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Christian
religious leaders have conferred frequently among themselves and with
colleagues of other faiths about ways to work together
to
encourage the cessation of violence, and to promote peace with justice
between Israelis and Palestinians. One strategy on which leaders concur is
to use these “talking points for peacemaking.” Because these points for
peacemaking are ethical “middle axioms,” they should apply to any context
where conflict exists or is threatened – such as with Iraq and in
initiatives to counter terrorism. What follows are short, memorable phrases
that embody these points. We encourage people of faith to refer to these
points repeatedly in private and public conversations, in written statements
and in verbal presentations, among Christians and with Jews and Muslims,
here, in the Middle East, and beyond. All those who have participated in
developing this strategy hope that these points can be used to help
Christians, Jews, and Muslims address current crises and avoid future
conflicts. |
POINTS FOR PEACEMAKING
(Prepared by the Massachusetts Council of Churches)
Christians, Jews and Muslims believe that our
survival as peoples is dependent on adherence to the core principles of our
faiths. As members of faith communities, we affirm that the search for a
just peace in the Middle East, as well as in all conflicts among peoples and
nations, requires acknowledgment of, and adherence to, these shared
principles:
1.
Our shared heritage as children of God, of Adam and Eve, and of
Abraham, commanded to love God and one another.
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Lift
up common values. In the face
of those who attempt to use religion to divide, we affirm to one another,
and to the world, the shared principles for peace and unity that are
central teachings of our scriptures and traditions. |
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Do not demonize the Other.
People of faith should not demonize those of other faiths, or those who
hold opposing views, as inherently evil. |
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Respect human rights.
Basic human rights and dignity must be respected regardless of the
behavior or beliefs of the individual or group. |
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Avoid prejudicial stereotyping.
Criticism of policies or actions of opponents in a conflict should avoid
appeals to prejudice toward religious, racial or ethnic groups.
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Pray for enemies.
People of faith pray for our enemies, and seek reconciliation. |
2.
Our shared heritage as ethical religions —
God’s will is for a just and moral order.
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Promote justice.
Justice is the restoration of right relationships both with God and with
one another, in inter-personal, religious, political, and economic
relations. |
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Resist revenge.
Justice must not be confused with revenge and retribution. |
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Respect international law.
As members of a global family, we should hold each other accountable to
international laws, many of which are derived from commonly agreed upon
ethical standards in our religious communities. |
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Affirm that just ends are reached by just means.
Unjust behavior cannot be excused as serving a higher good. |
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Adhere to moral principles.
Citizens who also are people of faith should encourage their governments
to honor agreements, and remain committed to basic moral values, even when
opponents violate them. |
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Encourage peace talks without prior conditions.
Setting prior conditions tends to delay peace talks, which is contrary to
the mandate of faith traditions to seek peace and pursue it. |
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Do not empower extremists by abandoning agreements.
Threats to abandon agreements due to violations empower extremists to
disrupt any just peace-seeking process. |
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Protect civilian non-combatants.
All violence and human rights violations against civilian non-combatants
are immoral. Crimes against humanity do not justify crimes against
humanity. |
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Avoid double standards.
When criticizing or praising behaviors and policies, all parties in a
conflict are held to the same standards. |
3.
Our shared belief in God’s will as peace, both spiritual and temporal.
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Stay grounded in the peace of God.
To bring a convincing word of peace into situations of conflict,
peacemakers must be rooted in God’s peace, in order to sustain themselves
in the face of daunting obstacles. |
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Affirm that peacemaking is a process,
a way of thinking, and of being in relationships, as well as the final
goal. |
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Be active in the pursuit of peace.
A peacemaking spirit is not passive, but draws us into conflict with a
reconciling intention, modeling reconciling behaviors. Along with our
prayers and petitions to God, we act in the pursuit of peace. |
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Thanks to Fr. Drew
Christiansen, SJ and Dr. David Little from the "Stewards of Hope" series
who helped develop these recommendations, as well as Dr. Wanis-St. John,
Assistant Professor, school of Diplomacy and International Relations,
Seton Hall University. |
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