Religions and the Global Justice Movement

Theme of the outcome

Others and/or Cross-thematic

Description of the outcome

This panel discussion presented a participatory dialogue about the role of religions in the global justice movement. Represented were Buddhist, Pagan, Muslim, and Christian activists from several different countries.

After brief introductory remarks the audience was asked to discuss things amongst themselves in small groups of 3-6 people for about 20 minutes. This helped faciliate a lot more participation and enthusiasm for the group discussion with the panel that filled the remaining time.

Here are some statements from the panel: "What I think Buddhism has given me is the training to be present, to one thing at a time in our daily lives. How do we stay aware of what is going on inside of us and around us in situations that may be stressful and full of conflict. Through meditation we learn to cultivate an ability to be precise about our own motivations, with what other people are saying, to be fully present for our work. It helps us regain our energy when we’re exhausted. It helps us enjoy what we’re doing. As activists we are often bordering on burning out so we need to find these ways to take care of ourselves.
Another thing that spiritual practice has given me is that I’ve come to see that the things that I struggle to transform in the world around me are in me as well. A system gone mad on greed, aggression, and ignorance of reality –––it’s all inside of us too so if we’re involved in social change we need to be able to relate to that to transform ourselves as well. It doesn’t happen by itself. It’s also an opening to compassion and enables us to look at our so-called enemies as humans too."
- Helena Tagesson

"I don’t think we should strive for the Unity of mankind. I think that the idea of the unity of mankind is overrated and very dangerous. We can never agree on too many things but we should try to agree on the basics: everyone’s right to life, to the pursuit of happiness, water, food, shelter, to explore life in its various paths without oppressive structures."
-Mattias Gardell

"From being black as a target, being Asian as a target, then being Pakistani as a target, then being a Muslim as a target, I’ve had a great life as being a target. But I don’t see myself as a victim. I see the ignorance and arrogance ––Western society has become so consumed by its own arrogance. I love my religion and I’ve seen many different dynamics and different layers. I’ve wanted to engage with people who are seen to be dangerous or going to areas of the world which are seen to be dangerous. I wanted to go there and see who these people are and break down the propaganda about them. Or see them in the real light of their context. We tend to forget how important context is.
I went to South Africa and recognized that the struggle against apartheid is also my struggle. It doesn’t matter whether someone is Muslim or not. All of these struggles are my struggle. ...I’ve always thought religion is global justice. It doesn’t make sense to me to separate religion and politics. Any of the prophets, Jesus, Moses etc. ––they were all fighting against injustice. I think we need to dialogue, discuss, and move forward."

"If we look at the last five centuries we can see that the Catholic Church and the Popes were oftenopposing justice and peace. Nevertheless, toward the end of the last century there was the Second Vatican Council and this was the reform of the Church and the creation of the conditions for the Church to get engaged in working for justice and peace. This was a very positive event especially seeing as how the last century was characterized by a lot of wars.
Since the council the history of the Church has changed. So within the Church there is an internal clash especially about global justice. One side is supporting capitalism and unequal relationships and the other side is against it and aims to change those relationships. One side accepts the war in Iraq. The other side does not. ....[as an example of the progressive side of the Church] The World Social Forum was co-organized by Brazilian Christians together with French activists."
-Vittorio Bellavite

The session engaged between 40 and 50 participants which was a good turn-out conisdering it was a sunday morning and many people had already begun to leave the forum.

Throughout the panel and the dialogue that followed, one of the recurring themes was that there was much to discuss in regards to religion and global justice. One panel was too little and too brief. An entire section forum could be devoted to this theme. Perhaps religion could be one of the themes in upcoming forums?