Писмо на „Центъра за вяра и култура“ на университета Йейл – 2007
Това е писмо-отговор на написано от 138 ислямски духовници и интелектуалци Отворено писмо,озаглавено„Общо Слово Между Нас и Вас“.
Писмото-отговор, което сега ще прочетете е подписано от 674 християнски теолози, пастори ,преподаватели в университети и т.н. и е резултат от една конференция в Йоейл. Останалите отговри могат да се намерят ТУК
Преамбюл
Като членове на международната Християнска общност, ние сме силно (дълбоко) насърчени и предизвикани от неотдавнашното историческо отворено писмо подписано то 138 водещи Мюсулмански учени, духовници и интелектуалци от цял свят. Общо Слово Между Нас и Вас посочва (изтъква) една основна обща позиция (основа) между Християнството и Исляма, която лежи в сърцето на нашите съответните вярвания, както и в сърцето на най-древната Аврамова вяра, Юдаизма. Призивът на Исус Христос да обичаме Бога и ближния си беше основана на Божието откровение към народа на Израел, записано в Тората (Второзаконие 6:5, Левит 19:18). Ние приемаме отвореното писмо като Мюсулманска ръка на приятелство и сътрудничество протегната към Християните по света. В отговор на това ние на свой ред протягаме нашата Християнска ръка, така че заедно с всички останали човешки същества да можем да живеем в мир и справедливост като търсим да обичаме Бога и нашите ближни.
Мюсулмани и Християни не винаги са си подавали ръце за мир; техните взаимооотношения са били понякога напрегнати, дори отличаващи се с открита враждебност. Тъй като Исус Христос казва: „Първо извади гредата от собственото си око и тогава ще видиш ясно, за да извадиш съчицата от окото на ближния си” (Матея 7:5), ние искаме да започнем с признанието, че в миналото (напр. в Кръстоносните походи) и сега (напр. в необуздани действия на ‘войната срещу тероризма’) много Християни са виновни за съгрешаване срещу нашите Мюсулмански ближни. Преди да ‘ви стиснем ръката’ в отговор на вашето писмо, ние молим за прощение от Всемилостивия и от Мюсулманската общност по света.
Религиозен Мир – Световен Мир
„Мюсулманите и Християните заедно наброяват доста над половината от населението на света. Без мир и справедливост между тези две религиозни общности, не може да има значим мир в света.” Ние споделяме становището на Мюсулманските автори изразено в тези начални редове на тяхното отворено писмо. Мирните взаимоотношения между Мюсулмани и Християни се очертават като едно от основните предизвикателства на този век и вероятно на цялата сегашна епоха. Въпреки че напреженията, конфликтите и дори войните, в които Християни и Мюсулмани се изправят едни срещу други, не са преобладаващо религиозни по характер, те съдържат неоспорим религиозен елемент. Ако ние можем да постигнем религиозен мир между тези две религиозни общности, мирът в света несъмнено ще бъде по-лесен за постигане. Следователно няма да е преувеличено да кажем, както сте записали в Общо Слово Между Нас и Вас, че ‘бъдещето на света зависи от мира между Мюсулманите и Християните’.
Обща основа
Това което е толкова изключително за Общо Слово Между Нас и Вас е не това че авторите усещат критичния характер на настоящия момент във взаимоотношенията между Мюсулманите и Християните. То по-скоро е една дълбока достъпност и смелост с която те са очертали общата основа между Мюсулманските и Християнските религиозни общества. Това което е общото между нас се намира не в нещо незначително нито в нещо единствено важно за всеко поотделно. То се съдържа, по-скоро, в нещо абсолютно централно и за двете страни: любов към Бога и любов към ближния. Изненадващо за много Християни, вашето писмо счита двойната заповед за любовта за основен принцип не само на Християнската вяра, но също и на Исляма. Че толкова много обща основа съществува – обща основа в някои от основите на вярата – ни дава надежда, че неоспоримите различия и дори самите съществуващи външни напрежения които тегнат върху нас не могат да засенчат общата основа върху която стоим заедно. Че тази обща основа се състои в любовта към Бога и към ближния дава надежда че (едно) дълбоко сътрудничество между нас може да бъде гаранция на взаимоотношенията между нашите две общности.
Любов към Бога
Ние приветстваме че Общо Слово Между Нас и Вас изтъква толкова настоятелно изключителното посвещение към един Бог, всъщност любов към Бога, като главно задължение на всеки вярващ. Самият Бог наистина изисква нашата най-голяма преданност. Когато някой или нещо освен Бог изисква нашата най-голяма преданност – управник, нация, икономически прогрес или каквото и да е друго – ние стигаме до служене на идоли и неизбежно биваме въвлечени в дълбоки и фатални конфликти.
Ние намираме за еднакво насърчително че Бог, когото ние трябва да обичаме над всичко е описан като самата Любов. В Мюсулманската традиция, Бог, „Бог на световете” е „Безкрайно Добрия и Всемилостивия”. И Новият Завет казва ясно че „Бог е Любов” (1 Йоан 4:8). Тъй като Божията доброта е безкрайна и не е ограничена от нищо, Бог „прави слънцето му да изгрява на злите и на добрите и изпраща дъжд на праведните и на неправедните”, съгласно думите на Исус Христос записани в Евангелието (Матея 5:45).
За Християните, любовта на хората и Божията любов към хората са взаимно свързани. Както четем в Новия Завет: „Ние обичаме защото Той (Бог) първо ни възлюби нас” (1 Йоан 4:19). Нашата любов към Бога извира и е подхранвана от Божията любов към нас. Не може и да бъде другояче, след като Творецът, който има власт над всичко, е безкрайно добър.
