Peace on Earth

There is a delightful Tamil proverb:

“ஆம புகுந்த வீடும், அமீனா புகுந்த வீடும் உருப்படாது.”

Meaning: A house into which a tortoise enters, or a house into which the court peon (Ameena) enters with a legal notice—both will soon become deserted.

In the spirit of keeping our proverbs updated for modern global realities, perhaps it needs a slight revision:

“A country into which America enters… that country will soon become desolate.”

History has been conducting experiments on this proverb for decades now, and the results appear remarkably consistent—regardless of whether the White House is occupied by Republicans, Democrats, or whoever happens to be holding the nuclear football.

The irony becomes even richer when we remember that the world’s most powerful “Christian” nation is presently fighting for a Jewish (Zionist) state against a Muslim country.

Now the fascinating part: all three Abrahamic traditions proudly proclaim exactly the same message.

• Judaism greets the world with Shalom — peace.
• Christianity announces Peace on Earth and the Kingdom of God.
• Islam literally means Peace.

Three religions. One message.

And somehow, when geopolitics takes over, “peace on earth” quietly transforms into pieces of earth flying everywhere.

This reminds me of an old joke—originally told in a rather misogynistic way. Let us modernize it by replacing the word woman with American politician.

First person: What happens if one American politician goes to heaven?
Second person: One angel.

First person: If two go?
Second person: Two angels.

First person: If all American politicians go to heaven?

Second person (after a moment of deep reflection):
Peace on Earth.

Of course, the Abrahamic religions are also famous for another heroic concept: martyrdom—or shaheed. In many narratives it is celebrated so highly that one sometimes wonders whether attaining heaven has become easier through dying dramatically than through living peacefully.

The martyr becomes a saint on earth and is promised a splendid heaven full of divine rewards.

Meanwhile, in the process of qualifying for that heavenly package, humanity often manages to turn life on earth into something that suspiciously resembles the opposite destination.

Which is why the angels, if they are watching all this, must be slightly puzzled.

Every religion keeps announcing Peace on Earth.

And Earth keeps replying:

“Please send the peace first… before breaking us into several pieces.” Ashram, March 14, 2026