On War and Peace

I've just finished reading Gwynne Dyer's bestselling history "War" and was both impressed with how readable it was given the subject matter but also by the compelling nature of the book's argument. Dr. Dyer is convinced that the institution of warfare can be eliminated and describes the efforts of the post-world war II powers in the creation of the UN and associated institutions as a "100 year project" to that end. Of course he also points out that we're behind schedule and that the invasion of Iraq represents a setback on that trajectory.

In that line of thinking and given the volume of civil wars, insurgencies, and guerrilla actions motivated ostensibly by inappropriately harnessed religious sentiment, and the sheer volume of death and destruction enacted in the name of God, I was encouraged when I read this article. My favorite quote:

The speeches at this conference rather than using polite, diplomatic language have at times been brutally direct. When the Rabbi Metzger harangued mainstream Muslims for not standing up to Osama bin Laden, Islamic leaders nodded in agreement.

Of course the idea of Osama bin Laden as a unifier of the world’s religious communities is the kind of irony one seldom finds in real life. I think that this kind of dialogue between the world's faiths can't help but be a force for good.

Those who have read the "Left Behind" books will start screaming about an imagined "vast global conspiracy" to create "one world religion" and persecute the Christian church. I think I take the facts of the world in which we currently live more seriously than this kind of fiction and the case of this man in Afghanistan currently facing trial for converting to Christianity begs the question of whether more dialogue between the world's religious communities might reduce the tendency towards theocratic oppression. Especially when the reporters covering these types of meetings get to write things like this:

Both Muslim and Jewish leaders have shown a preparedness to take criticism.
There have also been strong expressions of opposition to any killing in the name of religion.

Maybe some Imams should mention that last bit to the government of Afghanistan. Maybe mention the bit about Osama as well.

Let the doubting of my salvation begin.

UPDATE:
The Afghan man who was facing possible execution for his adopted faith has been freed after a court dismissed his case. This was in the wake of building international pressure from Western Democracies.