Любов към ближния
Ние откриваме дълбоко сходство с нашата Християнска вяра когато Общо Слово Между Нас и Вас настоява че любовта е най-голямото от нашите задължения към нашите ближни. “Никой от вас няма вяра докато не обикнете вашите ближни както обичате самите себе си”, е казал Пророкът Мохамед. В Новият Завет ние подобно четем: „който не обича (ближния си) не е познал Бога” (1 Йоан 4:8) и „който не обича брат си когото когото вижда не може да обича Бога когото не е видял” (1 Йоан 4:20). Бог е любов и нашият най-висш призив като човешки същества е да подражаваме на Единия, пред когото се покланяме.
Ние приветстваме когато вие казвате че „справедливостта и свободата на религията за задължителна част” от любовта към ближния. Когато липсва справедлвост, нито любовта към Бога нито любовта към ближния могат да присъстват. Когато свободата да се покланяш на Бога съгласно нечия съвест е ограничена, Бог е пренебрегнат, ближният е подтиснат и нито към Бога нито към ближния се показва любов.
След като Мюсулманите търсят да обичат техните Християнски ближни, те не са против тях, казва окуражително документът. Тоест, Мюсулманите са с тях (на тяхна страна). Като Християни ние откликваме дълбоко на това отношение. Нашата вяра учи че ние трябва да бъдем с нашите ближни – всъщност, че трябва да постъпваме в тяхна полза – дори когато нашите ближни се окажат наши врагове. „Но Аз ви казвам”, казва Исус Христос, „обичайте враговете си и се молете за тези които ви гонят, за да бъдете чада на вашия Отец на небесата; защото той прави слънцето си да изгрява и на слите и на добрите” (Матей 5:44–45). Нашата любов, казва Исус Христос, трябва да е като любовта на безкрайно добрия Творец; нашата любов трябва да бъде безусловна каквато е Божията – насочена към братя, сестри, ближни и дори врагове. В края на живота си, Исус Христос се моли за враговете си: „Прости им; защото не знаят какво вършат” (Лука 23:34).
Пророкът Мохамед е направил подобно нещо когато е бил жестоко отхвърлен и замерван с камъни от хората на Таиф. Известно е че той е казал: „Най-добродетелното поведение е да се сближиш с тези които разрушават взаимоотношения, да дадеш на тези които не ти дават, и да простиш на тези които ти правят зло.” (Може би е от значение че след като Пророкът Мохамед е бил изгонен от Таиф, това е бил робът Християнин Адас който е отишъл при Мохамед, донесъл му храна, целунал го и го прегърнал.)
Задачата пред нас
„Нека тази обща основа” – двойната обща основа на любов към Бога и към ближния – „бъде база на всички бъдещи междурелигиозни диалози между нас”, вашето насърчително писмо призовава. Всъщност, в откровеността с която писмото е написано вие пресъздавате това към което призовавате. Ние най-сърдечно се съгласяваме. Изоставяйки всички „омрази и борби”, ние трябва да се сближим в междурелигиозен диалог като такива които търсят взимно доброто си, защото единият Бог непрестанно търси нашето добро. Всъщност, заедно с вас ние вярваме че имаме нужда да преминем зад „учтивия екуменически диалог между избрани религиозни лидери” и да работим усърдно заедно да променим модела на взаимоотношенията между нашите общности и нашите народи така че те напълно да отразяват нашата обща любов към Бога и един към друг.
Знаейки дълбоките разделения във взаимоотношенията между Християни и Мюсулмани днес, задачата пред нас е непосилна. И залозите са огромни. Бъдещето на света зависи от нашата способност като Християни и Мюсулмани да живеем заедно в мир. Ако не успеем да положим всяко усилие да има мир и да се сближим в хармония вие правилно ни напомняте че „нашите вечни души” са заложени също.
Ние сме убедени че нашата следваща стъпка трябва да бъде на нашите лидери на всички нива да се съберат заедно и да започнат сериозната работа за определяне как Бог би искал да изпълним изискването да обичаме Бога и един друг. Със смирение и надежда ние приемаме вашето искрено писмо и се посвещаваме да работим заедно със сърце, душа и и сили за целите които вие така подходящо предлагате.
Capt. Bradford E. Ableson, Chaplain Corps, US Navy and Senior Episcopal Chaplain in the US Navy
Dr. Martin Accad, Academic Dean, Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (Lebanon), Director, Institute of Middle East Studies (Lebanon), Associate Professor of Islamic Studies, Fuller School of Intercultural Studies
Scott C. Alexander, Associate Professor of Islam and Director, Catholic-Muslim Studies, Catholic Theological Union
Dr. Mogamat-Ali Behardien, Minister, African Reformed Church, Paarl, South Africa.
