Campaign Against Religious and Political Extremism

Motivation:

Throughout the world today, in every region of the globe, civil society is in some way threatened by forces of intolerance. Whether by the the rise of right-wing neo-Nazi groups in Europe or the violence of Islamic fundamentalists against Christians in India; whether by the anti-women and anti-gay attitudes of Christian fundamentalists in the United States, or the ultra-conservative social positions of the Catholic Church in Latin America, democracy is under attack by those who seek to force their world view on minorities and majorities alike.

History has shown us that political and religious extremism, be it from the left or the right, only results in severe damage to the human family. Those of us who seek a world of social justice, who are committed to a vision of international democracy where all faiths, races, and cultures are respected as equals, must organise ourselves to confront the forces of intolerance, and instead offer a politics of understanding, a theology of respect for all humanity, regardless of past conflicts or present struggles. Our world can no longer afford to give social space to philosophies of exclusion and supremacy, which would seek to elevate one group of society above all others because of identity, nationality, or religion.

In this spirit, the ILRS will launch a Campaign Against Religious and Political Extremism, to fight against the forces of rigid fundamentalism in religion, and of social exclusion in politics. We do this by offering our own alternatives, which are less ‘alternatives’ than they are what we feel are the true manifestations of the world’s political and religious creeds. We challenge the validity of any interpretation or practice of any religion not based first upon love and compassion for all. We challenge any political idea in society that does not respect a non-violent, democratic process and the sanctity of human life.

We seek to confront the voices round the world who fuel themselves on hatred, and offer instead the promise of spiritual and social well-being through the politics of democratic socialism. Historically we have seen centuries of war and bloodshed caused by a particular interpretation of religious belief in society. At the centre of the mission of the ILRS should be an ongoing and vigourous commitment to resolve the issues of religion in civil society which have caused such division and conflict. As religious socialists, we seek to bring a democratic socialist component to religion, where those from each faith can discover the teachings of that faith which call us to a higher meaning and purpose for society. We seek to bring a compassionate spirituality to political discourse which shuns violence for respect for the dignity of all creation. Through this campaign we offer a new way to see our respective faiths, without changing in any way the ideas or the nature of those faiths. We offer a new way to see political struggle, so that we can as a human family approach our different political ideologies with respect toward all.

Two projects are proposed to begin this campaign. First, the development of a five point programme of core principles held in common by faith groups as well as our socialist political movement. Such a programme can be used to build a sense of solidarity and community between groups which might otherwise feel more separated from each other because of their diversity. By stressing and working on issues which connect with the core principles, we put forth an example of how we are more alike than different, how we share our goals and visions for a life of peace and justice.

The second project will be a conference in the Middle East, which will again address the issue of common political ground deriving from the three faiths which dominate that cradle of Western belief (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). If we can, in a small way, bring people together in an official, but more informal setting where the outcome of the meeting is not tied to immediate diplomatic or strategic goals, we hope that we might gain some ground in a human sense which might inform the future of the peace process.

RESOLUTION ON FULL CITIZENSHIP/EXTREMISM

The Congress of the International League of Religious Socialists, meeting in Budapest, 13-15 October 2000, is concerned about policy which exploits ethnic or racial tensions.

We religious socialists believe in the Kingdom of God for this earth. This Kingdom of God is an abundance of life for everyone. Our political commitment in the view of the Kingdom of God means first of all the option for the poor and oppressed. The Kingdom of God is an open, ‘common meal’. It is a vision of a society where everyone has his/her place and no one is excluded.

The ILRS Congress is concerned about election results which have shown in several European countries (Austria, Belgium, Switzerland) and elsewhere, that some politicians have gained success by 'playing the ethnic card'.

The ILRS Congress declares that discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity conflicts with the deepest essence of democracy in general, and especially with religious socialism, because all human beings are equal before God.

The ILRS Congress strongly condemns those politicians who exploit ethnic or racial tensions to gain votes.

The ILRS Congress calls upon all politicians to stop and prevent any political exploitation of racial or ethnic differences and tensions.

The ILRS Congress calls upon all governments to develop policies to realise citizenship of full value for all residents in their country.

The ILRS Congress calls upon governments and parliaments to put into law the idea that discrimination on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, gender or sexuality is unacceptable and has to be punished.

The ILRS Congress calls upon churches and religious groups and their members to resist actively against xenophobia and ethnic discrimination, and to work on processes of reconciliation.

In this spirit, the ILRS will launch a campaign against religious and political extremism, to fight against the forces of rigid fundamentalism in religion and against social exclusion.

For as religious socialists we are called by our vision of God to heal the world and thus to do our part to realise the Kingdom of God.

Дата добавления: 2015-09-06