Resource Paper

Some Notes on Addressing Human Insecurity from a Religious Youth Perspective:
 Our Ecumenical Experience & Response

By Mr. Lesley G. Capus^[1]
 

A. Introduction

It is common knowledge that Asia and the Pacific is blessed and noted for its diversity in terms of race/ethnicity, language, and culture. Moreover, we host very rich and abundant resources, both natural and human resources. Our potentials are limitless. But yet, we remain experiencing the high erosion of human security^[2] and uncertainties.

Dr. Nina Koshy describes the region as a: "colorful mosaic of cultures, languages, ideologies, races and tribes."^[3] One of our most remarkable distinctions, he adds, is religious plurality. Given the differences, our history shows us that we were able to live in tolerance. We were able to co-exist with each other, by being able to respect one another, to work and live together without necessarily undermining, or dominating the other. However, according to Dr. Hope Antone (CCA) it is unfortunate that in the present situation: "in many places in Asia, these differences are often the cause of opposition, discrimination, division, discord, and animosity." Worst, such differences are often exploited and manipulated by business and colonial powers to foment and insinuate further divisions and violence among our people’s and nations so they could ensure their hegemonic political and economic interest over the region.

From this point, our situation faces a tsunami of tears and woes. The conditions and manifestations of un-peace, violence, and brokenness is the overwhelming challenge we in the ecumenical youth movement undoubtedly face today. Peace-building must then be at the central focus of our mission and ministry, and this peace-building ministry must not be for the pure consumption of Christians alone, but to the other faith communities as well, who constitutes the majority of the people in Asia and the Pacific.

B. Our Recent Efforts

The National Council of Churches in the Philippines-Youth Desk and the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines through the Youth for a United World of the FOCOLARE Movement conducted a National Youth Prayer Conference for Peace in Manila last January 31 to February 1, 2004. More than 300 church youth leaders assembled in that gathering to discuss greater Christian unity among the youth and to confront the concerns regarding Peace. This meaningful event was held during the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. A statement entitled: "We are PRAYING for PEACE, and will WORK for JUSTICE" was made to express the outcome of the conference. Ironically, the beginning phrase used to guide the statement was borrowed from an analysis of a Muslim brother of which he said:

"The only way human beings can defeat Satan and obliterate the hatred for each other from human minds is to follow the Lord’s commandments by faith and deeds. Let us not pay attention to labels of various religion and sects. Let us embrace each other with love, care and compassion because our deeds are the same and the prescriptions of salvation and ascencion to God’s kingdom are the same in every religion. The differences are MAN MADE."^[4]

At the same time, the prayer conference was made as a venue in reaffirming our conviction to struggle side by side with the youth of other faith communities in the country, especially the Muslim and non-Muslim tribes called Lumads, to overcome the violence of poverty, discrimination and human rights violations due to the all out war waged in Mindanao to give way to the incursion of economic interest of foreign companies who intends to plunder the vast richness of the island, and give way to foreign military intervention disguising itself as joint RP-U.S. Military exercises.

On the Asian regional level, through the EASY Net (Ecumenical Asia-Pacific Students and Youth Network), 104 students and youth leaders from 16 countries in Asia and Pacific, belonging to 6 ecumenical organizations namely, the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs, Christian Conference of Asia, International Movement of Catholic Students Asia-Pacific, International Young Christian Students Asia Secretariat, World Student Christian Federation Asia-Pacific Region, World Young Women Christian Association and friends from the Asian Methodist Youth Network, Ecumenical Coalition on Tourism and International Catholic Movement for Intellectual and Cultural Affairs met from 7-14 December 2004 in Cipayung, Indonesia Asian Student and Youth Gathering 2005 gathering with the theme : "Together in Action for Peace and Reconciliation". This ecumenical gathering was a splendid opportunity for us to share our common concern, struggles and aspirations as a learning community, enabling each other to light the flame of hope and love within us. We were inspired through our interaction with friends who served as our resources through keynote presentation; thematic workshops (on Globalization and Economic Justice, Peace and Human Security, Education and Culture, and Interfaith Dialogue and Ecumenism); synthesis and analysis, and faith reflections. We were warned against the false prophets of peace: empire, militarization, globalization and fundamentalism and were called to resist the impact of these false prophets in our society. We were challenged to go to the marginalized, listen and stand with them. We shared the life of the "east" of God’s children through our exposure in the communities of farmers, survivors of the "May 1998" riot, street children, laborers, interfaith village and Muslim students. We celebrated our diversity and formed a community, creating further awareness of our interconnectedness. We lived the ecumenical spirit during the ASYG. At the time of the gathering two churches in Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia were bombed and attacked and the victims were undergoing rehabilitation while we are about to conclude the event. That same day, another bombing took place in General Santos City, in Mindanao, Philippines leaving scores of victims dead and several injured.