Roger Allen, Professor of Arabic and Comparative Literature and Chair, Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, University of Pennsylvania, member of Middle East Study Group of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania
Jean Amore, CSJ, for the Leadership Team of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood, NY
Leith Anderson, President, National Association of Evangelicals
Rev. Daniel S. Appleyard, Rector, Christ Episcopal Church, Dearborn, MI
William Aramony, Consultant
Yvette A. Assem, Student, Interdenominational Theological Center
Atlanta, Georgia
Harold W. Attridge, Dean and Lillian Claus Professor of New Testament, Yale Divinity School
Dr. Don Argue, Chancellor, Northwest University, Former President, National Association of Evangelicals, Commissioner, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom
David Augsburger, Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling, Fuller Theological Seminary
Gerald R. Baer, M.D., Minister of Christian Education, Landisville, PA
Dwight P. Baker, Associate Director, Overseas Ministries Study Center
Dr. Ray Bakke, Convening Chair, Evangelicals for Middle East Understanding: An International Coalition, Tempe, AZ
His Lordship Bishop Camillo Ballin, MCCI, Vicar Apostolic of Kuwait
Leonard Bartlotti, Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies, Biola University
Charles L. Bartow, Carl and Helen Egner Professor of Speech Communication in Ministry, Princeton Theological Seminary
Rt. Rev. Barry Beisner, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Northern California
Federico Bertuzzi, President, PM Internacional, Latin America
James A. Beverley, Professor of Christian Thought and Ethics, Tyndale Seminary, Toronto, Canada
J.D. Bindenagel, former U.S. Ambassador and Vice President, DePaul University, Chicago, IL
Rev. Dr. Thomas W. Blair, The Second Presbyterian Church of Baltimore
Walter R. Bodine, Pastor, International Church at Yale and Research Affiliate, Near Eastern Languages, Yale University
Rev. Timothy A. Boggs, St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, Washington, DC
Regina A. Boisclair, Cardinal Newman Chair of Theology, Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, Alaska
David Bok, Independent Bible Teacher, Hartford Seminary, Hartford, CT
Rev. Jim Bonewald, Pastor, Knox Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids, IA
Jonathan J. Bonk, Executive Director, Overseas Ministries Study Center and Editor, International Bulletin of Missionary Research
Rev. Michael S. Bos, Director, Al Amana Centre, Sultanate of Oman
Steven Bouma-Prediger, Professor of Religion, Hope College, Holland, MI
Gerhard Böwering, Professor of Religious Studies, Yale University
Mary C. Boys, Skinner and McAlpin Professor of Practical Theology, Union Theological Seminary, New York, NY
Dan Brannen, International Students, Inc.
Revs. Scott & Katarina Breslin, Protestant House Church Network, Istanbul Turkey
Rev. Dr. Stuart Briscoe, Minister at Large, Elmbrook Church, Brookfield Wisconsin, USA; Founder, “Telling the Truth, Inc.”
Rev. Douglas Brown, Pastor, Valley View United Methodist Church Overland Park, Kansas
Joseph Britton, Dean, Berkeley Divinity School at Yale
Huib Bruinink, Developer of Marketing, PT. Puteri Mawar Sari, Central Java, Indonesia
John M. Buchanan, Editor/Publisher, The Christian Century.
James J. Buckley, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, Loyola College in Maryland
Eugene W. Bunkowske, Ph.D., Fiechtner Chair Professor of Christian Outreach, Oswald Huffman School of Christian Outreach, Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota
John R. Burkholder, Professor Emeritus, Religion and Peace Studies, Goshen College, Goshen, IN
David Burkum, Pastor, Valley Christian Church, Lakeville, MN
Rt. Rev. Joe Goodwin Burnett, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska
Allen Busenitz, International Student Ministry, West Lafayette, IN
Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler, Dean, Cathedral of St. Philip (Anglican), Atlanta, GA
Juan Carlos Cárdenas, Academic Director, Instituto Iberoamericano de Estudios Transculturales, Granada, Spain
Joseph Castleberry, President, Northwest University
Rev. Colin Chapman, Former Lecturer in Islamic Studies, Near East School of Theology, Beirut, Lebanon, and author of Whose Promised Land?
Ellen T. Charry, Assoc. Professor of Systematic Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary
David Yonggi Cho, Founder and Senior Pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church, Seoul, Korea
Hyung Kyun Chung, Associate Professor of Ecumenical Studies, Union Theological Seminary in New York
Rev. Richard Cizik, Vice President of Governmental Affairs, National Association of Evangelicals
Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Clapsis, Professor of Systematic Theology, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Brookline, MA
William Clarkson IV, President, The Westminster Schools, Atlanta, Georgia
Emily Click, Lecturer on Ministry and Assistant Dean for Ministry Studies and Field Education, Harvard Divinity School.
Corneliu Constantineanu, Dean and Associate Professor of New Testament, Evangelical Theological Seminary, Osijek, Croatia
Robert E. Cooley, President Emeritus, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, Massachusetts
Rev. Shawn Coons, St. Philip Presbyterian, Houston, TX
Harvey Cox, Hollis Professor of Divinity, Harvard Divinity School
Joseph Cumming, Director of the Reconciliation Program, Yale Center for Faith and Culture, Yale Divinity School
Daniel A. Cunningham, Executive Pastor, Temple Bible Church, Temple, TX
Bryant L. Cureton, President, Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, IL
Fr. John D’Alton, President, Melbourne Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies, Melbourne, Australia
Fr. Joseph P. Daoust, S.J., President, Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, CA
Rev. David R. Davis, Special Projects Coordinator, The Evangelical Alliance Mission, Wheaton, IL
John Deacon, Leader, Branch Out Ministries, The Olive Branch Community Church, Markham, Ontario, Canada
Rev. Joseph C. Delahunt, Senior Pastor, Silliman Memorial Baptist Church, Bridgeport, CT
André Delbecq, Thomas J. and Kathleen L. McCarthy University Professor, Center for Spirituality of Organizational Leadership and former Dean of the Leavey School of Business at the University of Santa Clara
David A. Depew, President, Seed of Abraham Association, Broadcasting radio Bible studies in the Middle East
Keith DeRose, Allison Foundation Professor of Philosophy, Yale University
Curtiss Paul DeYoung, Professor of Reconciliation Studies, Bethel University
Andrew Dimmock, Director, Doulos Community, Nouakchott, Mauritania
Chip Dobbs-Allsopp, Associate Professor of Old Testament, Princeton Theological Seminary
Andrés Alonso Duncan, CEO, Latinoamerica Global, A.C.
