, moral and spiritual uncertainties and disturbing questions raised by the virulent corona virus has forced many to think and rethink their beliefs and practices in ways that revolutionary, literally are and figuratively a turning on the head, of self, communities and countries. The writer expresses our collective agony and helplessness at the terrible fate of migrant laborers, our own brothers and sisters, as they trudged their weary way back to their homes, and many not fortunate enough to make it there. An uncaring government and a bewildered bureaucracy watched the playing out of this tragic scenario even while the light of service and compassion glimmered here and there, proving that the "milk of human kindness" had not yet dried up.

It is interesting, and yet disquieting, that the writer sees a complete "systems failure" in our response to the catastrophe, be it in the political, social, cultural or religious areas.

Introduction What does it mean to be religiously political and politically religious?

There is a reluctance on the part of the religious (priests and nuns, but also those who practice the precepts of religion) to be politically active. For some, to be religious is to keep out of politics. Is that possible?

Insights from Social Sciences tell us we are political beings. The confusion stems from the fact some may not want to be associated with a political party. But every human being has power. He uses that inherent power in unseen ways. As the Greek statesman Pericles said centuries ago, "Just because you do not take an interest in politics, it doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you."

The biggest challenge is to develop sufficient self-awareness to realize that we are political, whether we like it or not. So, can we be consciously political in taking stands on issues and being part of an advocacy effort so essential for human living today?

Civil rights crusader Martin Luther King said, "Our lives end the day we become silent about things that matter."

The following reflections are thoughts on contemporary issues and thoughts on how one can be active in a process of reflection and action, Praxis, for change.

The world today calls for awakened action for sustainable change. It calls for justice to millions who are denied of it.

**Contents and Sample Pages**