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2003 Conference

Healing the World: An Interfaith Quest for Peace and Justice in Warring Times--July 25-27, 2003, Asilomar Conference Center

Reflections on the Healing the World conference

July 2003
by Esther Ho

Overview | Workshops: Meditation - Organizing - Action

Healing the World: an Interfaith Quest for Peace and Justice in Warring Times held July 25-27, 2003, at Asilomar was a ground-breaking event. I speak from the vantage point of having participated heavily in the planning committee, particularly in the group arranging for the myriad of workshops, and of having access to the evaluations completed by conferees and workshop leaders.

Many attendees expressed great appreciation for the mood of acceptance prevailing at the conference which provided an opportunity to interact with people from eight or nine different faiths and an opportunity to participate in or observe a worship event from each of these groups. Some who attended spoke of "having their boundaries stretched" and of having their faith nourished by the faith of others. There was very strong approval of the worship and celebration leadership of Masankho Banda and of the Taneen musical group.

A few people were very appreciative of the deep analysis of the keynote presentation by Richard Madsen, co-author of "Habits of the Heart" and co-editor of "The One and Many," a book about dialogue across different world views in our pluralistic society. Many others found his presentation too scholarly to follow adequately. I personally would have wished for a presentation of his ideas which could be accessed by the majority of the attendees, followed by an opportunity for true dialogue with persons who were critical of his analysis.

Many stated appreciation for the concluding keynote address by long-time Jewish interfaith leader Rita Semel, which summed up many of the multitudinous ideas expressed at the conference. (Rita can be contacted at office@sfinterfaith.org.)

I was thrilled by the outstanding leadership which we were able to secure for the workshops. However, I was disappointed that because of the large number of workshops and the possibility for each person to attend only two, the expertise of most of these leaders was "squandered" on a small number of people. I volunteered to write this article in the hope that I could extend their influence a bit by telling in a nutshell some of their findings and suggesting resources or contact information for those who would like to dip further into their wisdom.

The workshops fell roughly into three categories: those majoring on meditation and spirituality, those exploring ways of organizing interfaith groups, and those focusing on action.

Category one - Meditation and Spirituality

Building Internal Peace, led by Sr. Mary Friedland of the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center. Members of this workshop shared their personal experiences with meditation and experienced a meditation period during the worshop. Many expressed appreciation for this concrete first step toward developing a personal meditation practice. For further information contact the Meditation Center.

Making Peace Through Music and Worship, led by Rev. Dr. Jack Lundin, of United Religions Initiative. More information at URI website.

The Healing Art of Poetry, led by Zaheda Baruti and Marilyn Kolakowshi, of the International Association of Sufism. This workshop presented ways to use poem-making as a shared activity. It was designed to help participants acquire skills for deepening the healing process in their own lives. Those who attended were highly enthusiatic about the experience.

Dancing into Peace with African Music, led by Masankho Banda. This was one workshop leader whom all of the persons at the conference were able to experience -- and with great delight! Learn more from his websites at www.ucandanc.org, and www.tellingtales.com/Storytellers/Tellers/Masankho_Banda-Sankho.htm.

Expressing our Deepest Caring with a Balanced Heart, led by James and Jane Barez of Spirit Rock Meditation Center. This workshop focused on how basic Buddhist principles of intention, compassion and equanimity are developed and how they can be practically applied in our work of healing the world.

Mother Earth Spirituality , led by Andrew Galvan, Ohlone Indian Tribe. An overview of local Ohlone Indian history was included. The conference as a whole was able to experience Andrew's leadership in the opening ceremony. (The Ohlone Indian Tribe, 510-656-0787, or e-mail: chochenyo@aol.com

Category two - Organizing Interfaith Groups:

Improbable Pairs and Unlikely Coalitions, led by Rabbi Jay Miller of Peninsula Clergy Network. Participants sensed a depth of interereligious work and experience by this leader including in high conflict arenas. We were left with a new understanding of the importance of telling our stories to one another and actually listening to where the other person is coming from.

An Interreligious Encounter: Doing the Inner Work Together, led by Rev. Susan Strouse, doctoral candidate at Pacific School of Religion. The theme of this workshop was played out in real life as one of the Christian participants boldly told a pagan participant that he liked him as a person but believed that he was without salvation. The shock of this statement caused others to consider similar ideas hidden more deeply in their own thinking. The importance of sustained "inner work" done in community with other persons of faith was emphasized.

Local-Global Connections: Nuts and Bolts of Interfaith Partnering, led by Paul Chaffee, of Interfaith Center at the Presidio. This leader brought a long and extensive history of interfaith work to the workshop. His ideas were also available to other conferees by way of his strong leadership throughout the conference.

An Interfaith Invitation - Help Shape a Proposed Ecumenical Council, led by Gustav A. Nystom and Faye Butler, of Bay Area Pax Christi. In response to the possibility of the Catholic Church convening an ecumenical council which would focus on Christian unity and interfaith relations, this workshop set out to imagine ways in which the Church might move. Although there was not as much non-Catholic participation as had been hoped for, numerous persons were happy to be able to add their concerns and dreams to this discussion.

Pathways to Peace, led by Helen Spector, Parliament of the World's Religions. Included were background information on the Parliament movement, an introduction to the Parliament of World Religions to be held in Barcaelona, Spain, July 7-13, 2004, and a time of imagining programs at the Parliament that might come from organizations or individuals in California.

