wfn.org | Inter-Faith Dialogue and Inter-Faith Action -What Comes First?

["Frank Imhoff" <FRANKI@elca.org>]

Inter-Faith Dialogue and Inter-Faith Action - What Comes First?
Panel Discussion at Regional Conference Focuses on Different Ways
of Making Peace

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa/GENEVA, 3 October 2003 (LWI) - The
second day of the regional Southern Africa Inter-Faith Conference
in Johannesburg was opened by religious leaders of the Hindu,
Jewish and Muslim faiths. The common spirituality conveyed
through their prayers set the tone for the morning's topic: "What
Makes for Peace in Our Region?" 

During the panel discussion that followed, with participants from
Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa and Zambia, it soon
became evident that different countries and faiths view the
concept of peace in different ways. While some religious leaders
concentrate their efforts on developing the individual's inner
peace, others, also influenced by the type of conflict
experienced in their countries, place greater importance on
political peace. 

The discussion furthermore tackled the question of how religious
communities should work together in the face of theological and
ideological differences. Bishop Paul Musuru of Zambia urged
participants to leave theological debates aside and start to
engage in activities that bring peace to the region as soon as
possible. "Let's first do something together and go into debate
about our differences at a later stage," he said. He was
supported by Ms Joana Vemba, a Christian from Angola, who also
argued that there is enough common ground between religions to
work for peace here and now. "To discuss theological differences
is not a priority, peace is a priority," she emphasized.

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) General Secretary, Rev. Dr
Ishmael Noko agreed that peacemaking was of utmost importance.
But he urged all delegates to simultaneously be clear about what
their different religions mean by peace: "Peace may be
interpreted in many different ways, and we have to agree what we
mean by it." A theological debate should not take place in order
to defend one's own religion, but to clarify one's theological
basis so that inter-faith dialogue can take place with mutual
respect. "You cannot respect something that you don't know,"
argued Noko, who is chairing the conference that is hosted by the
National Religious Leaders' Forum of South Africa.

Sheikh Imuran Shareef from Malawi agreed that information about
each other's faith principles was a prerequisite for respectful
dialogue. "We do not have to go into theological debate," he
said, "but if Malawian Christians and Muslims want to live
peacefully next to each other as good neighbors and colleagues
they need to know about their customs, traditions and beliefs in
order to avoid conflict."

Former Zambian President Dr Kenneth Kaunda, expected to deliver
the keynote address, was unable to attend the conference, as he
was involved in important conflict mediation at the request of
the Lybian government. His personal assistant, Mr Stanley
Matonga, presented Kaunda's "warmest and sincere greetings." (467
words)

(By LWI correspondent Erika von Wietersheim, Namibia)

(The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the
Lutheran tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund (Sweden), the LWF now
has 136 member churches in 76 countries representing over 61.7
million of the 65.4 million Lutherans worldwide. The LWF acts on
behalf of its member churches in areas of common interest such as
ecumenical and interfaith relations, theology, humanitarian
assistance, human rights, communication, and the various aspects
of mission and development work. Its secretariat is located in
Geneva, Switzerland.)

[Lutheran World Information (LWI) is LWF' information service.
Unless specifically noted, material presented does not represent
positions or opinions of the LWF or of its various units. Where
the dateline of a article contains the notation (LWI), the
material may be freely reproduced with acknowledgment.]

*	*	*

LWI online at: http://www.lutheranworld.org/News/Welcome.EN.html 

LUTHERAN WORLD INFORMATION
PO Box 2100, CH-1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland
Tel: (41.22) 791.63.54
Fax: (41.22) 791.66.30 
Editor's e-mail: pmu@lutheranworld.org