is religion the way to peace?

Plato, in effect, presents a peace plan based upon his city-state. The corollary to this is that a male perspective tends to be less personal, less caring, and more war-centric. Consequently, one must first interrogate these scriptural acts of violence in order to find solutions for peace and reduce violence. There are various Islam schools of thought and diverse movements in Judaism. The existentialist theologian John Macquarrie writes: By a metaphysical concept, I mean one the boundaries of which cannot be precisely determined, not because we lack information but because the concept itself turns out to have such depth and inexhaustibility that the more we explore it, the more we see that something further remains to be explored (1973, p.63), and further: If peace is fundamentally wholeness, and if metaphysics seeks to maximize our perception of wholeness and inter-relatedness, then peace and metaphysics may be more closely linked than is sometimes supposed; while, conversely, the fragmented understanding of life may well be connected with the actual fracturing of life itself, a fracturing which is the opposite of peace. Rev. They believe that everything, people, rocks, rivers, the sky, and indeed the universe, has spirit and soul. E.G. Religion was born from questions, he said. We have thousands of religions in the world. Rabbi Kevin De-Carli of the Geneva Interfaith Intercultural Alliance moderates the first session. Thus, attempts to specify what peace is are likely to be problematic. Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi explained how before the attack the Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev stood up in a mosque and argued against the imam, who was praising Martin Luther King. The teachings of Jesus and his apostles emphasized love of neighbor, including strangers and those of different ethnic backgrounds and races. For instance, the Seville Statement on Violence, sponsored by UNESCO, argues that war is a human invention. That is a concession which contrasts with the way that others have used just war theory, and in particular the work of Augustine, to justify and glorify war. Buddhism is a set of religious traditions geographically centered in Eastern and Central Asia, and based upon the teachings of Siddharta Gautama Buddha, although the dearth of any specific deity lead some to question whether Buddhism ought to be considered a religion. His relevance for a philosophy of peace in general may be found in his advocacy of tolerance in matters of religious doctrine. Ukraine 'peace summit' talks make progress but long way to go Recognizing inter-connectiveness of all living things. Know this and have peace. Again, these are focused on smaller (maybe important) issues, not on reflection about global peace and prosperity issues. Gandhi is also noteworthy in that he linked nonviolence with economic self-reliance. Religion, however, can play an important role in peace-making and conflict prevention and resolution. Rabbi De-Carli explained that the original plan for this conference to include a parallel youth panel could not be fulfilled because, as an officer of a paramedic military unit, he was ordered to combat the second wave of COVID-19 that is currently ravaging Switzerland and he couldnt mandate the original youth panel of GIIA for this conference. Rev. Existentialism may be defined in philosophical terms as the view that truth cannot be objectified, but rather it can only be experienced. The writings of Aristotle (384-322 B.C.E.) His thought is often categorized as late Roman or early medieval. In Sikhism, he said, feeding all people is a mandate that goes beyond barriers of religion and faiths, and this activity can be seen as a means to create a peaceful environment among human beings. The right to peace therefore serves that basic need for life, both in the sense of protection from violence but also in serving the interests of a good life. Dr. Simone Sinn of the Ecumenical Institute of Bogis-Bossey in Switzerland concisely presented 10 points affirming that religious actors either can be peacemakers or cause conflicts. She emphasized the need for youth to be taught an interfaith perspective. 27 Jun 2023 20:19:53 Our historical moment gives new urgency to these questions for activists, peace practitioners, and U.S. and international policymakers. Catholic Daily Mass - Daily TV Mass - June 22, 2023 - Facebook ROME (AP) Pope Francis' peace envoy arrived in Moscow on Tuesday in hopes of helping find "a solution to the tragic current situation" of the war in Ukraine, weeks after making a preliminary visit to Kyiv, the Vatican said.. Any attempt at a philosophy of a culture of peace is complex. From this, Sharp developed a program of nonviolent action, which works through subverting state power. Page, J.S. Copyright 2023 Pathways To Peace All rights reserved. A Christian critique of the proposed Voice to Parliament - ABC Religion There are basic belief systems that we might include in religion that do not broach this subject. The establishment of an empire may be seen as establishing a form of peace. Peace Is the Way: Bringing War and Violence