Pate e Opiate LESSON 3: Spiritual and Faith Traditions as Resources for Peace Picture talen from ouriockafghanitan net Learning Outcomes: 2.3.2 Discuss the different spiritual and faith traditions of groups of people in relation to peace-building, 2.3.2 Compare and contrast the different spiritual and trad al sources of peace 2.3.3 Develop appreciation of one’s own faith and traditions that leads to sustainable peace and development. Rebigion and Peace-Guilding ‘The world's faithful account for 839% of the global population; the great majority of these fall under twelve classical religions—Baha‘, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Shinto, Sikhism, Taoism, and Zoroastrianism (InfoPlease.com, 2017). Cynthia Sampson (2997) explores the roles that religious groups and individuals have played in conflict resolution and peace-building According to Neil A. Levine, Director of the Office of Conflict Management and Mitigation Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance Religion, “religion is often viewed asa motive for conflict and has emerged as a key component in many current 1[Pageeraoy Eaten 3 VEN and past conflicts. However, religion does not always drive violence; it is also an integral factor in the peace- building and reconciliation process” (USAID, 2008). Religious groups have been very active in peace-building in recent 4 3 Religions are organized at national and international levels, and so offer existing channels for decades. Sampson suggests several reasons for this increased activity. Pesuretaten fom casera. communication and organization. Religions offer ethical visions that can motivate believers to action. In cases where the central government is in disarray, religious organizations may be the only institutions with some degree of popular credibility, trust and moral authority. Indigenous religious groups are long-term players, who are present throughout the conflict's lifecycle, Finally, issues that have traditionally been in the domain of religion are central to many modern conflicts. And so, “a close look at the original teachings of spiritual and faith traditions indicates that they are essentially wellsprings and resources for peace. We need to rediscover the principles and values that they uphold, to remind us of the essential goal of each faith tradition to seek peace” (Castro & Galace, 2019). Power of Retigion + Create or destroy © Unite or disperse © Make peace or war ‘* Sees others as foreigners and sources of corruption and defilement Feturetaken from engantarade 2] PageMajor Retigions in the World Christianity The Christian story begins with a song of the angels to the shepherds when Jesus was born: "“Glory to God in the highest and upon the earth peace” (Luke 2:14). Thus from its inception Christianity contained a concern for peace on earth (George, 1987). George continues to explain that we can identify three elements in Jesus’ approach to peace. Rejection of violence Jesus was born as a displaced person in a country under Roman occupation but he refused to join the Zealots in their guerilla war against the Romans, just as he refused to join ‘the Romansin their oppression of the Jews. He instructed his disciples during his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane not to take the sword, Love and reconciliation rather than retaliation “Love one ansther, ty this love it will be that they are His disciples” (fole 13:34), gee.” (Matthew 5:43- 4h). 3] Pageeraoy a EOD tes Love of neighbor/the otheris at the heart of the Christian message and is considered Jesus’ most important commandment. He extended this commandment of love to include enemies. Jesus set aside the traditional lex talionis ("an eye for an eye") in favor of a loving and compassionate response. The aim of such non-retaliatory love is reconciliation ¥ at yaccrselves, . Vengeance belongs me: 7 will recompense, cays the Lord. your enemy s hungry, feed him: hee thirsts, give him te drink... Be wot by exit batt ouercome cul with good.” (Romans 12:17-21). Pictures taken rom premiergospel.org.uk Use of transforming initiatives Christians are called to actively engage in peace-making. In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, he said, Picture taken from larneligon omelaroy Pater O Dae ae Jesus told his disciples to respond to violence by taking unexpected, surprising initiatives This teaching is not merely about not doing something. It means taking positive tives to “neutralize” situations of violence and injustice so that the transforming message of God's love can take root, Glen Stassen (1983) summarized the above-mentioned Christian teachings in four practical steps relevant to our contemporary times: + Affirm the valid interests of your “enemies” and pray for them; + Talk to your adversary and seek agreement; Associate with the powerless, who need justice; and * Do not seek to return evil for evil. Instead start an _ imaginative, transforming initiative, From the Old Testament, which is part of Christianity’s Holy Scriptures, we can also derive the concept of “shalom”, the Hebrew word for peace, Shalom implies wholeness and comprehensive well-being including good health, prosperity, harmony, healing, welfare, happiness and security (Lord, Picture is taken from pinterest.com 1968). It also means the absence of war, "Iwill break bow and sword and weapons of war and sweep them of the earth, so that all the living creatures may lie down without fear” (Hosea 2:20). S| Pageeraoy Patee Opa ae However, peace is not simply the absence of war. The prophets envisioned it as a reality where weapons give way to implements of peace, “They shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another nor shall they train for war again” (Isaiah 2:4). Peace is also envisioned as intimately connected to justice, “Justice and peace shall kiss” (Psalm 85:21). “Justice will bring about peace, will produce calm and security’ (Isaiah 32:27) Another fundamental peace-related teaching of Christianity is that which relates to the worth of humans. Genesis 1:26~28 of the Old Testament says God created humans in His image and likeness. In the New Testament we find Jesus saying, “Do for others what you want them to do for you: this is the meaning of the Law of Moses and of the teachings of the prophets” (Matthew 7:22) have come in