In both occasions mentioned, the ecumenical youth leaders agreed that there are two principal attributes of human insecurity among the youth and our people’s namely:

a. the pitiful and failed economic paradigm of monopoly globalization.

In the context of globalization, the world’s wealth and resources have become more unevenly distributed. Globalization has brought further poverty, widened the digital divide, and severe ecological destruction. Globalization with the instrument of Information and Communication Technology provides effective communication yet also enables the control of the rich and powerful from a distance over the weak and poor. Globalization has brought about homogenization of culture, values and market. It has a deep impact on the culture, ecology, education and tradition of many countries, particularly the poor ones. People are commodified; even peace is bought or sold.

b. the destruction caused by the US led War on Terror.

In multi-religious and multi-cultural Asia Pacific, we see rising intolerance and exclusivism. The current U.S policy of 'war on terrorism' is creating more conflicts in the Asia Pacific region fanning the flames of religious fundamentalism and extremism.^[5] It also intensifies the militarization of the region that has tremendous effects on individuals and societies – politically, socially, economically and culturally. Human security and human rights is wantonly being ignored and violated.

Furthermore, both attributes created a tremendous and chilling effect and social costs to the spirituality and morality of the youth i.e. increase i.e. increasing in suicides, juvenile delinquencies, prostitution and human and sexual trafficking of women and children. substance abuse, crimes involving children and teens, etc. By and large, the youth of Asia has been reduce to CCC- cannon-fodders, collateral damage, and insatiable consumers.

C. Significance for Christians engaging in Inter-faith and Inter-religious Dialogue vis-à-vis upholding Human Security

These two events are mere examples of the many varying responses made by the ecumenical youth movement regarding violence and promoting shared securities. Both activities did not only came-up with just mere declarations or statement after, but also came-up with workable and sustained programs and advocacies regarding interfaith and inter-religious dialogue and grassroots initiatives within our contexts^[6]. These concerns must be amongst our priority concerns given that: "This is also a period where churches and religions are finding one another, where we Christians are finding a new place, mission and involvement in the world. The need for togetherness and with the world realities-histories and history."(Dr. Nina Koshy). We can only possibly contribute in overcoming and preventing religious-ethnic conflict if we can actively engage ourselves in dialogues, joint undertakings and alliances with youth of other faith.

For us Christians who longs for greater unity among our brothers and sisters in the Christian community, we must also be made aware that greater Christian Unity and inter-faith dialogue go together. According to Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald:

"Relating to people of other religions helps Christians to understand better and appreciate more their own faith. They come to see how tremendous is the central tenet of that faith, namely that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son to be our Brother, Lord and Saviour. The contact with other systems of belief, and the with people who are influenced by these systems, help us to the roots of their faith that Christians will find the path to unity in diversity."^[7]

D. Affirming our Unique Potentials as Youth

1. Biblical and Theological Bases

God has called us and was given the authority to be prophets to the people (Jeremiah 1:4-10)^[8]. The whole Gospel accounts tells of a young Jesus being an epitome of breaking down walls of hostilities, prejudices, discrimination and violence perpetuated by the principalities and powers of his time. In the letter of St. Paul to Timothy (I Timothy 4:11-16)^[9] the youth is exhorted to be in active discipleship and to prepare ourselves to our duties for others.

The Rev. Somen Das, a Methodist and Principal of the Bishops College in Calcuta, India reminded the ecumenical youth that: "(The) God of the Bible calls all people, young and old, women and men, to share in the ministry of liberation and reconciliation. We are asked to submit and obey God’s will. It is for young people to use their God-given gifts of body, mind and spirit to promote and enhance life and living. They must promote actively a life determined by freedom, love and justice…. With innovations and imagination, with intelligence and intuition, young people can engage in this kind of (noble) work.” [Reclaiming the Cross]

2. Historical and Sociological Bases

It is already a known fact that the youth form a very vibrant and dynamic sector of society. They are the never drying well-spring of agents for meaningful change. In the most critical times of our people’s history, the youth are always to be found fighting at the forefront. In the making of a nation, it was the wisdom and courage of the youth which prevailed over the cautiousness and conservatism of their elders. It was the revolt of the youth which undermined and helped push out the decrepit colonial systems and give form to a new nation. Thus, a generation that is timid and apathetic would only willingly and unwillingly help feed the regimes of injustice and exploited labor, and cannon fodder for unjust wars.

