So the banner headline this morning was the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to President Obama. Personal politics aside, I consider this a fairly ridiculous selection. Nine months in to his Presidency, I don't see that he has done anything to promote peace.
Just to make sure I understand the qualifications for such an honor, I checked with the Nobel Committee, and found the requirements, as listed in the Founders Last Will and Testament:
"The whole of my remaining realizable estate shall be dealt with in the following way: the capital, invested in safe securities by my executors, shall constitute a fund, the interest on which shall be annually distributed in the form of prizes to those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind. The said interest shall be divided into five equal parts, which shall be apportioned as follows: one part to the person who shall have made the most important discovery or invention within the field of physics; one part to the person who shall have made the most important chemical discovery or improvement; one part to the person who shall have made the most important discovery within the domain of physiology or medicine; one part to the person who shall have produced in the field of literature the most outstanding work in an ideal direction; and one part to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses. The prizes for physics and chemistry shall be awarded by the Swedish Academy of Sciences; that for physiological or medical work by the Caroline Institute in Stockholm; that for literature by the Academy in Stockholm, and that for champions of peace by a committee of five persons to be elected by the Norwegian Storting. It is my express wish that in awarding the prizes no consideration whatever shall be given to the nationality of the candidates, but that the most worthy shall receive the prize, whether he be a Scandinavian or not."
Last time I checked, President Obama has increased the numbers of troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. And as far as I have been able to determine, he has not promoted and held a peace congress. For those reasons alone, I fail to see how he qualifies. In fact, it seems to me he has just the opposite qualifications.
I read a comment in the news today, and the person felt that the committee was making a political statement, and that really the selection was based mostly on the fact that President Obama was not President Bush, and that to Europe, that alone meant a more peaceful world. Talk about aiming low. I wonder if 9/11 had been directed against Scandinavia, and thousands of people in Oslo or Stockholm had died as a result, if the Nobel committee might be able to get an understanding of how President Bush could have been elected. As in most things, I guess it depends on your personal perspective.
That said, I personally believe in the Lord's statement in the Doctrine and Covenants, to "renounce war and proclaim peace." And I read today about a group that is doing just that, so I put them forward for my personal vote for the Nobel Peace Prize: The founders of the BYU International Law and Religion Symposium. Every year, they bring together 75 delegates from 45 countries, all of whom represent many different religions, to discuss ways they can effectively bring about freedom of religion around the world. What better way is there to fulfill the Lord's commandment, and also the requirements for the Peace Prize. Just consider how freedom of religion could promote human rights, non-violence, and democracy around the world.
And that's what I have to say about that.
To read more about the goals of the Symposium, check out Lee Benson's article in the Deseret News: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705335525/Quietly-working-toward-freedom.html
Just to make sure I understand the qualifications for such an honor, I checked with the Nobel Committee, and found the requirements, as listed in the Founders Last Will and Testament:
"The whole of my remaining realizable estate shall be dealt with in the following way: the capital, invested in safe securities by my executors, shall constitute a fund, the interest on which shall be annually distributed in the form of prizes to those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind. The said interest shall be divided into five equal parts, which shall be apportioned as follows: one part to the person who shall have made the most important discovery or invention within the field of physics; one part to the person who shall have made the most important chemical discovery or improvement; one part to the person who shall have made the most important discovery within the domain of physiology or medicine; one part to the person who shall have produced in the field of literature the most outstanding work in an ideal direction; and one part to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses. The prizes for physics and chemistry shall be awarded by the Swedish Academy of Sciences; that for physiological or medical work by the Caroline Institute in Stockholm; that for literature by the Academy in Stockholm, and that for champions of peace by a committee of five persons to be elected by the Norwegian Storting. It is my express wish that in awarding the prizes no consideration whatever shall be given to the nationality of the candidates, but that the most worthy shall receive the prize, whether he be a Scandinavian or not."
Last time I checked, President Obama has increased the numbers of troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. And as far as I have been able to determine, he has not promoted and held a peace congress. For those reasons alone, I fail to see how he qualifies. In fact, it seems to me he has just the opposite qualifications.
I read a comment in the news today, and the person felt that the committee was making a political statement, and that really the selection was based mostly on the fact that President Obama was not President Bush, and that to Europe, that alone meant a more peaceful world. Talk about aiming low. I wonder if 9/11 had been directed against Scandinavia, and thousands of people in Oslo or Stockholm had died as a result, if the Nobel committee might be able to get an understanding of how President Bush could have been elected. As in most things, I guess it depends on your personal perspective.
That said, I personally believe in the Lord's statement in the Doctrine and Covenants, to "renounce war and proclaim peace." And I read today about a group that is doing just that, so I put them forward for my personal vote for the Nobel Peace Prize: The founders of the BYU International Law and Religion Symposium. Every year, they bring together 75 delegates from 45 countries, all of whom represent many different religions, to discuss ways they can effectively bring about freedom of religion around the world. What better way is there to fulfill the Lord's commandment, and also the requirements for the Peace Prize. Just consider how freedom of religion could promote human rights, non-violence, and democracy around the world.
And that's what I have to say about that.
To read more about the goals of the Symposium, check out Lee Benson's article in the Deseret News: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705335525/Quietly-working-toward-freedom.html
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