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Practical religious contributions to policy
Q: The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is recommending that the U.S. government develop a strategy to make religion 'integral' to American foreign policy. Should U.S. foreign policy get religion?
History teaches that healthy societies are governed by guiding principles that support inclusiveness and universality where the welfare of their citizens is concerned. In legislatures and local communities across this country laws and regulations are proposed and enacted daily in a collective effort to ensure that we all possess equal opportunity towards the realization of life, liberty and happiness. Daily, as local, national and international citizens, we work to ensure that our institutions serve to benefit everyone, not just an elite few. This being the case, I think we can all agree that religious individuals, organizations and institutions show themselves to be relevant and constructive when engaged in practical contributions to these outcomes.
Through my work as a Christian Science practitioner and as a representative of my church organization I have had the privilege of meeting many people, like me, whose faith, inspired by their religious practice, has allowed them to contribute to the welfare of others. Love and the spirit of service is the animating hallmark of all the great faiths. The lessons and examples of prophets and other spiritual luminaries have the effect of uplifting our collective sense of love for humanity and bring us all forward a little more. It is my observation that, despite the bad rap religion often gets, practical religion, unselfishly lived, contributes immeasurably to the happiness and welfare of people.
Religion actually sets the highest goals and none of us has time for impractical or counter-productive means in achieving and defending them.
So, what then is practical religion? I take a hint from a passage in the book of Isaiah in the Bible, where God is speaking about the practice of "fasting," which required an individual to withdraw from society as an expression of respect for Him. But here He states quite clearly that what He truly wants from His people is something far more practical: "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?" This is not mere poetry, but a sound and practical declaration of what religion is and does. It also follows that "religion" which does not have this effect is, demonstrably, not religion.
My own desire to contribute practically to the welfare of others led me into the full time practice of Christian Science healing. I have found that the effect of prayer, particularly when applied on behalf of others, helps me to shake off the dullness of theory and dogma and to rediscover continually the living edge of my healing practice. Such prayer takes work sometimes, but results always follow.
The discoverer and founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, also put a high premium on prayer practice as practical public service. She wrote, "The test of all prayer lies in the answer to these questions: Do we love our neighbor better because of this asking? Do we pursue the old selfishness, satisfied with having prayed for something better, though we give no evidence of the sincerity of our requests by living consistently with our prayer?"
Of Christ Jesus she wrote, "The divinity of the Christ was made manifest in the humanity of Jesus." Even as Jesus didn't spend too much time debating in the synagogues, preferring instead to be out healing people, modern Christians practice the same practical commitment to others. To such, God's power is not a vague philosophical proposition, but an effective way of life.
By
Phil Davis
|
February 23, 2010; 12:01 PM ET
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Posted by: jrs142 | March 1, 2010 4:25 PM
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he current Federal policy of involving religion in foreign policy is guided by IRFA 1998 law and USCIRF report. It is fraught with conflict of interest and many other problems.
There is a quite a difference between theory (i.e. IRFA 1998 law) and practice (i.e. USCIRF).
In theory, All USCIRF report must comply with IRFA 1998 but reality is some what different.
In theory, Religion in foreign policy would serve national interest. However, In practice, What would stop it from serving religious interest and harming national interest?
Both "chicago council" and USCIRF are misrepresenting and painting negative portrait of Hinduity.
Visit: www.uscirf.blogspot.com for details.
Posted by: reformuscirf | February 26, 2010 9:33 PM
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Actually, Mary Baker Eddy contributed much financially to the well-being of her local community and the world. She bought shoes for the poor children of her local community in New Hampshire and paid for other community projects. Christian Scientists and their churches are involved in community service. The church's youth group has community service as a part of their program. In our community in Orange County California for the past 5 years, we have raised funds through the local Christian Science churches and organizations, individuals and city council of the sponsoring church, the funds for building homes in Mexico through Youth with a Mission/Homes for Hope. I would caution generalizations as the spirit of Christ of loving our neighbor as ourselves is needed in our practice of serving our fellow man unselfishly from community service to internet blogs. That Spirit needs to live through every avenue in order for the world to be a better place and the mission of Christ Jesus to be felt and known.
Posted by: AnneC2 | February 25, 2010 7:17 PM
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One the best things that we can do is listen to God's direction or pray effectively whenever we are confronted with a problem -- be it a sticky foreign policy issue or something more personal. But achieving the level of humility to stop the chatter of our own thinking and listen for God to speak or lead us can be difficult to do, and easy to misinterpret and fabricate. 99.9% of people would seriously doubt a leader who said that "God told him to...." Ironically, the best decision that anyone can make is one that comes from God. I believe our best foreign policies already reflect the highest religious values of our nation: unselfishness and forgiveness. However, we're along way from "turning the other cheek."
Posted by: quietlistener1 | February 24, 2010 3:10 PM
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My goodness, the previous comment is an interesting "take" on Mary Baker Eddy. As a member of our local Christian Science church, I can say with conviction that not only do my husband and I contribute financially to our community and the world community, but that we volunteer time and energy to various community needs. This can be said of most of our members. Our church is made up of individuals and we contribute to our communities as individuals with love and joy. Mary Baker Eddy said "The rich in spirit help the poor in one grand brotherhood, all having the same Principle, or Father; and blessed is that man who seeth his brother's need and supplieth it, seeking is own in another's good".
Posted by: anneliz1 | February 24, 2010 11:18 AM
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"The discoverer and founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, also put a high premium on prayer practice as practical public service."
Of course she did. That way, she could feel virtuous without letting loose any of her cash. Even today, few Christian Science churches perform any noticeable community service.
Posted by: Patriot3000 | February 24, 2010 8:34 AM
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It would be a good idea to read what the Chicago Council actually recommended:
http://www.thechicagocouncil.org/taskforce_details.php?taskforce_id=10
The report recommended engaging with local religious entities and communities in part to listen and better understand local cultures and needs.
Sounds like pretty basic and important concept.