Customer Reviews

Religions for Peace: A Call for Solidarity to the Religions of the World

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I wouldn't categorize this as an inspirational book--It's really more thoughtful, even manifesto-like at times--but I've nonetheless come away uplifted by what Cardinal Arinze has put forward here. Even though I have long been sympathetic to religions sharing a common vision, in the past I have been uncomfortable with the potential loss of identity for particular faiths (in my case, Christianity). I want to be open all people of good will but I don't want have to adopt a new universalist religion which throws everyone into gooey sameness. This book gives me hope that there can be alliances formed between traditional religions while their individual characters are respected. The author hasn't put forward any radical ideas, but I find it encouraging that someone so high up in the Catholic Church seems to be approaching the multifaceted nature of the world with a sense of reality.

Cardinal Arinze says "Peace is not an optimal climate for human life and growth --- it is a necessity." If this is true, then of course we are in a lot of trouble. But from the Cardinal's insistence that half-measures are useless measures, he still manages to confront us with the hard truth while remaining consistently compassionate.

While I do not agree with all of Cardinal Arinze's religious views, I am grateful to him for representing the importance of tolerance and understanding within and among all of the world's religions. It is, after all, the narrow view of exclusivity (If I am right, you are by definition wrong), not religious doctrine itself, that contributes to religions being used as excuses and justification for destructive conflict. Cardinal Arinze emphasizes the need for education about other religions and cultures --- as opposed to perpetuating propaganda --- as a part of every faith community's responsibility.

Whether or not you are religious, there is a tremendous amount to think about in this small 143-page book. It has been my experience in working with people as they confront their fears (Embracing Fear, HarperSanFrancisco) that we humans are very inclined to abandon our expressed value systems when we feel deeply threatened. The courageous among us are those who do not let go of what we believe when the rubber meets the road or something hits the fan.

Religions for Peace can help us be those courageous people.

My pastor recommmeded this for our book club. Though the club was sceptical at first (we are not Catholic after all) every person in the club was really interested and read the whole thing! I was impressed by how thoughtful and readable the book was, Cardinal Arinze encourages interfaith dialogue and seems to really believe it and practice it in his own work; he even discusses specific events around the world as examples of religions working together to promote peace and tolerance. The quotes on the back come from all kinds of people of different religions and persectives so he obviously has something to say to anyone who cares about the state of the world and hopes that religion can make a positive difference rather than creating conflicts. This seems like such a slim little book but it's content is so important especially in light of current events. Every part of this book and its message rings true.

After finishing this book, I came away happy to have found in Cardinal Arinze an inspiring new leader (new to me, anyway) in today's Church. Religion for Peace is a very good book. Its main point is finding common ground between religions for the cause of peace in the world. The Cardinal stays far away from equating religions or trying to unify them. But he recognizes that there is a common goal of peace in the worlds major religions and that this shared aim must be drawn out for the well-being of the entire world. With intolerance being so common these days, it is heartening to have Cardinal Arinze step forward to direct us toward an alternative.

In the wake of what our country has just gone through I feel strongly that a message of tolerance and cooperation must be heard above the rhetoric of war. For this reason I have embraced this book with enthusiasm. It is a timely message that we would all do well to consider. Why aren't these ideas being more openly discussed in the media and in our communities? The way to prevent future 9/11s (and its profoundly destructive aftermath) is not to hurl billions of dollars of bombs but to cultivate the seeds of common understanding. I applaud Cardinal Arinze for reminding us of the need to reach out to one another and recognize what we have in common.

For years I have been uncomfortable with the Catholic Church's seeming inability (or unwillingness) to make bridges across the religious divide. But Cardinal Arinze here puts forward what I think are positive and constructive thoughts and suggestions for moving into an era where there is a better chance of religions co-existing peacefully. I heartily recommend this book to anyone who had given up on the Church making any forward progress.

A few days ago, I was bored; and what do I do when I'm bored? Well, I go to the book stores. I know I'm bad, but I am picking up a good pace in my readings. I'd better make the best of this summer before I begin the master's program. That day, I picked up three books. One of them was this book. I walked out of that store, Left Bank Books, in the Redlands "mall", and sat down on a bench. For the next three hours, I was glued to this book, reading close to half of it in that one sitting. There were many men who were "in line" to become the new pope after the death of Pope John Paul II. One of them was, Francis Cardinal Arinze. I had my doubts about this man, not because he was black, as some might speculate, but because of what he allegedly said years ago in an interview. He was reported to support universal salvation, which is a heresy, in the sense of all can go to Heaven in the religions which they already practice. However, in the two interviews I have listened to with him as guest on EWTN, one by Raymond Arroyo and the other by Mother Angelica, I was "sold". This man was brilliant.



The book was excellent, though I have my personal reservations on some phrases he had, which may be an objective theological error on the Cardinal's part, or a subjective interpretational error on my part. Cardinal Arinze lays out the common principles which underlie most, if not all, of the worlds main religions. This principle, his thesis presents, is the principle of Peace. All religions yearn for peace, and their respective scriptures substantiate this. On this common plank, the Cardinal outlined a powerful argument for a unity in purpose among the various religions for mutual and reciprocal respect for their traditions and a respect for the freedom to practice religion. He then outlines the major movements and organizations, as well as landmark events which have worked toward the goal of peace. All of this, one might speculate, is a sign of indifferentism and relativism, and indeed, universal salvation. Not at all. The good Cardinal makes it clear, in our common prayer for peace, there must never be syncretism, that is, a mixture of the religions, shaken-not stirred, and out pops out a composite religion. There must be distinction and clarity, with mutual respect. If this is achieved, then we can have peace. Religion is not the cause of wars; sinful men, who perhaps use the guise of religion, are the cause of wars.



I highly, and I know I say this with many of the books I read, but I really mean this one, I highly recommend this book. It is a quick read. It took me about 6 hours to read. Excellent and positive book.



God Bless,
Laurence Gonzaga

Nigerian Cardinal and Vatican curial official Francis Arinze has written a gentle, brief introduction to some of the basic ideas of peace as espoused by the world's religions. Apart from occasional lapses, Arinze's approach is inclusive and respectful. He is sensitive to the need for interreligious dialog and cooperation in the cause of peace.

Arinze collects short sayings about peace from various religious traditions, faces the charge that religions have contributed to violence, points out the connections between peace and human development, and sees religious freedom as a presupposition for peace.

His chapter "Freedom of Religion Needed for Peace" is probably the strongest in his book. Following the Second Vatican Council, he bases religious liberty on the dignity of the human person. However, he fails to grapple with the problem of dealing with anti-social expressions of religious conviction. For example, it is not at all clear what role he would see for government or other religions when a particular religion claims that something like female genital mutilation is a legitimate expression of its belief. Religious belief has social consequences, and tolerance is not an adequate response to violent faith based activities.

It is interesting that Arinze doesn't even mention the just war theory. He sees war as always a failure and a disaster. In this, as in the rest of the book, he appears to reflect accurately the current Roman Catholic position as articulated by Vatican officials.