November 21 is World Hello Day. You too can be a part of the 36th annual event by greeting 10 people and thereby demonstrating the importance of personal communication for preserving peace.

While I appreciate the idea, I immediately suspected its roots were buried somewhere in academia. Sure enough, a Ph.D. from Arizona State and a graduate from Harvard work to continue the tradition. I'm sure they are nice people with lovely families.

There is a sense of irony that comes after seeing years of double standards and departmental gossip in my own college experience. Often the very professors who are so eager to preach peace and love are found badmouthing their colleagues regarding tenure, professionalism, or a host of other topics. They tend to be the same people who are "best friends" to their teenage children rather than responsible parents. Professors, like all of us, often mean well. We say that we want peace but aren't willing to make the tough choices every day to promote such an agenda. Fortunately, you can recognize a tree by its fruit.

So do it. Say hello to ten people and talk about world peace. I will do the same. But take the words of Jeremiah 8:11-12 with you:

11 They dress the wound of my people
       as though it were not serious.
       "Peace, peace," they say,
       when there is no peace.

 12 Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct?
       No, they have no shame at all;
       they do not even know how to blush.
       So they will fall among the fallen;
       they will be brought down when they are punished,
       says the LORD.

We aren't ashamed of our own loathsome conduct. We have no shame and yet we are quick to point the finger. Peace is more than just friendly talk. Let's start by treating our janitors respectfully and worry about writing that manifesto later.