Holy See calls Christians and Muslims to defend religious freedom and refuse violence
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Christians and Muslims have a duty to educate, above all the young, to create a society which respects human rights, above all the fundamental right of religious freedom, and refuses recourse to violence and terrorism . This is the concept which surrounds the message sent by Cardinal Jean – Louis Tauran, president of the pontifical council for inter-religious dialogue to Muslims marking the feast of ‘Id al-Fitr, which ends Ramadan.
“In the troubled times we are passing through, - reads the message - religious believers have, as servants of the Almighty, a duty above all to work in favour of peace, by showing respect for the convictions of individuals and communities everywhere through freedom of religious practice. Religious freedom, which must not be reduced to mere freedom of worship, is one of the essential aspects of freedom of conscience, which is the right of every individual and a cornerstone of human rights. It takes into account the requirement that a culture of peace and solidarity between men can be built in which everybody can be firmly engaged in the construction of an increasingly fraternal society, doing everything one can to reject, denounce and refuse every recourse to violence which can never be motivated by religion, since it wounds the very image of God in man. We know that violence, - continues the text - especially terrorism which strikes blindly and claims countless innocent victims, is incapable of resolving conflicts and leads only to a deadly chain of destructive hatred, to the detriment of mankind and of societies”.
It is the role of believers above all to give “a message of love between individuals and peoples”, through educating future generations. It is a duty which lies above all on the shoulders of those who work in the field of education “it is the common good of every society and of the entire world which is at stake”.
“In this spirit, - concludes the message - the pursuit and intensification of dialogue between Christians and Muslims must be considered important, in both educational and cultural dimensions. Thus all forces can be mobilised in the service of mankind and humanity so that the younger generations do not become cultural or religious blocs opposed to one another, but genuine brothers and sisters in humanity”.
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