United in One Voice: No to Violence -- No to Hate

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Denis Virgil Stevenson
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United in One Voice: No to Violence -- No to Hate Call to Prayer: [Light Candle] Leader 1: Once again we bear witness to violence and unrest in the Arab World to a large extent, it has been sparked

1 United in One Voice: No to Violence -- No to Hate Call to Prayer: [Light Candle] Leader 1: Once again we bear witness to violence and unrest in the Arab World to a large extent, it has been sparked over an anti-islam film mocking the Muslim Prophet. Let us pause for a moment and pray for those who make decisions about war and peace. We ask God to give them the courage and wisdom to make good decisions; to consciously work for peace. We remember as well those who carry within the seeds of anger and resentment that often leads to hatred and violence. We ask God to give them the wisdom to find nonviolent ways to express that anger which storms within. And, we pray for ourselves, that we can robe ourselves with authentic peace a peace that prevents us from being so quick to label our Muslim sisters and brothers, and those of different faiths, as terrorists. May we have the courage to ask and reflect on the hard question: Why do our sisters and brothers in neighboring countries harbor so much anger towards the United States? Leader 2: Interfaith religious leaders from across the spectrum were quick to condemn the hate message of an anti-islam film, as well as the violent attack it supposedly provoked on September 11 th in which the U.S. ambassador to Libya, three other Americans, and several Libyan soldiers were killed in the consulate in Benghazi, Libya. The violence has spread from Egypt to Lebanon, from Sudan to Tunisia, from Yemen to Afghanistan. Violent protests have continued to flare resulting in senseless deaths. Let us listen to the words of our faith leaders who call us to disarm our hearts and to be messengers of hope and peace in our divided world. (Refrain taken from Song: Prayer for Peace by David Haas sing or recite) Peace before us, peace behind us, peace under our feet. Peace within us, peace over us, let all around us be peace. Reader 1: [The Islamic Society of North America] unequivocally condemns the killing of U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens, and his staff and condemns the attack on U.S. Embassy in Cairo. Reports indicate that those who killed him did so as a reaction to a video depicting the Prophet Muhammad in a profane manner. Although we believe that this video is hateful and bigoted, this could never be an excuse to commit any acts of violence whatsoever. The Prophet is loved and respected by hundreds of millions of people across the world, and no one take this from our hearts. No one should fall into the trap of those who wish to incite anger. The Prophet should be our example in everything we do, and even though he was attacked and insulted many times throughout his life, he always reacted with compassion and forgiveness, never with revenge or violence. As we mourn the loss of these individuals, we call on Muslims across the world not to pay any attention to the voices of extremists such as the ones that created this video...the words of these individuals are intended only to create tension and to solicit violent reactions from Muslims and people of other faiths around the world. It is critical that no one aid them in this task. As American Muslims, we can state with confidence that these individuals hold views which remain on the fringes of our society. The vast majority of Americans and American news outlets completely disregard them, and we urge all people around the world to do the same. ~ Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) 1 /5 by Education for Justice

