Religious Organisations and Peace
Pax Christi: A religious group working for peace
One such group is the Roman Catholic group Pax Christi.
Pax Christi is Latin and the words mean “the peace of Christ”. It was founded in France in 1945 to promote reconciliation between French and German Catholics after the violence of WW2.
The group now has members in 22 countries on 4 continents. It is sometimes asked for advice at the United Nations. The organisation is dedicated to peace and non-violence.
Pax Christi USA is the American branch of the organisation and it is particularly active.
The group works by providing information to its members, campaigning, lobbying governments, praying and making public statements.
The main activities of the group are:
• Making public statements about war.
• Criticising the American government over issues related to violence e.g. the amount the country spends on arms (defence budget) and the use of the death penalty.
• Organising public debates e.g. on the morality of nuclear weapons.
• Working for economic and racial justice. This means that all people get a fair deal in society regardless of their wealth or race.
• Working for recognition of human rights.
• Educating American Catholics about war and peace issues.
• Trying to establish international intervention teams to prevent wars.
They do this work because:
• They take seriously Jesus’ teachings about loving your enemy, turning the other cheek, and forgiveness.
• They follow Jesus’ example of not using violence even when attacked.
• They believe the Gospel encourages Christians to be peacemakers and to be concerned for justice for those who are oppressed.
Pax Christi is Latin and the words mean “the peace of Christ”. It was founded in France in 1945 to promote reconciliation between French and German Catholics after the violence of WW2.
The group now has members in 22 countries on 4 continents. It is sometimes asked for advice at the United Nations. The organisation is dedicated to peace and non-violence.
Pax Christi USA is the American branch of the organisation and it is particularly active.
The group works by providing information to its members, campaigning, lobbying governments, praying and making public statements.
The main activities of the group are:
• Making public statements about war.
• Criticising the American government over issues related to violence e.g. the amount the country spends on arms (defence budget) and the use of the death penalty.
• Organising public debates e.g. on the morality of nuclear weapons.
• Working for economic and racial justice. This means that all people get a fair deal in society regardless of their wealth or race.
• Working for recognition of human rights.
• Educating American Catholics about war and peace issues.
• Trying to establish international intervention teams to prevent wars.
They do this work because:
• They take seriously Jesus’ teachings about loving your enemy, turning the other cheek, and forgiveness.
• They follow Jesus’ example of not using violence even when attacked.
• They believe the Gospel encourages Christians to be peacemakers and to be concerned for justice for those who are oppressed.
Islamic Relief and the Muslim Peace Fellowship
Islamic Relief
Founded in 1984
First Muslim agency set up in Europe to help the victims of war.
What does it do?
It campaigns all over the world and helps those suffering as a result of war. IN recent years it has worked in Bosnia, Somalia and Iraq.
Founded in 1984
First Muslim agency set up in Europe to help the victims of war.
What does it do?
It campaigns all over the world and helps those suffering as a result of war. IN recent years it has worked in Bosnia, Somalia and Iraq.
The Muslim Peace Fellowship (Ansar as-Salam)
Founded in 1994.
Described as ‘…a gathering of peace and justice-orientated Muslims of all backgrounds who are dedicated to making the beauty of Islam evident in the world’.
Aims:
· work against injustice
· reach out to people of all faiths with a message of understanding and mutual respect.
· work with everyone to bring about world peace.
Key quotes:
“Whoever saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind”.
Qur’an, Surah 5:32