'Change your mindset'

Victoria University Associate Prof Chris Marshall in Dunedin this week. Photo by Craig Baxter.

That was the message delivered by a visiting religious studies academic in Dunedin this week.

Victoria University School of Art head of history, classics and religious studies Associate Prof Chris Marshall was invited to the University of Otago to deliver the 2011 Dunedin Abrahamic Interfaith Group peace lecture.

"Compassion, justice and the pursuit of peace: ten years on from 9/11" addressed the relationship between different religions.

"There is an ambiguity about religion. The challenge is not to have a passive blockade, but to truly appreciate what each other brings to the table. That's when things really change and we get peace," Dr Marshall said.

"You can change your mindset by working with other religions. Otherwise, it's a coercive power and that doesn't lead to long-term change," he said.

"Be true to your tradition, but be open to discussions about goodness and beauty and other traditions. God is bigger than any of our traditions."

Peace would come when we recognised our similarities, rather than our differences, he said.

"There's a tendency in the West to demonise Islam. And many Muslims identify Christianity with Western military. [Former United States president] George Bush would often use Christian language to describe America's agenda.

"Fortunately, we haven't found the same levels of suspicion and animosities here that a lot of countries get into," he said.

"I think people realise that following Christianity involves anti-violence, reconciliation and peace-making. The parable of the Good Samaritan, in the gospel of Luke says love of thy neighbour is defined as love of thy enemy."

Dr Marshall is considered one of New Zealand's most creative thinkers on restorative justice and human rights issues. He was the principal author of the "Statement on Restorative Justice Values and Processes" adopted by the Ministry of Justice in 2004, and is an author and speaker on human rights issues.

"Religion is assuming its proper place in society. I'd rather be a Christian now than 30 or 40 years ago, when it was something you just called yourself. To be a Christian now is a calling and involves commitment."

University of Otago ecumenical chaplain the Rev Greg Hughson said this week the Dunedin Abrahamic Interfaith Group was formed after the attack on the United States by al Qaeda on September 11, 2001, as a "spontaneous expression of solidarity and goodwill" between Dunedin's Christian, Jewish and Islamic faiths.

"Every year, we have a peace lecture and alternate between a Christian, Jewish and Muslim speaker."

Earlier in the day, more than 50 people attended an informal lunchtime talk with Dr Marshall and centre for religious theology and public issues director Andrew Bradstock in the Burns Lecture Theatre.

nigel.benson@odt.co.nz