Spiritualize politics without dividing society, say panel speakers

Published: 2006-05-01

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Spiritualizing politics has to promote inclusion rather than sectarian divisions in society, said several speakers on a panel examining the relationship of religion and politics. Spiritualizing politics should be seen as bringing to public issues the ethics and values which many people can share, said Rabbi Marc Gopin, professor of religion, diplomacy and conflict resolution at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., a Washington suburb. Rabbi Gopin cited the example of black civil rights leader the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who was a Southern Baptist minister. "He never demonized whites," said Rabbi Gopin. "He spoke of a world in which white and black babies grow up equal." The April 27 panel on "Spiritualizing Politics Without Politicizing Religion" was part of the April 26-27 International Prayer for Peace interfaith meeting held at Georgetown University in Washington. The meeting was sponsored by the university, the Washington Archdiocese, The Catholic University of America and the Sant'Egidio Community, a Rome-based Catholic lay organization.

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