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NAINConnect 2008 Workshops |
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Theme: Multifaith Challenges We Face
CRAFTING A JUST-PEACE THEORY FOR IRAQ
WORKSHOP SUMMARY
Many have debated just-war theories and sought to apply them to particular conflicts. This workshop goes the next step to contemplate a just peace. Those attending will be asked to consider the crucial issues facing anyone contemplating a just and lasting peace for Iraq. What would such a peace look like? How could different religious groups come together to discuss prospects for such a goal? What unitive elements might be found in Islam that could apply to Iraq? In Iraq and in our own communities, can an interfaith perspective contribute to creating peace among us all?
PRESENTERS
Hal French
Dr. Hal French, a specialist in Buddhist studies, is Professor Emeritus in Comparative Religion at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. A former Program Chair of NAIN, led the host committee when NAINConnect was held in Columbia, and has been a consultant and presenter for a variety of international interfaith efforts.
Workshop is interactive - please post a comment and note your interest
DISCUSSION AND COMMENTS
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OPENING STATEMENT
This workshop would invite persons to engage the crucial issues that must face all those contemplating a just and lasting peace for Iraq. What would such a peace look like? How could different religious groups come together to discuss prospects for such a goal?
The World Conference for Religions and Peace, with two other groups, organized a conference at the United Nations in June of 2007, with representatives present from Iraq, both Shiites and Sunnis, mostly clerics and educators, in addition to many persons from the West. Could we foster similar interfaith initiatives in our communities, bringing representatives of different faiths together?
Many have debated just war theories, and sought to apply them to given conflict situations. “Is this a just war or just another war?” This workshop will attempt to go beyond that, to explore possible equitable solutions for the Iraqi people, recognizing the rights of majority and minority groups. While there are sectarian divisions within the dominant Islamic community, what unitive elements might be found in Islam that could apply to Iraq? And can the vastly smaller non-Islamic communities find a safe haven there? What do each of these bodies have to offer the Iraqi people?
This workshop will seek to engage persons interested in the intersection of interfaith approaches and current political concerns. Do we have something to contribute to this discussion from our interfaith commitments?
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| Date |
Author |
Title |
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| 04/18/08 |
Corbin Ivi Davis |
Empire and Interfaith |
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| This is more of a wondering:
What can we as a western interfaith group offer this situation?
To me the struggle lies in the sense of Empire tied to the US military actions in the Middle East, therefore I wonder how we as western interfaith people might engage in this conversation?
Can we offer tools, visions, ideas that subvert the modern paradigm of Empire?
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| 05/31/08 |
Paul Chaffee |
beyond empire |
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| Being in the empire doesn't make me of the empire, which opens the door, seems to me, to take all sort of peacemaking steps.
Moreover, the wonder of interfaith, interracial, international dialogue is that we are able to step out of the empire and become engaged in something constructive.
I'll be interested to see what kind of construction you are proposing, Hal, because the notion seems complicated in the extreme, and much more academic than realpolitic. But would be delighted to learn otherwise.
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