Forum calls for examination of means to offer assistance

By Eileen Connelly, OSU

ARCHDIOCESE — This past June, Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Louise Akers, co-coordinator of the congregation’s Office of Peace, Justice and Integrity of Creation, was among the participants at a large international forum held in Villepinte, a small town north of Paris, France.

CNS FILE PHOTO

Iranian women pray in a mosque in this undated photo from Tehran, Iran.

Iranian Mullahs persist in their oppressive fundamentalist regime, ruling in the name of Allah, Sister Louise said, noting that all fundamentalisms are extreme political and religious ideologies grounded in patriarchal tradition that manifest themselves through exclusive and oppressive doctrines, policies and structures.

In Iran, she said, these are demonstrated by the existence of military tribunals, stoning of women and imprisonment, torture or killing of dissidents. Sister Louise went on to quote Randall Balmer, a professor of American religious history at Barnard College, Columbia University, who noted the fundamentalists’ analysis of the status quo is that it’s being threatened, and said, "There’s a sense that the world is out of control and chaotic, and that if we can control our women then the world will be a safer place. That’s a real perception on the part of a lot of religious conservatives — Muslims, Catholics, Protestant fundamentalists."

At the forum, numerous international politicians addressed those gathered. Featured speaker Maryam Rajavi, President-Elect in Exile of Iran, spoke in favor of establishing a democratic Iran and against clerical policies that violate human rights. She also addressed the significance of the European Union’s recent identification of the Iranian Resistance Movement as a "terrorist group." Yet, the movement’s history and philosophy "contradict such a label," Sister Louise said. "The United States has also labeled them a ‘terrorist group.’ What sense does this make in light of the government labeling Iran as part of the ‘axis of evil.’"

The following objectives outlined by Rajavi counter the terrorist label and "challenge us to call for an alliance with rather than against the NCRI (National Council of Resistance of Iran)," added Sister Louise. "The United States and European Union need to listen to these alternative principles and relinquish their policy of appeasement toward the mullahs."

The objectives are:

The ballot box is the only criterion for legitimacy.

In Iran of tomorrow, we will respect all individual freedoms. Expression of opinion, speech and the media are completely free, and any censorship or inquisition is banned.

We support and are committed to the abolition of the death penalty.

The Iranian Resistance will establish the separation of the church and state. Any form of discrimination against the followers of all religions and denominations will be prohibited.

We believe in complete gender equality in political and social rights

We are committed to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and international covenants and conventions.

Our foreign policy will be based on peaceful coexistence. . .

The day was also filled with music, celebration and intense conversations, according to Sister Louise. "On my way home, a song by folk singer Holly Near came to mind," she said. "I believe her refrain captures the grounding and necessity for an alternative to fundamentalisms — that of a pluralistic posture toward all in the human community.

Sister Louise offered suggestions for further reading and reflection for area Catholics interested in learning more about the issue including Karen Armstrong’s Battle for God (fundamentalism in the three Abrahamic faiths); Diana Eck’s A New Religious America (pluralistic approach to religion and faith); and American Theocracy by Kevin Phillips, a one-time speech writer for former President Richard Nixon, who sounds an alert related to theocratic characteristics within the U.S. government. She also recommended visiting www.theocracywatch.org and www.womenfreedforum.com for more information.