...director of the Interfaith Chapel on the University of Rochester's River Campus and director of the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence in Rochester (New York State, Usa), founded by Arun Gandhi. As an expert of the non-violence movement she will give a speech at Rondine on the 7th October 2008. In this interview she anticipates some of the topics she will be talking about.
 

Dr. Stokes, in your recent book about the Abrahamic religious traditions, entitled 'Shalom, Salaam, Peace', you explain, referring to the various religions, that "exclusive truth" can generate intolerance and violence. Can you quote a few particularly illuminating examples in the recent history of the world?

I am currently reading a wonderful book by Eboo Patel, Acts of Faith, The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation. He opens with the story of Eric Rudolph, the man who took the lives of others when he set a bomb at a women's clinic in Alabama, and another at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. He is an example of a person who was taught and the practiced intolerance and hate- against abortion providers, homosexuals and Jews- in the name of Christianity. Asked by a judge whether he set off the bomb in Birmingham, he said with pride, "I certainly did."
Not all violence is physical. Any person who claims to understand the mind of God, and who disrespects or rejects those whose faith leads them to a different understanding, does spiritual violence. I think most of us can think of examples of such persons, whom Patel calls "religious totalitarians." The opposite is "religious pluralists."

As founding director of the Women's Interfaith Institute, how do you think women can promote dialogue among different religions? Is there a 'feminine way' to interfaith dialogue?

Since the beginning of the interfaith movement more than 100 years ago, men have dominated it, and their approach has generally been to focus on discussing and comparing doctrines and creeds. Women tend to do things differently; instead, they focus on relationships, personal sharing and story telling. What is needed is not men's way, or women's way, but a balance between the two. Male leaders of the interfaith movement must welcome more women to the table, and listen to their voices.
Women can further the movement by reaching out across the boundaries that divide people, and bringing together those who come from different faith traditions. Gathering in circles of sharing, and connection and collaborating on service projects are ways forward.

What do you think of the Church of England's ruling General Synod which has recently voted to consecrate women as bishops?

I applaud the ruling. The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Twenty-Sixth Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church pioneered the way when in 2006 she became the first woman to lead a national church in the 520 history of Anglicanism. She is a gifted pastor.

You are, among other things, director of the Interfaith Chapel on the University of Rochester's River Campus. Is the promotion of dialogue among various faiths easier or more difficult today than in the past? Why?

Dialogue among faiths and cultures is much easier today than in the past. Once communities were fairly heterogeneous; people did not have much experience of those unlike themselves. Today with global travel, telecommunications, and the Internet, people are far more likely to encounter difference. This shrinking of our world enables interfaith dialogue and cooperation. We can connect with the Other as never before.

Do you think that the promotion of dialogue among various faiths needs to have a different approach in the USA, Europe and in the South of the world?

Dialogue among various faiths is a grassroots effort or project; therefore it is contextual. There is no particular formula. The approach taken by participants will grow out of their particular needs, experience and environment.

What do you remember of your experience in the Parliament of World Religions in Cape Town in 1999?

I remember most a sense of exhilaration. At the Parliament thousands gathered to celebrate the gift of difference, and for me the experience was life altering. I returned to my home dedicated to focusing my energy on building bridges across all that divides people. Within a year I resigned my position as pastor of a church in order to devote full my time to developing the Women's Interfaith Institute in the Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts.

Last year you were named the new director of the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, founded by Arun Gandhi. Do you think Mahatma Gandhi's teachings are still relevant in our contemporary society? And why?

Absolutely Mahatma Gandhi's teachings are still relevant, now more than ever. Nonviolent resolution to conflict is essential not just to human well-being, but in an age of terror and nuclear weapons, to human survival.

Which, among Gandhi's teachings, is the most useful and precious for the younger generation?

This is difficult to say because there is so much to learn from the Mahatma's writings and wisdom. Sixty years after his death, Gandhi's thought is still being studied and analyzed by scholars.
Particularly useful today might be his insistence that the way of non-violence is not for the fainthearted. It requires courage. It is not passive, but active, even militant. Those truly committed to non-violent resistance must be prepared to sacrifice.
I can envision a time for a younger generation when true patriotism is turned upside down to signify not the willingness to suffer and die in combat, but instead the willingness to suffer and die in nonviolent protest against injustice and war.

Who are the protagonists of the non-violence movement after Gandhi? Who can be considered Mahatma's main heir (or heirs) in our times?

I consider the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. the main heir. In his struggle for civil rights for African Americans, King adopted Gandhi's method of non-violence resistance and for this reason, in the United States the names of Gandhi and King are often linked. In fact, the sculpture of King by Lei Yixin that will be installed on the National Mall in Washington, DC is inspired by a photo of King, arms crossed, looking at a picture of Gandhi.

Do you think that the great political leaders of the world have forgotten the non-violence movement or is there someone who still believes in these values?

Nelson Mandela recently celebrated his 90th birthday, and is revered the world over for spearheading the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, and for his leadership in the way of reconciliation and negotiation that led to a multi-racial democracy in that country. Mr. Mandela has often credited Mahatma Gandhi as a source of inspiration.
There is no doubt in my mind that there are many political leaders of the world whose leadership is influenced by the memory and achievements of Gandhi, King, Mandela and others. What is more, there is a worldwide grassroots movement of millions of people insisting, "The World Says No to War." As the movement grows, the will and power of the people will surely impact political leaders everywhere.
As you can observe from my responses to your wonderful questions, I have much hope for the future.

(interview collected by Luciana Maci)