Condemning ISIL Violence, Parliament Call Urges Prayers and Diplomacy

The Parliament of the World’s Religions condemns the brutality demonstrated by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and all other sides of the ongoing armed conflicts in Syria and Iraq. It is disturbing to see that, once again, civilians and minorities are the primary victims of this sectarian and religious violence.
The Parliament calls upon faith communities to pray for all victims of these tragic events. We also urge the spiritual leaders of any groups affected by these struggles to follow the principles of peace and non-violence that characterize their own religions, as well as to promote talking rather than fighting with their enemies. Moreover, we applaud the many countries that have provided the humanitarian aid of food, water, and other supplies for the victims.
We question, however, whether bombing ultimately ends violence or simply perpetuates it. The multiple wars in Iraq and Syria have produced more than five million refugees, according to the United Nations. Most of these victims are ethnic and religious minorities—Christian, Yazidi, Shia, and Sunni.
The Parliament also implores the US government to focus on diplomatic solutions to the complex problems in Syria and Iraq rather than on the use of military campaigns. While we support the right of all people to defend themselves against attack, we oppose any suggestion that weapons will lead to unity or lasting peace in the long term. Accordingly, we ask all public leaders to commit themselves to seeking the resolution of conflicts by political, not military, means, and only to supply armaments to any faction when one or more parties violate the agreed upon peace by reverting to armed violence.
In light of these recent events, the Parliament points to the Declaration for a Global Ethic which was read at the concluding plenary of the first modern Parliament on September 4, 1993, in Chicago. In that document, signed by leaders of multiple religions representing the 6,500 participants of that historic Parliament event, the following passage was included: “We condemn the social disarray of the nations; the disregard for justice which pushes citizens to the margin; the anarchy overtaking our communities; and the insane death of children from violence. In particular we condemn aggression and hatred in the name of religion.”