Kent A. Eaton, Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Associate Dean, Bethel Seminary San Diego, California
Diana L. Eck, Professor of Comparative Religion and Indian Studies in Arts and Sciences and member of the Faculty of Divinity, Harvard University
Mike Edens, Professor of Theology and Islamic Studies, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, New Orleans, LA
Mark U. Edwards, Jr., Senior Advisor to the Dean, Harvard Divinity School
James Ehrman, Director, Global Ministries Office, Evangelical Congregational Church
Bertil Ekstrom, Executive Director, Mission Commission, World Evangelical Alliance
Nancie Erhard, Assistant Professor of Comparative Religious Ethics, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, Nova Scotia
John Esposito, University Professor & Founding Director Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown University
Chester E. Falby, Priest Associate, St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church, Manzanita, OR
Thomas P. Finger, Mennonite Central Committee, Evanston, IL
Rev. Dr. David C. Fisher, Senior Minister, Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, NY
David Ford, Regius Professor of Divinity, Cambridge University
Marlene Malahoo Forte, 2007 Yale World Fellow
Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA
Rev. Susan L. Gabbard, St. John’s United Church of Christ, Mifflinburg, PA
Millard Garrett, Vice President, Eastern Mennonite Missions, Salunga, PA
Siobhan Garrigan, Assistant Professor of Liturgical Studies and Assistant Dean for Marquand Chapel, Yale Divinity School
Timothy George, Dean, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University
William Goettler, Assistant Dean for Assessment and Ministerial Studies, Yale Divinity School
Michael J. Goggin, Chairperson, North American Interfaith Network (NAIN)
Robert S. Goizueta, Professor of Theology, Boston College
Bruce Gordon, Professor of History, University of St. Andrews
William A. Graham, Albertson Professor of Middle Eastern Studies in Arts and Sciences and O’Brian Professor of Divinity and Dean in the Divinity School, Harvard University
Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, general secretary, Reformed Church in America
Rev. Bruce Green, Bridge Building Facilitator, FCM Foundation, Centerville Presbyterian Church, Fremont, CA
Joel B. Green, Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Fuller Theological Seminary
Lynn Green, International Chairman, Youth With A Mission
Frank Griffel, Associate Professor of Islamic Studies, Yale University
Rev. Giorgio Grlj, Pastor, Rijeka Baptist Church, Baptist Union of Croatia,
Rev. Kent Claussen Gubrud, Christus Victor Lutheran Church, Apple Valley, MN
Rt. Rev. Edwin F. Gulick, Jr., Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky
Judith Gundry-Volf, Adjunct Associate Professor of New Testament, Yale Divinity School
David P. Gushee, Distinguished Professor of Christian Ethics, McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University and President, Evangelicals for Human Rights
Kim B. Gustafson, President, Common Ground Consultants, Inc.
Elie Haddad, Provost, Arab Baptist Theological Seminary, Lebanon
Dr. Anette Hagan, Elder, Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church, Edinburgh, Scotland
Martin Hailer, Professor of Theology, Leuphana University, Lueneburg, Germany
Rev. L. Ann Hallisey, Hallisey Consulting and Counseling, Interim Vicar, Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Berkeley, CA
Gloria K. Hannas, Member, Peacemaking Mission Team of the Presbytery of Chicago, PCUSA, La Grange, IL
Paul D. Hanson, Florence Corliss Lamont Professor of Divinity, Harvard Divinity School
Pastor Peter Hanson, Director of Studies, Dept. of Theology and Training, Lutheran Church of Senegal
Heidi Hadsell, President, Hartford Seminary, Hartford, CT
David Heim, Executve Editor, The Christian Century
Richard Henderson, Director of Studies, Westbrook Hay, United Kingdom
Mary E. Hess, Associate Professor of Educational Leadership, Luther Seminary
Richard Heyduck, Pastor, First United Methodist Church, Pittsburg, TX
Rev. Dr. David M. Hindman, United Methodist campus minister, The Wesley Foundation at The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA
Rev. Norman A. Hjelm, Director, Commission on Faith and Order (retired), National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
Carl R. Holladay, Charles Howard Candler Professor of New Testament, Candler School of Theology, Emory University
Jan Holton, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Care, Yale Divinity School
Marian E. Hostetler, former worker, Mennonite Mission Network and Eastern Mennonite Mission, Elkhart, IN
Joseph Hough, President and William E. Dodge Professor of Social Ethics, Union Theological Seminary in New York
Bill Hybels, Founder and Senior Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, IL
Dale T. Irvin, President and Professor of World Christianity, New York Theological Seminary, New York, NY
Dr. Nabeel T. Jabbour, Consultant, Professor, Colorado Springs, CO
Todd Jenkins, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Fayetteville, TN
David L. Johnston, Lecturer, Religious Studies Department, University of Pennsylvania
Robert K. Johnston, Professor of Theology and Culture, Fuller Theological Seminary
Rt. Rev. Shannon Sherwood Johnston, Bishop Coadjutor, Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
Rt. Rev. David Colin Jones, Bishop Suffragan, Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
Gary D. Jones, Rector, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Richmond, VA
Tony Jones, National Coordinator, Emergent Village
Stefan Jung, Economist, Germany
Rev. Dr. Riad A. Kassis, Theologian, Author, and Consultant