to an End Another major issue that arises as to the basis of these texts for human reasoning to reach peace and prosperity is whats added to the Bible or other sacred texts. The Explanation is specifically interested in how they plan to bring about world peace. If we say that war and social injustice are inevitable, then there is little motivation to change. In some religions, it can be Gods, god or gods. The notions of positive and negative peace derive largely from the work of Galtung. The background of this had been the destructive religious wars of the time, and Locke logically suggests that this violence can be avoided through religious tolerance. Within the Tanakh (Hebrew Scriptures), the Torah (Law) describes peace as an ultimate goal and a divine gift, although at times brutal warfare is authorized; the Neviim (Prophetic Literature) develops the notion of the messianic future era of peace, when there will be no more war, war-making or suffering; and the Ketuvim (Wisdom Literature) incorporates notions of inner peace into Judaism, such as the idea that a person can experience peace in the midst of adversity, and the notion that peace comes through experience and reflection. As an illustration, Muslim actors have to answer difficult questions about identity and place attachment from young people. What are fundamental human interests? This right to peace has been further codified with United Nations General Assembly resolution 33/73, the Declaration on the Preparation of Societies for Life in Peace, adopted on 15 December 1978; with the United Nations General Assembly resolution 39/11, the Declaration of the Right of the Peoples of the World to Peace, adopted on 12 November 1984; and most recently with the United Nations General Assembly resolution 71/189, the Declaration on the Right to Peace, adopted on 19 December 2016. An important qualification, however, is that peace is also described as being, indirectly, a work of justice. For instance, Mohandas Gandhi described his theory of nonviolence as satyagraha, often translated as truth force. The argument is also made that war and patriarchy are part of the same system. Similarly, Gandhi entitled his autobiography The Story of My Experiments with Truth. Can religious factors better help groups to mobilize in the first place? You can selectively provide your consent below to allow such third party embeds. HW6vc6)WDBbd/I[, Although Erasmus wrote the work in debate with Martin Luther, Erasmus avoids polemics, is reticent to make assertions, strives for moderation, and is anxious to recognize the limitations of his argument. The exposition of this broad, 70-year pattern of religious power for nonviolent change focuses new questions for policymakers and for practitioners of peacebuilding. By implication, there is little value in moralizing about war, and moralizing about the need for peace. Some of the key themes articulated by King were the importance of loving ones enemies, the duty of nonconformity, universal altruism, inner transformation, the power of assertiveness, the interrelatedness of all reality, the counterproductive nature of hate, the insanity of war, the moral urgency of the now, the necessity of nonviolence in seeking for peace, the importance of a holistic approach to social change, and the notion of evil, especially as evidenced in racism, extreme materialism and militarism. The mean of each of the virtues described by Aristotle may be viewed as qualities conducive to peace. Samantha on Instagram: "It's been one year since the diagnosis. A year This can range from the Satanic Church to Social Church to Atheist mega Churches. Ultimate honor and respect must prevail for the privacy and sanctity of each individuals unique relationship to Deity. I ministered & reside in Paris, FR. The establishment of a stable state generally means that citizens can live and work free from violence, and ideally, at least in democratic states, within a framework of social justice. Peace: The Biblical Definition & Qualities - FaithGiant The empirical history of nonviolence suggests that this is not the case, and that there are almost always alternatives to violence. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948) is widely regarded as the leading philosopher of nonviolence and intrapersonal peace. UPF co-founder Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon emphasizes the feminine aspect of God, he said. Or perhaps . How can we ascertain whether to take them literally or figuratively or both? For instance, those such as Herbert Hart have argued that all rights stem from the equal right of all individuals to be free. Calleja relies strongly on the work of Immanuel Kant in developing this argument, and, in particular, on the Kantian notion of the categorical imperative, and in the subsequent categorical imperative of peace. De libero arbitrio is also useful for pondering a philosophy of peace in that the work presents an example of the idea that peace is a means or method, and not merely a goal. Peter Prove, Director of the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs at WCC, explained that effective and sustainable conflict and violence