Kingdoms, Monasteries and Mosques

I went to see 'The Kingdom of Heaven' at the cinema last night. It starred Orlando Bloom (nice), but he looked uncannily like my younger brother in this film (off-putting). It brought home to me the ease at which we enter war and the sheer insanity of it. I'm not going to write an entire review of the film, nor am I going to write about the Crusades (I would only betray my ignorance). There was something else that struck me - not the politicking between kings and rulers, but rather the situation of ordinary people of whatever religion - mere pawns in a game of political chess, disposed of carelessly in senseless acts of war designed to promote one religion or one culture above another.

I am fortunate enough not to have witnessed a great deal of violence. (Yes, even growing up in Northern Ireland, its not something I've really experienced witnessed personally.) However, it is my conviction that the only way for peace in Northern Ireland is for Catholic and Protestant communities to meet one another, engage freely and openly with one another and respect the traditions of the other. On Tuesday night, a series entitled 'The Monastery' began on BBC2. (Apologies to non-UK readers). This is high quality reality TV (seriously). A group of men of various backgrounds have entered a Benedictine monastery for 40 days and the program is following their experiences.

One character, Gary, stood out. He is a fellow Northern Irisher, was formerly involved in the UDA (a paramilitary group) and spent much of his life in prison. Yet, more than any of the other characters - he was spoken of the acceptance and warmth he has experienced amongst the monks. The experience seems, to me anyway, to have had a unique impact on him compared with the others. I wonder, if entering into a Catholic monastery has something to do with it. When welcomed by another, especially if that other is someone or something we have previously had misconceptions about or are alien to, there can be a special appreciation of hospitality and sense of welcome.

I am reminded of an experience I had last summer on an interfaith walk for peace. The walk, which is taking place again this year on June 12th in Southampton should anyone care to join us, is a walking tour of various places of worship in Southampton - from the Hindu temple, to the mosque, to the church and the synagogue. It was also where I happily found the Quakers for the first time. As is typical of me and those who came with me, we arrived slightly late having spent more time than we had predicted finding a suitable parking space and so were somewhat disorganised and dishevelled. New to interfaith meanderings, I entirely forgot to bring something with me to cover my head. Thankfully, where it was necessary, head-coverings were provided. However, when we arrived in the mosque nothing was provided. Fancying myself as rather culturally aware, I approached one of the men at the door and asked if they had anything I could cover my head with. He ushered me into the room saying that it didn't matter.

There was something special to be welcomed as I was, uncovered, into another's sacred place. The mosque was special for some reason. Sitting on the soft carpet, listing to the Qu'ran sung in Arabic, I felt a special peace and the atmosphere felt more hospitable to me than anywhere else. It is in places like this that we make peace with one another, and places like this where perhaps, peace can begin on a broader scale. As we recognise and embrace our shared humanity, and learn to bow our heads (or cover them), respecting the religion of another, perhaps we can learn to live together, valuing the freedom of others and the value of their religion as much as we value our own freedom and our own faith.

Although I have not witnessed much in the way of religious violence, I have witnessed a more subtle form of violence - that of devaluing the faith or religion of another. In Northern Ireland, many protestants believe Roman Catholics are off a different religion, and some are want to ensure that everyone knows that this other religion is false. It is the same in other places - I've sat through prayer meetings where earnest Christians have prayed for the salvation of Muslims. By this they don't been liberation and peace for Islamic communities - they often mean that they want Muslims to become Christians. This too is fanaticism. Just as in the past, the temple in Jerusalem was jostled over and trampled over by those claiming it as their own, so today, true religion, true faith is trampled over by those claiming the whole truth for themselves.

It is only in learning, respecting and embracing that we can find peace. Perhaps friendship and hospitality can overcome the madness of fanatics.

Were there worlds beyond which they could never touch, or did all that is possible enter their consciousness? They could not tell. . . . Perhaps life is a mystery, not a muddle. . . . Perhaps the hundred Indias which fuss and squabble so tiresomely are one, and the universe they mirror is one. They had not the apparatus for judging. -EM FORSTER, A PASSAGE TO INDIA