order that you may have life — life in all its fullness” (John 20:10). Islam The root of the word Islam is “silm*, which means peace — peace with God and other human beings. A Muslim is one who submits to God’s will. The objective of this submission is not so much with personal salvation of the individual believer, but the successful Ties payer Tac) execution of the Divine Plan and the igh\the implementation of a just and harmonious | yy ACTela social order (Mahmood-Abedin, 2003).A declaration and acceptance of the oneness of God (tawheed) and the prophet hood of Mohammed. The great significance of the tawheed is that “if God is one, so is all of His creatic © Prayer five times a day. ‘© Payment of zakah or obligatory charity, generally 2 ¥2 percent of one’s wealth annually. Zakah in Islam is a means to redistribute wealth and to show one’s concern for other people. ‘+ Fasting in the month of Ramadhan. It is mainly a spiritual exercise but it also serves as a way for all Muslims to feel their solidarity. + Pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca) once in a lifetime, if ‘one can afford to do so. 5 7[Pageeraroy Eatee On) MENT The following are several verses from Islam's Holy book, the Qur’an, which expresses peace-related messages ‘+ Whosoever kills a human being, except (as punishment) for murder or spreading corruption in the land, it shall be like killing all humanity; and whosoever saves a life, saves the entire human race. (Surah 5:32) * Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought against you on account of religion nor drove you out of your homes. Verily, Allah loves those who deal with equity, (Surah Picture taken fom shatagana com cult is righteousness to believe in God and the Last Day and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask; and for freeing captives; to be steadfast in prayers; and practice regular charity... (Surah 2:177) Pure taken fom ndatimes.com ‘+ ..Be dutiful and good to parents, and to kindred, and to orphans and the poor, and speak good to people... (Surah 2:83) * Omankind! We have created you male and female and have made you nations and tribes, that you may know one | Picture is taken from asianews.com another (not despise on another). (Surah 49:23)eraoy PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT ‘+ And fight in God's cause against those who wage war against you, but do not commit aggression — for, verily, God does not love aggressors. (Surah 2:90) © God commands justice, the doing of good, and He forbids all shameful deeds, injustice and rebellion. (Surah 26:90) ‘© Itis they who are the believers in truth. For them are grades of dignity \ with their Lord, and forgiveness and generous provision. (Surah 8:4) . Peace! A word of salutation from the Lord most merciful. (Surah 36:58) Pictures taten rom asanewscom From the Hadith (sayings of Prophet Mohammed) we find verses such as the following (aiyadain, 1968): * God's creatures are His family, and he is most beloved by God who does real well to the members of God's family. * May | tell you what is even better than prayers and fasting and giving alms to the poor? It is reconciling differences and disputes among men ‘And sowing discord wipes of all virtues, * God fills the heart of him with faith and contentment who, having the power to avenge himself, exercises restraint and toleration. * And by God he is no believer...whose neighbor does not live in peace because of his mischief making. * Show compassion to those on earth, so that He whoisin heaven may show His mercy on you. etre taken from muslmuliage com 9] Pageeraro Py PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT Buddhism a me owned by it (Bennagen, 1996) Petre taken from bestofmindanao.0g-com Voices like the ones mentioned above remind us of the IPs’ worldview that land is sacred, land is life. The report of the World Commission on Environment and Development entitled Our Common Future (1987) recognizes the important contribution of this indigenous worldview in protecting the natural envi ment. Mona Jackson (2003), a Maori from New Zealand, asserts that this common sense of oneness with mother earth is a shared trait by the world’s IPs. The IPs believe that land is God's gift (Bennagen, 1996). This appears to be the underlying factor behind their practices which calls for a sharing of goods, services and ideas. However, the most basic of these practices is the sharing of land and its resources. These are shared with the spirits Petre is taken from guidetphillppines.com and deities and the members of the communities. Another principle or value which appears to be shared by many indigenous groups is that of community-based restorative justice, From interviews of informants from the Cordilleras in Northern Luzon, it indicates that a feels responsible foreraro Py Cote e Oa e transgressions or violations that a member of that particular community has committed and it will most likely take a community response to re} the damage done by a member of its community. A leader of an IP communi Mindanao expressed his views on forgiveness and reconciliation: “If you break something, you repair it. If you make someone sick, you must heal him/her. Merely asking forgiveness is not enough.” Another leader said, *..Lumads (Cebuano word for indigenous) forgive easily. A Lumad does not sentence unless he knows the cause” (Mercado, 1998). The foregoing discussion has shown that our spiritual and faith traditions can serve as resources for peace. We only need to rediscover the principles that they teach and recognize that they all have a common goal which is to seek peace and the well-being of al Pitre stake from pinterestcom References: Castro, Loreta & Jasmin N, Galace, (2029), Peace Education: A Pathway to Culture of Peace. 3rd Edition, Quezon City, Philippines. InfoPlease.com (February, 2017). Major Religions of the World. Retrieved from https://www.infoplease.com/culture-entertainment/religion/major-religions world#:~:text=The%aoworld's9620faithfulMé2oaccount%zofor, Sikhism%2C%20Taois m%2C%zoand%20Zoroastrianism. July 21, 2020. Sampson, C. (1997). "Religion and Peacebuilding" Peacemaking in International Conflict: Methods and Techniques, eds. |. William Zartman and J. Lewis Rasmussen, ‘Washington DC: United States Institute of Peace Press, 1997, pp. 273-316. 1B] Page