Sister Helen Kearney, Sisters of Saint Joseph, Brentwood, NY
Sister Janet Kinney, CSJ, Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood, NY
Doris G. Kinney, associate editor (ret.), Time Inc., New York
Steve Knight, National Coordinating Group Member, Emergent Village, Charlotte, NC
Paul Knitter, Paul Tillich Professor of Theology, World Religions and Culture, Union Theological Seminary in New York
Dr. Manfred W. Kohl, Vice President of Overseas Council International, USA
Very Rev. Dr. James A. Kowalski, Dean, The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine, New York NY
James R. Krabill, Senior Executive for Global Ministries, Mennonite Mission Network, Elkhart, IN
Hank Kraus, Founder and Director, PeaceMark
Sharon Kugler, University Chaplain, Yale University
Catherine Kurtz, Landisville Mennonite Church, Landisville, PA
Peter Kuzmic, Eva B. and Paul E. Toms Distinguished Professor of World Missions and European Studies, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Rektor, Evandjeoski Teoloski Fakultet, Osijek, Croatia
Jonathan L. Kvanvig, Distinguised Professor of Philosophy, Baylor University
David Lamarre-Vincent, Executive Director, New Hampshire Council of Churches
John A. Lapp, Executive Secretary Emeritus, Mennonite Central Committee, Akron, PA
Dr. Warren Larson, Director of the Zwemer Center for Muslim Studies, Columbia International University, SC
Traugott Lawler, Professor of English emeritus, Yale University
Dr. Maurice Lee, post-doctoral fellow, Harvard University
Rt. Rev. Peter J. Lee, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
Kristen Leslie, Associate Professor of Pastoral Care, Yale Divinity School
Linda LeSourd Lader, President, Renaissance Institute, Charleston, SC
Rev. R. Charles Lewis, Jr., Parish Associate, First Presbyterian- Vintage Faith Church, Santa Cruz, CA
Julyan Lidstone, OM, Glasgow, Scotland
Erik Lincoln, Author of Peace Generation tolerance curriculum for Muslim Students, Indonesia
John Lindner, Director of External Relations, Yale Divinity School
Greg Livingstone, Founder, Frontiers and historian of Muslim-Christian encounter
Albert C. Lobe, Interim Executive Director, Mennonite Central Committee, Akron, PA
Rick Love, International Director, Frontiers and Adjunct Associate Professor of Islamic Studies, Fuller Theological Seminary, author of Peacemaking
Donald Luidens, Professor of Sociology, Hope College, Holland, MI
Owen Lynch, Associate Pastor, Trent Vineyard, Nottingham, UK
Douglas Magnuson, Associate Professor of Intercultural Programs and Director of Muslim Studies, Bethel University
Peter Maiden, International Coordinator, OM
Jozef Majewski, Doctor of Theology, Professor of Media Studies at the University of Gdansk, Poland
Danut Manastireanu, Director for Faith & Development, Middle East & East Europe Region, World Vision International, Iasi, Romania
Rev. Dr. John T. Mathew, Minister, St. Mark’s United Church of Canada, & Deptartment of Religious Studies, Huntington/Laurentian Universities, Sudbury, ON Canada
Rev. Steven D. Martin, President, Vital Visions Incorporated and Pastor, United Methodist Church, Oak Ridge, TN
Harold E. Masback, III, Senior Minister, The Congregational Church of New Canaan
Rt. Rev Gerald N. McAllister, Retired Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma
The Rev. Donald M. McCoid, Executive for Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
C. Douglas McConnell, PhD, Dean, School of Intercultural Studies, Fuller Seminary
Sister Mary McConnell, CSJ, Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood, NY
Jeanne McGorry, CSJ, Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood, NY
Elsie McKee, Archibald Alexander Professor of Reformation Studies and the History of Worship, Princeton Theological Seminary
Scot McKnight, Karl A. Olsson Professor in Religious Studies, North Park University, Chicago, IL
Brian D. McLaren, Author, Speaker, Activist
C. Edward McVaney, Retired Chairman, CEO and President, J.D. Edwards and Company
Kathleen E. McVey, J. Ross Stevenson Professor of Early and Eastern Church History, Princeton Theological Seminary
Carl Medearis, President, International Initiatives, Denver, CO
Greg Meland, Director of Formation, Supervised Ministry and Placement, Bethel Seminary, Minnesota
Mennonite Central Committee, Akron, PA
Harold E. Metzler, Member, Church of the Brethren and heritor of the Amish/Mennonite tradition
Alan E. Miller, Lead Pastor, Conestoga Church of the Brethren, Leola, PA
David B. Miller, Pastor, University Mennonite Church, State College, PA
Rev. Dr. Sid L. Mohn, President, Heartland Alliance for Human Needs and Human Rights, Chicago, IL
Brother Benilde Montgomery, O.S.F., Franciscan Brother of Brooklyn
Steve Moore, President & CEO, The Mission Exchange
Douglas Morgan, Director, Adventist Peace Fellowship
Richard Mouw, President and Professor of Christian Philosophy, Fuller Theological Seminary
Salim J. Munayer, Academic Dean, Bethlehem Bible College, Jerusalem
Rich Nathan, Senior Pastor, Vineyard Church of Columbus
David Neff, Editor in Chief & Vice-President, Christianity Today Media Group
Alexander Negrov, President, Saint Petersburg Christian University, St. Petersburg, Russia
Arnold Neufeldt-Fast, Associate Dean, Tyndale Seminary, Toronto
Craig Noll, Assistant Editor, International Bulletin of Missionary Research, Overseas Ministries Study Center
Rev. Roy Oksnevad, Institute of Strategic Evangelism at Wheaton College
Dennis Olsen, Charles T. Haley Professor of Old Testament Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary
Richard R. Osmer, Thomas Synnot Professor of Christian Education, Princeton Theological Seminary
Rev. Canon Mark Oxbrow, International Mission Director, Church Mission Society, UK
