By Ilham Idrissi and Matthew Lakenbach, UConn Abrahamic Initiative

While the UConn Abrahamic Initiative does not focus on religion or religious similarities and differences, it is important to emphasize that Judaism, Christianity and Islam all call on human beings to use knowledge and reason. Thus, critical thinking is central to all of the Abrahamic traditions, as articulated in numerous verses within the Torah, New Testament, and the Quran.

The Torah expresses the value of reason and learning in multiple verses: “Come, now, and let us reason together.”(Isaiah 1:18). Torah also states: “Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.” (Proverbs 1:5-6).

Likewise, the New Testament addresses critical thinking and the reliance on reason to understand the essence of creation: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans, 12:2). Also in the New Testament: “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17).

The Quran also instructs the faithful to seek knowledge and use reason: “and say, “My Lord, increase me in knowledge.” (Surat Taha 20:114). Also in the Quran: ‘’Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and earth, and the alternation of the night and the day, and the [great] ships which sail through the sea with that which benefits people, and what Allah has sent down from the heavens of rain, giving life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness and dispersing therein every [kind of] moving creature, and [His] directing of the winds and the clouds controlled between the heaven and the earth are signs for a people who use reason.” (Surat Al Bakara 2:164).

These verses link the use of reason and intellect and the pursuit of knowledge with the religious imperative to understand and live according to the ways and designs of a higher power. These are but a few of the numerous passages from within each religion that emphasize the value of acquiring knowledge, using reason, and acting with wisdom. The UConn Abrahamic Initiative is grounded in this spirit.

Avi Meyerstein writes that officials should do more to build a supportive atmosphere for future talks by encouraging and empowering the people-to-people movements that build trust and confidence. 

Meyerstein is the founder of the Alliance for Middle East Peace (ALLMEP), a coalition of 85 NGOs building people-to-people cooperation and coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians, Arabs and Jews in the Middle East.

For the US president who launched a peace process on his very first day in office, what can become of Israeli-Palestinian peace in his last year? Very little, according to the conventional wisdom.

But, don’t be misled. Yes, the conflict has deteriorated, and Arabs and Jews are dying in the streets. Yes, public figures are too often fanning the flames. Yes, a lame-duck president may have limited political capital at home and little sway abroad.

This is a terrible time to hope for short-term diplomatic progress toward a two-state solution.

But a time of low expectations and few diplomatic options is actually an ideal moment to make long-term investments in Israeli-Palestinian relations and peace. It is a moment not to miss.

Read the full article in the Jerusalem Post…

 

 

The Greek Island of Lesvos is a quiet vacation spot where tourists relax and local children play in peace. But on the other side of the island, a very different scene is unfolding.

Every day, thousands of refugees arrive on this shore. Most are fleeing the Syrian civil war, hoping to resettle in Europe.

Waiting to help them on the beaches of Greece are the last people they Syrians might expect. Volunteers from Israel.

This article originally appeared on CBN. Continue reading…