prevention is a long term project which can be greatly impacted by the inclusion of the younger generation. Postcolonial theory posits, in general terms, that not only has global colonial history determined the shape of the world as we know it today, but the power relationships implicit in colonialism have determined contemporary thinking. Religious actors are at the forefront of peace and conflict in communicating specific interpretations of a religion. Through an attitude of rigorous self-critique, religions can become a source of great strength and real contributors to peace in the world. With the generous support of stakeholders including Honeywell . In the context of The Explanation, where were looking for a solution to establish world peace, can religion in general offer solace? Will religion ever disappear? - BBC Future In particular, the mean of the virtue of andreia, usually translated as courage or fortitude, may be seen as similar to the notion of assertiveness, a quality which many writers see as important within nonviolence. One of the major responsibilities of the religions of the world is to promote peace and justice. Unfortunately, violent groups are very keen on using the violent trends of religious history and scripture to fuel their own agenda. The Pursuit of Peace When Religion Promotes Violence Research suggests some reasons why, and points to strategies for peace. The Protestants do not take this tradition into account in their doctrinal approach. However, this concession is by way of a lament for Augustine, as a mark that Christians are living in a temporal and fallen world. The legitimate use of violence finds its ultimate expression in the phenomenon of war. For instance, peace may be seen as a settled disposition on the part of the individual, that is, a virtue; peace may be seen as the avoidance of the destruction of war and social inequality; peace may be seen as the presence of just and stable social structures, that is, a social phenomenon; peace may be seen as love for the world and the future, that is, an aesthetic disposition; and peace may be seen as caring for individuals, that is, moral action. Is religion conducive to peace or the other around? - Quora "The daily practices suggested in this book offer readers a way to become more fully human and actively engaged as peacemakers in their homes and communities." Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Laureate, 1984, archbishop emeritus of Cape Town, and author of God Has a Dream: A Vision of Hope for Our Time "Deepak Chopra brings the idea of peace and the power it has over conflict, hatred, and . Many groups and beliefs could be discussed. Christianity has often emerged as a proselytizing and militaristic religion, and thus one often linked with violence. The question can be asked, is this divine revelation or human addition? If we examine world religious traditions and peace, it is appropriate that we examine Indigenous spirituality. Religion and peacebuilding refer to the study of religion's role in the development of peace. Is religion a barrier for peace? Moreover, as Dr. Thania Paffenholz explained, there is no such thing as a religious conflict in itself. KS3 Is religion a power for peace or does it cause conflict? It is noticeable that there seems to have been such an evolution in thinking about the human right to peace, in that this is gradually being interpreted to include other rights, such as the right to development. Privacy Policy, Introduction to Religion & Development Evidence, The 2022 State of the Evidence in Religions and Development Report, Religions, Humanitarianism & Development Reading Group, Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE), Youth & Interfaith: Research Capacity Building Project, Faith Actors & the Global Compact on Refugees, Guide to Excellence in Evidence for Faith Groups, Anti-Human Trafficking & Modern Slavery Learning Hub, Ending Violence Against Children Learning Hub, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, & Learning Hub, East Africa Hub on Governance, Peacebuilding, & Local Faith Actors, Syria Hub on Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) & Culture, Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers. Religious Sources for a Philosophy of Peace It is logical that we should examine the theory of peace as set down in the teachings of some of the world's major religious traditions, given that, for most of human history, people have viewed themselves and the world through the lens of religion. Idealism can be lethal. Equally, however, each of the above may also be argued as providing an ethical and philosophical basis for a general theory of peace. If you are using our Services via a browser you can restrict, block or remove cookies through your web browser settings. From thinking about the world [and] about ourselves.. Religion is part of humanity, part of human history. He spoke about his time as a special envoy for the EU: Freedom without responsibility will not work, it will die. He also said: Religious leaders and faith-based organizations should promote openness of minds and hearts, and they should be very active in dialogue