06/25/05: How religious right, left can work together
How religious right, left can work together
The News ran a Washington Post story about how the religious left and religious right are working together on some issues, such as a hunger convocation in Washington. The following are comments by two Faith and Policy columnists and another contributor:Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi, head of the Islamic House of Wisdom in Dearborn Heights and Faith and Policy columnist:
Growing public use of religious rhetoric, shown strongly in the last presidential campaign, provided a new platform for religious groups to express their opinions and take part in interfaith discussions on issues like war, terrorism, poverty, globalization, human rights, school prayer, the Ten Commandments, the Pledge of Allegiance, abortion, drug and alcohol addiction, homosexuality, stem cell research and brain death issues.
Many religious groups are striving to come up with a common agenda based on core truths everyone can agree on. The success of interfaith work depends on having a real intellectual and spiritual discussion. Interpretation of sacred texts with the spirit of justice requires wisdom, honesty and humbleness by the participants. They must avoid intolerance, extremism and religious discrimination.
Interfaith participants should be true to their traditional identities and not bargain on their principles, but avoid exploiting religion for political purposes. Traditional Christian-Jewish interfaith groups have often silenced criticism over issues like Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Religious organizations can find solutions for many social challenges. The right solutions are not necessarily the popular ones. The Muslim community is sincerely involved in this spirit of cooperation, bridge-building and work for mutual understanding as a part of this great nation.
As the Quran says, "By the epoch, humanity is indeed at a loss, except those who have faith and do good works, and recommend one another to the truth and patience."