Synopses & Reviews
Praise for John Dear and
A Persistent Peace
“John Dear understands that peacemaking is not a part-time job. . . . John has walked the talk for years, an inspiration to all of us to do more than we think we can.”
—Jim Wallis, author of The Great Awakening and president, Sojourners
“John Dear has been arrested in the cause of peace and human decency more times than anyone else I know. I am honored to consider him a friend.”
—Joan Baez, singer and peace activist
“John Dear is a great spiritual progressive leader whose wisdom, courage, and gentleness make him one of the most beloved teachers of nonviolence in America. . . . Reading this book will make you less lonely by knowing that you’re sharing your time on earth with John Dear.”
—Rabbi Michael Lerner, editor of Tikkun magazine
“Look, I know this guy. He’s real; and he shows that it’s possible for ordinary folks to really live Jesus’ call to be peacemakers. . . . Prepare your own heart as you open this book.”
—Sr. Helen Prejean, CSJ, author of Dead Man Walking
“John Dear’s life story is inspiring and heartwarming.”
—Howard Zinn, author of A People’s History of the United States
Praise for John Dear and
A Persistent Peace
“John Dear understands that peacemaking is not a part-time job. . . . John has walked the talk for years, an inspiration to all of us to do more than we think we can.”
—Jim Wallis, author of The Great Awakening and president, Sojourners
“John Dear has been arrested in the cause of peace and human decency more times than anyone else I know. I am honored to consider him a friend.”
—Joan Baez, singer and peace activist
“John Dear is a great spiritual progressive leader whose wisdom, courage, and gentleness make him one of the most beloved teachers of nonviolence in America. . . . Reading this book will make you less lonely by knowing that you’re sharing your time on earth with John Dear.”
—Rabbi Michael Lerner, editor of Tikkun magazine
“Look, I know this guy. He’s real; and he shows that it’s possible for ordinary folks to really live Jesus’ call to be peacemakers. . . . Prepare your own heart as you open this book.”
—Sr. Helen Prejean, CSJ, author of Dead Man Walking
“John Dear’s life story is inspiring and heartwarming.”
—Howard Zinn, author of A People’s History of the United States
Review
"Dear's account of it is inspiring, moving, and thoughtful." Booklist
Review
"John Dear is a Jesuit priest who has been in the forefront of the religious peace movement in the United States. He is the embodiment of a peacemaker. He has led by example through his actions and in his writings and in numerous sermons, speeches and demonstrations. He believes that peace is not something static, but rather to make peace is to be engaged, mind, body and spirit. His teaching is to love yourself, to love your neighbor, your enemy, and to love the world and to understand the profound responsibility in doing all of these." Desmond Tutu, Archbishop, Cape Town, South Africa
Review
"John Dear understands that peacemaking is not a part-time job. A Persistent Peace is the story of his passion for Jesus way of peace, a commitment that guides his life. John has walked the talk for years, an inspiration to all of us to do more than we think we can." Jim Wallis, author of The Great Awakening and President of Sojourners
Review
"Look, I know this guy. He's real, and he shows that it's possible for ordinary folks to really live Jesus' call to be peacemakers. Controversy follows John Dear like a hungry dog, but he's so clearly centered in his mission that he takes it all in stride. Prepare your own heart as you open this book. John is going to bring you into the lives of poor and suffering people across this planet and some of his stories will haunt you forever and, who knows? Maybe bring about a seismic shift in your spiritual life." Sister Helen Prejean, leading American advocate for the abolition of the death penalty, author of Dead Man Walking
Synopsis
A Persistent Peace, John Dear's autobiography, invites readers to follow the decades-long journey and spiritual growth of this nationally known peace activist, and to witness his bold, decisive, often unpopular actions before government officials, military higher-ups, and even hostile representatives of the Church. With heroes such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela, it should come as no surprise that John's activism has taken him to many places including war zones all over the world.
Dear's incredible story will touch anyone who believes in the power of peace. Perhaps most important of all, readers will come to understand through John that the most important disarmament of all is the one that happens inside each heart when we finally let go of our own self-righteousness, resentment, and anger.