oriented toward truth, justice, [and the] common good. He also emphasized human rights for all and following the teachings of Jesus to love all people. Thus any philosophy of peace education is very closely linked with what might be seen as a philosophy of peace. Yes, its fractioned, but all supposedly believe in love and compassion. The Renaissance was a period of a revival of learning in Europe, and it is often identified as a period of transition from the medieval to the modern. Another emerging theme in peace theory has been the notion of peace as a human right. Thus, the powerless tend to be marginalized in contemporary thinking. Contact Home Ecumenical & Interreligious Affairs Interreligious In today's increasingly globalized world, as the vast human society finds itself everyday more intimately connected across the geographical, cultural, and religious boundaries, one cannot underestimate the impact of the Church's interreligious undertaking. It is also noteworthy that Buber emphasized that all authentic life involves encounter. Eventually the original concepts of Christianity became contaminated by the divisive forces of philosophy, tradition, and nationalism. 2 It is usually accompanied by a set of organised practices which foster a community of people who share that faith. The way to peace | WORLD As Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi explained, such a label of violence and extreme ideology imposed on Islam and Muslims is very unfortunate, as Islam teaches, supports and engages in precepts of peace. And how might spiritual ideas and practices help groups overcome setbacks? 16 0 obj << /Length 17 0 R /Filter /FlateDecode >> stream Martin Pilka from the Czech Republic, the national president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, began his talk by directly tackling the topic at hand: I realize that it is our personal choice whether we are the way to peace, or a cause of conflict. Johan Galtung (1930 -) is widely recognized as the leading contemporary theorist on peace, and he is often described as the founder of contemporary peace theory. Religion and Peace | Beyond Intractability A decade later religious engagement remains a vital but underdeveloped capacity in U.S. foreign policy, and the strategys 10th anniversary offers a natural opportunity to revitalize strategic thinking and spur new action on this agenda. We should try to create one human family under God, he said. This is not to deny those critics who point out that human rights can function as a rationale for the powerful to engage in collective violence, and that there can be a tension between human rights and national sovereignty. The logic for this is that throughout most of human history, people have viewed themselves and reality through the lens of religion. Erasmus is quoting from the Greek poet Pindar, and in this adagium he is, in effect, presenting a cultural view of war, namely that war is at least superficially attractive. Learning Hubs The emergence of the modern human rights movement arose very much out of the chaos of global war and the emerging consensus that the recognition of human rights was the best way to establish and maintain peace. Youth cannot relate easily to institutionalized religions, which they see as inflexible, he said. He spoke of his own experiences in UPFs Middle East Peace Initiative, which took place in Jerusalem in 2003. In other words, if we assert that peace, relative or absolute, is not attainable, then there will be a reduced expectation of this, and a reduced commitment to making this happen. Religious concepts of redemption and forgiveness underpin key post-conflict . In Gandhism, peaceful means become united with and indistinguishable from peaceful ends, and thus the call for peace by peaceful means. Then theres the additional issue of the role tradition plays in religion. Read pages 1617 from the Look Inside excerpt) Often times there are narratives where no human was present (at Creation or for prophetic Revelations). Postcolonial peace theory intersects with much feminist peace theory, represented by writers such as Elizabeth Boulding, Cynthia Enloe, Nel Noddings, and Betty Reardon. Ive already discussed philosophy and shown why, in fact, Hinduism and Buddhism are part of that thought pattern and not considered religions. Another way of articulating the idea of existentialist peace is by referring to the metaphysics of peace. This utopian society suggested by More reflects a broad theory of peace. Ste 100-514 It is not too difficult to see Eros as a synonym for peace, in that peace involves all that Eros represents. &sA0P *5h%FhmG?iQ~@-{/*9rjI-M?h}gs.ee&nx!0+AYqem'd$nXv\ VsgQ,^&6/+Kg` ?f3Q\pC'`)Xii3G@H+ But we have a long way to go. I hope all these laws he's try to get on guns on us his guards are included It is useful to enquire what commonalities we might discern in religious traditions regarding peace, and it seems fair to say that peace is usually viewed as the ultimate goal of human existence. Jn Fige from Slovakia, a former European Commission special envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion outside the European Union. The right to life