Religions for Peace - USA August 2007 E-Newsletter

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In This Issue:

From Our Executive Director…

New Ways to Spread the Word About RFP!
Next time you visit RFP-USA's home page, try clicking on our new link, "Spread the Word," under "Join," on the left-hand drop-down menu. Or, just click here to visit our new webpage, which lists lots of fun, easy, and creative ways for you to get involved and spread the word about RFP! You can find RFP-USA on Facebook, MySpace, and now on Change.org, a site that brings together committed individuals, charitable organizations, and non-profits for the common good. Join our group, donate to our cause, or just friend us today!

We've also added ways for you to personalize your own computer or website in order to support RFP-USA. Our "Spread the Word" page shows you how to advertise RFP-USA on your website, or set up your very own dynamic RFP-USA blog on your desktop. Check out the page here and do your part to spread the word.

New Web Resources from RFP-USA
Religions for Peace – USA is pleased to announce the launch of a new section on our website on the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)! The CRC is an international treaty on children’s rights that has yet to be ratified by the United States. The 54 articles of the Convention articulate rights that are based on four main principles: non-discrimination; commitment to the best interests of the child; the right to life, survival and development; and respect for the view of the child. For more information, and to find out how you can help, click here. Check back frequently to see newly added information. Questions or suggestions? Email sarah@rfpusa.org.

And...

We have compiled an online directory listing interfaith groups at undergraduate colleges across the U.S. Each entry includes the name of the college and its interfaith group, a brief description of its goals and activities, and contact information. The designated requirement for each group to be listed in the directory is that it is of a multifaith nature, represents several world religions, and engages in interreligious dialogue. The aspirations behind the directory are as follows: that it be a helpful resource for those seeking to participate in interfaith dialogue at a collegiate level, that it encourage other schools to create a similar program, and that it connect the colleges that do have interfaith groups through a network.

So far, we have located 40 groups nationwide. Check them out! Do you know of a group that we haven’t yet found? E-mail us with questions and suggestions.

The American Muslim: Anti-Terrorist Muslim Voices
The American Muslim's webpage is a rich resource for anyone interested in learning about Islam and reading the words of mainstream American Muslims. Recently, The American Muslim, a journal founded in 1989, started to make their articles available online. Now, in a new attempt to distance moderate American Muslims from their more fanatical counterparts, The American Muslim has created the banner seen to your left, which, when clicked on, brings you to a page listing Muslim voices speaking out against extremism and terrorism. The site is a valuable resource for Muslims and non-Muslims alike, providing answers to questions about Islam that may perplex many non-Muslims and an action page for members of the Muslim community to get involved. To learn more, visit The American Muslim's site.

Workshop for Peacemakers in Boston
This October 19-21, the International Center for Conciliation presents an advanced workshop for peacemakers and conflict mediators, called "Mediating History, Making Peace." The workshop will focus on situations in which mediation is made difficult by disputed history. Cases such as mediation between former Khmer Rouge and Cambodian genocide survivors will be presented. By the end of the weekend, mediators should be confident in their ability to navigate the muddy waters of memory and shared history. To learn more about this workshop, or to obtain an application, visit here. Email Dasha Kusa with questions or to submit your application. $300 covers the entire event.

Ghandi Memorial Essay Competition
As part of Conflict Transformation and Peace Awareness week (Sept. 30- Oct. 6,2007) and in honor of International Non-Violence Day and the first anniversary of the dedication of a Gandhi statue at the University of North Florida, the Gandhi Memorial Society is sponsoring the first National Gandhi Memorial Essay Competition. Entrants must be in either high school or college and may write on one of the following topics: Mahatma Gandhi, The relevance of Gandhi in Today's Society, The teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, and The message of Mahatma Gandhi. High school students must limit their essays to 300-400 words, while college students are asked to write 500-600. Completed essays must be sent to Ramesh Vashi, Chairman of the Gandhi Memorial Society, by September 15th. Winners will be honored during Conflict Transformation and Peace Awareness week on the University of North Florida campus.

"Sikhs on the Street"
"Sikhs on the Street," a video in multiple parts posted on YouTube.com, shows young Sikh men as they go around the George Washington University campus, questioning and quizzing students on their knowledge of Sikhism. It quickly becomes apparent that, for most of these students, that knowledge is minimal to nonexistent. Asked what they think their questioner's ethnic background might be, most students say "Middle Eastern," some say, "Muslim," and only two say "Indian."

