Religion, Pacifism and the Questions

The religion questions on the Australian Census Form — Australian Census Form

I tick the #Catholic box on the census form every time it comes around. It reminds me that I belong to a diverse community beyond my comfort zone. It also challenges me to reflect on the core values that my religious tradition invites me to embrace. Those values include peace making and non-violence in my heart, my relationships and my political choices. This is not sugar coated “pie -in-the-sky stuff I can tell you.

At its best my religion challenges me to think and act with integrity.

Doug Girardot is an O’Hare Fellow at America. He graduated from Boston College in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in history. He has published an article in the Politics and Society columns of America, The Jesuit review.

A view shows a residential building destroyed by recent shelling, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues in the city of Irpin in the Kyiv region March 2, 2022. (CNS photo/Serhii Nuzhnenko, Reuters)

I considered myself a pacifist. Then Russia invaded Ukraine, and I had some questions

Well referenced with some handy links to further reading and the invitation to comment make this an engaging piece of social media. And sharing this article, inviting responses is probably my contribution to non-violent action that Doug explores…