TruthBook Religious News Blog

by Eliza Carney

Many of the worldwide celebrations of Easter reported in the Coloradoan focused on bringing peace and a better future for this fractured world. But many see religion itself as a primary cause of the fracturing. And this is unfortunately true in many places.

But there are other instances where people of faith do try to be true to the ideals of justice and peace of their founders. This is true of the U.S. Christian leaders' mission (United Methodist, Episcopal, Catholic, Baptist, Evangelical, Quaker, Mennonite, National Council of Churches and others) to Tehran several weeks ago, an event little-reported in the media. Their objective was "to meet with religious and political leaders in Iran to help diffuse tensions and explore ways to forge peace between Iran and the U.S."

Here are excerpts from the U.S. religious delegation's wrap-up statement on the Tehran mission, words we hope will be echoed in faith communities across the land:

"As Christian leaders from the United States, we went to Iran at this time of increased tension believing that it is possible to build bridges of understanding between our two countries. We believe military action is not the answer, and that God calls us to just and peaceful relationships within the global community.

"We were warmly welcomed by the Iranian people, and our time in Iran convinced us that religious leaders from both countries can help pave the way for mutual respect and peaceful relations between our nations.

"During our visit, we met with Muslim and Christian leaders, government officials, and other Iranian people. Our final day included a meeting with former President Khatami and current President Ahmadinejad. The meeting with President Ahmadinejad was the first time an American delegation had met with a sitting Iranian President in Iran since the Islamic revolution in 1979. The meeting lasted 2.5 hours and covered a range of topics including the role of religion in transforming conflict, Iraq, nuclear proliferation, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"What the delegation found most encouraging from the meeting with President Ahmadinejad was a clear declaration from him of no intention to acquire or use nuclear weapons, as well as a statement that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be solved through political not military means. Finally, he said, 'I have no reservation about conducting talks with American officials if we see some good will.'

"We believe it is possible for further dialogue and that there can be a new day in U.S.-Iranian relations. The Iranian government has already built a bridge toward the American people by inviting our delegation to come to Iran. We ask the U.S. government to welcome a similar delegation of Iranian religious leaders to the United States.

"As additional steps in building bridges between our nations, we call upon both the United States and Iranian governments to:

Immediately engage in direct face-to-face talks;

Cease using language that defines the other using "enemy" images;

Promote more people-to-people exchanges including religious leaders, members of Parliament/ Congress, and civil society.

"As people of faith, we are committed to working toward these and other confidence-building measures, which we hope will move our two nations from the precipice of war toward a more just and peaceful settlement."

Peace between the United States and Iran is both possible and essential. People of faith in both nations can help make it happen.

Will we?

Eliza Carney is a member of the Peace and Justice Committee at the Fort Collins Mennonite Fellowship.

Labels: Christian, Eliza Carney, God, Iran, peace, President Ahmadinejad, religion, Tehran