RELIGIONS FOR PEACE: A Call for Solidarity to the Religions of the World

Whatever one's perspective on religion, the events of September 11 have convinced even skeptics to take seriously the role of religion in world affairs. Here, Nigerian-born Arinze reminds readers of the power religions have when they engage in prayer, joint initiatives for peace and other acts of solidarity. He encourages religious leaders to "conscientize" their followers, as well as to foster the study of other religions. Peace, he reminds us, has no religious frontiers; rather, all religions must contribute to a common peace. As head of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Arinze provides examples of such contributions from his own experience. In particular, he usefully references many important interfaith gatherings and initiatives, as well as teachings and peace programs from the Catholic Church. For Arinze, interreligious dialogue is not simply an appeal to what religions have in common. Instead, participants are to speak with integrity from their own respective normative traditions, even as differences arise. Unfortunately, in asserting the voice of his own tradition, Arinze curtails the dialogue by defining religion in largely Christian terms and by imposing official positions of the Catholic Church (religions for peace, he avers, will oppose abortion). Moreover, in failing to adequately distinguish religious fundamentalism (a literalist reading of sacred texts) from the violent implications of religious extremism, he excludes important dialogue partners from fundamentalist traditions. (Jan.)