Proposal Denouncing Religious Violence!

[Andrea Mérida Cuéllar]

Which religion sanctions the killing?  Please cite chapter and verse of the respective texts.Where is the conclusive proof that this current strife is due to religious fervor?I want to support a document that pleads for peace of all stakeholders involved, without making assumptions about religious motive.  Consider that many of the aggression are committed by people who profess no religious creed at all.The American Presbyterian church has passed doctrine to divest all its investments from Israeli-held companies.  See http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/21/us/presbyterians-debating-israeli-occupation-vote-to-divest-holdings.htmlI've now offered three examples of religious leadership calling out the issue.  Does the core motivation of this document still pass muster?I'm with Laura.  There are cultural and economic issues wrapped up in this too.  I say that if we can't issue a document that deals with at least those three catalysts, we will look naive and anti-religious.  I realize that many of you are atheists, but not all progressives are atheists.  We run the risk of alienating very good people by not issuing a more balanced statement.

[Susan Hall]

I just wrote a couple of paragraphs and it is not here, so I will try again with a much shorter version.I disagree

[Susan Hall]

I appreciate the proposal because it means we the GPOC are caring, thinking, discussing and maybe acting on important issues. I disagree and now that I see my post I will give a shorter reason for my disagreement with the proposal.  I do not believe the Palistine-Israeli issue is as much about the name of a God or not believing in a God as it is about powerful, countries, corporations and other entities gaining more power and resources at the expense of more vulnerable groups.  If the Green Party of CO makes a proposal on this issue it could follow US Greens &/or encourage a proposed bill supported by Rep Lee, to pull the US military support completely away from Israel, HR 105. The most powerful group or organization, including countries are most responsible for having justice, and certainly should make concessions toward equality, not because of the name of their God or his writings, but because humans have inalienable rights and should be equal in rights.  Here I would say there are also needs to be political representatives for both Israel and the US to provide for the leftist pt of view.  In Israel these people are having their lives threatened too, despite they are saying they are Jewish or Christian. 

[Susan Hall]

I would also like to add 2 things on this subject.  1st all 3 of my congressmen are supporting Israel .  Not only have I heard from the CO US Senators staffers as they told me Bennet, Udall, and Polis suppot Israel, and by votes it appears all US senators suppot Israel. I am going to write in Bob's name in on my ballot for Senator and Green Party Member, my name, or Gary's for Polis's.2nd I think colonization is still happening with the Western countries, especially by the US and the following website shows this pattern of taking control through vilence for power and wealth which is much more about Israel-Palistine than the many religons in these countries.

[Susan Hall]

http://www.nationofchange.org/us-empire-reaches-breaking-point-time-end-it-1405950317

[Thom Langley]

I will stand aside.While I believe the proposal aligns with our platform of non-violence, as specifically written it seems to be more broad than that and have an agenda of religious expression in addition to alignment of non-violent principals. In the current state of today's world, geopolitically speaking, it hardly stands to gain any one any measurable progress toward a lasting peace by taking sides in a debate regarding the global acceptance of a secular denunciation as religion being the root of all violence, without acknowledging any other contributing secular causes, such as greed and Empirical expansion, which so often hides behind the skirts of the most convenient religion of the day. I read this proposal as being specific to local religion and ideology, and derisive to a broader sentiment regarding militaristic & violent resolution to all geopolitical conflicts regarding autonomy and sovereignty. In short, there are many, many more concrete non-relligious factors contributing to the violence in the region to call out just that one specifically and still have a proposal that resonates as being fully appreciative of the broader situation and causal factors.

[Andrea Mérida Cuéllar]

If the Green Party of CO makes a proposal on this issue it could follow US Greens &/or encourage a proposed bill supported by Rep Lee, to pull the US military support completely away from Israel, HR 105.

I could not agree more wholeheartedly with Susan's statement.  In fact, the GPUS statement begins, "WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Green Party of the United States is calling for an immediate ceasefire in the current exchange of missiles between Israeli and Palestinian forces, negotiation for a just and peaceful resolution to the conflict, an end to Israel's occupation of Palestinian Territories and human rights violations, repeal of apartheid policies in Israel, and establishment of one democratic state for all in Israel-Palestine."They aren't calling out religion at all.  See more: http://www.gp.org/newsroom/press-releases/details/4/721Could we retool our statement so it aligns more closely with national's?

[Thom Langley]

They aren't calling out religion at all.  See more: http://www.gp.org/newsroom/press-releases/details/4/721Could we retool our statement so it aligns more closely with national's?

Best compromise proposal I've seen yet on this proposal.

[Laura C.]

I just read National's statement and they have links to various peace groups, as well as info from Desmond Tutu.  I think this is well balanced and drives to the main point of stopping the killing now – both sides.  If people on this blog haven't read the statement yet, here's a link.http://www.gp.org/newsroom/press-releases/details/4/721

[Bill Bartlett]

This has been a wonderful discussion!  I appreciate the input from all sides, and Thom thank you for adding your insghts;  I don't think I've seen you post.  And Susan, your statement helped me see past historical religious factors, and focus my mind on other just as relevant forces.I can resubmit a proposal this evening that aligns more closely with national.  Although I do feel that religion is the major factor in these conflicts, I accede that the sentiment doesn't echo strongly enough in our ranks for that to be our official statement. I think that's why we call it "agreement seeking".  🙂 After my meeting I'll draft something new and we'll go forward from there.  Thanks again, everyone. 

[Susan Hall]

I would like to say thank you to Gary Swing for attending the march downtown today.  It seemed like there were more independent activist at the march this week then when I went 2 weeks ago.  A few of my friends from Strength Through Peace (STP) in Ft. Collins were there.  I also enjoyed seeing my activist friends Janet Matzen and Jan Bennet there.  I can not go to the March every week, but is there an appropriate place to see when people are going because it is nice to either have a friend to look for or to see if the Green Party is being represented.

[Bill Bartlett]

Thanks for that update, Susan!  I didn't know there was a march yesterday.  Is this a regular event?  How did you find out about it?

[Bill Bartlett]

I've come up with the following new text for our statement.  What do you think?  The Green Party of Colorado calls for a lasting peace between Israel and Palestine.  We call upon the leadership on both side of the conflict to come together and forge a truce that well end all hostilities.  We also demand the leaders of the world withhold all aid but humanitarian aid from both countries until they have come to a mutual and lasting peace agreement.  Many of the the party's Ten Key Values can provide useful guidance:  nonviolence, respect for diversity, decentralization, personal and global responsibility, economic justice, and future focus and sustainability. 

[Laura C.]

Check out Naomi Wolf on FB.  She has provided a lot of information as she has asked many questions and shared with her FB friends.  Very intelligent and well worth following if you're interested in this issue.  She's an author, an activist, Jewish and lives in New York. https://www.facebook.com/naomi.wolf.author

[Thom Langley]

I've come up with the following new text for our statement.  What do you think?  The Green Party of Colorado calls for a lasting peace between Israel and Palestine.  We call upon the leadership on both side of the conflict to come together and forge a truce that wIll end all hostilities.  We also demand the leaders of the world withhold all aid but humanitarian aid from both countries until they have come to a mutual and lasting peace agreement.  Many of the the party's Ten Key Values can provide useful guidance:  nonviolence, respect for diversity, decentralization, personal and global responsibility, economic justice, and future focus and sustainability.

Now this one, while less pointed, seems to be a call for actual progress. Thanks Bill for responding to the input during agreement seeking.Peace Out;TLL

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