Understanding the Three Abrahamic Faiths:
It seems to me that while building peace and keeping the peace are matters of urgency, the long-term goals ought to push us further as a species.
Rabbi Johanna Hershenson, 2009
Click here to read the article
Our group was formed here in Dunedin in the aftermath of the events of September 11th 2001 out of spontaneous expressions of solidarity and goodwill between leaders of our three faiths, the police and the Dunedin City Council. We exist to express a common heritage and concern, as people of faith in Dunedin.
Judaism, Christianity and Islam are all Abrahamic faiths. All three can trace their faith back to Abraham. Ordinary people from al three faiths share a deep desire for peace and justice. We seek to encourage and model friendship and respect for each other.
"Overcoming cultural resistance to non-violence"
Chaiwat Satha-Anand
Professor of Political Science at Thammasat University, Thailand
Burns 1 Lecture Theatre
Monday 12th July 5.30pm (supper to follow)
Dr Satha-Anand will discuss the problems of violence and non-violence in religious traditions and will focus on some Muslims' reluctance to employ the language of nonviolence in characterising their own actions. He will argue that this is due to an inadequate understanding of both the concepts of power and nonviolent actions, the lack of nonviolent language to identify most present-day fighting against injustice, and the bypassing of Muslims' own legacy of nonviolence. He will also present some ideas on how to redress this problem.
Dr Chaiwat Satha-Anand is Professor of Political Science at Thammasat University, Bangkok, as well as the Founder and Director of the Thai Peace Information Centre. Born in Bangkok, Thailand, he holds a PhD in Political Science from University of Hawaii, USA. He has published numerous books, book chapters, and articles on non violence theory and activism, the military, alternative defence, religion and peace, Islam and nonviolence, and modern political philosophy. He serves at the Scientific Committee of the International University for Peoples' Initiative for Peace, IUPIP, in Rovereto Italy; and for several years he directed the International Peace Research Association's (IPRA) commission on non-violence.
Further information:
Dr Najib Lafraie: najib.lafraie@otago.ac.nz
Mrs Mai Tamimi: mai_t73@yahoo.com
Rev Greg Hughson greg.hughson@otago.ac.nz