Rt. Rev. George E. Packard, Bishop Suffragan for Chaplaincies of the Episcopal Church
George Parsenios, Assistant Professor of New Testament, Princeton Theological Seminary
Greg H. Parsons, General Director, USCWM, Pasadena, CA
Stephanie A. Paulsell, Houghton Professor of the Practice of Ministry Studies, Harvard Divinity School
James R. Payton, Jr., Professor of History, Redeemer University College, Ancaster, Ontario, Canada and President, Christians Associated for Relationships with Eastern Europe
Emily A. Peacock, Circuit Judge, 13th Judicial Circuit of Florida, Tampa, Florida
Doug Pennoyer, Dean, School of Intercultural Studies, Biola University
Howard Pepper, M.A., M.Div., President, Nurture Press, San Diego, CA
Douglas Petersen, Margaret S. Smith Professor of Intercultural Studies, Vanguard University of Southern California
Rev. Edward Prevost, Rector, Christ Church, Winnetka, Illinois
Bruce G. Privratsky, Elder, Holston Conference, United Methodist Church
Sally M. Promey, Professor of Religion & Visual Culture, Professor of American Studies, Professor Religious Studies and Deputy Director, Institute of Sacred Music, Yale University
Rev. Erl G. Purnell, Rector, Old Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Bloomfield, CT
Rev. John C. Ramey, President, Aslan Child Rescue Ministries and President, The Olive Branch Institute
Robert M. Randolph, Chaplain to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Thomas P. Rausch, S.J., T. Marie Chilton Professor of Catholic Theology, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA
James D. Redington, S.J., Associate Professor in the Dwan Family Chair of Interreligious Dialogue, Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley/Graduate Theological Union, CA
David A. Reed, Professor Emeritus of Pastoral Theology and Research, Wycliffe College, Univerity of Toronto, Canada
Neil Rees, International Director, World Horizons
Rev. Warren Reeve, Lead Pastor, Bandung International Church, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia and Founder and Facilitator of the Missional International Church Network
Rodney Allen Reeves, Former moderator of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oregon and board member, Greater Portland Institute for Christian-Muslim Understanding and member, Interfaith Council of Greater Portland.
Dr. Evelyne A. Reisacher, Assistant Professor of Islamic Studies and International Relations, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA
Cornel G. Rempel, Retired pastor, chaplain and supervisor of clinical pastoral education, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Steve Robbins, Pastor and Director, Vineyard Leadership Institute
Cecil M. Robeck, Jr., Professor of Church History and Ecumenics, Fuller Theological Seminary and the Director of the David du Plessis Center for Christian Spirituality
Leonard Rodgers, Executive Director, Evangelicals for Middle East Understanding: An International Coalition, Tempe, AZ
Dudley C. Rose, Lecturer on Ministry and Associate Dean for Ministry Study, Harvard Divinity School
Rev. Herschel Rosser, Associate Pastor, Vineyard Church of Sugar Land, Stafford, TX and Texas Area Church Planting Coordinator, Vineyard, USA
Glenna N. Roukes, Elder, First Presbyterian Church, Santa Cruz, CA and Secretary, Mission Team
Philip Ruge-Jones, Associate Professor of Theology, Texas Lutheran University, Seguin, Texas
William L. Sachs, Director, Center for Reconciliation and Mission, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Richmond, Virginia
Robert A. Sain, Pastor, Messiah Lutheran Church, ELCA, Hildebran, NC
Lamin Sanneh, D. Willis James Professor of Missions and World Christianity, Yale University
Andrew D. Saperstein, Associate Director of the Reconciliation Program at the Yale Center for Faith and Culture
Tyler Savage, Missionary with Church Resource Ministries, Germany and South Africa
Meritt Lohr Sawyer, International Program Director, Langham Partnership International
Warren C. Sawyer, President and CEO, The Caleb Foundation, Swampscott, MA
Rev. Dr. Christian Scharen, Director, Faith as a Way of Life Program, Yale Center for Faith & Culture
Rev. Dr. Robert Schuller, Founder, Crystal Cathedral and Hour of Power
Elizabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, Krister Stendahl Professor of Divinity, Harvard Divinity School
Francis Schüssler Fiorenza, Stillman Professor of Roman Catholic Studies, Harvard Divinity School
William Schweiker, Edward L. Ryerson Distinguished Service Professor of Theological Ethics, University of Chicago
Waldron Scott, President emeritus, Holistic Ministries International, Paterson, NJ
Andrew J. Sebanc, Senior Pastor, Green Timbers Covenant Church, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
Rev. Donald Senior, C.P., President, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, Illinois
C. L. Seow, Henry Snyder Gehman Professor of OT Language and Literature, Princeton Theological Seminary
Rev. Dr. Perry Shaw, Chair, Faculty of Ministerial Studies, Arab Baptist Theological Seminary, Beirut, Lebanon
Michael T. Shelley, Director, Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
David W. and K. Grace Shenk, Global Consultants, Eastern Mennonite Missions, Salunga, PA
Wilbert R. Shenk, Senior Professor of Mission History and Contemporary Culture, Fuller Theological Seminary
John N. Sheveland, Assistant Professor of Comparative Theology, Gonzaga University, Washington, DC
Marguerite Shuster, Harold John Ockenga Professor of Preaching and Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary
Frederick J. Sigworth, Professor, Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University
Mark Siljander, Member of the U.S. Congress (r) & fm U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. (atl del)
