The Multifaith Movement: Global Risks and Cosmopolitan Solutions

Transcription

1 The Multifaith Movement: Global Risks and Cosmopolitan Solutions

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3 Anna Halafoff The Multifaith Movement: Global Risks and Cosmopolitan Solutions

4 Anna Halafoff Faculty of Arts and Education Deakin University Burwood, VIC, Australia ISBN ISBN (ebook) DOI / Springer Dordrecht Heidelberg New York London Library of Congress Control Number: Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, speci fi cally the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on micro fi lms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. Exempted from this legal reservation are brief excerpts in connection with reviews or scholarly analysis or material supplied speci fi cally for the purpose of being entered and executed on a computer system, for exclusive use by the purchaser of the work. Duplication of this publication or parts thereof is permitted only under the provisions of the Copyright Law of the Publisher s location, in its current version, and permission for use must always be obtained from Springer. Permissions for use may be obtained through RightsLink at the Copyright Clearance Center. Violations are liable to prosecution under the respective Copyright Law. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a speci fi c statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. While the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication, neither the authors nor the editors nor the publisher can accept any legal responsibility for any errors or omissions that may be made. The publisher makes no warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein. Printed on acid-free paper Springer is part of Springer Science+Business Media (

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7 Foreword This book examines the rise of multifaith initiatives to counter global risks of terrorism and climate change at the turn of the twenty fi rst century. Recent increases in religious diversity in most societies has led to the rise of multifaith engagement to promote healthy interreligious relations and has brought diverse religious groups together in partnerships designed to address major issues confronting humanity. As James A. Beckford notes, most contemporary sociological studies focus on negative or controversial aspects of religion up until now there has been little sociological research on the positive peacebuilding and social capital enhancing aspects of religion nor has there been such an in-depth qualitative study of the multifaith movement. Multifaith relations in the twenty- fi rst century have moved from marginal activities engaged in by a boutique minority of liberal Christians and a few others to genuinely interreligious activities collaboratively conducted by people from a wide variety of religious origins and from diverse orientations within religious groups. Embodied understanding about how different religions work for those that practice them is essential to intergroup respect and harmony. Mere textbook learning will not do. As religious voices return to the public sphere, those who develop and apply social policy need to not just be aware of religious difference but to have the ability to respect and work with different beliefs and practices. Presuppositions that a secular voice will provide an objective or inclusive way to deal with diversity are no longer tenable. The notion that all religions are essentially the same quickly comes unstuck. In this context Anna Halafoff contributes new knowledge by examining multifaith engagement through the lens of social movement and cosmopolitan theory. This book is important not only for sociologists of religion, as it provides a missing sociological narrative about how the multifaith movement is a product of contemporary sociological developments, but it is also critical reading for multifaith practitioners and policy makers. Halafoff provides a helpful history of the multifaith movement including a review of the movement s principle aims. This book also assists the reader to appreciate the impact that social, cultural and environmental issues have had on multifaith activities. Many people mistakenly think that multifaith initiatives are a post 9/11 phenomenon, vii

8 viii Foreword however they need to better understand the multifaith movement in order to appreciate the different ways it has worked and how the focus of this movement has changed over time. The netpeace framework Halafoff develops stresses the need for communication and collaboration across multiple sectors, including religion and state, in response to common crises. It also provides a critical framework useful in comparing the ways different societies manage religious diversity, and how societies differ in the ways social issues are de fi ned and multifaith responses are constructed. Finally, while frequently dismissed as a soft option, Halafoff explains how multifaith engagement is an important and effective part of countering violent extremism strategies, stressing the need for governments to partner with religious communities to better understand grievances and address them according to cosmopolitan principles the key here is communicative action embodied in real relationships. Successful negotiation of life in an increasingly globalised world requires that all citizens, agencies and governments realise just how interconnected we are. With this comes the implication that it is more necessary than ever to learn to live peacefully and respectfully with one another. Societies and the religions that operate within them must learn the value of respecting the rights of all others, even those who differ on matters of faith and ethics. This book will help to make this need a reality. UNESCO Chair in Interreligious and Intercultural Relations Asia Paci fi c, Monash University Gary D. Bouma

9 Acknowledgements This book could not have been completed without the assistance of the multifaith leaders who participated in this study, my academic colleagues, and my family. A total of 56 multifaith leaders from Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America were interviewed for this project. I would like to thank each one of them for their time and interest in my research. I was particularly moved by their kindness, wisdom, generosity and commitment to the multifaith movement. These qualities enabled them to welcome me into their homes and of fi ces, and to share their valuable insights with me, in the hope that this research may be able to provide a greater understanding of the global multifaith movement. I am also very grateful to Professor Gary D. Bouma and Dr. Jo Lindsay for their guidance, wisdom, tireless enthusiasm, and good humour. Professor Rae Frances, all of the staff at the Monash University s School of Political and Social Inquiry, and Deakin University s Centre for Citizenship and Globalisation, also expressed a strong interest in my research and provided words of encouragement. Thank you in particular to Associate Professor Pete Lentini, Professor Greg Barton, Bill Kelly, Rachel Woodlock, Ela Ogru, Sue Stevenson, Professor Fethi Mansouri and Cayla Edwards. Finally, I must thank my wonderful son Cosmo and my wise mother Irina. I could not have undertaken this project, or completed this book, without the patience, understanding and support of everyone mentioned above. ix

