Peacemaking and Spiritual Traditions
It wasnt at all surprising when Islam Critical Network (ICN) in Denmark recently released their written reaction to Denmarks National Council of Churches positive and accommodating letter (13.04.08) in response to the 138 Muslim leaders A Common Word from last year. Although A Common Word was (and is) seen as a beneficial theological breakthrough in inter-faith relations by many, a group of some 84 Christian theologians of the Danish ICN went ahead and became signatories to a document that amongst other things, fails to recognize that Muslims and Christians believe in the same God and claims the two religions as being each others opposites. This is however, not the majority Danish-Christian stance as the letter of the national council of churches suggests.
The ICN document calls for-and rightly so- for more action from Muslim leaders in protecting Christian interests in majority Muslim states rather than clinging to mere theological niceties through words. But the tone in which it is said, doesnt help any ones cause. Interestingly at one place it states, At a spiritual level, Christianity and Islam can never live in peace…. which not only is an ultra pessimistic stance, but it has an absolutist and confrontational connotation attached to it.
An overlooked element in the global debate on building relations is the role that spirituality generally has played in conquering hate and prejudice and replacing it with the seeds of love- both at individual and societal level. Spirituality- according to some Muslim scholars – is the refinement of the soul or simply, sweetness of faith. It is no secret that spirituality- at least in Islamic theological thought- has been suffocated and sidelined, particularly during the last two centuries. (Although there are many reasons for this, they will not be the subject matter of this article) The disproportionate adoration and glorification of materialism (typically exemplified through the pursuit of high earnings, exploitation of the weak and usurping power) has dominated religious domains as well as the political scene throughout the world. It continues to do so. The focus on the outer aspects has been so dominant and overwhelming, that it threatens the psychological, spiritual and ethical survival of mankind.
Had Jalaludeen Rumi, (d.1273) renowned poet, Sufi master and theologian been alive today he would have said that mans inner crisis has arisen because of the lack of love in life. Rumi stated that; The religion of love is like nothing else. He surely did not wish to start a new religion but rather to emphasize, that the essence of all religions is sincere devotion to God and therefore ultimately, love. The concept of Love that Rumi spoke of is the highest form of love that can be compared with Agape; the spiritual unconditional love that transforms the fake, selfish ego into an enlightened or higher self. When Rumi encourages man to seek love, there is a constant challenge to discover what is already present in mans self, namely the seat of love. Therefore Rumis message to seek love is highly relevant for our times where war, division and radicalisation are growing concerns.
Rumis message of love was communicated in a time that was dominated by war and chaos, in and around the historical Persian city of Konya (present day Turkey). These wars were not wars of religion (Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism and Christianity coexisted peacefully) but political fights of power that arose because of rebellion from outsiders, primarily Mongolian warlords. Rumi tried to revitalize human relation to God because he felt that many people lacked a personal experience of intense love for God and thereby, also his creation.
But how can this variation of universal love effect our internal relations and create a roadmap for peaceful and meaningful co-existence? Rumis message was very close to the words of the Prophet Muhammad; to see Creation as Gods family. This harmonizes well with the biblical thought that humankind is created in Gods image and could do well in dispelling the us and them syndrome. Rumi claimed, When love kindles, all conflicts end. What he meant by these words was that when love becomes embedded it would have its say- so that human creation would eventually work towards building and nurturing constructive relationships. Hence, discovering the spiritual in sacred traditions would ultimately lead to peace, not negate or work against peace, according to Rumi.
The 138 Muslim leaders letter can be read at www.acommonword.com
This article was published in the journal for Islam and Christianity, (Islamic-Christian Study centre, 1/2008) August, 2008.