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Kelowna BC Canada
Telephone 250.870.2690
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The Just War

AND THE NEW WORLD ORDER
» Thursday 4 February 2010 | 5 pm
» The Bohemian Café, 524 Bernard Avenue
An informal afternoon hour showcasing ideas
and people in the Okanagan creative economy. Join us as distinguished pastor and scholar Chris Harwood-Jones leads a spirited examination of our changing attitudes about our conduct in the ever more troubled geopolitical world.
» $2 at the door. Refreshments are available at a modest cost.
» Seating is limited, please reserve yours HERE
The Troubled Logic of Might and Right
When a Civil Society goes to war there is always a reaction and debate. About the cost; about the cost in lives; about its winnability; about the "real reason" for engaging in hostilities. This debate has been particularly difficult for Canadians who have grown used to viewing ourselves as "Peace Keepers". Often lost in this debate is the possibility of entering into war for a just cause and conducting it justly. Is there such a thing these days as "Just War"?
The traditional criteria developed by Augustine in the 4th century were rules for Christians to kill fellow Christians, usually only with swords and certainly not with smart bombs or drones! These minimal rules covered the right to go to war; a just cause; made by a competent authority; with right intention and right conduct of war; proportionality (don't drop The Bomb on Luxemburgh) and discrimination (not targetting civilians or infastructure).
On Thursday, February 4th at 5 pm the ongoing weekly Okanagan Institute Express series at the Bohemian Café presents The Just War: Canada and the New World Order. Join us as distinguished pastor and scholar Chris Harwood-Jones leads a spirited examination of our changing attitudes about our conduct in the ever more troubled geopolitical world.
Harwood-Jones has conducted several courses for people wanting to gain a better understanding of our reasons for being in Kosovo, for not being in Iraq and for being deeply in a shooting war in Afghanistan. After finding himself in a world of hurt after preaching about Nato's involvement in Kosovo and being labeled naive, soft headed and uninformed he engaged in a long period of self directed study to understand Just War Theory in its classical statement as well as modern applications, including the "hard" and "soft" arguments used to support or condemn the pursuit of war in Iraq or Afghanistan or even Iran or North Korea.
This presentation on our understandings of Just War will provide time for discussion and reflection as a group on its application to our present world involvement.
Rev. Canon Chris Harwood-Jones is an Anglican parish priest at All Saints Parish in Vernon, BC. His research into the moral complexities of war and peace began in earnest when he publicly protested the NATO bombing of Kosovo and was criticized as naive by NATO supporters both within and beyond his own faith community. Consequently he spent the next few years delving into historical writings from ancient Greece through to 20th-century figures such as Reinhold Neibuhr and John Howard Yoder, as well as deepening his understanding of contemporary international politics, economics and warfare. He has lectured on the topic in various local and church settings, including the 2005 Remembrance Day ceremony in Coldstream, BC. Chris has an LlB from the University of Manitoba and an MDiv from the Vancouver School of Theology.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER ONLINE CLICK HERE

The Just War: Canada and the New World Order takes place at the Bohemian Café. This marks the 124th event the Okanagan Institute has held since the Express series got underway in July 2007.
Express has played host to many Okanagan luminaries, including former deputy secretary general of Amnesty International Derek Evans, artists Lee Claremont and Gary Pearson, BC Book Award nominee Don Gayton, CBC Literary prize winner poet Harold Rhenisch, distinguished editor and author Jim Taylor, poet laureate and professor John Lent, animator and filmmaker Jim Cliffe, community activist Don Elzer, dancer David LaHay, architect Jim Meiklejohn, culinary artist and writer Heidi Noble, broadcaster Marion Barschel and many others from a wide range of creative fields.
A Program of ArtsCare in association with the Okanagan Institute. At the Rotary Centre for the Arts. Sponsored by The Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Programs. To register or for more information: www.sage-ing.com Take this unique opportunity to explore your creative urges.

The Habitat/Hospice Art Auction Fundraiser event, a Comedy/drama play called ART followed by art auction takes place Saturday February 6th at Habitat, 248 Leon Avenue, Kelowna. Doors open at 6 pm for art viewing, live play at 7 pm,auction at 8:30 pm. Cash bar and kitchen open until midnight. Tickets $20 available at www.hospicecoha.org or by calling the Hospice office at 250.763.5511.
The Okanagan Institute is a group of creative professionals that has gathered around the goal of providing events, publications and services of interest to enquiring minds in the Okanagan. We partner with individuals, organizations, institutions and businesses to achieve optimal creative and social impact.
Our mission is to ignite cultural transformation, catalyze collaborative action, build networks and foster sustainable creative enterprises. We invite the participation by all members of the creative community.
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