In Theory

On Feb. 23, The Chicago Council on Global Affairs came out with a report by a task force, “Engaging Religious Communities Abroad: A New Imperative for U.S. Foreign Policy,” which examined the importance of religion in American foreign policy.

“The success of U.S. diplomacy in the next decade will be measured in no small part by its ability to connect with the hundreds of millions of people throughout the world whose identity is defined by religion,” Chicago Council officials said in releasing the report.

An example of a step in the right direction, according to the council, was President Obama’s June 2009 speech in Cairo, in which he publicized a new direction in U.S. foreign policy of engaging with Muslim communities around the globe.

Do you agree that American diplomacy should focus more on the religious dimension in international relations? And do you think that the U.S. government could do a better job of engaging with religions abroad? Or should a similar effort be made at home?

The idea that there could be any advantage to diplomatic relations by including religious discussions is totally absurd. All the various religions are so adamant that their particular Gods, dogmas, opinions and requirements are so important and so specific that any such discussions would only bring out their disagreements rather than allow and promote diplomatic compromises and agreements. It would be a diversion from the basic points of discussion and become a pure waste of time.

The founders of our country formed a secular government to avoid getting involved in religions. Every time our government gets involved with religious ideas it only makes things more difficult and promotes pretense as opposed to honesty. Obama has many good qualities, but his support of fanatic religious figures like Rick Warren, while ignoring common sense, is not one of them. Washington, Adams, and many other important founders all indicated that the government should be free from religion. They were right, and Obama is wrong.

Jerry Parks

Member, Humanist Assn. of Orange County

We are a nation of religious illiterates. Including study of world religions in public elementary and secondary schools should be a priority. Concerns about proselytizing and indoctrination are justified, but they should not prevent the study of religious traditions as an academic subject.

Education should also focus on respecting the rights of those with whom we disagree. From the grass-roots, citizens elect leaders who promote a foreign policy that uses religion as a bridge. If served a cup of tea, we all share the experience of drinking it, regardless of our religion. How we describe the taste, whether we like it or what we prefer to drink, will differ.

The success of U. S. diplomacy and the survival of humanity may depend upon our ability to keep sight of what we have in common.

The Rev. Deborah Barrett

Zen Center of Orange County

Costa Mesa

It’s about time. Even in America, where separation of church and state is formalized, you cannot separate any human from those philosophical, intellectual and spiritual moorings that make them who they are. For those of us who have lived abroad and seen the arrogance/ignorance of American politics run slipshod over the faith (which in most parts of the world also defines their culture) of the peoples of the world, this is a welcome development.

It is precisely that ignorance that gave birth to the war on terror. The reverse is true in the way European politicians view Americans. They cannot imagine why faith has such a huge place in our political discussions. Maybe now that we have acknowledged the role of faith in our foreign policy, we can acknowledge faith as a legitimate partner in our national discussions here at home.

Ric Olsen

Lead Pastor, The Beacon OC

We must acknowledge religion, as it is a defining mark in culture. To not address religion is to ignore its importance in the lives of citizens worldwide. Furthermore, it seems that for a long time we have hidden behind a stance of “separation of church and state” veiling the reality of a strong and narrow Christian perspective that was/is a driving force in the United States.

By refusing to name and acknowledge it we end up granting it more power than it deserves. I remember President Bush’s comments that implied God had granted him power to crush evil in the world. Whether he meant it that way or not, it sent a powerful message about his Christian beliefs and a negative message about Islam. That hurt us abroad and at home. We should be mindful of true separation of church and state, but we must be aware of religious cultures and engage them because this will likely enhance our foreign relations and build greater trust in the United States as well.

The Rev. Sarah Halverson

Fairview Community Church

Costa Mesa

Understanding on all levels is imperative! The surest liberation from religion that is less than holy and heartfelt is for individuals, communities and nations to fill our most basic needs so as to live fully and know basic truths with people who are very different from ourselves.

If “America’s religion is America,” as Norman Mailer contended, effective diplomacy must engage the variety of Muslim communities around the globe. Many resources are available, from “Islam for Dummies” by Professor Malcolm Clark to Karen Armstrong’s “Muhammad...” and “The Battle for God” to www.understanding-islam.com.

And, at 7 p.m. on March 17, Laila al-Marayati, who has advised our State Department on religious freedom abroad, will speak here on ethical responses to extremism.

Engaging locally is educational and enjoyable. A consequence for failing internationally will be that we will soon sing again the Kingston Trio’s Merry Minuet: “We know for certain that some lovely day someone will set the spark off and we will all be blown away.”

(The Very Rev’d Canon) Peter D. Haynes

Saint Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church

Corona del Mar

Freedom of religion is the corner stone of our democracy. It is the change I think most Americans want to see in the world. Unfortunately, our country has become more polarized by religions than unified. This is why there must be an effort on every level of life, including government, to build a consciousness of acceptance versus division. Many of my colleagues are very respectful of each others’ religious point of view, while their congregations are very protective.

This is why I am developing a class for middle school children called World Religions and Universal Ethics. The purpose of this class is to teach children the basics of each of the major religions and how they are connected in their points of view about love, life, light, beauty, peace, joy and truth.

These are the verities, or basic spiritual truths, found in all religions. Once you find the connecting points it provides opportunities to engage and listen. This is what great leaders do. They engage and listen and this is what our State Department and our citizens must learn to do. The effort begins right where you are. When you make a commitment to be a loving and peaceful person you’ve brought the issue home, and home is where the heart is!

Jim Turrell

Center for Spiritual Living Newport-Mesa

The policies of theocratic states, the rise of political Islam, and the influence of religion on the thinking of world leaders, mandate consideration of the religious dimension of strategic interaction. The aims of statecraft are often dictated by what adherents view as religious imperatives. Much of the world does not value the American separation of church and state.

Samuel Huntington noted in his “Clash of Civilizations” that religion is the defining element of culture.

Peter Berger says the world is today “as furiously religious as it ever was, and in some places more so than ever.”

It is necessary to understand, for example, that the Muslim response to Israel has nothing to do with geographic borders, settlements, or Palestinians. Rather, the root cause of the hostility is religious, namely a Jewish presence that defiles what is considered the House of Islam. It is not about the West Bank and Gaza, but about Tel Aviv and Haifa and Tiberias. Many believe that their Islamic faith demands the eradication of this intolerable presence so that the original religious vision can be restored. The issue is not what Israel does, but rather that Israel is.

Unless that realization is factored into the West’s response to the manifold threats posed by Middle Eastern leaders and peoples, we will slouch toward all-out war.

Rabbi Mark S. Miller

Temple Bat Yahm

Newport Beach