Towards a common ground between Christians and Muslims? (2)

(continued)

Another point to raise here is that even if theologians from the three faiths could agree on the central meaning of the double love-commandment, there would still be enormous practical differences to consider when it comes to putting into effect these commandments in the concrete, here-and-now reality of plural societies. One has only to think of questions such as the imposition of Shari‘a, human rights and the relationship between state and religion. Does the double commandment to love God and neighbour on its own truly provide an adequate basis for peaceful and harmonious co-existence in diverse societies?

It so happens that at almost the same time as the Open Letter was published the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue (PCID) released its annual message to Muslims. This year, its theme was Christians and Muslims: called to promote a culture of peace. The annual messages of the PCID ‘to our dear Muslim friends’, which, since 1967, have been published annually on the occasion of Eid, of course belong to a quite different literary form from that of the Open Letter. Nevertheless, we can assume that the author of this year’s message, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, named by the Pope a few months ago as the new President of the Council, expresses not only the outlook of the Second Vatican Council but also the particular emphases of Benedict XVI. The Cardinal speaks in the name of the worldwide Catholic Church, a community which roughly corresponds in size to the Muslim community and which is also like the Muslim community in being established in virtually all the nations of the world.

Cardinal Tauran reflects upon the longing for „friendly and constructive relationships“ as such. He does not not work from the basis of this or that selection of texts from Jewish, Christian and Muslim scriptures, perhaps because the scriptures occupy a different place within Christianity and Islam and are also so variously interpreted. Tauran emphasizes the significance of the „the Creator’s plan“, that is the rational laws and structures which can be accepted not only by Christians and Muslims but fundamentally by all people. This plan includes values such as: service of our sisters and brothers and fraternal solidarity „with members of other religions and all men of good will“. The message also points to the challenge set before us all to work for peace „by showing respect for the convictions of individuals and communities everywhere“ and by respecting the right to „religious freedom, which must not be reduced to mere freedom of worship“ but rather is „one of the essential aspects of freedom of consience, which is the right of every individual and a cornerstone of human rights.“ So although it is to be welcomed when Islamic theologians seeking common ground with Christians quote the Bible in a positive spirit, we must also recall the deteriorating situation and increasingly limited religious freedom of Christians in many Muslim majority countries. And of course in other contexts Muslim and indeed other religious minorities also suffer intolerance. We are thus reminded that the world is now also globalized in religious terms and that there are many challenges to overcome if believers of different traditions are to live together in harmony.

The Cardinal’s appeal points to the necessity of the distinction and separation between the political order and the religious sphere if cultural and religious diversity is to flourish within a just and peaceful society marked by mutual respect. In this sense the PCID sees Christians and Muslims as called to make their respective contributions (inspired by their respective faiths) to the formation and strengthening of the ‘common good’ in plural and democratic societies, societies which are secular (in the sense of being religiously neutral) and which are committed to the human rights of all their members. For however valuable it may be to achieve theological agreement over the question of the double love-commandment, on its own this can hardly guarantee just and peaceful co-existence within diversity.

 

22.10.2007

Source: chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it