Synopsis
All of us say we want peace, but only a few are willing to prove it.John Dear, SJ, has been arrested more than seventy-five times. He has spent more than a year of his life in jail. He has been mocked by an armed and angry U.S. National Guard battalion standing outside the doors to his New Mexico parish. All this because he so fervently believes in peace.
A Persistent Peace, John Dear's autobiography, invites readers to follow the decades-long journey and spiritual growth of this nationally known peace activist, and to witness his bold, decisive, often unpopular actions before government officials, military higher-ups, and even representatives of the Church.
From his conversion to Christianity, to his calling to become a Jesuit, to the extreme dangers and delights of a life dedicated to truly living out the radical, forgiving love of Jesus, Dear's incredible story will touch the heart of anyone who believes in the power of peace and the possibility of a world where love conquers all.Praise for John Dear and A Persistent Peace -Once more, and in a plenary way, we are blessed by the eloquence and moral passion of John Dear. . . . More power to this intrepid disciple of Christ--The Peacemaker.-
--Daniel Berrigan, author of The Trial of the Catonsville Nine -John Dear understands that peacemaking is not a part-time job. . . . John has walked the talk for years, an inspiration to all of us to do more than we think we can.-
--Jim Wallis, author of The Great Awakening and president, Sojourners
-John Dear has been arrested in the cause of peace and human decency more times than anyone else I know. I am honored to consider him a friend.-
--Joan Baez, singer and peace activist
-John Dear is a great spiritual progressive leader whose wisdom, courage, and gentleness make him one of the most beloved teachers of nonviolence in America. . . . Reading this book will make you less lonely by knowing that you're sharing your time on earth with John Dear.-
--Rabbi Michael Lerner, editor of Tikkun magazine-Look, I know this guy. He's real; and he shows that it's possible for ordinary folks to really live Jesus' call to be peacemakers. . . . Prepare your own heart as you open this book.-
--Sr. Helen Prejean, CSJ, author of Dead Man Walking
-John Dear's life story is inspiring and heartwarming.-
--Howard Zinn, author of A People's History of the United States
Synopsis
John Dear, SJ, believes that social activism and faith are inseparable. Acting in the name of the nonviolent Jesus, Dear has been arrested more than seventy-five times, has spent more than a year of his life in jail, and has been mocked by armed U.S. soldiers standing outside the doors to his New Mexico parish.
A Persistent Peace, John Dear's autobiography, invites readers to follow the decades-long journey of social activism and spiritual growth of this nationally known peace activist and to witness his bold, decisive, often unpopular actions on behalf of peace. From his conversion to Christianity, to his calling to become a Jesuit, to the extreme dangers and delights of a life dedicated to truly living out the radical, forgiving love of Jesus, John's incredible story of social activism will touch anyone who believes in the power of peace.
Synopsis
A nationally known peace activist tells the remarkable story of his conversion and subsequent lifelong
dedication to working for peace.
John Dear, SJ, has been arrested more than 75 times. He has spent more than a year of his life in jail. He has been mocked by armed U.S. soldiers standing outside the doors to his New Mexico parish. All this because he so fervently believes in peace.
Dear’s unflappable persistence in speaking and acting on behalf of peace stems from his life-changing decision in college to leave behind his frat-boy lifestyle and instead become a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. That decision has, over many years, led him to live out the Beatitudes of the nonviolent Jesus in every dimension of his life.
A Persistent Peace, John Dear’s autobiography, invites readers to follow the decades-long journey and spiritual growth of this nationally known peace activist and to witness his bold, decisive, often unpopular actions before government officials, military higher-ups, and even hostile representatives of the Church. With heroes such as Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, it should come as no surprise that John’s activism has taken him to many places, including war zones, all over the world.
From his conversion to Christianity, to his calling to become a Jesuit, to the extreme dangers and delights of a life dedicated to truly living out the radical, forgiving love of Jesus, Dear’s incredible story will touch anyone who believes in the power of peace. Perhaps most important of all, readers will come to understand through John that the most essential disarmament is the one that happens inside each heart—when we finally let go of our own self-righteousness, resentment, and anger.
