Lille Declaration on a Culture of Peace
The Role of Religions in the Promotion of
a Culture of Peace
1. The spiritual dimension of religions:Religions cultivate the human spirit through spiritual practices that aim at the realisation of genuine peace both within each believer and in the wider human family. Its power can show itself in the ability to bear the unbearable, find hope where there appear to be no grounds for hope and in forgiving the unforgivable. It is also manifest in celebration of beauty and cultivation of virtue.
2. The ethical dimension of religions: From the spiritual depths of religions spring ethical systems which guide the lives of millions. Religious leaders on all levels can speak with moral authority on values that are deeply held and widely shared by most religious traditions and which correspond to the values in a culture of peace. Among these are respect for the inviolable dignity of each person expressed in concern for human rights, justice, compassion for the afflicted, care for the earth and its creatures, and commitment to non-violence.
3. The social dimension of religions:Religious traditions have vertical and horizontal structures that give them unique channels for influence and exchange of ideas and insights. In every town and village there
is a place where people gather for worship: a church,
a mosque, a synagogue, a temple or a gurudwara. Through varying types of networks these are linked to similar places in other locations, and to national and international bodies, thus allowing the interests of men and women everywhere to be heard by national and international leaders, and national and international insights to be disseminated to the local level. All religious traditions emphasise the importance of education, instruction and formation of children and young people. This social dimension of religions provides great potential for communication and thereby furthering a culture of peace.
4. The cultural dimension of religions:All religions relate to culture and can contribute to building traditions that support peace by interpreting sacred texts andtraditions and applying them under changing circumstances. Thus they bind together the lives of past, present and future generations. Explicitly and implicitly religions tell and retell stories which form the identity of the faithful and define their relationships to others. Religious narratives have the power to confirm and to challenge the present order of things.
Elements of a Culture of Peace
1. A culture of peace is a way of living together in society which ensures the dignity of all.In a culture of peace the equal value of men and women is affirmed,
as is the equal value of all regardless of their ethnicity
or religious affiliation. A culture of peace-promotes responsible stewardship of the natural environment
and justice between the generations and permeates
our relationships from the local to the global level.
2. A culture of peace fosters tolerance and dialogue.Tolerance can help in the search for harmony indifference and affirms the standards set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It should not mean acceptance of social injustice or the abandonment or weakening of one's convictions. It means that one is free to adhere to one's own convictions and accept that others adhere to theirs. From genuine tolerance follows recognition offreedom of religion.A culture of peace leads to dialogue and supports the knowledge, respect and appreciation of the other as elaborated in our Berlin Declaration on Interreligious Dialogue (2008). Tolerance respects the dignity of the other.
3.Conflict isintrinsic in all cultures, but must not be allowed to lead to violenceand oppression.Conflicting interests and views are not in themselves a threat to peace. They present a challenge to creatively harmonise different interests. In a culture of peace everyone should striveto transformsituations ofconflicting interestsso that theirpower and dynamism arechanneled into creative development which promotes peace and harmony.
4. A culture of peace is a culture of mutuality and shared security. A culture of peace nurtures mutual respect which allows all to participate with integrity in society.Promoting a culture of peace implies exploring together the concept of shared security, the recognition that the well-being and security of individuals and groups depend on that of the others,as elaborated in
the 2006 Eighth World Assembly of Religions for Peace and the Religions for Peace World Summit of Religious Leaders on the Occasion of the G8 Summit, Hokkaido, Japan, 2008.
European Council of Religious Leaders - Religions for Peace
Traditional Religions are based on their own cultures.
Both are closely connected each other influencing
mutually.Therefore World Peace can come true religious
and cultural co-operation and help under one God.
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