Statement

Asian Religious Leaders Conference on
'Be Peacemakers in Asia Today'
Chiang Mai, Thailand 13-15 November 2007

Religious leaders, scholars and peace advocates from Buddhist, Christian, Hindu and Islamic traditions met at the Lotus Hotel, Chiang Mai, on 13–15 November 2007, in a spirit of celebrating the diverse spiritual and cultural heritage of Asia and with a deep commitment to furthering peace initiatives. The theme of the conference was: "Be Peacemakers in Asia Today".

The participants met at a time when conflicts affecting millions of people of all faiths are taking place within and among nations and communities. They attempted to analyze and understand the nature of these conflicts and their varied dimensions. It was distressing to note that in many situations leaders and institutions of religion are co-opted by powers that be. In certain cases they seem themselves to be guilty of instigating or condoning violence. This phenomenon raises grave questions concerning the role and purpose of religion in the world today.

The keynote addresses highlighted the positive and negative practices and interpretations of religion. They sought to clarify the role of religion in peacemaking as well as in causing conflict. They affirmed that the basic thrust of religion is to nurture life and provide for human beings to live in harmony with one another and nature. Religions in different ways have laid down the spiritual basis for a just and moral human order. Religions as communities have also kept alive social networks of solidarity with all, including the marginalized, discriminated and oppressed.

The keynote addresses also focused upon instances and situations wherein religious leaders and institutions allowed themselves to be used by powers that be to suppress and violate the rights and dignity of helpless innocent people. When religion gets distorted in this manner, it loses its relevance and legitimacy. As persons committed to religion, the participants felt the need of restating and reaffirming the basic liberating and life-affirming nature of religion.

Speakers from various traditions addressed the problem of violence in religious fundamentalism that sometimes occurs because of misinterpretation of religions and as a reaction to repressive political situations. Fundamentalism in making exclusive claims of purity and truth tend to breed intolerance and violence. It was felt that critical interpretation of scriptures and sacred texts is necessary for working towards justice, peace and a decent human order in an increasingly global world. It was agreed that violence cannot be eradicated as long as people are denied the right to food, shelter, education, freedom of speech and belief, participation in decision making.

Spirituality is an experience shared by all religious traditions. It is not and it should not be used to escape from the realities of life. Spirituality empowers us to overcome fear, powerlessness and divisions within a community as also to transcend and converse across the boundaries of religions. It has been and can become the basis for transforming distrust and conflict into reconciliation and enduring peace.

Co-operation among different religious communities calls for a spirit of mutual respect, tolerance, accountability and a culture of open dialogue. In a world ever more closely connected, we need to constantly learn from each other. That requires a strong commitment to allow critical discussion, debate and dissent within one’s own religion. Such a process holds the promise making possible the coming together of different religious traditions to undertake concrete initiatives for peace, reconciliation and harmony.

The conference discussed and identified the areas of human rights, poverty, health and environment for necessary action.

• Strengthening inter-religious networks at local, national and inter-national levels
• Working towards sensitizing the general public in one’s own religious tradition for becoming agents of peace and reconciliation
• Advocating policies of good governance, respect for human rights, especially women and children rights, care for nature
• Equipping people to stand against communal, religious, ethnic violence and violence against women
• Exchanging information among religious communities for promoting cooperation and solidarity
• Sharing human and financial resources for promoting a culture of peace
• Forming an inter-religious Task Force for advocating and promoting human rights
• Organizing events to lobby international forums and institutions, like the UN and other similar bodies for more ethically inspired foreign policies
• Responding to policies issued by multi-lateral institutions, such as World Bank, IMF and WTO
• Negotiating with major religious communities and governments, in countries, where minor communities feel insecure, for complementing effective policies and initiating peace processes