چکیده:
This paper will explore the links between religion and human rights as
embodied in the work and mission of the Christian Peacemaker Teams 8CPT<
and Muslim Peacemaker Teams 8MPT<. The paper compares models such as
those of theorists Margaret Keck and Kathryn Sikkink in providing a
framework in which to understand, critique and build on the work of CPT
and MPT. The CPT and MPT groups Kget in the wayL of violence through
placing themselves in conflict situations for the purpose of reducing all
forms of violence against civilians. Born out of the KPeace ChurchL traditions
of Christianity in the >A?9s, the movement has expanded to spark formation
of the less formalized Muslim Peacemaker Team. The two groups now
collaborate through shared training exercises and goals. CPT and MPT
present a unique example of the integration of religion and human rights.
While CPT have worked more extensively and published their experiences
more broadly, both groups exemplify the potential synergy of groups who
draw on religion in order to advance human rights. As CPT has a more
formalized organizational structure, the paper focuses on this group in order
to lay out principles from which both operate. As such, the questions of how
human rights and religion are interconnected become very clear in the work
of CPT. CPT main goal is to reduce violence against civilians through putting
themselves in harms way; in addition, CPT also conscientizes the broader
public through publishing accounts of their work, particularly on the
internet. CPT works to establish networks of faith communities, human
rights organizations, etc. to effect macro-level change, even as their most
tangible work is very micro-level. CPT and MPT clearly operate out of a
profoundly religious foundation. An emphasis on regular spiritual reflection,
communal spiritual experience, and public and private prayer underlines
this. Some of the groups’ other specific micro-level tactics include civil
protest, maintaining a non-evangelical or proselyte identity, avoiding
perpetuation of injustices and living out the teachings and examples of
peacemaking from the Prophet Mohammed and Jesus. Part of the troubling
paradox that necessitates the paper is the degree to which conscientization
proves most effective among homogeneous and similar groups. The story of
CPT member Tom Fox illustrates this principle. While recent John Hopkins
Bloomberg School of Public Health estimates place the number of Iraqi
deaths at more than B;9,999 since :99=, the abduction and death of Fox in
:99; captured a tremendously disproportionate amount of Western media
attention. The obviously discriminatory media and general public attention
is something that groups like CPT must both combat and utilize in order to
draw attention to and bring change surrounding conflict situations. In so
doing, groups like CPT and MPT seek to bridge the barriers that the media
and powerful nation-states perpetuate. This paper seeks to take seriously
the dignity of both Muslim and Christian efforts.
خلاصه ماشینی:
1. “Christian” Peacemaker Teams As Sider’s appeal for action clearly showed, the impetus for CPT came out of a deeply Christian conviction.
Following the charge their name describes, Christian Peacemaker Teams actively choose to follow Jesus Christ in their actions and reinforce their individual and communal spiritual lives throughout their work.
4 CPTer Erin Kindy wrote that Janet Morley’s Bread of Tomorrow served as an important source for personal reflection and team worship, showing that prayer plays a central role in the CPT experience.
As the title of the official book of CPT stories, Getting in the Way, illustrates, CPTers place themselves in dangerous situations for the purpose of reducing violence.
Political scientists Margaret Keck and Kathryn Sikkink’s boomerang model can be applied with slight modifications to the work of Christian Peacemaker Teams.
Christian Peacemaker Teams’ work in Hebron also follows many of Keck and Sikkink’s boomerang model principles and political tools.
4. Access to the ongoing work of CPT and frequent updates and news releases is Available at: http://www.
"Standing in the Gap", in: Getting in the Way : Stories from Christian Peacemaker Teams, edited by Tricia Gates Brown, Pa.
"Someone to Take Care of You", in: Getting in the Way : Stories from Christian Peacemaker Teams, edited by Tricia Gates Brown, Pa.
"This Place Where My Feet Stand on the Earth", in: Getting in the Way : Stories from Christian Peacemaker Teams, edited by Tricia Gates Brown, 39-54.