2 Love before us, love behind us, love under our feet. Love within us, love over us, let all around us be love. Reader 2: This loss of life in this manner is an affront to values of humanity and tolerance that are the core of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. I also stand here today to condemn the video that apparently spurred these incidents. While we defend the right to free speech, even repugnant speech, these kinds of messages on the internet are so clearly crafted to provoke, to offend, to evoke outrage. The denigration of religion, the mocking of religious leaders, the intentional framing of religious texts and tenets in this manner must be repudiated by all religious leaders. ~ Rabbi David Saperstein, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism Light before us, light behind us, light under our feet. Light within us, light over us, let all around us be light. Reader 3: I was saddened to learn of the deaths of Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens and the three members of his staff. This loss of life is a tragedy and inexcusable and my prayers are with the families and friends of those killed. Attacks like this must be unequivocally condemned by religious and political leaders alike. There has been a unified response from many in the faith community, from Muslims, Christians and Jews, that no matter the grievance, violence like this is not justified. It is also of the utmost importance to condemn the video that sparked these events. The video does not reflect the beliefs of the vast majority of Christians in America or across the world. Its intent is clearly to create unnecessary conflict and strife. Conflict between religions is not inevitable, and it is more necessary than ever before for people of faith and good will to model an alternative way of living together. We must live in peace with those whom they might disagree. ~ Rev. Jim Wallis, Sojourners Christ before us, Christ behind us, Christ under our feet. Christ within us, Christ over us, let all around us be Christ. Reader 4: We strongly condemn the brutal murder of the United States ambassador to Libya and three of the embassy employees. In order for peace to reign throughout the world, brutality and hatred must be swiftly condemned and punished. Hope must be brought to desperate places, kindness and mercy must be given a chance. However, hope will not thrive in the midst of hatred and violence. Therefore, those who are responsible for this brutal act must be brought to justice in order to give hope a chance. We keep the families of the ambassador and murdered staff in our prayers as well as offering the families our heartfelt condolences. Copts across the Diaspora never participated in any humiliation or violence against those who often persecute Christians. It is not the Christian way to respond to hatred with hate. Christianity prohibits a Christian from such acts. If burning the Holy Bible is wrong, then burning any book revered or respected by others is equally wrong. Holistically blaming the Copts for the production of this movie is equivalent to holistically blaming Muslims for the actions of a few fanatics. Even though Christians often face persecution, injustice and calls for open attacks over the airwaves, we reject violence in all its forms. We call on everyone from all religions to respect the freedom of individuals to choose their faith. ~ The Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles, Southern California & Hawaii 2 /5 by Education for Justice

3 Love before us, love behind us, love under our feet. Love within us, love over us, let all around us be love. Reader 5: I am embarrassed and ashamed that the Christian religion has been associated with an act as hateful as that of releasing a film intended to incite violence and even to cause the deaths of innocent people. It is a form of rhetorical hate crime. It has no place in our democracy or in Christianity. And for one person to endorse a film and to commend it to the world bearing the name of Christ, that causes this kind of loss and violence and division, is wrong. The Christian religion is about peace, just as Judaism, just as Islam. And I want to say for all of you to hear, that in the name of Christianity, I condemn the promotion of that kind of hatred and weep over the kind of deadly consequences it has provoked. ~ Rev. Dr. Welton C. Gaddy, Interfaith Alliance Light before us, light behind us, light under our feet. Light within us, light over us, let all around us be light. Reader 6: The attack has been appropriately condemned by both the U.S. and Libya governments. Member communions of the National Council of Churches USA denounce this mindless violence as a travesty and mindless rejection of the historic precepts of Islam, Judaism and Christianity, which are based on God s love and a peaceful regard for all God s people. Our hearts and prayers go out for the families and loved ones of Mr. Stevens and the other victims of the attack. We are sadly aware that this attack took place on the 11th anniversary of the terror attacks of September 11, We reiterate a statement we made then and ask all people to abide by its call: We assert the vision of community, tolerance, compassion, justice, and the sacredness of human life, which lies at the heart of all of our religious traditions. ~ The National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA Christ before us, Christ behind us, Christ under our feet. Christ within us, Christ over us, let all around us be Christ. Reader 7: The very serious attack organized against the United States diplomatic mission in Libya calls for the firmest possible condemnation on the part of the Holy See. Nothing, in fact, can justify the activity of terrorist organizations and homicidal violence. Along with our sadness, mourning and prayers for the victims, we again express hope that, despite this tragedy, the international community may discover the most favorable ways to continue its commitment in favor of peace in Libya and the entire Middle East. Profound respect for the beliefs, Reflection: Pope Benedict XVI s statement to members of the government, institutions of the Republic, the diplomatic corps, religious leaders and representatives of the world of culture in the Baabda Presidential Palace on the second day of his three-day Apostolic Visit to Lebanon, September 15, Left: The wealth of any country is found primarily in its inhabitants. The country s future depends on them, individually and collectively, as does its capacity to work for peace. A commitment to peace is possible only in a unified society. Unity, on the other hand, is not the same as uniformity. Right: Social cohesion requires unstinting respect for the dignity of each person and the responsible participation of all in contributing the best of their talents and abilities. The energy needed to build and consolidate peace also demands that we constantly return to the wellsprings of our humanity. 3 /5 by Education for Justice

Left: Our human dignity is inseparable from the sacredness of life as the gift of the Creator. In God s plan, each person is unique and irreplaceable.

