Christian Peace Delegation

I wonder how much press coverage this meeting will get? I wonder if the mass media can pull themselves away from covering Anna Nicole Smith, a soon to be released movie about a supposed tomb of Jesus and the divisions this may cause between those who believe in the divinity of Jesus and those who don't, the questionable effects of garlic on our cholesterol, etc. to cover it.

I see this as the true role of faith in today's world. We are called by faith to build bridges and bring peace. While the media focuses on the divisive rhetoric and magnifies the influence of the so called, "religious right", they ignore the actions and beliefs of the majority of people of faith in this country and around the world.

Wouldn't it be great to have members of the group interviewed on Larry King and the O'Reilly Factor? Maybe Rush would like to have him on his show.

I support this group's call for our government to:

• Immediately engage in direct face-to-face talks
• Cease using language that defines the other using “enemy” images
• Promote more people to people exchanges including religious leaders, members of Parliament/Congress, and civil society

Here are some links and below is a statement they made:

NCC Interfaith Relations

Coverage from Lancaster Online

US RELIGIOUS DELEGATION FINDS HOPE IN IRAN

As Christian leaders from the United States, we went to Iran at this time of increased tension believing that it is possible to build bridges of understanding between our two countries. We believe military action is not the answer, and that God calls us to just and peaceful relationships within the global community.

We were a diverse group of Christian leaders that included United Methodist, Episcopal, Catholic, Baptist, Evangelical, Quaker, and Mennonites who have 17 years of on the ground experience in Iran. We were warmly welcomed by the Iranian people, and our time in Iran convinced us that religious leaders from both countries can help pave the way for mutual respect and peaceful relations between our nations.

During our visit we met with Muslim and Christian leaders, government officials, and other Iranian people. Our final day included a meeting with former President Khatami and current President Ahmadinejad. The meeting with President Ahmadinejad was the first time an American delegation had met with a sitting Iranian President in Iran since the Islamic revolution in 1979. The meeting lasted 2.5 hours and covered a range of topics including the role of religion in transforming conflict, Iraq, nuclear proliferation, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

What the delegation found most encouraging from the meeting with President Ahmadinejad was a clear declaration from him of no intention to acquire or use nuclear weapons, as well as a statement that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be solved through political not military means. Finally, he said, “I have no reservation about conducting talks with American officials if we see some good will.”

We believe it is possible for further dialogue and that there can be a new day in U.S. – Iranian relations. The Iranian government has already built a bridge toward the American people by inviting our delegation to come to Iran. We ask the U.S. government to welcome a similar delegation of Iranian religious leaders to the United States.

As additional steps in building bridges between our nations, we call upon both the United States and Iranian governments to:

• Immediately engage in direct face-to-face talks
• Cease using language that defines the other using “enemy” images
• Promote more people to people exchanges including religious leaders, members of Parliament/Congress, and civil society

As people of faith, we are committed to working towards these and other confidence building measures, which we hope will move our two nations from the precipice of war towards a more just and peaceful settlement.

For more information contact:
Dan Webster

Director of Media Relations
National Council of Churches, USA

475 Riverside Drive Suite 880
New York, NY 10115
Phone: 212 870-2252
Fax 212 870-2030

email: dwebster@ncccusa.org

Picture from Lancaster Online