Listeners' Reflections

This is your place to publicly comment on the topics and issues addressed in Speaking of Faith programs. React in a personal way, and put into words what this program meant to you.

Submit Your Reflection about "Diplomacy and Religion in the 21st Century."

Play For Peace (April 15, 2008)
I think that the work the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy is amazing. And it just makes sense. Most of the wars and fighting that happen between countries are because of religion, let's take the war going on now for example, or the Holocaust even. These all center around a particular religion, if we knew more about those religions then wouldn't this go more smoothly. I really liked the idea of a peace game. Every year my church, the Community of Christ, has a camp at the university I now attend. At the camp they play sports most of the time and also have services and other activities. On one of the days they have a play for peace day, and on this day you switch team mates with the other team so they the teams now are mixed. It helps the campers see that the opposing team is people just like them. If we knew more about other religions than there wouldn't be so much turmoil and misunderstandings between countries.

Christy Pratt
Lamoni, IA (Listens to SOF Podcast)

Integrating What Is Most Valued with What Serves the Common Good (February 9, 2008)
Johnston's work suggests a hopeful approach to peaceful resolution of political differences. What if our diplomacy began with the question "What is most important to you?" Our country has such a challenge and opportunity to launch a dramatically different approach to our leadership in the world. Undoubtedly, many committed Evangelicals in this country are hungry for a different approach to the Iraq conflict than their leaders offered after 9/11. Johnston's work offers a unique bridge between liberal and conservative peacemakers that could be well-used by the next president. Thanks, SOF, for bringing this voice to our audience.

Scott Severns
Indianapolis, IN (WFYI, 88.1 FM)

All (January 29, 2008)
I am a recent fan (under 2 years) who has significantly similar background, and feels like I have found a kindred spirit. I am prompted to write by listening on my MP3 on the way home from school today to Douglas Johnston. I really appreciated this program in the midst of this primary season. After a difficult re-entry into American life after living for several years overseas, it was reaffirming that my perceptions of the U.S. are not totally off-base and worthless. It reminded me that the State does not deserve my highest loyalties. Thank you.

David Hoipkemier
East Lansing, MI (Listens to SOF OnDemand)

Question Statements (January 5, 2008)
Your conversation with Douglas Johnston was interesting, but there were some frustrating omissions or mistakes, omissions that mislead and "miseducate" to the degree that people are otherwise uninformed. To say that the madrassas are schools for extremists without noting that the madrassas had not been militarized until the U.S. armed them so they could join in the battle against the Soviets is to leave out a rather critical bit of the history as I have heard it.

And to make the sweeping statement that Iraqis identify themselves with their religion more than with their state is at best a sweeping generalization. A large percentage of Iraqis were and are secular. Another large group of Iraqis has only recently identified strongly with sects for self-protection — grouping with those they know against those they don't know. Outside of the few large cities, I suspect Iraqis identify at least as much with their tribes or clans as with their religion or sect. Ms. Tippett is a fine host, but perhaps occasionally needs to be a bit more skeptical about guests’ claims and less sweeping in some of her own statements.

Celine Grenier
Capitola, HI (KAZU, 93.9 FM)

Solutions Through Creativity (February 6, 2007)
I love Speaking of Faith despite my lack of interest or affiliation with any religion. Your conversation with Douglas Johnston regarding his thinking and his work at the ICRD was very insightful and left me wishing I was in a position to introduce his ideas to my presidential candidate of choice. Sadly, it seems to me we are looking for the solutions to the world's cultural crises through violence rather than creativity, thoughtfulness, and understanding. Thank you for one of the most insightful and thoughtful programs available.

Robert Woertendyke
Brooklyn, NY (WNYC, 93.9 FM)

The Way to Peace (January 29, 2007)
This program illuminated to me what I suspected would be the way we should approach the present problems between the West and the Middle East.

Dave Zimmerman
Inver Grove Heights, MN (KNOW, 91.1 FM)

Religion vs. Tribalism (January 29, 2007)
I was irked by your guest as he related the story of a young Muslim woman who faced a death sentence along with several family members after being caught speaking with a young man on the telephone. Evidently someone, inspired by your guest's tolerant, liberal explication of the Koran, intervened, with the fortunate result that lives were spared. Your guest's view, a misguided one in my opinion, was that "This was an instance where religion trumped tribalism." I disagree. I would rather characterize this as an instance where human kindness trumped religion.

Your guest's attitude is a common one, perhaps paraphrased as: "Religion is that with which my own deep feelings resonate, while the deep feelings of those whose actions I regard as inhumane, wicked, or barbaric are not to be considered religious." I believe this is a narrow and incorrect view not only of religion, but of humane thought. The most banal example of this point is how Jewish/Christian scripture calls down the wrath of God upon apostates as well as a long list of other transgressors, in several instances placing upon believers the responsibility for carrying out the death sentence.