4 Left: Our human dignity is inseparable from the sacredness of life as the gift of the Creator. In God s plan, each person is unique and irreplaceable. A person comes into this world in a family, which is the first locus of humanization, and above all the first school of peace. To build peace, we need to look to the family, supporting it and facilitating its task, and in this way promoting an overall culture of life. Right: The effectiveness of our commitment to peace depends on our understanding of human life. If we want peace, let us defend life! This approach leads us to reject not only war and terrorism, but every assault on innocent human life, on men and women as creatures willed by God. Left: We need to be conscious of attacks on our efforts to build harmonious coexistence. Only effective solidarity can act as an antidote, solidarity that rejects whatever obstructs respect for each human being, solidarity that supports policies and initiatives aimed at bringing peoples together in an honest and just manner. Right: Nowadays, our cultural, social and religious differences should lead us to a new kind of fraternity wherein what rightly unites us is a shared sense of the greatness of each person and the gift which others are to themselves, to those around them and to all humanity. This is the path to peace! This is the commitment demanded of us! This is the approach which ought to guide political and economic decisions at every level and on a global scale! Left: In order to make possible a future of peace for coming generations, our first task is to educate for peace in order to build a culture of peace... verbal and physical violence must be rejected, for these are always an assault on human dignity, both of the perpetrator and the victim. Right: Emphasizing peacemaking and its positive effect for the common good also creates interest in peace. As history shows, peaceful actions have a significant effect on local, national and international life. Thoughts of peace, words of peace and acts of peace create an atmosphere of respect, honesty and cordiality, where faults and offences can be truthfully acknowledged as a means of advancing together on the path of reconciliation. Left: May political and religious leaders reflect on this! We need to be very conscious that evil is not some nameless, impersonal and deterministic force at work in the world But it is possible for us not to be overcome by evil but to overcome evil with good (cf. Rom 12:21). It is to this conversion of heart that we are called. Without it, all our coveted human liberations prove disappointing, for they are curtailed by our human narrowness, harshness, intolerance, favouritism and desire for revenge. 4 /5 by Education for Justice

Left: The conversion demanded of us can also be exhilarating, since it creates possibilities by appealing to the countless resources present in the hearts of all those men and women who desire to

5 Left: The conversion demanded of us can also be exhilarating, since it creates possibilities by appealing to the countless resources present in the hearts of all those men and women who desire to live in peace and are prepared to work for peace. True, it is quite demanding: it involves rejecting revenge, acknowledging one s faults, accepting apologies without demanding them, and, not least, forgiveness. Only forgiveness, given and received, can lay lasting foundations for reconciliation and universal peace (cf. Rom 12:16b, 18). Right: A pluralistic society can only exist on the basis of mutual respect, the desire to know the other, and continuous dialogue. Such dialogue is only possible when the parties are conscious of the existence of values which are common to all great cultures because they are rooted in the nature of the human person. Left: It cannot be forgotten that religious freedom is the basic right on which many other rights depend. The freedom to profess and practice one s religion without danger to life and liberty must be possible to everyone. Right: Religious freedom has a social and political dimension which is indispensable for peace! It promotes a harmonious life for individuals and communities by a shared commitment to noble causes and by the pursuit of truth, which does not impose itself by violence but rather by the force of its own truth (Dignitatis Humanae, 1): the Truth which is in God. Closing Prayer May Christ banish from the hearts of all people whatever might endanger peace, may Christ transform them into witnesses of truth, justice and love. May Christ enlighten the rulers of peoples so that in addition to their solicitude for the proper welfare of their citizens, they may guarantee and defend the great gift of peace; May Christ enkindle the wills of all, so that they may overcome the barriers that divide, cherish the bonds of mutual charity, understand others, and pardon those who have done them wrong; by virtue of this action, may all peoples of the earth become as brothers and sisters, and may the most longed-for peace blossom forth and reign always among them. ~ Pope John XXIII 5 /5 by Education for Justice

The Holy See APOSTOLIC JOURNEY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS TO EGYPT (28-29 APRIL 2017)

The Holy See APOSTOLIC JOURNEY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS TO EGYPT (28-29 APRIL 2017) ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS TO GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES AND THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS Al Masah Hotel, Cairo Friday,