- Authors: Irene Ludji
- From: Faculty of Theology, Satya Wacana Christian University
Abstract:
Thomas Merton was an excellent writer who lived as a trappist monk in the Abbey of Gethsemani located in New Haven- Kentucky. Merton wrote many books, articles, and letters about spirituality and social justice. Though he lived in the Abbey, his concern about the social life in community is powerful. In facing the Vietnam War, Merton proposed the nonviolent way as the practice Christians should use to withstand violence. This paper will explore Merton?s concept of the nonviolent way as one of the important criterias of responsible leadership in a religious community (read: Christian community) and contrast it to the modern context of the war on terror by the United States (US) and its effect on other nations (Indonesia in particular). My thesis is that Merton’s idea of the nonviolent way can be applied by Christians in standing against violence by religious extremists in Indonesia. Merton provided a great example of responsible leadership that religious community in Indonesia can learn in order to create a peaceful life together.
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