Since 9/11 Sikhs have been striving to end the misconception that they are Muslims, Arabs, or terrorists. This video is only the latest in a series of documentaries shot by members of the Sikh community to educate Americans about Sikhism. Often, as is the case with "Sikhs on the Street," the results can be funny, or at least prompt eye-rolling and groans, but they contain a serious message: Americans do not come in only one variety. Membership in a group should not require sacrificing one's own identity.

Here are links to Part 1 and Part 2 of "Sikhs on the Street."

Yeh Hum Naheen = We Are Not That
Waseem Mahmood, a Pakistani man working in the UK, has developed a video of Pakistan's people - pop stars, children, and street grocers alike - singing a song called "Yeh Humn Naheen," which translates to "We are not that." The video, available on YouTube, boasts eight of Pakistan's top pop singers and has already been downloaded between 60,000 and 70,000 times within Pakistan, a country unlike the US in that most people do not have computers with internet access in their homes. The song, which expresses the desire of Muslims to be disassociated from the violence seemingly perpetrated in their names, is hearfelt, and watching Pakistani people adopt it as their anthem is inspiring. To watch to video, go here. Or visit the official website here.

Faith and Justice Churches
Sojourners magazine has created an online directory of churces committed to principles of social justice. The directory will enable prospective congregants concerned with social justice to find churches similarly inclined. It will also benefit the churches themselves, by affording them a forum to advertise themselves and by giving them certain benefits, such as sermons, downloadable study and discussion guides, and Sojourners magazine, including 15 years of archived content. Try out the search here, and learn about registering your church as a "faith and justice" church here. Annual membership in "Faith and Justice Churches" requires a yearly fee of $99.75 and commitment to addressing issues of social justice.

New Study Guides from Sojourners
Sojourners has released three new study guides, all available for purchase on their website, dealing with the divisive and critical issues of racism, urban violence and economic disparity. A fourth new guide is also available, which discusses the often tumultuous relationship between artists and the church. Called "Spirit of Fire," this study guide finds common ground for artists and the faithful. Click here to find "Spirit of Fire."
To read more about the study guide examining race, "Crossing the Racial Divide: America’s Struggle for Justice and Reconciliation," go here.
To learn more about the study guide that discusses economic inequality, "Who Is My Neighbor: Economics As If Values Matter," go here.
And to find out about the study guide that teaches peaceful strategies to combat urban violence, "Putting Down Stones: A Faithful Response to Urban Violence," go here.

Hitchens vs. McGrath: Is Religion a Poison, or Cure?
On Oct. 11th, Georgetown University will hold a debate between Christopher Hitchens and Alistair McGrath titled, "Poison or Cure? Religious Belief in the Modern World." The event, which is cohosted by the Ethics and Public Policy Center and The Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs at Georgetown University, is open for registration now, and those interested are encouraged to reserve their places early. The title of the debate, "Poison or Cure," derives from Mr. Hitchens' most recent, and bestselling book, God is not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything. Dr. McGrath, then, comes from the pro-religion vantage point. He is both a professor of theology at Oxford and the holder of a PhD in molecular biophysics, and also the author of numerous books on science and theology. With their nearly perfectly divergent credentials, this debate is sure to be, at the very least, interesting.

Media with a Message
Alternative Channel™ is like YouTube, with a message. The mechanism is the same. Users upload videos they have created to the Alternative Channel™ website. The videos are then available to the public for comment and criticism. Except these videos are not quite like the standard YouTube fare. Featured prominently today, for instance, are videos from France and India critiquing racism and environmental unsustainability. Alternative Channel™ touts their site as independent and transparent web media. They encourage anyone with a civic message to submit their creations. If you submit before January 25, 2008, you automatically earn entry into Alternative Channel's™ Citizen Journalist International Contest. Click here to check out Alternative Channel™ and learn how to broadcast your own views today.

Newsweek Covers "Islam in America"
The July 30th edition of Newsweek included an 8-page spread devoted to Islam in America. The feature included graphics, articles, portraits, videos and additional multimedia available on the Newsweek website, aimed at showing the diversity of Muslims in the United States. Indicative of that theme was Newsday's coverpage, which featured a gathering of Muslim individuals from the New York area representing various ethnic backgrounds and professional statuses.

