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Synoptic Strand 3- Religion and Conflict Resolution - Coggle Diagram
Synoptic Strand 3- Religion and Conflict Resolution
Examples include:
Rev Demond Tutu (South Africa + Apartheid)
Rev Davey + corrymeela
NI Interfaith Forum
Crusades (failed)
Role of clergy/ churches in NI to facilitate the Peace Process- Father Alec Reid (RC), Rev Roy Magee (Presbyterian), Rev Harold Good (Methodist), Archbishop Eames (C. of. I)
Firstly
To blame religion as the main cause of conflict is simplistic & erroneous (wrong)
E.g. 9/11 attacks in the US, the violence in Pakistan and Afghanistan
In Balkan wars some chrisians and muslims defended their violence on ground of defending their religion
often conflict was about nationalism, ethnic differences & power politics e.g. Sunni's & Shiites in Iraq
distinction between religious & ethnic indentities is so unclear e.g. Sudan= Muslim North & Christian South
Arab- Israeli conflcit- concerns territorial sovereignity of the contested land
Robert Pape- survey of all suicide bombings since 1980's, that religious beliefs isn't a sufficient or necessary condition of such attacks, which appear to be a more politically motivated practice
Secondly
Religion has an influential role in conflict resolution which is often ignored
US became significantly involved in peace efforts in Sudan because American Evangelicals put pressure on politians
Myanmar- Buddhist monks used street protests & drew international attention in efforts to advocate peace & human rights in face of military oppression
Martin Luther King Jr- peaceful means e.g. civil disobedience & protests to demand an end to racial conflict and discrimination
inspired by Ghandi & his religiously inspired response to similar discrimination by British against Hindu's & other Indians
Christian religious teachers e.g. Trevor Huddleston & Desmond Tutu worked for destruction of Apartheid in Africa & for racial peace and equality in South Africa
made white South African Christians realise apartheid was incompatible with biblical teachings
Thirdly
Scriptures, beliefs and teachings of most religions promote peace, justice and reconciliation
Christ's forgiveness
e.g. Muder of Anthony Walker
mother forgave the killers and said that revenge wasn't her responsibility
Matthew 6 v 14
scriptures, beliefs, teachings, values of most religions promote justice, peace, forgiveness, reconciliation & opposed repression and injustice
urge & require followers to embody and advance these values & often support government policies and initatives which promote same goals
Fourthly
Religious leaders have a role in mediation & communication between opponents
2001- chief Rabbi of Israel & chief in Palestine sheikh, indicated to the United States Institute of Peace, wanted the Institute to facilitate for them signing of joint declaration of religious peace between Israel and Palestine
George Carey, then Archbishop of Canterbury- helped organise conference in Alexandria, Egypt 2002
Attended by top Jewish, Muslim & Christian leaders
signed declaration of religious peace- regular interfaith meetings have been held since
Council Of Religious Institutions in Holy Land set up by Jewish, Mulim and Christian leaders to promote religious peace
Fifthly
Interfaith Dialogue's Role
aim to create interfaith harmony, especially in situations of conflict
after 9/11, United States Institute of Peace organised interfaith dialogues to address tensions b/t Muslims and Christians
2007- 130 muslim religious leaders & intellectuals meet in Jordan and published 'A Comman Word between Us and You'
highlighted points muslims and christians agree on
many christian scholars & clergy issued a response in the US, indicating appreciation for & agreement with Muslim statement from Jordan
Vatican responded positively & Pope invited some of Muslims who signed statement to meet with him
in 'Religion and Meditation: The Role of Faith- based Actors in International Conflict Resolution' it is asserted that while religious hatred and bigotry are behind much conflict religion's role in peace-making and mediation is often neglected
political leaders can then build on the achievements of religious mediation
Finally
Hans Kung- Catholic theologian + President of World Ethic Foundation
presented statement in 2001 to the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York
included points relevant to role of religion in conflict resolution
world religions have inspired & justified violence and war
have also inspired understanding, reconciliation, co-operation & peace
inter-religious dialogue & co-operation have increased all over world
rediscovered that ethical teachings support and strengthen secular ethical values found in UDHR
at Parliment of World Religions in Chicago in 1993, over 200 representatives of all world religions expressed agreement on set of ethical principles which form basis of global ethic
4 central areas
non-violence
just economic order
tolerance
equal rights
political analyst predict 'clash of civilisations' in 21st century but can be avoided if realise certain points
no peace among nations, if no peace among religions
no peace among religions, without dialogue between religions
no dialogue between religions, without global ethical principles
no global peace & justice without new parodgirm of international relations based on global ethical principles