Religion and world peace

Hecateh · Foundation Stone Joined: 10 Feb 2007 Posts: 2006

Should there be greater understanding between religions?
How can people of different religions – and no religion – learn to understand each other better?

More than 130 Muslim scholars have written to Pope Benedict, the Archbishop of Canterbury and other Christian leaders urging greater understanding between the two faiths.

They say that world peace could depend on improved relations.

The letter identifies similarities in both religions, such as the requirements to accept only one god and live in peace with one's neighbours.

Do you welcome the letter? Does world peace depend on better understanding between religions? How are your relations with people of other religions?

_________________
“You can complain because roses have thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have roses.”
- Ziggy
Made my 1000 miles walking in 8 months rather than the year of my target. Woo Hoo.

dragonfly · Pioneer Joined: 13 Feb 2007 Posts: 1507 Location: Wales

In my opinion. all religion causes war... never solves anything.

The more understanding of other peoples religions seems to bring about more reasons to fight.

Hecateh · Foundation Stone Joined: 10 Feb 2007 Posts: 2006

In my view it is religious fundamentalists that are the bigger problem than religion itself.

For most people to have a faith is a private and positive thing - the problems start when extremists start saying that 'their' religion is the only one and that that gives them the right to wage war on anyone who doesn't believe, not just in the the same as them but to the same degree.

These people will always go on to create havoc because there is no way everyone is going to believe and carry on believing the same thing. The variations within the Christian religion came about because of individuals views that one interpretation of the bible was right and all others are wrong. All religions change over the years, as a child, brought up catholic we could not eat meat on Friday's (no longer the case) had to fast from midnight before holy Communion (Now it's one hour) Had to go to Mass on Sunday (now Saturday evening is fine) BUT they can't or won't come to terms with the fact that contraception is an important part of women's health.

Will no doubt have more to say later when there are more contributions.
_________________
“You can complain because roses have thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have roses.”
- Ziggy
Made my 1000 miles walking in 8 months rather than the year of my target. Woo Hoo.

dragonfly · Pioneer Joined: 13 Feb 2007 Posts: 1507 Location: Wales

I did have a bleak one sided un backed opinion there didnt i lol!!!
But that is honestly just how i feel!!!

Hecateh · Foundation Stone Joined: 10 Feb 2007 Posts: 2006

I have felt pretty much the same myslef at times Sarah but I do feel that peace ovatures like this one can only be beneficial.

There is a saying the for evil to prevail it only takes good people to do nothing. If all the moderates speak up (unlikely I know) the extremists will be totally outnumbered.
_________________
“You can complain because roses have thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have roses.”
- Ziggy
Made my 1000 miles walking in 8 months rather than the year of my target. Woo Hoo.

dragonfly · Pioneer Joined: 13 Feb 2007 Posts: 1507 Location: Wales

They wont speak up, because as harash as it is..
unless its on there doorstep.. no one really cares.

most people who donate, to charities etc are doing not doing it because they care... its just a way to make them feel better.

Hecateh · Foundation Stone Joined: 10 Feb 2007 Posts: 2006

Does it matter why they do it. The fact that they do makes the world a better place.

I train in the community - I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't get paid. It makes me feel great when I have been a catalyst in someone making improvement to their life. If it didn't make me feel good too I couldn't do.

Sometimes it is soul destroying. I work with someone and they are just unable to make use of the tools I provide to improve their life and they sometimes throw it back in my face. Sometimes it is just too hard for them; sometimes there is too much else going on in their life; sometimes they are just not ready; sometimes they have 'failed' so many times they don't believe they can do it and it's easier to give in.

And then sometimes someone says or does something and makes it all worth while.

We all do things to make us feel good - if those things are things that are good for others so much the better.
_________________
“You can complain because roses have thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have roses.”
- Ziggy
Made my 1000 miles walking in 8 months rather than the year of my target. Woo Hoo.

Guest · Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 11:25 pm Post subject:

I wanted to make a very quick point (cos look at the time - spent so long checking out the site!)

I just wanted to say that although I agree with the ethos behind the letter, I do not believe that the fundamentalists and zealots will listen to the voice of the moderate. I am immediately thinking of those who preached and worshiped at the North Finchley mosque which has been proven to be a breeding ground for western hatred amongst young moslem men in particular.

This letter may go some way to providing a path for the 2 religions to move along together, there still needs to be peace between the Arab nations and Israel. So much of the young moslem hatred is aimed at the country in which they reside, when they are outside of a moslem nation, but in the middle east it seems that Israel is the natural choice for their extremist atrocities. I know that there have been some attacks in moslem countries, but this has always (as far as I can recall) been against Western targets.

I'd like to have a look at what is said on the net about this and come back on it - I may have misinterpreted some of the original post, I apologise if I have.