Inter-Religious Councils Tackle World's Conflicts

 

by Deidre May

Read the entire article at: http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0828-04.htm

"Whenever extremists attempt to hijack religion for violent ends, whenever politicians seek to exploit sectarian differences, and whenever the press mischaracterises our faith traditions, people of faith, religious communities and religious leaders must stand up, speak out and take action.''

 

 

Summary:

In a world where people increasingly kill and die for their faiths, inter-religious councils (IRCs) offer the one ray of hope against the relentless spiral of violence and counter-violence, say religious leaders gathered in this ancient Japanese cultural capital.

Some 2,000 of the world's top religious heads, representing such diverse faiths as Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, as well as indigenous belief systems, are participating in the World Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP) that got down to business on Saturday.

Taking place in the backdrop of the recent conflict in the Middle East between Israel and the Hizbollah in Lebanon and the alleged plans to bomb airliners midair, the world assembly of the WCRP plans to thoroughly examine over its four-day course the theme of 'Confronting Violence and Advancing Shared Security,' with IRCs and inter-faith understanding being given pride of place.

Significantly, the assembly is convening for the first time after the Sep. 11, 2001 aerial attacks on the United States.

''I believe it is possible for people to overcome differences in cultures and religions through dialogue and deepen mutual trust in order to overcome the difficulties and confrontations the world is confronted with," said Junichiro Koizumi, Prime Minister of Japan, which is hosting the meet after a gap of 36 years.

''Religious communities are gathering at a critical time because religion has been hijacked by extremists, politicians and the media,'' said William F. Vendley, secretary general of the New York-based Religions for Peace.

"Whenever extremists attempt to hijack religion for violent ends, whenever politicians seek to exploit sectarian differences, and whenever the press mischaracterises our faith traditions, people of faith, religious communities and religious leaders must stand up, speak out and take action.''

Already, IRCs have grown from 30, at the last world assembly in Amman in 1999, to over 70 at the present event, billed by the organizers as the largest non-sectarian coalition of religious groups in the world.

One of its publications, 'Women of the Book: A Jerusalem Collage' reflects the often painful and difficult process of Palestinian and Israeli women dialoguing.

 

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