There is growing evidenced that the world is growing less violent in spite of its increasingly crowded conditions. That, at least, is the thesis of Steven Pinker's newly published book, The Better Angels of Our Nature (Viking, 2011). Some reviewers are persuaded (here, for example) and others are less convinced (here), but all agree that Pinker has marshaled quite an impressive array of data to make his case, whether or not it is conclusive.Recent news postings from both sides of the planet suggest that Pinker has a point. From Burma comes word (here) that the new Burmese government has begun talks with ten ethnic groups, which are in armed conflict with Burma and have been for many decades. The government has signed a truce with one group, the Shan, and is hopeful of reaching agreements with several others. As I've posted previously (here), the ethnic conflicts in Burma have been not only protracted but a source of incalculable suffering and hardship for millions of people. The eventual resolution of these conflicts would be an important step forward toward peace on earth and goodwill among peoples. In the meantime, news postings from Peru (see here) mark a step forward in the ending of armed conflict between the Peruvian government and the "Shining Path" rebel movement. One of the two remaining factions of that movement has admitted defeat, declared a unilateral ceasefire, and is seeking to negotiate a complete end to its participation in armed conflict.
It would an answer to the millions of prayers for world peace that have been offered down through the generations if both of these conflicted nations could take significant steps towards ending organized armed conflict in their borders—as seems to be happening. It would be a foretaste of that time when the nations "will hammer their swords into plows and their spears into pruning knives" and "will never again go to war, never prepare for battle again." (Isaiah 2:4) As Christian people, it is our constant prayer that God's Kingdom come, God's will be done on Earth as God intended it to be since the instant of creation. Amen.