Walt Simmerman, Pastor, First United Methodist Church, Galax, VA
The Community Council of the Sisters of the Precious Blood, Dayton, OH. Sister Florence Seifert, CPPS, President; Sister Jeanette Buehler, CPPS, Vice-President; Sister Madonna Ratermann, CPPS, Councilor; Sister Edna Hess, CPPS, Councilor; Sister Marita Beumer, CPPS, Councilor
C. Donald Smedley, Associate Director, The Rivendell Institute, New Haven, CT
John D. Spalding, Founder and Editor, SOMAreview.com
Rev. Andrew Spurr, Vicar of Evesham with Norton and Lenchwick Diocese of Worcester
John G. Stackhouse, Jr., Sangwoo Youtong Chee Professor of Theology and Culture, Regent College, Vancouver, Canada
Glen H. Stassen, Lewis B. Smedes Professor of Chrisian Ethics, Fuller Theological Seminary
Sally Steenland, Senior Policy Advisor, Faith & Progressive Policy Initiative, Center for American Progress, Washington, DC
Wilbur P. Stone, Program Director and Lead Faculty, Global and Contextual Studies, Bethel University/Seminary
Rev. Dr. John Stott, Rector Emeritus, All Souls Church, Langham Place, London, UK
Frederick J. Streets, The Carl and Dorothy Bennett Professor in Pastoral Counseling, The Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University, Adjunct Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology, Yale Divinity School, Former Yale University Chaplain
Diana Swancutt, Associate Professor of New Testament, Yale Divinity School
Merlin Swartz, Professor of Islamic Studies, Boston University
Donald K. Swearer, Director, Center for the Study of World Religions, Harvard Divinity School
Dr. Glen A. Taylor, Cooperative Studies Teaching Fellow, Tajikistan State National University, Dushanbe, Tjikistan
William Taylor, Global Ambassador, World Evangelical Alliance
Harvey Thiessen, Executive Director, OM Canada
Rev. John Thomas, General Minister and President, United Church of Christ
Stephen Thomas, European Team Leader, Salt & Light Ministries Senior Pastor, Oxford, UK
Dr. J. Milburn Thompson, Chair and Professor of Theology, Bellarmine University, Louisville, KY
Iain Torrance, President, Princeton Theological Seminary
Emilie M. Townes, Andrew Mellon Professor of African American Religion and Theology, Yale Divinity School, and President-elect of the American Academy of Religion
Michael W. Treneer, Internation President, The Navigators, Colorado Springs, CO
Geoff Tunnicliffe, International Director, World Evangelical Alliance
Fr. Benjamin J. Urmston, S.J., Director Emeritus Peace and Justice Programs, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH
Birgit Van Hout, Executive Director, MCCJ, Florida
Harold Vogelaar, Director Emeritus: A Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
Miroslav Volf, Founder and Director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture, Henry B. Wright Professor of Theology, Yale Divinity School
Fr. H. Eberhard von Waldow, Professor Emeritus, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Rev. Berten A. Waggoner, National Director, Association of Vineyard Churches
Robin Wainwright, President, Middle East Fellowship, Pasadena, CA and Chairman of the Executive Committee, Oxford Centre for Mission Studies
Dr. Dale F. Walker, Affiliate Professor, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY
Jim Wallis, President, Sojourners
Charlotte R. Ward, Associate Professor of Physics, Emerita, Auburn University and Life Deacon, Auburn First Baptist Church
Charles H. Warnock III, Senior Pastor, Chatham Baptist Church, Chatham, VA
Rick Warren, Founder and Senior Pastor, Saddleback Church, and The Purpose Driven Life, Lake Forest, CA
Very Rev. Debra Warwick-Sabino, Rector, Grace Episcopal Church, Fairfield, CA
Mark R. Wenger, Director of Pastoral Studies, Lancaster Eastern Mennonite Seminary P.O., Lancaster, PA
Dr. Bob Wenz, Renewing Total Worship Ministries, Colorado Springs, CO
Rev. Laura Westby, Pastor, First Congregational Church of Danbury, CT
Robert R. Wilson, Hoober Professor of Religious Studies, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Yale Divinity School
Rev. Michael D. Wilker, Executive Director, Lutheran Volunteer Corps, Washington, DC
Leslie Withers, Coordinator, Interfaith Pilgrimage Project, Friendship Force International, Atlanta, GA
Dr.John Wolfersberger, Retired Executive, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Southern California
Nicholas Wolterstorff, Senior Fellow, Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture, University of Virginia
J. Dudley Woodberry, Professor of Islamic Studies and Dean Emeritus of the Fuller School of International Studies
Rev Dr Christopher J H Wright, International Director, Langham Partnership International, London, UK
John Wright, Senior Pastor, Trent Vineyard, Nottingham, England
Godfrey Yogarajah, General Secretary, Evangelical Fellowship of Asia
Rev. Andrea Zaki Stephanous, Vice President of the Protestant Church in Egypt, Director of Dar El Thaquafa Communications House-CEOSS
Rev. John D. Zeigler, First Presbyterian Church, PCUSA, Canton, TX
A listing of other signatories follows. These signatories primarily include those whose names have been received in writing through this website, and in most cases have not been reconfirmed. We regret that due to the overwhelming response, we have not been able to include all people who wrote asking to be added to the list.
Rob Acheson, Chairman, Toronto Chapter, Canadian Department of Peace Initiative
Peter Adams, Intercultural Relations Worker, St Mary’s Church, Luton, England
Rev. William J. Adams, Rector, Trinity Episcopal Church, Sutter Creek, CA
Dr. Rev. Tokunboh Adeyemo, Executive Director, Centre for Biblical Transformation (CBT), Nairobi, Kenya
Justin Anderson, member, First Baptist Church, Washington, D.C.
