Peaceful Society Research Articles

From survival instinct to religious belief: Socio-systems analysis in a global context

In the context of globalization, religion, as a complex belief system encompassing social, economic, and political aspects, is undergoing a process of transformation and innovation. This transformation is analyzed from the perspectives of social philosophy and humanistic philosophy to clarify the interaction between religious life and human life. Here, the decline of faith in humanity promotes faith in religion, creating cohesion among people of the same faith, while at the same time causing internal division and conflict. The article focuses on several main issues: the nature of religious faith as opposed to faith in humanity; the division between clergy and believers, and between theists and atheists; the impact of globalization on religious conversion; the role of religion in maintaining social morality and the possibility of its exploitation for political and economic purposes; the trend of conversion and the emergence of new forms of belief. Through analysis, comparison, and especially the inversion method, the article clarifies the relationships between cause and effect, freedom and necessity, ability and need, means and ends, and subject and product in religious life. The research results show that religious conversion in the era of globalization is an inevitable process, reflecting changes in faith, culture, and society. The article proposes a new approach to interreligious dialogue and religious studies from the humanistic and social philosophy methodology, aiming to build a peaceful society and respect differences.

Religious Tolerance in Pluralistic Societies: Challenges, Strategies and Social Impacts

This study aims to describe the importance of religious tolerance in an Indonesian pluralistic societies, focusing on how tolerant attitudes can strengthen social cohesion and prevent conflict. Using a descriptive approach and a qualitative model, the study involved reading, recording, analyzing, and organizing data from various sources, including journals and online articles. The results of the study show that a tolerant view of religion and nationality must be built through a moderate strategy, away from rigid and rigid attitudes. This moderation approach does not only apply to the teachings of religion itself, but rather to the way individuals understand and practice religion. Thus, the issue of khilafiyah can be tolerated without claiming the absolute truth from one point of view. This research emphasizes that building religious tolerance requires a willingness to respect differences and find common ground, so that each individual can coexist harmoniously. Awareness of the importance of moderation in religion is key to creating an inclusive and peaceful society, where everyone feels valued and has a common place. These findings are expected to serve as a basis for further efforts to promote tolerance and diversity in Indonesia.

Political - Social Phylosophy of Nguyen Binh Khiem and its Significance for Vietnam in the Current Era

Nguyen Binh Khiem (1491–1585) was a philosopher and one of Vietnam's greatest cultural figures of the 16th century. He was distinguished not only for his contributions to culture and education but also for his profound philosophical thought, particularly his political and social views. He was one of the leading intellectuals of the Later Lê dynasty. His thoughts have greatly contributed to the formation of political and social viewpoints in feudal Vietnam, leaving valuable lessons for the ongoing development of the country. Through his literary works, poetry, and practical activities, as well as his conduct, we can discern his deep political - social ideas. The first thing is his vision was of a peaceful society, one in which harmony prevailed both at the top and bottom of the social order, in which people respected and upheld moral principles. This would be a society of peace and prosperity, a foundational condition for the strength and thriving of the nation. Nguyen Binh Khiem's political thought is also expressed through ideas such as the concept of securing the people’s welfare, placing the people at the center; the critical spirit against and condemnation of feudal warfare. Studying Nguyen Binh Khiem's political - social thought provides a foundation for accurately recognizing the distinctive characteristics and value of his ideas in the development of Vietnamese national thought, as well as their relevance to the ongoing process of building Vietnamese society today.

Beyond the Airwaves: How Independent Podcasting Contributes to Peacebuilding

This research examines the role of independent podcasting in fostering peace in society, highlighting its democratizing potential compared to traditional broadcasting. The study explores podcasting's distinctive ability to bridge divides through participatory storytelling, fostering empathy and understanding. Grounded in views of participatory culture and peace-building, the research highlights how podcasting amplifies marginalized voices and facilitates constructive dialogue on complex societal issues. Unlike traditional broadcasting, which often relies on singularly oriented discourses, podcasting operates within a flexible digital framework, enabling personalized and on-demand content that challenges mainstream discourses and nurtures subcultural communities. This study sheds light on the empowerment that podcasts provide in reclaiming and sharing narratives, and how podcasts serve as a critical medium for collective memory, encouraging open discussions on pressing issues such as inequality and discrimination. This paper positions podcasting as a transformative force in reshaping media landscapes, advancing social cohesion, equity, and inclusivity in an interconnected and diverse global society.