What could be more "religious" than the harsh strictures of Leviticus or Deuteronomy? Likewise, what could be more "religious" than the decision of the elders in your guest's anecdote to put the girl and her relatives to death? Any literate person can cite other examples of religious beliefs throughout history and into the present day that have required or justified violence by believers against enemies of the faith.

The patterns of human thought and behavior that most forcefully and convincingly oppose the deadly aspects of religion come from places that reside deeper in the mind than religion. Opposition to the violence that results religious belief comes from reason, which questions blind adherence to dogma, and from the mysterious and wonderful tendency (is it instinctive?) of many people to enlarge their "tribal" circle to include the whole human race. Religion is the problem. Human kindness is the answer.

Stan Polanski
Franklin, NC (WCQS, 88.1 FM)

Caveat About Religious Attaches (January 29, 2007)
Thanks for the insightful and thought-provoking interview with Douglas Johnston. But I have one caveat about his suggestion, toward the end of the interview, that the State Department consider having diplomatic officers abroad who carry a religious portfolio. During the 1980s, the U.S. embassy in Managua had an official in the political section whose sole assignment was as the "religious affairs officer." This person spied on Protestant and Catholic support for the Sandinista government and cultivated opposition to the government within the churches. In other words, religion was subsumed into the narrow — and disastrous — political goals of the Reagan administration.

While I understand and appreciate Johnston's argument for using religion as an instrument of peace, his proposal would somehow need to ensure that religious values of peace will triumph over political values of hegemony and control. Otherwise any embassy staff with a religious portfolio would only resemble the priests who accompanied the first Spanish military conquerors to the Americas.

Paul Jeffrey
Eugene, OR (Listens to SOF OnDemand)

A Homecoming (January 28, 2007)
Just when I think that you can't possibly produce a more excellent program, you do. The dialogue with Doug Johnston was the like of what I learned as a small boy in a small town, from adults who had to solve big problems among groups separated by background, wealth, history, and religion. As an adult, I was dismayed not to see the same in the circles of my life. Gradually, the inclination faded and the belief dulled. When one gives it an hour's thought, no other approach can work! This is a homecoming. Most sincere thanks!

David Reynolds
Jackson, MS (WMPM, 91.3 FM)

A Homecoming (January 28, 2007)
Just when I think that you can't possibly produce a more excellent program, you do. The dialogue with Doug Johnston was the like of what I learned as a small boy in a small town, from adults who had to solve big problems among groups separated by background, wealth, history, and religion. As an adult, I was dismayed not to see the same in the circles of my life. Gradually, the inclination faded and the belief dulled. When one gives it an hour's thought, no other approach can work! This is a homecoming. Most sincere thanks!

David Reynolds
Jackson, MS (WWNO, 90.7 FM)

Peace Games (January 28, 2007)
Your show is always interesting, though I am not a church-goer. I particularly liked your interview with Douglas Johnston. I just e-mailed him regarding his comment on the lack of "peace games." I told him that about 20-some years ago I engaged in a sort of "peacemaking game" up at Sirius Community Conference Center in the Amherst, Massachusetts area. It was introduced to us by the founders of that wonderful community, Corinne McLaughlin and Gordon Davidson, who went on to found The Center for Visionary Leadership in Washington, DC.

Mike Murphy
Cincinnati, OH (WVXU, 90.7 FM)

Armstrong on Tolerance (January 28, 2007)
Just before the broadcast of this program by my local NPR station I caught the last half hour of a Karen Armstrong talk on Islam on C-SPAN. During the Q&A one of her answers dealt with the difference between tolerance and appreciation. She used appreciation in the British sense of deep understanding. In my mind, tolerance is a psychological choice. Ms. Armstrong's call for "appreciation" requires a commitment intellectually, dialogically, and spiritually. What an amazing precursor for your program with Mr. Johnston. Thank you.

Daniel Patton
Saint Charles, MO (KWMU, 90.7 FM)

Witness to an Epiphany (January 28, 2007)
Having just returned from the anti-war protest in Washington, D.C. yesterday, I found the program with Douglas Johnston to be an encouraging follow up to an interfaith service I attended on the morning of the march.

There, in the Lutheran Church of the Reformation, hundreds of people gathered for a program called "Preparing Ourselves for Peace Work." The speakers were from many faiths but their messages were on point with Mr. Johnston's: To gain a respectful understanding for each other and each other's beliefs with the intention of opening a dialogue for global diplomacy. The message was powerful and filled with potential.

