The rainbow never sets

itself to corruption, when we have one that guards against it? I prefer a Uniting Church, where the spokesperson, or the head, is elected for a limited time, but has no authority to act on his or her own behalf.

How do I see co-operation with churches which have different forms of government, and indeed, different theologies? I have always felt that the Christian church should be one, but since my own unpleasant experience with my colleagues who went against the decision of the Presbyterian church to unite with the Methodist and Congregational churches, I believe that there should be unity in diversity. To me the ecumenical movement is a genuine attempt by member churches, to come closer together as churches, and co-operate wherever possible. There should be such co-operation between the different denominations that wherever local churches decided to form one church, this should be encouraged. But I would certainly not favour one monolithic universal church, governed by one or a small elite.

That I have been involved in the peace movement, was already mentioned. I was motivated by the conviction that wars and violent conflicts do not solve any problems. After each war the leaders of the warring nations have to sit down and negotiate. Why can't they do it before they go to war? I know, that many people in power simply don't want to do this, like Hitler, but it is important that the people know that war is not the answer. I was sensitive enough to see through all the propaganda of the cold war years, when the West did its best to provoke and arm itself to the teeth, hoping the East would start a war. One need not be a scientist to foresee the utter disaster and destruction that a nuclear war would have brought. At times I doubted the sanity of our leaders, who were unashamedly suggesting that such a war was winnable. But where were the churches in those days? Their silence was stunning.

I believe that consistent opposition and popular demonstrations, such as were held on Palm Sundays the world over, deterred the powers that be from starting a war. It was people power that did it. People power also eventually broke down the wall in Berlin, and lifted the 'iron curtain', that separated the East from the West. I see all this connected with our spirituality, the spirituality that knows what is right and wrong, and sees the connection between our faith in God, and how we live our daily lives. To be involved in the arms race, even to work in the nuclear arms industry or in a factory where weapons for export are manufactured, is against the spirit of God and is incompatible with my faith. It is for these reasons that our peace group in Canberra staged protests against the Australian Industries Defence Exhibition (AIDEX) in November 1989.

My commitment for peace is not only based on the biblical concept of peace/shalom, but also on the way Jesus lived and died in utter powerlessness. Jesus has turned our concept of power completely upside down. Weakness has become strength. Power has become powerlessness. Turning the other cheek has more force than a retaliatory punch. I had

466