Through the eyes of students and staff: The psychosocial drivers of violence in selected South African universities

Globally, universities have traditionally been viewed as sanctuaries of peace, devoid of violence. However, the increase in campus-related violence in South Africa has dispelled this assumption. Recently, there has been a rise in the incidence of murders, violent protests, and self-directed violence at several universities in South Africa, raising alarm among stakeholders in university education. Against this background and underpinned by Sameroff’s Transactional Model of Development, this study set out to explore the psychosocial drivers of violence at three South African universities from the perspectives of students and staff. To achieve this, the study employed a qualitative approach and a multiple case-study design, selecting participants through convenience sampling. Data were collected using semi-structured online interviews with students and lecturers at the three universities. The findings revealed a range of factors, including substance abuse, mental health issues, upbringing and background, and peer influences, as the principal psychosocial factors driving violence at the universities. The study, therefore, concluded that although violence is a complexly interwoven phenomenon, if universities are to reclaim their reputations as peaceful societies, there is an urgent need for all stakeholders in higher education to collaborate and address violence from diverse perspectives.

Optimizing the Role of the Interfaith Youth Generation in Bali to Promote Tolerance and Peace in the Digital Era

This community service project aims to optimize the role of the interfaith youth generation in Bali in fostering tolerance and peace, particularly in the context of the digital era. As digital platforms become increasingly influential in shaping public discourse, it is crucial to harness their power for positive social change. The project will engage youth from diverse religious backgrounds, providing them with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate online spaces responsibly. Through workshops, interfaith dialogues, and digital literacy training, participants will be empowered to promote messages of mutual respect, tolerance, and peace. The project will also focus on combating online hate speech and misinformation, while encouraging youth to use social media as a platform for unity and understanding. By nurturing a generation of digitally-savvy, tolerant youth, this initiative seeks to contribute to a more harmonious and peaceful society in Bali.

Exegesis of Ephesians 2:11-18 with Particular Attention to Verse 14 on the Implication of Jesus Christ Being Our Peace and the Peaceful Co-Existence in the Society

Peace is freedom from disturbance and tranquillity. It is a state in which there is no war or a war has ended and it is desirable in any society. Extant researchers have done lots of rigorous work on the exegesis of Ephesians 2:11-18 and matters relating to peaceful co-existence of Northern Ireland’s ethno-nationalist conflicts, such as: Christ our peace, strategies of living at peace in society, restoring peace in Northern Ireland. However, less attention is paid to the relationship between the meanings of peace in Ephesians 2:11-18 and peaceful co-existence in Northern Ireland where there are physical “walls of partition”. No known scholar has ever linked these physical “walls of partition” in Northern Ireland with Ephesian 2:11-18. Therefore, this paper aims to present an exegesis of Ephesians 2:11-18 and draw out some implications of Jesus Christ being the peace to the whole world and peaceful coexistence of Northern Ireland as well regardless of the physical walls of partition in that country. The study explored exegetical and descriptive approaches. It is found out that Jesus Christ through the shedding of his blood on the cross brought reconciliation between God and man on one hand and between man and man on the other hand. There is, therefore, no social barrier between human beings of any race. Though Northern Ireland has been a popular flash point for crisis in the world, the peace that Jesus brought can remove the barrier of relationship. There is also no spiritual barrier between God and man as man can now approach God directly without any intermediary apart from Jesus Christ. Some implications were drawn from this exegetical explanation. Implications like inner peace with God, social justice, forgiveness, and ethical values. The paper then concluded with the fact that human beings should emulate these virtues to have a peaceful society.

Olympism and the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games in the American and Chinese media discourse: a comparative study

Olympism is embodied in the Olympic Games and extends beyond the sport spirit to promote ‘the establishment of a peaceful society that upholds human dignity’. However, it can be interpreted diversely by media discourse in communication, which has been relatively under-researched. This study explores Olympism as an ideology in media discourse, focusing on the news coverage of the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 and 2022 by Chinese and American mainstream media. Using a diachronic corpus-based critical discourse analysis (CDA), the discursive construction of Olympism in the media is investigated. It analyses both textual features and social factors of the host country’s Olympic history, social and political context in each period. It reveals that the different ideologies of each media outlet and their influence on the discursive construction of Olympism. This study provides insights into the diachronic studies of Olympic Games, contributing to discourse studies of Olympism.