and the right not to be harmed arguably anticipate the later notion of the right to peace. It has a similar meaning to the Hebrew word but adds a different definition of the Messiah's peace or the path to peace or salvation. The relationship can be seen to operate at a number of levels. Interestingly, Aristotle sees the telos or goal of life as eudaimonia, or human flourishing, a concept similar to the ideals set forth in writing on a culture of peace. In his 1516 book De optimae rei publicae statu deque nova insula utopia (On the Best Government and on the New Island Utopia), More outlines an ideal society based upon reason and equality. Finding an identity and a sense of belonging is particularly pivotal for young people turning increasingly towards secularism and questioning the legitimacy of their politicians. Pathways To Peace (PTP) is an international Peacebuilding, educational, and consulting organization. Most religions have emphasized three meanings or levels of peace. Conversely, it can be argued that philosophy itself represents the presence of peace, in that philosophy generally does not or should not involve assumptions that one person or group by itself uniquely possesses truth, but rather the way to truth is through a process of questioning, sometimes called dialectic. What is finally of value? In general terms, one may differentiate negative peace, that is, the relative absence of violence and war, from positive peace, that is, the presence of justice and harmonious relations. on Twitter: "RT @animolenikun: Your Religion is not the only way to In: N.J. Young (Ed.). Religion is the only one of the four reasoning patterns that believes exactly the opposite. But the true metaphysical dimensions of peace emerge because even to seek a wholeness for human life drives us to ask questions which take us to the very boundaries of understanding. One central human problem for humanists, and indeed for many thinkers, was and is the phenomenon of war, and Renaissance humanists refused to see war as inevitable and unchangeable. Although fairly widespread there is no concerted proposition to reach a goal of world peace and prosperity. Revise the meaning of Buddhahood and its sister philosophical counterparts as the goal for Eastern spirituality. Book Two of Utopia provides the solution, with a description of an agrarian equalitarian society; where there is no private property; where the young are educated into pacifism; where war itself only resorted to for defensive reasons or to liberate the oppressed from tyranny; where psychological warfare is preferred to battle; and where there are no massacres nor destruction of cities. Secular participants were surprised and impressed when a Salafi woman asked if they wanted the conversation to be conducted in Arabic, English or French. Sections 2 through 5 take an historical-philosophical approach, examining what key philosophers and thinkers have said about peace, or what might be ascertained for possible foundations for a philosophy of peace from their work. Polands Solidarity movement used street protests, strikes, satire, vigils and Catholic masses to challenge communist rule, working in alliance with the Catholic church. There is also a common conflict between universalism and particularism within religious traditions, with particularistic emphases, such as in the notion of the Chosen People, arguably embodying the potential for exclusion and violence. Will theory focuses on the capacity of individuals for freedom of action and the related notion of personal autonomy. Islam is a religion of peace in the fullest sense of the word. Philosophy of Peace | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy The debate aimed to tackle questions such as: What are the reasons behind this history of religious conflict and what proposals can be made to reconcile, and build necessary trust? For instance, Catholicism has the magisterium which gives authority to the highest clerics to interpret the Word of God in the largest sense of the term, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition. It is in defining and understanding the exceptions that there is a degree of complexity. Read part one, part two and part three.. There is an established scholarly tradition that interprets communism, the theory and system of social organization based upon the writings of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, as a form of nontheistic religion. Psychiatrist and peace activist Eric Fromm developed this theme further, writing of biophilia as the love of life, from which all peace comes, and necrophilia, as the love of death and destruction, which is the basis of war. This is captured in the adage that my right to swing my fist ends at another persons nose. The thought of Gandhi has been influential in the development of the intrapersonal notion of peace, that peace consists not so much as a set of conditions between those in power, but rather the inner state of a person. All world religions are already for world peace in this way, as are all humanitarians of whatever ideology; 4.

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is religion the way to peace?