Faith can face challenge of freedom, says thinktank

2009-02-27 | No need for fearful rhetoric about 'persecution', Convention event will propose London, UK Rather than resorting to fearful rhetoric about 'marginalisation' or 'persecution', Christians and people of faith in Britain have a real opportunity to contribute to the public good and to defend the civic freedoms upon which we all rely, says the religion and society think-tank Ekklesia. Commenting ahead of the high profile Convention on Modern Liberty, http://www.modernliberty.net at the Institute of Education in London and across the UK on Saturday 28 February 2009, Ekklesia co-director Simon Barrow said that the event "embodies the new kind of people-driven politics that can emerge as traditional political institutions waver under growing worldwide pressures, and as they are tempted to resort to authoritarian measures." "Similar challenges face organisations based around religion and belief," he added. "Fundamental human rights have been supported from many religious quarters, but they have also been challenged or seen as a threat in others." "There is a choice to be made," said Barrow. "Will faith groups turn in upon themselves, resort to aggressive popularism and shy away from sharing free public space with others? Or can they develop global understandings of citizenship and shared responsibility, rooted in their own specific traditions, which open doors and expose abuses of power?" Ekklesia argues that a positive way forward is possible. MORE http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/8794 Please also see: Convention report highlights massive assaults on civil liberties http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/8804 Muslims, Catholics Join to Promote Peace Muslims and Catholics have much in common when it comes to beliefs about peace, decided participants at an interreligious meeting: Both faiths consider that peace should permeate all aspects of life. http://www.hcef.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=790792235:muslims-catholics-join-to-promote-peace&catid=1:news