Religion Should be Seen as Part of the Solution not Part of the Problem
Bliss Notes
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Religion Should be Seen as Part of the Solution not Part of the Problem | |
Dr Debbie Weissman, Too often religion is seen as an obstacle to peace when instead it should be regarded as part of the solution, says Dr Debbie Weissman, President of the International Council of Christians and Jews (ICCJ). "Many people perceive religions as extremist, fanatical and violent. And this is true for some elements of the world's religions. But I firmly believe religion is part of the solution," she says. New York-born, with degrees from Barnard College and New York University, and a doctorate in Jewish education from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Dr Weissman has lived in Israel since 1972 and is the first woman to be elected president of the ICCJ in its 66 year history. Currently in Australia, Dr Weissman spoke to members of the NSW ICCJ yesterday at the Great Synagogue in an address "Inter-religious dialogue from a Global Perspective" where she reiterated the need to build an even closer relationship between Christians and Jews. "Jews and Christians have a unique relationship," she explains and points to the reworking and expansion of the original 10 Points of Seelisberg. Created in 1947 by a group of Christians and Jews from 19 countries who gathered in Seelisberg to express their profound grief at the Holocaust, the points were part of their desire to combat anti-semitism and foster stronger relationships between the two faiths.
Christian presence in Israel on the increase "The Nostra Aetate and other documents gave the world a wonderful model of how people can keep their own beliefs and traditions and be open to dialogue with people of other cultures, traditions and faiths," she says. Instead of the original 10 principles listed at Seelisberg which were all directed at Christians in the shadow of the horror of the Holocaust, Dr Weissman says the new Commitment has been expanded to 12 principles, four of which are directed to Jews, four to Christians and four of which apply to both Christians and Jews. As part of these principles, Christians are encouraged to engage in inter-religious dialogue with Jews, combat anti-semitism and develop a theological understanding of Judaism, as well as recognise Christ's identity as a profound Jew of his day and interpreting his teachings within the contextual framework of first-century Judaism, and by cleansing Christians and biblical texts of anti Jewish perspectives or interpretations. For their part, under the principles created by the ICCJ in Berlin, Jews are urged to acknowledge the efforts of many Christian communities to reform their attitudes and understanding of Judaism, and they are also called on to differentiate between fair-minded criticism of the state of Israel and anti-semitism. On addition Jews are asked to re-examine Jewish texts and liturgy in the light of these Christian reforms, and to offer encouragement to the State of Israel by ensuring equal rights for religious and ethnic minorities, including Christians, living within the Jewish state.
Pope Paul VI's Nostra Aetate But perhaps the most ground breaking of all are the final four principles which call on Jewish and Christian communities along with communities of other faiths such as Islam, to enhance and encourage inter-religious and inter-cultural education; to promote inter-religious friendship and cooperation, as well as social justice on a global scale. The principles also urge collaborative and enhanced dialogue with political and economic bodies to further promote inter-religious understanding and to recognise the shared Jewish and Christian biblical duty toward creation and care of the earth. But Dr Weissman's belief in the importance of respect for one another's religion, culture and traditions is not limited to Christians and Jews. "In Israel we have found Muslims, Christians and Jews can engage in dialogue and this is a positive step forward," she says, adding that contrary to popular belief, the Christian presence in Israel is increasing rather than diminishing. "The number of Christians in Israel is on the rise as a result of the migration of Russian, Romanian and Filipino Christians. They are a definite presence in Israel proper. But although Christian by faith, in terms of ethnicity they are not Palestinian and for this reason their growing numbers are often overlooked," she says. As President of the ICCJ, although Dr Weissman's home is in Jerusalem, she is frequently travelling - promoting the message of interfaith and interreligious dialogue and respect. But she says of all the cities she visits, Sydney is her favourite. "After Jerusalem, Sydney is my most favourite city, and one I love visiting any chance I can," she says. | |
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