Center for Reduction of Religious-based Conflict
JUST IN:
“We have received a video (above) from one of our supporters which you should see. Though this video refers specifically to the Hamas/Israel October War which was not caused by religious-based conflict per se, it offers the same mantra to reduce the conflict (political) which caused that war which we follow to reduce religious-based conflict and violence. It is surely worth viewing.
DEFINITION
What is Religious-Based Conflict?
Religious-Based Conflict is a unique new phrase introduced by the Center in 1999. Heretofore, “religious conflict” was thought to cover the explanation of such related conflict and violence found worldwide. The term “religious conflict” describes conflict between religions themselves and, while important, does not cover or explain the massive conflict and violence which has historically caused many, if not most, of our wars. The phrase Religious-Based Conflict does this.
Religious-Based Conflict can be defined as conflict instigated by individuals or groups in the name of a particular religion. It is not conflict among or between religions themselves. It is conflict initiated by those individuals or groups against others who do not have the same religious beliefs, and based solely on the extreme overemphasis of the differences of those beliefs. It is often a fanatic approach showing no respect for any thinking or belief other than their own. Simply said in its most violent form: “our beliefs are right and yours are wrong and we will kill you unless you change to our way”.
OUR MISSION
The Center is a unique, independent non-profit organization with international headquarters in Naples, Florida, USA. Its purpose is to sensitize and educate people and governments to the very real problem of Religious-Based Conflict, its causes, its problems and its increasing costs to us all. And as well, we describe unique long-term solutions which go beyond the currently accepted mantra of tolerance and show how they can be immediately and realistically implemented.
We work internationally to reduce the current over-emphasis of religious differences - the tool forged to promote conflict throughout the world - by publicity and education, emphasizing those common threads of similarities found among all religions and de-emphasizing (though meaningful) religious differences. This is our “counter-tool” which is essential, and the only way currently available to substantially reduce worldwide Religious-Based Conflict and violence. We do this via our Center Updates, our newspaper Op-Eds, our Brochures, our book Beyond Tolerance, by our talks and travels, as well as through our website.
OUR VIEW
The history of the human race is one of conflict, brutality, violence and wars, interspersed with periods of peace, creativity and technical growth. Today is no different. Otherwise, why would we now have police, military, intelligence services and other such protectors? Currently, there are at least 19 hotspots of religious-based conflict in the world – some new, some very old. And, as we all know, religious-based conflict is itself nothing new. Why is this so?
OUR MOTTO
“What we do for ourselves dies with us: what we do for others remains and is immortal.”
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
– Winston Churchill