Synopsis
All of us say we want peace,
but only a few are
willing to prove it.
• • • • • • • • • • • •
John Dear, SJ, has been arrested more than seventy-five times. He has spent more than a year of his life in jail. He has been mocked by an armed and angry U.S. National Guard battalion standing outside the doors to his New Mexico parish. All this because he so fervently believes in peace.
A Persistent Peace, John Dear’s autobiography, invites readers to follow the decades-long journey and spiritual growth of this nationally known peace activist, and to witness his bold, decisive, often unpopular actions before government officials, military higher-ups, and even representatives of the Church.
From his conversion to Christianity, to his calling to become a Jesuit, to the extreme dangers and delights of a life dedicated to truly living out the radical, forgiving love of Jesus, Dear’s incredible story will touch the heart of anyone who believes in the power of peace and the possibility of a world where love conquers all.
“Once more, and in a plenary way, we are blessed by the eloquence and moral passion of John Dear. . . . More power to this intrepid disciple of Christ—The Peacemaker.”
—Daniel Berrigan, author of The Trial of the Catonsville Nine
About the Author
John Dear is an internationally recognized voice for peace and nonviolence. Priest, pastor, peacemaker, retreat leader, and author, he served for years as the director of the Fellowship of Reconciliation. His many books include You Will Be My Witnesses, Living Peace, Jesus the Rebel, and Disarming the Heart.
Table of Contents
• Contents •
Foreword by Martin Sheen ix
Introduction xv
1 Frat Boy (1978–79) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
2 The Day of Conversion (1979–80) 10
3 The Journey Begins (1980–81) 21
4 Under Arrest at the Vatican (1981) 32
5 Pilgrimage to the Holy Land (1982) 38
6 A Second Calling, in Galilee (1982) 47
7 Jesuit Boot Camp (1982) 53
8 Learning the Life of Peace (1982) 62
9 Thirty Days of Silence (1983) 71
10 The Experiment, Phase One (1983) 81
11 The Experiment, Phase Two (1983) 86
12 First Blood (1983–84) 96
13 Lenten Wednesdays at the Pentagon (1984) 106
14 Peacemaking in New York City (1984–85) 117
15 In the Land of the Savior (1985) 127
16 Taking a Stand in Nicaragua, at the Pentagon,
and at West Point (1985) 140
17 Disturbing the Peace in Scranton (1986–87) 148
18 Community and Jail in New York (1987–88) 156
19 With the Homeless in Washington, D.C. (1988–89) 165
20 Theology and Vision at Berkeley (1989) 176
21 November 16, the Kairos Moment (1989) 186
22 The Fast (1990) 191
23 Zones of Peace (1990) 196
24 Death Row and Mother Teresa (1990) 201
25 War in Iraq, Resistance in the Streets (1991–92) 210
26 Ordained to Make Peace (1992–93) 222
27 Down by the Riverside (1993) 235
28 They Shall Beat Their Swords into Plowshares (1993–94) 239
29 In Jail, on Trial (1994) 247
30 Waiting in My Cell (1994) 256
31 From House Arrest to Rome (1994–95) 262
32 Trouble at the Smithsonian (1994–95) 273
33 In Richmond, at the Sacred Heart Center (1995–96) 280
34 Peace in Northern Ireland (1997–98) 286
35 The Fellowship of Reconciliation (1998–2000) 302
36 Peace Mission to Iraq (1999) 311
37 Return to Palestine (1999) 324
38 The Great Forty Days for Peace (2000) 331
39 Death and the Tombs of New York (2000–1) 335
40 Life and Death at Ground Zero (2001) 342
41 Kicked out of New York (2002) 362
42 Pastor in New Mexico (2002–4) 369
43 A Voice in the Desert (2002–4) 383
44 Disturber of the Peace (2002–5) 392
45 Sackcloth and Ashes in Los Alamos (2002–5) 406
46 Soldiers at My Front Door (2003) 416
Epilogue 421
Acknowledgments 427
Index 431