Missing Peace — Women of Faith and the Failure of War

Missing Peace — Women of Faith and the Failure of War

Rent or purchase this film

This film takes a nuanced look at the widening polarization of religions today. It shows how fear of that which is seen as the other locks us into deepening cycles of violence and grief. More specifically, it asks us to consider how religion is being used as a justification for war. Six women (two Jews, two Muslims, and two Christians) present a bold strategy for achieving peace—personally, interpersonally, and globally.

Duration : 46 min./two 23-min. segments

Release Date : 2004

For Blu-Ray or Standard Definition DVDs please contact us.

Missing Peace: Women of Faith and the Failure of War

Share

MISSING PEACE: Women of Faith and the Failure of War from Old Dog Documentaries on Vimeo.

The “War on Terror” frames the world as a battleground between good and evil. On that battleground, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam use surprisingly similar notions of a divine mandate to portray themselves as being on the side of “good.” All three traditions justify their own use of violence and retribution as being sanctioned by God.

In fact, the three Abrahamic religions share a common heritage, and that heritage includes a feminine principle which values justice and reconciliation over power and domination. The principle of interdependence invites us to reorient our policies towards sharing, empathy, and the preservation of life systems essential to all of us. It calls us to move beyond the “rightness” of our own views to consider what’s good for the collective.

In this film, six women—two Jews, two Muslims, and two Christians—challenge current justifications of war as a righteous undertaking. They remind us that the great monotheisms teach peace rather than violence. In explaining how their own work in the world is inspired by their faith traditions, these women challenge us to discover for ourselves how enlightened belief and practice can supply the “Missing Peace.”

“Peacemakers will be empowered by this film . . . . Above all, viewers will be offered a vision to replace ancient tribal aggressions—namely, the vision of an interdependent global community.”

Virginia Ramey Mollenkott, PH.D., Writer, Theologian, Teacher

Broadcasts

Link TV
Vermont Public Television

 

Download discussion Guide