30.01.2010 | Religions motivate people to relate to each other, to create understanding and to foster peace. But religions can be abused for political ideologies. Formulated as a universal right to truth, religion can turn into a claim to power, which may lead to violence. Recognizing this, the Ecumenical Council of Churches proclaimed the Decade for Overcoming Violence, which ends in 2010.
Does religion have a tendency to impose its claim to truth through violence? Under what conditions?
How is communal life possible in a society with multiple claims to truth?
Do political views promote a claim to truth, especially when they legitimatize themselves religiously?
This session is co-organized with the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches (SEK-FEPS).
1. Muhammad Ashafa, Imam, Interfaith Mediation Center (IMC), Nigeria
2. Muhammad Abdul Bari, Secretary-General, Muslim Council of Britain, United Kingdom
3. Edna Brocke, Head of the Old Synagogue Memorial in Essen
4. Marcia Pally, Professor of Multilingual Multicultural Studies, New York University, USA
5. Thomas Wipf, President of the Council, Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches, Switzerland
Moderated by
Urs Leuthard, Moderator, Swiss Television SF DRS, Switzerland