Terrorization toward Peacebuilding: Dimensions of Direct, Structural and Cultural Means of Violence

The research paper reviewed previous literature on direct, structural, and cultural means of violence in response to disturbing peacebuilding in global societies. This research also answered how direct, structural, and cultural means of violence hamper peacebuilding among global societies. Likewise, what do local states and non-governmental organizations take the initiative to sustain the peace process in society? A documentary research technique was applied to review the previous literature. Research papers on direct, structural, and cultural means of violence were analyzed from different academic websites (“e.g., Google Scholar, academia, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science”). The review paper found that the cultural meaning of violence minimizes peacebuilding and puts society in danger. Structural violence increases criminals and decreases peace in society. Direct violence increases the risks of conflict and affects socio-historical coping strategies for peace in society. Cultural meaning supports violent behavior by constructing a framework of culturally related objectives that produce lawbreaking rules for the justice system. In conclusion, direct, structural, and cultural means of violence impact the formation of peaceful norms and behavioral patterns that destroy interpersonal violence and international relations in global societies.

Social Emotional Learning for Peace

Teaching peace is a means to education rather than an end in itself. Therefore, making peace education always relevant. To educate is to prepare young humans to live sustainably and not just excel academically to form future workforce. The virtuous cycle of peace education requires not only self understanding but also valuing other person’s thoughts and emotions. This can be done through the medium of social emotional learning. Social Emotional Learning helps in achieving emotional intelligence which paves the way for peaceful coexistence. Peaceful nations come from peaceful societies and to build a peaceful society, individuals need to be at peace with themselves. For this, one needs to achieve social harmony and emotional understanding of self as well others in order to live their life upto fullest potential and capability. Amid rising cases of poor mental health and increased crimes, peace needs to be restored at all levels. Social Emotional Learning must acquire a centre stage in academic curriculum to nurture compassionate individuals, making peace more relevant and natural to follow.

Implementasi Pendidikan Sufistik Sebagai Penguatan Moderasi Beragama Di Perguruan Tinggi Melalui Pendidikan Agama Islam

This research aims to examine the implementation of Sufistic education as an effort to strengthen religious moderation in higher education. Through a literature study, this research analyzes various aspects related to Sufistic education, ranging from its impact on tolerance, radicalism, to its contribution in building a peaceful society. The results show that Sufistic education has significant potential in shaping the character of students who are religious, tolerant and moderate. The core values of Sufism such as compassion, tolerance, and humility are in line with the principles of religious moderation. Nevertheless, the implementation of Sufistic education still faces various challenges, such as the lack of competent human resources and cultural resistance. This study concludes that Sufistic education can be one of the solutions in overcoming the problem of radicalism and intolerance in Indonesia. However, more systematic and integrated efforts are needed to effectively implement Sufistic education in higher education.

Causes of Divorce in Yala Province, Thailand: Impacts and Suitable Solutions

This research aims to shed light on the issue of divorce within the family framework by analysing the causes leading to divorce and clarifying its negative effects on the Muslim community in Yala Province. The study also seeks to review the solutions proposed by the Islamic Council in divorce cases, focusing on the jurisprudential and legal aspects of these solutions. The researchers developed a primary research tool using the inductive method to trace the opinions of jurists by gathering relevant information from their works. A field study was conducted involving interviews, visits, and follow-ups with the Shariah judge and members of the Islamic Council in Yala Province. Among the key findings, the researchers identified the main causes of the high divorce rate in Yala Province: negligence of the husband's obligations towards the wife, lack of fairness between wives, involvement in drug and alcohol abuse, and ignorance of proper Islamic family laws. The study emphasizes the need for cooperation between Islamic councils and all relevant parties to address family issues within the community, especially at the governmental level, to promote a peaceful society and resolve family problems in general.

Polygamy in Islam: The Truth Unveiled

Marriage in Islam is a sign of god’s power and glory. The Quran says: “From his signs is that He has created for you spouses from yourselves that you may get peace and tranquility through them; He placed between you love and mercy. In these are signs for the people who reflect”. Islam did not invent the system of polygamy. It existed long before Islam came into the scene of world events. When it came into world scene in the seventh century of the Common Era, it inherited the existing marriage system. It is to the credit of Islam that it modified and reformed the system in existence at the time firstly by limiting the number of wives a person could have at a time i.e. four and secondly it put stringent conditions on a person who wanted to marry a second wife like his ability to maintain and provide for the family, to be fair and just to both the wives and so on. Islam is a practical religion; its laws are in line with human nature. It does not deny natural forces in humans; rather it confronts them and provides guidance to control the peace in society. If a man wants to fool around, Islam will hold him responsible and tie him down to duties towards that second wife and her children. If we talk of western countries, almost all have forbidden polygamy but adultery is most rampant in these countries. Many married men have mistresses or are involved in extra-marital affairs resulting in higher divorce rates, broken families and children growing without fathers. This paper explores the concept of polygamy and rulings through the realm of Quran and Hadith. It also clears the misconception associated with the eleven marriages that our beloved Prophet Muhammad[1] (SAW) solemnized and it also brings to bear that how Islam has given clear guidelines on all kinds of relationships: monogamy to polygamy. [1] The last messenger of Allah who brought Islam into existence