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11 Contents 1 The Multifaith Movement, Global Risks and Cosmopolitan Solutions... 1 A Missing Peace?... 3 References Social Movements, Cosmopolitanism and Multifaith Engagement... 9 Religion and Social Problems... 9 Pluralism, Multiculturalism and Religious Diversity Capitalist Globalisation and Its Discontents Social Movements and New Mazeways New Wars and Fundamentalisms September 11, Islamophobia and Critiques of Multiculturalism Public Religion Ultramodern Cosmopolitanism Religion and the Ultramodern Public Sphere A Cosmopolitan Methodology A Glocal Approach Strengths and Limitations of an Insider Approach Conclusions References The Rise of the Multifaith Movement: The 1893 Parliament of the World s Religions to the Second World War (WWII) Post Second World War to the 1993 Parliament of the World s Religions Theological and Philosophical Drivers of Multifaith Action Globalisation and Religious Diversity Multi-actor Peacebuilding Networks Conclusions References xi

12 xii Contents 4 Multifaith Engagement in the 1990s The 1993 Parliament of the World s Religions The End of the Cold War Religious and Interreligious Peacebuilding Multi-actor Peacebuilding Networks Muslim Communities and Crisis Events Conclusions References st Century Multifaith Initiatives Multifaith Responses to September From Tragedy to Opportunity: Mainstreaming the Multifaith Movement Cosmopolitan and Anti-cosmopolitan Responses to September The Impact of September 11 on Muslim Communities The London and Bali Bombings Increased State Involvement in Multifaith Activities Global Multi-actor Peacebuilding Initiatives Researching Religion: The Academy, Foundations and Institutes A Renewed Focus on Climate Change Conclusions References Bene fi ts and Challenges of Multifaith Engagement Developing Understanding of Diverse Faiths and of the Nature of Reality The Role of the Media Dispelling Misconceptions and Promoting the Peacebuilding Role of Religions Networks of Trust Challenging Exclusivity and Normalising Pluralism Multifaith Youth Engagement The Need to be More Inclusive Creating Multi-actor Networks for Common Security Local and Global Engagement: Maintaining Connection with the Grassroots Lack of Resources, Evaluation and Evidence of Ef fi cacy Conclusions References Expanding Cognitive Frames from Exclusivity to Pluralism Af fi rming Common Values and Respect for Differences From Dialogue to Common Action Beyond the Kum Ba Yah Factor and Preaching to the Converted Finding a New Language for Dif fi cult Conversations

13 Contents xiii Embodied Multifaith Engagement Expanding Cognitive Frames from Exclusivist to Pluralist Paradigms The Multifaith Movement s Critical Mass Conclusions References Multiculturalism, Multifaith Initiatives and Countering Violent Extremism in Victoria Cosmopolitanism and Anti-cosmopolitanism in Australia An Ambivalent History of Exclusion and Multiculturalism Multiculturalism and Multifaith Initiatives in Victoria Critical Issues Facing Multifaith Initiatives in Victorian The Religion in Schools Debate Cosmopolitan Alliances and General Religious and Ethics Education Conclusions References Conclusion: Netpeace Aims, Bene fi ts and Challenges of Multifaith Engagement Multifaith Initiatives and Countering Violent Extremism Arriving at Netpeace and the Politics of Understanding References Appendix About the Author Index

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15 Acronyms and Abbreviations AFIC Australian Federation of Islamic Councils AIF Affinity Intercultural Foundation AIMA Australian Institute of Multicultural Affairs AIS Australian Intercultural Society APRO Australian Partnership of Religious Organisations C-100 Council of 100 Leaders CCES Council for Christian Education in Schools CRALD Culturally, Religiously and Linguistically Diverse CSIS Centre for Strategic and International Studies DEECD Department of Education and Early Childhood Development DET Department of Education and Training FIRIS Fairness in Religion in Schools FECCA Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia GCG Globalization for the Common Good GRE General Religious Education GREE General Religions and Ethics Education IARF International Association for Religious Freedom ICCN Interfaith Climate Change Network ICNY Interfaith Center of New York ICV Islamic Council of Victoria IFNUK Inter Faith Network for the UK IFYC Interfaith Youth Core IGO Inter-Governmental Organisation IIC International Interfaith Centre IIPC Interreligious and International Peace Council LKPY Loving Kindness, Peaceful Youth MAS Freedom Muslim American Society Freedom MMYN Multifaith Multicultural Youth Network NACRE North American Coalition on Religion and Ecology NCC National Council of Churches NGO Non-Governmental Organisation xv

16 xvi NMAC NRMs NRPE OMA PWR REENA RfP RfPA RI SRE SRI TCIU TFF ToU Tripartite Forum UN URI Vatican II VMC WCC WCF WCRP WFDD WFF WMC WPR WRE WWF WWI WWII Acronyms and Abbreviations National Multicultural Advisory Council New Religious Movements National Religious Partnership for the Environment Office of Multicultural Affairs Parliament of the World s Religions Religions and Ethics Education Network Australia Religions for Peace Religions for Peace Australia Religious Instruction Special Religious Education Special Religious Instruction Tanenbaum Centre for Interreligious Understanding Three Faiths Forum Temple of Understanding Tripartite Forum on Interfaith Cooperation for Peace United Nations United Religions Initiative Second Vatican Council Victorian Multicultural Commission World Council of Churches World Congress of Faiths World Conference of Religions for Peace World Faiths Development Dialogue World Fellowship of Faiths World Missionary Conference World s Parliament of Religions World Religions Education World Wildlife Fund First World War Second World War