Among the materials inside was an editorial co-penned by Daisy Khan, head of the American Society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA), a RFP-USA member community. Ms. Khan's article, which was co-authored by Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, discusses the similarities between the basic tenets of Islam and the founding philosophy of the United States, particularly the commitments of both to freedom, diversity, and tolerance. Ms. Khan and Imam Rauf, who is Ms. Kahn's husband and author of "What's Right With Islam Is What's Right With America" and chairman of the Cordoba Initiative, a multifaith, multinational organization whose mission is to bridge the West-Muslim world divide, theorize that America could become the home of an Islamic revival.

To read the full article by Ms. Khan and Imam Rauf, "The Ideals We Share," go here. Or visit this site, to view the feature article in the series titled, "American Dreamers."

"Touch the World, Touch Sudan"
The National Council of Churches has created a video called, "Touch the World, Touch Sudan," to teach people about the ongoing Sudanese crisis and call them to action. The production is divided into four segments. "Why Mission Education?" introduces the program, and is followed by “Prayers for Sudan,” three short, contemplative videos on the situation in Sudan by Janis Pyle. After that is "Sudan Refugee Experience," which features a refugee from Sudan and current employee of the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Christine Gedim, who discusses leaving her homeland and finding another. Lastly, in “Sudan’s Displaced,” Richard Parkins of Episcopal Migration Ministries introduces the context in which internally displaced people seek to live and thrive.

The material from the video is free and can be accessed online here. The NCC hopes this resource will be used by those who could give aid to the people of Darfur.

International Day of Peace Vigil
The International Day of Peace Vigil, established by the United Nations in 1981 and celebrated annually on September 21st since 2005, is a day set aside for all the peoples of the world to simply exist, together, in peace. The day is meant for all people, but the tenor of the celebration is spiritual. This year, as in years past, communities worldwide will observe the Day of Peace by gathering in vigil and prayer.

This global 24-hour spiritual observation for peace is meant to demonstrate the power of prayer and other spiritual practices in promoting peace and preventing violent conflict. These worldwide spiritual observances will also help raise public awareness of the International Day of Peace and directly support the establishment of a global ceasefire. Individuals and groups are invited to support this worldwide initiative by committing to hold a 24-hour vigil on September 21st.

People and groups are asked to register their commitment to the vigil on the International Day of Peace Vigil website, or to mail it to:
International Day of Peace Vigil
777 UN Plaza, Concourse Level
New York, NY 10017

Interfaith Fast to End War in Iraq
The National Council of Churches, united with diverse religious groups from across the United States, has planned a huge interfaith event meant to unite people of different faiths in common opposition to war, and in common pursuit of peace. Local communities are asked to show their support, by contacting their local political representatives and fasting on October 8th. In larger cities, such as New York and Chicago, people are also being asked to gather in public for vigils and prayer.

The event, which aims to move our nation from “conquest to community; from violence to reverence,” is planned to coincide with the month of Ramadan, during which Muslims already commit to fasting. It is also planned to fall among Sukkot and the High Holy Days of the Jewish faith, as well as Pavarana / Sangha Day of Buddhist tradition. Numerous leaders of Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, and Christian faith have already pledged their support and the support of their congregations.

The fast has been announced by the Associate General Secretary for Interfaith Relations of the National Council of Churches, Shanta Premawardhana. To get involved, visit Shanta Premawardhana's blog and leave a comment pledging your support, or email him at shanta@ncccusa.org.

North American Women of Faith Network

On July 16th, twenty women of faith from the USA and Canada gathered in New York City for a consultative meeting on building the North American Women of Faith Network. The meeting was co-convened by Religions for Peace–International Secretariat and Religions for Peace–USA. Dr. William F. Vendley, Secretary General of WCRP, highlighted the unique link between peacebuilding and women of faith in his opening remarks. At the center of peace, he said, was the well-being of humanity and the family. And in the caretaking of the family, women play pivotal roles.

The consultative meeting marked the initial step toward forming the North America Women of Faith Network, which is to become part of the Religions for Peace Global Women of Faith Network, a body including more than one thousand Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Indigenous, Sikh and Zoroastrian religious women’s organizations from all over the world.