Obligation and Free Will: A Philosophical Study

Every person wants to keep the society healthy and for keeping the society healthy, various rules and regulations are necessary. But when the disciplinarian becomes a consumer rather than a protector, then people need freedom. They want to create a healthy society through free choice. Philosopher Jean Paul Sartre said in his existential philosophy about freedom that there are two types of being, being-in-itself and being-for-itself. Where being-in-itself is an entity that has no free choice, that cannot voluntarily change. Such as brick, wood, sand, stone etc. entities cannot change by themselves. But he admits another kind of being, which is being-for-itself or human being. By the free choice of human being can change themselves. By their free choice they can avoid immoral acts and does moral acts. One can choose what is universally good by avoiding what is universally evil. As a result of which a universally peaceful society can be developed. But the crucial question is whether people can choose freely? Have people choice anything freely? We observe that the freedom of one man in society is always limited to the tip of another man's nose. That is, people are bound by various chains as economic, social, political, religious, legal, etc. That is, he must choose within the limits. So, can people be truly free? Or can people be truly free to choose something? But in Sartre's existential philosophy, we notice that people are free by nature. That is, people always make free choices in one way or another or people must make some kind of independent choice every moment. For example, when my mother asks me to eat something, if I obey my mother and eat the food, then it is my own choice, and even if I do not take the food because I am not so hungry, it is also my free choice. That is, people make independent choices in every case or they must make independent choices. That is why he says that people are condemned to freedom. That is, people are forced to choose freely here. But the question: if people are forced to make free choices, is it real freedom? Such issues will be discussed critically in the said article. Again, an attempt will be made to assess such problems through Kant's concept of morality.

Gender inequality in education in the United States: evidence from PIAAC

The research on gender inequality in education covers an all-round and whole-process analysis of education’s access, process, and outcome. The Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) directly measures adults’ critical cognitive skills. It contains detailed information such as education history, employment history, and family background, which provides a data source that reveals the multidimensionality, continuity, and imbalance of gender inequality in the function of the whole education system. Taking the function mode of UNESCO (input-process-output-outcome-ultimate outcome) as the analysis framework, through the analysis of 12,330 samples of the US PIAAC survey, it is found that there is significant gender inequality in the US education, and inequality runs throughout the whole education system. This kind of inequality is complex. Although there is no absolute dominant gender, women are at a disadvantage on the whole. Solving the multidimensional gender inequality in education is crucial for realising all-around and substantive equality for its role in sustainable development, peaceful societies, and individual well-being.

Understanding Ukrainian military chaplains as defenders of the human soul.

The aim of this article was to explore the stresses of war on the human soul, utilizing empirical research on the experiences and contributions of military chaplains (MCs) in the war in Ukraine. The concept of the human soul was examined through a theoretical framework inspired by Mead's notions of the I and the Me. The I represented the unique, creative, and transcendent aspects of a person, while the Me reflected the cultural and social constructs that integrated individuals into broader socio-cultural contexts. This interplay between the I and the Me formed the basis for understanding the human soul as both transcending culture and deeply embedded within it. The empirical material was derived from a qualitative interview study conducted in 2024 with 12 Ukrainian MCs. Data analysis employed thematic coding using an inductive approach, resulting in the identification of key themes related to the moral, ethical, and character dimensions of military service. An abductive approach was employed in the analysis, which allowed concepts to cross-fertilize the key themes. The findings revealed that war disrupted the social structures, norms, and values that underpin peaceful societies, profoundly impacting the mental health of military personnel. MCs played a crucial role in mitigating these effects by fostering moral coherence, upholding ethical standards of the Me, and safeguarding the human Me of soldiers in the face of dehumanizing wartime conditions. Their work was deeply rooted in cultural and religious traditions, enabling them to address existential and moral issues that transcended the scope of conventional medical interventions. By offering confidential pastoral care, MCs created spaces for military personnel to process and interpret their experiences, reconnect with their moral and spiritual identities, or Me's, and maintain operational effectiveness. This pastoral, culturally grounded approach complemented-and, in some cases, surpassed-medical models in addressing the complex challenges of existential mental health during war. The article underscored the need for a more holistic understanding of war-related mental health challenges, emphasizing the importance of integrating cultural, moral, and religious/spiritual dimensions into care frameworks.

