An idea of world peace and justice...
You know, I could make the soft argument for action-or I could make the more muscular one. The soft argument you've all heard before. People are dying over there, needlessly dying, at a ridiculous rate and for the stupidest of reasons: money. They're dying because they don't have a pound a day to pay for the drugs that could save their lives.
Pound or Euro, they really don't care. There are hard facts that make up the soft argument. This soft, moral case I know you understand. And if you're already converted, you don't need me preaching at you. Though I must admit enjoy it. So let me make the other, more muscular argument. I know you can take it.
Let's get real here on a couple of things - let's get to some uncomfortable truths. Let's be clear about what this problem is and what this problem isn't. Firstly, this is not about charity, it's about justice. Let me repeat that: This is not about charity, this is about justice. And that's too bad. Because you're good at charity. The British, like the Irish, are good at it. Even the poorest neighbourhoods give more than they can afford.
We like to give, and we give a lot. But justice is a tougher standard. Africa makes a fool of our idea of justice; it makes a farce of our idea of equality. It mocks our pieties, it doubts our concern, it questions our commitment.
"
To read the full story, visit U2.com
1999
U2 took part in the New York NetAid Concert. The concert, put on by NetAid to raise money to try and help relieve poverty throughout the world. Through their participation, U2 helped NetAid launch a worldwide campaign to promote a massive decrease in the poorest of the poor in the world.
In addition, Bono, U2's lead singer, met with His Holiness Pope John Paul II on September 23, as part of a delegation from the Jubilee 2000 Caolition.
In a statement following the private meeting with the Pope, said Bono of people in general,
"They want to be part of a bigger idea, to effect the structure of this economy, and this is the biggest and best idea that any of us have heard to deal with such a problem on such a scale."
His Holiness then came fouth with the statement that,
"The Catholic Church looks at the situation with great concern, not because she has any concrete technical model of development to offer, but because she has a moral vision of what the good of individuals and of the human family demands."
1997
In 1997, U2 participated at the Tibetan Freedom Concert. Several bands played at the concert in order to raise money for the defense of the Tibetan people who were being taken advantage of. The peaceful country of Tibet was invaded by Communist China in 1950. Since that time, more 1.2 million Tibetans have been killed, 6000 monasteries have been destroyed, and thousands of Tibetans have been imprisoned. (some of this information is from iZine)
Shane's U2 homepage
>>Back to Shane's theology homepage
WEBMASTER FOR THIS PAGE: Shane Mulligan
EMAIL WEBMASTER AT: [email protected]