Proposed Ways of Strengthening Multi-religious Cooperation for Shared Security in Asia

1. Continuing joint reflection and struggle on the issue of globalization and the war on terror and its apparent impact on human security concerns. This will enable us to share insights, gain from our specific experiences and resources in finding better and effective solutions to the many problems we confront on this issue.

2. For the Christian youth, Communion among the peoples cared for by different Christian confessions is an enormous challenge that has to be tackled. We need to promote communion among churches in practical ways considering that we are still relatively free from doctrinal baggage and power issues that hinder ecumenical cooperation and remains open to experimentation and are far more accepting of differences. An example of which is to conduct exchanges or deep immersion programs in strengthening interactions among our youth.

3. Sharing of commitments and resources is a very good way of bringing people together and proper stewardship of scarce resources. (Human, logistical, financial, political)

4. Churches and church leaders must be challenged further reinvest and support youth initiatives and programs along this concerns. WCRP and even partners and agencies must support in all its capacity sustaining grassroots and touch-based inter-faith projects directly initiated by the youth themselves.

5. Formation of a regional inter-faith youth forum or coalition that promotes more meaningful dialogues and active advocacy on a wide variety of human security issues such as human rights, HIV/AIDS, environmental destruction, trafficking (human and drugs), education etc.

6. Promote and exercise positive political ethics in peacemaking and peace building^[10]:

• are integral dimensions of our vocation.

• an option that we are free to make or not make.

• getting involved in concrete projects in view of a culture of justice.

• putting ourselves in the context and actual conflict situations.

• opposing wars forced on our people and recognizing legitimate and just people’s struggle for justice and genuine peace

7. Persevere in struggling^[11]:

• Against the value systems of the dominant society i.e. ideology of greed over need.

• Against walls that we ourselves have set up. i.e. dividing walls of hostility (Ephesians 2) like laws, commandments and ordinances detrimental to the people’s well-being.

• Against our very own apathy, passivity and negligence.

Overcoming violence is no easy task and the journey towards reclaiming religious tolerance and harmony can only be attained if we can collectively confront the root causes of religious-ethnic that is most often economic and political I nature than doctrinal. Let me conclude my presentation in quoting and paraphrasing the message of the prophet Isaiah: "If we will both work together for justice, there will be peace and security in the land."

_______________________

1. Youth Desk Coordinator, National Council of Churches in the Philippines and former Program Area Committee Member on Faith Mission and Unity of the Christian Conference of Asia.

2. "Human security (…) means, first, safety from such chronic threats as hunger, disease and repression. And second, it means protection from sudden and hurtful disruptions in the patterns of daily life – whether in homes, in jobs or in communities." (UNDP Human Development Report 1994)

3. Dr. Ninan Koshy, Challenge of Pluralism, A History of the Ecumenical Movement in Asia Volume I, page 346.

4. Sajjad Syed Haider, Interfaith Spiritual Fellowship, Malaysia.

5. "(fundamentalists) are concerned with power, not with the soul; but with the mobilization of the people for political purposes rather than with sharing and alleviating their sufferings and aspirations. Theirs is a very limited and time-bound political agenda. What has made matters worse is that similar distortions and zealotry occur in the "Jewish" and Christian" universes of discourse." Eqbal Ahmad, DAWN (Pakistan’s most respected weekly), January-March 1999.

6. Example of which are the formations and organizing of the grassroots ecumenical organizations and networks like the Ecumenical Network of Indonesian Students and Youth (ENISY) and EASY-Net Davao.

7. Before an ecumenical audience in San Carlos Seminary, Makati City, Philippines, August 21, 2003

8. The Lord said to me, "I chose you before I gave you life, and before you were born I selected you to be a prophet of the nations." I answered, "Sovereign Lord, I don’t know how to speak; I am too young." But the Lord said to me, "Do not say that you are too young, but go to the people I send you to, and tell them everything I command you to say. Do not be afraid of them, for I will be with you to protect you. I, the Lord have spoken!" Then the Lord reached out, touched my lips, and send to me, "Listen, I am giving you the words you must speak. Today I give you authority over nations and kingdoms to uproot and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant."

9. "Do not let anyone to look down on you because you are young, but be good example to the believers in your speech, your conduct, your love, faith and purity. Until I come, give your time to the public reading of the scriptures and to preaching and teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift that is in you…..Practice this things and devote yourself to them in order that your progress may be seen by all." (I Timothy 4:11-16)

10. Rev. Fr. Allan Arcebuche, in Peacemaking and Peacebuilding Ministry, April 2004.

11. Ms. Sharon Rose Joy Ruiz-Duremdes, NCCP General Secretary, taken from one of her presentations regarding peace-building and peacemaking ministry 2005.