Challenges of Police Personnel during COVID-19: An Exploratory Study in Tangail, Bangladesh

COVID-19 pandemic created social upheaval and alters norms for all the members of society. In this case, law enforcement officers have to coordinate lockdown, encourage social distancing and enforce stay-at-home mandates amid completing their regular responsibilities. As a result, they have to face a lot of challenges to protect public health as well as law enforcement matters. In this context, this study identifies the nature of workload, stress and challenges faced by police personnel during COVID-19 as well as finding some preventive measure that should be taken in to cope up with pandemic situation like Covid-19. Quantitative research method is used here. By following census sampling and structured questionnaire data were collected from 120 police personnel from Tangail and Kalihati police station in Tangail, Bangladesh. Mainly, this study found that, the police personnel had taken huge regular workloads and performed extra duties (92%) during the pandemic with inadequate health related equipment (87%). As a result, they felt mental stress (51%) and no stress management program were provided to them (48%) although they need psychological help (37%). This study suggests that if we can ensure their all the necessary things that they needed, they can give their best to maintain peaceful society. The government as well as the police department must take necessary measures and arrange more inclusive psychological and physiological stress relief sessions which helps the personnel to cope with the challenges.

Implementasi Moderasi Beragama: Studi Penganut Tarekat Mu’tabarah di Kota Makassar

The research question explored in this exploration is ‘How is religious moderation implemented among followers of the Mu'tabarah Tariqah (authorized sufistic schools) in Makassar City? Data collection methods employed in this exploration comprise interview and observation, in addition to documents or literature related to the subject discussed. As for the approach, this inquiry applies philosophical and phenomenological approaches. Research findings indicate that religious moderation in the view of Mu’tabarah Tariqah followers means an attitude that accepts all differences, both in terms of beliefs and culture, by prioritizing justice, tasamuh (toleration) and tawazun (balance). Implementation of religious moderation comes to forms with ground principles comprising: 1). Tolerance is a basic teaching of Islam, which respects different religious beliefs and understandings as humans are essentially the same and equally come from God. In this sense harming or despising those with different religious beliefs is equivalent to harming or despising one’s own self. 2). Social service is carried out as a form of awareness as God’s creatures who must share and love each other. It is performed in the month of Ramadan and the Ied festival (Ied al-Qurban), or even at any time when someone needs help, for humans are essentially brothers who help each other. 3) Be religious with love, that is, religious teachings are carried out based on love, since all beings are God’s creation, and they must live side by side peacefully and full of love. The implementation of religious moderation among adherents of the Mu'tabarah Tariqah results in: a) creating peace in society, b) increasing bonds of brotherhood among human beings, even among fellow creatures, who will live in harmony and peace despite their different cultures and beliefs. Other words, the bonds of friendship between fellow creatures will be well established.

Oath-Taking, Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution in Traditional African Society: The Izzi Example

The reality of human history reveals the age-long traditions of different people in their quest for survival. Over the ages, African men have continued to search for peace and security in their immediate environment. Hence, to ensure that man lives safely and peacefully, the forefathers of different African societies invented the culture of oath-taking as a means of survival. This study thus examined the place of oath-taking in the lives of the Izzi people (a North Eastern Igbo sub-group, in South Eastern, Nigeria). The study drew data from interviews with key informants and also sought information from documents in order to come up with its conclusions. The study revealed that oath-taking was used in resolving conflicts in the Izzi clan. The importance of oath-taking is that it bonds society together and discourages different forms of violent behaviours. The implications became that in that traditional society, there was more peace in the izzi environment due to the peacebuilding contributions of oath-taking. The analysis led to the recommendation that the culture of oath-taking needs to be revived and promoted as a means of peacebuilding in African societies. This is fundamental as it will enhance advanced studies on oath-taking as a peacebuilding strategy that would help in creating a more peaceful society in the global village. Keywords: Oath-taking, Peacebuilding, Conflict resolution, the Izzi Clan, Nigeria, Africa.

The erosion of the spiritual dimension: A challenge for humanity's survival

Spirituality, as an intrinsic dimension of the human being, is essential for the construction of a just and peaceful society. This article examines the erosion of spirituality in contemporary contexts, identifying its consequences for humanity from anthropological and theological perspectives. Starting from the conception of the human being as a multidimensional entity, it explores how disconnection from the transcendent leads to existential and social impoverishment, manifested in attitudes of individualism, materialism, and the loss of ethical values. Through an analysis of sacred texts — such as the Christian Gospels, the Quran, the Torah, and the Vedas — and the reflections of authors like Clifford Geertz, Raimon Panikkar, and Émile Durkheim, this study underscores the need to restore spirituality as an essential component for humanity's survival. Finally, spirituality is proposed not as a functional tool but as an end in itself, fostering connection with others, universal love, and transcendence — indispensable elements for overcoming the ethical and social crises of modernity.