As my friend and I left the church, we felt we had witnessed an epiphany. The idea is so profound, so logical — to carry a message of peace, love, and compassion for all of our fellow citizens of the Earth in order to begin the healing of our world. Mr. Johnston is on the right road; he knows it. Now, how do we convince President Bush to get on board? Thank you for such an insightful discourse.

Trudy Vermehren
Wellfleet, MA (WCAI, 90.1 FM)

No More Hopelessness (January 28, 2007)
I listened to your program with Charles Johnston this morning. I have felt totally hopeless about the world political situation for some time. Hearing Mr. Johnston was like having the sun burst out of the clouds after a year of darkness.

Nancy Wilson
Haverford, PA (WHYY, 91.0 FM)

Front and Center (January 28, 2007)
Your program was very timely and instructive. The subject should be put in front of the American public during prime time. It should be done now so that the extent diplomacy and religion has been brought front and center in the Iraq war present strategy.

Edward C. Swift
Chester, CT (WNPR, 89.1 FM)

Voluntary Assistance (January 28, 2007)
Dr. Johnston, yours is a rare treasure to find inside the beltway: an objective and coherent perspective. I was touched by the sincerity and eloquence of your dialogue with Krista Tippett. It prompted an exploration of your organization's Web site and I noticed the posted offer for assistance if a skill set is helpful. I would be very interested in offering voluntary assistance. I have a great deal of hands-on experience in the political/military arena coupled with international diplomatic experience and dispute resolution. I would like to use the work done "teasing out" dozens of faith-based entanglements at the U.S. Air Force Academy in many roles (as an Assistant Professor, Leadership Dev. and Counseling Center Counselor, Commandant of Cadets — Air Officer Commanding and an Internal Leadership Program Consultant) to touch upon the key points raised in your SOF interview.

Randy Eady
Boca Raton, FL/Cologne, Germany (WLRN, 91.3 FM)

The Limits of Talking (January 28, 2007)
Yes, I agree with Douglas Johnston that all human beings have the spark of G-d in them. However, the spark in some human beings is no longer reachable. Ahmadinejad is such a human being.

Johnston ignores his Nazi-like hatred for Jews. He also ignores that his hatred of the U.S. is intertwined with his antisemitism, because he believes that Jews/Zionists control the U.S. and the world or at least are trying to. He believes in The Protocols of the Elders of Zions and every single antisemitic conspiracy theory that has ever existed.

Ahmadinejad is a Hitler and you don't negotiate with Hitler. Although, I think Johnston would have tried. It seems like the 1930s all over again to me.

Susan Stein
Philadelphia, PA (WHYY, 91.0 FM)

Encouraged by What I Hear (January 27, 2007)
The reflections of Douglas Johnston was deeply encouraging to me. His clarity of thought about the way in which we engage Islamic countries was wonderful. I often have this discussion with friends that the division we have in the Western world between faith and politics is foreign to the Islamic mind, and we must respect and understand this if we are going to get anywhere. I will be reading more of Johnston's thoughts, and I am praying for his work in Pakistan. Blessings.

Michelle Lewis
Wheeling, IL (Listens to SOF OnDemand)

Heroes of Humanity (January 26, 2007)
First I wanted to say that you have a wonderful show, about such an important and increasingly relevant topic. I work with the Art of Living foundation, the world's largest NGO of volunteers. We have a number of humanitarian projects around the world in over 140 countries, and have touched the lives of millions with our programs, all of which focus on the importance of uplifting human values. The foundation's programs utilize techniques and processes that eliminate stress and anxiety, and teach people to handle negative emotions, as we believe these are the source of so many of our individual and societal problems.

I wanted to let you know about a series of events we are hosting around the country to partner with and honor other organizations that are working to uplift human values. These events will recognize these organizations as Heroes of Humanity.

By letting go of stress and negative emotions, our programs have the ability to help individuals see beyond the more limited identities of race, class, religion, and understand that we are part of a one world family. The Heroes of Humanity event is a great forum to see practical manifestations of this larger perspective through both the work of our foundation, and that of so many other wonderful organizations.

Matthew Scharpnick
Irvine, CA (KPCC, 89.3 FM)

Good Day (January 26, 2007)
One of the initial observations that is made when listening to the radio programme that you provide is the richness and diversity of the music that you include. Your making available this music within the respective playlists of individual episodes is considerably generous and appreciated, particularly amongst those of us who maintain modest material resources. This is, of course, in addition to the tremendously diligent and meritorious work that you maintain in providing information and insight about interFaith and interreligious cooperation.

Upon listening to a musical piéce included within the playlist of a recent episode, and considering the notions of integrity amidst unity, I share with you the proceeding thought: Every piano has a middle C; yet every middle C sounds different.

Peter Frank Womack
University Heights, Ohio (Listens to SOF OnDemand)