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As war begins, interfaith forum explores 'Resistance and Reconciliation'
2003-070-4
4/1/2003
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[Episcopal News Service]
In a free society, all are responsible. That was among observations of four panelists--all religious leaders opposed to the war on Iraq--at a March 25 forum, 'From Winning the War to Winning the Peace: An Interfaith Dialogue on Resistance and Reconciliation.' More than 100 people filled the Great Choir of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City for the forum. Panelists offered reflections that spanned disciplines of the mystical, historical, political, theological, psychological and more.
Muslim Sheikh Tosun Bayrak of the Jerrahi Order of America, a Muslim, called on a colleague to recite from the Koran, a recitation that echoed through the vast Cathedral nave. Then he translated and explored the beauty of the human being--body, mind, soul and will. 'The soul ... manifests itself through speech, which can be as sweet as honey and destructive as the atom bomb. When the tongue babbles and says things like 'they underestimated me' it becomes a poisonous laxative,' he said.
Bishop Mark Sisk of the Episcopal Diocese of New York told the gathering, 'Because this is a democratic republic, we can't say of our government, 'that's them,' because in a democratic society it's me.' Noting that Episcopalians are far from unanimous in their views of the war, he continued, 'The structure of our society depends on speaking out and it is required if our culture and government are meant to be all they are meant to be.'
'In a free society,' said Rabbi Arthur Waskow of the Shalom Center, 'some are guilty, all are responsible.' Affirming that Jewish tradition requires debate on war and peace, he observed, 'Communities with a sense of power can turn power into an addiction and a willingness to destroy for what they see as holy.' Now that there's war, Waskow said, 'I think there is something new in the situation we face. Bush, Exxon, Mobil are all right--the planet is a single community. Bush thinks the right thing to do is to govern everyone else. We don't think that's safe or right.'
'We have a responsibility to engage in the political process and raise up good elected officials who will make a difference. This is at least a 10-12 year process. Campaign finance reform is part of this,' said Dr. Bob Edgar, a United Methodist and General Secretary of the National Council of Churches. 'In the meantime, religious leaders have to take on a prophetic role. Some of us will lose our job for speaking out too strongly. As good patriotic Americans we have to help our country not do the wrong thing.'
Audience member Dr. William F. Vendley, secretary general of the World Conference on Religion and Peace, warned against 'sacred' violence, which is 'violence that we don't recognize as violence. It looks like legitimate self-defense. It calls the other 'subhuman.' It legitimizes governments to feel as victims and strike back.'
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