Author: PEDRO ARTURO ROJAS ARENAS

Publisher: PEDRO ARTURO ROJAS ARENAS

Published: 2023-07-14

Total Pages: 172

ISBN-13: 6500726693

Here is a reading of the Colombian and South American reality, with its clashes over the application of methods and practices based on essentially materialist ideologies, which occurred in the 50s, 60s and 70s, with the author Pedro Arturo Arenas experiencing many of the social challenges, concepts and spirituality of that time. “Love in times of war” offers a panoramic photograph of the transformations that took place in Latin America, especially from the end of the 1950s onwards, a period of great social changes and full of illusions, many of which ended up dragging entire populations into especially youth, to embark on a quest for collective justice, but which in the end led to immense frustrations and tragic results in some countries. The unrestricted exercise of doctrines and dogmas, both on the left and on the right, finally produced an increase in social and economic disparities evident in many parts, stimulating and intensifying class struggles, such as the emergence of resistance movements. peasant and working class, urban guerrillas and other forms of violence, without achieving their goals. Without adequately responding to the aspirations of collective justice, such ideologies deepened the abyss between poverty and wealth, producing even more greater apathy, hopelessness and disillusionment in the hearts of the impoverished and anguished masses in countless parts of the planet. The search for a more just social order continued to lead Pedro Arenas through tortuous paths and intellectual clashes until, after a long and arduous journey, he found himself disenchanted with the political practice of members of supposed socialist organizations, realizing then the limitations of ethical and spiritual nature of the cited movements, especially in the daily interrelationships of the members of these organizations that, in turn, ignored or despised the evident religiosity of the Colombian peasants. With the new possibilities, a new world opened before his eyes, when he reunited with his old friend Gabriel Branco, through whom he learned about the Bahá'í teachings. Upon investigating the subject more deeply, he was led to conclude that such teachings constituted an incomparable social and spiritual project of a magnitude never before imagined. Leaving behind his past as a union and political activist, Pedro Arturo was now seeking new horizons of understanding, reaching the conclusion that social and political transformations are incomplete, unless they advance concomitantly with a deep spiritual transformation, and that the way to establish a new order in human affairs requires the use of new means and methods. From those new teachings emerged the understanding that conflict resolution can take place through methods of consultation and dialogue; that humanity cannot continue to be sacrificed for the maintenance of certain outdated postulates; that the sole purpose of legal norms as well as political and economic theories is the protection of the common interests of all peoples; that love for the homeland, although legitimate, needs to give way to a broader loyalty, that is, to love for humanity as a whole and, as a consequence, for the concept of world citizenship. That all kinds of prejudices need to be abandoned; that new institutions need to be erected; that the recognition of ethnic, climatic, historical, idiomatic and traditional diversity, thoughts and customs, can help to promote “a broader loyalty, a greater aspiration” that contemplates the uniqueness of humanity; that the maintenance of order can be sustained by a “single code of international law”, by an Executive and a Parliament and a World Supreme Court; that the Cause of Peace can be achieved through a binding treaty, with inviolable and clearly defined clauses, fruit of a broad global consensus. Inspired by these principles and a clear vision, Pedro Arenas rose to promote these teachings, traveling and supporting local Bahá'í activities and institutions in Colombia, where he learned about the exciting experience and fieldwork of the Rural University – FUNDAEC and the Ruhí Institute. Served as a Bahá'í pioneer in El Salvador, Central America, during a period of great uncertainty and conflict between the army and the FFLN; collaborated in activities to promote the Institute of Bahá'í training in indigenous areas on the borders of Brazil, Colombia and Peru, as well as dedicated a brief period of his life in the archipelago of Cape Verde, on the African coast, and later - now back to Brazil – in the region of Northeast, where he established himself as a Bahá'í pioneer – working as a professor linked to the Rio Grande do Norte State University. Finally, Pedro Arturo dedicates the last chapters and some accompanying texts to remembering relatives and friends, both from the oldest and most recent times, dedicating to them lines of recognition, affection and high esteem, all as a reflection and demonstration of his love and ample thanks to the Beloved of his heart, Bahá'u'lláh, for guiding him and enabling him to reach a height of achievement and joy. The whole story is told with the enthusiasm of one who was an active protagonist and is testimony to the personal transformations experienced by the author under the influence of Bahá'u'lláh's Revelation. This young Colombian seeker, like many others of his age and generation, was galvanized by the overwhelming strength and foresight of the Bahá'í teachings and still continues untiring in his efforts in the challenging task of contributing – each in a humble way and according to his abilities – in the construction of that new order advocated by Bahá’u’lláh.