Interfaith Peacemaking by Native People: The Indian Ecumenical Conference, led by James Treat, University of Oklahoma Treat is author of Around the Sacred Fire: Native Religious Activism in the Red Power Era (Palgrave, 2003), from which study he presented his workshop. He also editor of For This Land: Writings on Religion in America by Vine Deloria, Jr. (Routledge, 1999) and Native and Christian: Indigenous Voices on Religious Identity in the United States and Canada (Routledge, 1996).

Visions for Peace Among Religions, led by Nancy Nielsen, United Religions Initiative. Participants experienced "Appreciative Inquiry," a tool for guided conversation about peace designed to gather experiences, hopes and dreams for waging peace, seeking justice and healing conflicts among the world's religions.

Category 3 - Workshops Related to Action

Reconciliation in Times of Terror, led by Dr. Geiko Mueller-Fahrenholz, theologian and professor who resides in Bremen, Germany. Stories, poems and events which exemplified a response to terrorism of reconciliation and forgiveness were shared. Dr. Fahrenholz, currently a visiting professor at Dominican University, has written numerous articles and books, including a highly recommended study of reconciliation in South African and Central American, "The Art of Forgiveness."

The U.S. as Empire: Addressing Post-War Foreign Policy, led by Dr. Stephen Zunes, chair of the Peace and Justice Studies program at the University of San Francisco. This workshop explored the current U.S. role in the world and how people of faith can become empowered to help build a more ethical foreign policy. Dr. Zunes is Middle East editor for the Foreign Policy in Focus Project and author of Tinderbox: U.S. Middle East Policy and the Roots of Terrorism (Common Courage Press).

The Bush Doctrine and American Civil Religion in the Context of Religious Pluralism, led by Dr. Harlan Stelmach, chair of the Humanities Department at Dominican University. The "civil religious" language of the current administration was examined as a way to understand its approach to its new doctrine in foreign affairs. Attention was given to identifying the values that build on the current Jewish/Christian tradition that has shaped Amaerican culture in order to create a more diverse American religious identity.

Religiously, when can war be justified? led by Shafi Refai, president of United Muslims of America. The concept of a just war in the Islamic tradition was presented. Participants were asked to do the same in accordance with their faith traditions. It was found that the views of the various traditions represented were remarkably similar to those of the Islamic tradition. It was concluded that the fact that there were no weapons of mass destruction (WMD's) at the time of the founding of the major religions, combined with the fact that the use of WMD's is clearly in opposition to the principles of these religions, forces recognition that all modern wars are unjust. Shafi recommends "The Heart of Islam" by Seyyed Hossein Nasr.

Why Israelis and Palestinians Think They Can't Get Along with Each Other, led by Allan Solomonow, director of the Middle East Peace Program of American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), Western Region. The workshop presented the view that peace, justice and a secure future for Israelis and Palestinians can take shape only when the legitimate needs of both people are dealt with fully and fairly. The opinion was given that recapitulating the horrors of history and trying to allot blame only serve to postpone peacemaking. Attention was called to progress that has been made in recent years in reconciling Israeli and Palestinian concerns and to the abundance of peace work in both Palestinian and Israeli communities. Allen recommends "Understanding the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict" by Phyllis Bennis ($5 from AFSC, 65 N. Ninth St., SF 94103 or order from http://www.tari.org) and a question and answer piece from Jewish Voices for Peace (510-465-1777).

Visioning an Alternative World Order and Building It, led by Marie Clarke, national coordinator of Jubilee USA Network. The Judeo-Christian Jubilee scriptures laying a framework for a just world order were presented, along with the recognition that many of these Jubilee themes resonate with teachings in every major world religion. Practical steps were given for envisioning and working toward a world order where preserving life, valuing the earth, and peaceful and just relationships are more important than preserving profit. Contact Marie at Jubilee offices, 1-202-546-4468, or check the website. Local action on debt cancellation is facilitated through Bay Area Debt Cancellation Coalition with meetings in East Bay and San Francisco.

Pitfalls of Immigrant Life: Loss of Civil Rights and Liberties, led by Helal Omeira, Council on American-Islamic Relations, and AiMara Lin of Not In My Name. Helal detailed many instances of blatant discrimination by our government since 9-11, especially against Muslim, Arab, and South Asian residents in this country. Also many threats to and deaths of Sihk persons because of mistaken identity were presented. AiMara told of how similar actions against Japanese Americans during WWII had impacted her family. Participants expressed the opinion that while restrictions to rights and liberties are falling most heavily on Muslims, Arabs and South Asians at the present time, in the long run no one who dissents from what the government wants us to believe is immune. Examples of communities who are working hard to repeal the Patriot Act and other repressive government measures were shared. Contact Omeira for speaking dates at 408-986-9874, email: nocal@cair.com.

Now you have your homework --chose your topics, inform yourself and become a vital link in the process of healing the world!

PS Contact information for other groups that co-sponsored the conference include:

• Board of Rabbis of Northern California
• California Council of Churches
• Church World Service local contact: mfakasiieiki@churchworldservice.org
• Council of Churches of Santa Clara County, tel 408-297-2660
• Northern California Interreligious Conference, contact Catherine Coleman at taffy2traveling@yahoo.com
• Pacific Network for Mission Education, contact: Harlan Stelmach, president, hstelmcah@comcast.net
• San Fernando Interfaith Council
• Southern California Ecumenical Council, contact Al Cohen, e-mail: scec1@earthlink.net