Once formed, the Religions for Peace North American Women of Faith Network will seek to collaborate with other organizations and UN agencies to promote peace and enhance implementation of the Millennium Development Goals in North American communities.
Thematic focuses of the group will include peacebuilding and conflict transformation, the advancement of sustainable development, and the promotion of human rights. More specifically, participants identified issues for which women of faith could share good practices and advocate for action, including HIV/AIDS, the trafficking of women and girls, violence against women, and global warming.
(this story courtesy of Juliana MacPherson, WCRP)

One City, Two Brothers
This story, set in Jerusalem in the days of King Solomon, tells the story of two bickering brothers who come before the king to settle a dispute. The wise king tells them the story of another set of brothers, from long before, who also argued, but who learned to see themselves in each other, and through this understanding, to make peace. This allegorical tale is told today in mosques and synagogues to teach the timeless and valuable skill of empathy. Though told simply through words and pictures, the lesson contained in this book is a priceless one for people of all ages. But this book has more than a moral. One City, Two Brothers is worth a look if only for the gorgeous watercolor illustrations of Aurelia Fronty. To see more, visit this book's Barefoot Books product page.

Interfaith Dialogue: A Guide for Muslims
This volume, by Muhammad Shafiq and Mohammed Abu-Nimer, advances the view that Islam is innately friendly to interfaith dialogue, and calls on Muslims to fulfill this potential. Shafiq and Abu-Nimer clearly and methodically explain the historical relationship between Islam and other faiths, examine reasons Muslims today might be opposed to interfaith dialogue, and make the case that interfaith dialogue does not threaten Islam. For this latter argument, they draw on the Prophet Mohammed's actions and sayings, as well as citing verses from the Qur'an. Their book is meant to promote interfaith dialogue among Muslims, but it is accessible for those outside of or unfamiliar with even the basics of Islam. Each chapter includes an overview and study questions, making Interfaith Dialogue: A Guide for Muslims an ideal educational tool. To read excerpts from this book, visit its product page at the Islamic Bookstore online.

The Story of Religion
In this introduction to world religions for children in grades 3 and up, Betsey and Guilio Maestro move chronologically from past into future, explaining the origins of the faiths they encounter along the way. Ms. Maestro's writing is clear and simple; the only hindrance a young child might encounter is in the book's organization: no chapters. Nevertheless, it is only a small hindrance, and overall the book is both charming and informative. It is a great educational tool for any parent interested in expanding their child's view of the world and its peoples. As the Maestros write in their introduction, "Learning about the universal religious ideas that the world's people have in common helps us to see diversity as positive and interesting. Truly, world peace depends on learning to value and respect the cherished ideas of all people."

The Future of Peace and Justice in the Global Village: The Role of the World Religions in the Twenty-first Century
Dr. Tom McFaul, a professor of ethics and religious studies, plays a game of prediction in this book on religions and globalization. The early parts of the book are spent introducing the world's "major religions," which Dr. McFaul separates into two categories: Asian and Middle Eastern. He examines both the basic worldviews and the ethical guidelines promulgated by each religion, and then discusses points of divergence and convergence among them. Using these points, he pinpoints ways religion could help people unite and build peace, and also flags the beliefs that could drive people ideologically apart even as they are coming together technologically and politically. These scenarios of coexistence and strife form the latter part of his book, in which Dr. McFaul outlines the possible futures of the world. Depending on the course the present takes, his could be a cautionary tale or a blueprint for cooperation.

Living Religions (6th ed.)
In this revised and updated edition of her introduction to the world's faith traditions, Mary Pat Fisher places her focus on how religions are lived today, through the actions and the beliefs of their practitioners. She does not, however, sacrifice the foundation and history of each religion. The book provides a thorough summation of each, exploring its founding, major scriptures, philosophies and rituals. Each chapter also includes an interview with a living practitioner of each faith, and a vignette describing practice in the 21st century. In addition to the chapters on religions familiar to most readers of introductory textbooks and anthologies, Ms. Fisher also writes about emerging movements and faiths. She also includes information on contemporary issues such as religion and science, interfaith, and religion and social action. The text is enlivened by striking color images, and maps and graphics are used to illustrate aspects of religious history. Alltogether, Living Religions a readable and comprehensive introductory text.