Fidel Arnecillo, Jr., Lecturer in Philosophy, California State University, San Bernardino, College / Career Pastor, Charisma Life Community Church, Pomona, CA
Rev. Dianne Astle, Pastor, Chemainus/Cedar United Church, BC, Canada
Chris J Baltzley, Director of Multi-Campus Development, Lakeside-Orangevale Campus Pastor, Lakeside Church, Folsom, California USA
Andrew Tower Barnhill, Furman University, Greeneville, SC
Rev. D. Clyde Bartges, Minister, Presbyterian Church USA, Midlothian, VA
Dr. Anthony Bartlett, Assistant Professor of Theology, Bexley Hall Episcopal Seminary, Rochester, New York
Rev. Ann Barton, Pastor, McKenzie United Methodist Church Honey Grove, TX
Marilyn R. Barry, Academic Dean and Professor of English, Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, AK
Rev. Rosemary D. Baue, Pastor, Union Chapel (UCC), Fishers Island, NY
Bruce Baumgartner, OSB, Spiritual Director
Dr. Jolly Beyioku, Associate Professor, Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, IN
Cheryl Biller, Elder Presbyterian Church USA, Fargo, ND
Dr. William L. Bingham, Associate Prof. Emeritus, NC State University, Raleigh NC, and President of Triangle Interfaith Alliance (NC)
Luke Birky, Goshen, IN
Barbara Blodgett, Director of Supervised Ministries, Yale Divinity School, New Haven, CT
Stephen Blum, Professor of Music, CUNY Graduate Center
Whitney S. Bodman, Assoc. Professor of Comparative Religion, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Austin, TX
Dr. Dean A. Boldon, Professor Emeritus, Maryville College, Maryville, TN
Prof. Eduard J. Bomhoff, Director, School of Business, University of Nottingham, Malaysia Campus Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Richard Bowser, Sunland Park, NM
Rev. M Christopher Boyer, Pastor, Good Shepherd Baptist Church, Lynnwood, WA
Matt Brandon, Frontier Trek & Tours, Travel Photographer
Mark Lau Branson, Homer Goddard Associate Professor of Ministry of the Laity, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA
Timothy Brenneman, Harrisonburg, VA
Linda C. Brinkman, Naples, FL
Margaret Brookover, Mother, Teacher, CODEPINK leader, Bend, OR
Stephen Brown, Chaplain, St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Stockton, CA
Rev. Judy Buck-Glenn, Associate Rector, Christ Church Episcopal, Ridley Park, PA
Rev. Dr. Ned A. Buckner, LMFT, Pastor, New Hope Baptist Church, Gastonia, NC, Marriage & Family Therapist, Piedmont Psychological Associates, Gastonia, NC
Robert & Betty Lou Buckwalter, Prince of Peace Mennonite Church, Anchorage, Alaska
George D. Burazer, coordinator of the Justice and Peace Committee of Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church, Belmont, NC
Dawn Burdick, Nazareth Presbyterian Church, Moore, SC
Julie Burgess, Omaha, NE
Rev. J Daniel Burke, Episcopal priest, retired
John Buttrey, Retired Pastor, United Church of Christ, Holland, Michigan
Rev. Dr. Josephine C. Cameron, Pastor, Riverdale Presbyterian Church, Bronx, NY
Vincent M. Cannistraro, Cannistraro Associates, McLean, VA
Mark Carey, Doctor of Physical Therapy Student, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI
Joseph P. Carson, PE, President, Affiliation of Christian Engineers, Knoxville, TN
Dan R. Cates, Assistant Professor, Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA
Liz Cates
Sister Lynn Caton, CSJ, Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood, NY
Rev. James H. Cavanaugh, UCC pastor retired, Uplands Retirement Village, TN
Patricia Anne Cavanaugh, Recognized UCC Lay Pastor, Uplands Retirement Village, TN
Rev. Paul Chaffee, Executive Director, Interfaith Center at the Presidio, San Francisco, CA
Rev. Dr. W. Michael Chittum, Minister
Susan Civil-Brown, author
Scott Claassen, Los Angeles, CA
W. Malcolm Clark, Professor of Religion (emeritus), Butler University, Indianapolis, IN
Michael Clawson, Pastor, Via Christus Community Church, Yorkville IL
Jeffrey C. Clayton, Pastor, Southminster Presbyterian Church, Prairie Village, KS
Adam Walker Cleaveland, M.Div./M.A., Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ
Bruce J. Clemenger, President, The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, Kenneth L. Clum, Rochester, NY
Tim Cochran, Member, McGregor Baptist Church (Southern Baptist), Fort Myers, FL
David Cooper, Picton Uniting Church, Picton, NSW Australia
Yvonne Cooper, Picton Uniting Church, Picton, NSW Australia
Victor Copan, ThD, Chair, Dept. of Ministry Leadership Studies Palm Beach Atlantic University, West Palm Beach, FL
Rev. Christopher Cottingham, Hospice Chaplain, Member of Emmanuel Baptist Fellowship, Lexington, SC
Charles Courtney, Professor Emeritus, Drew University, Madison, NJ
Dr. James D. Cramer, Secretary, Atlantic City Mission Board, Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey
Mrs. Cheryl Crist, Pentecostal, Peru, Indiana
Jane F. Crosthwaite, Professor, Mount Holyoke College
Alistair Crow, Transform Network, London, UK
Bobbi Crow, Global Outreach Team, Real Life Christian Church Gilbert, Arizona Common Ground Consultation Attendee
John Matthew Cummins, Chatham, NJ
Mark Czyzewski, SFO
Kathleen Danaher de Cardenas, Garner, NC
The Rev Dr. Lillian Daniel, Senior Minister, First Congregational Church, UCC, 535 Forest Ave, Glen Ellyn, Illinois, 60137
Dru Daugherty
Rev. Dr. Julian A. Davies, Pastor, The University Church, Toledo, OH
John T. DeBevoise, Pastor, Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church, Tampa, FL
Dr. Ralph Del Colle, Theology Department, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
Rev. Colette Volkema DeNooyer, Holland, MI
Robert J. DeNooyer II, Holland, MI
Frannie Derm, Independent Scholar, Waterbury, CT
Paige DeWees, Student, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN
Rev. Dr. Winfield J. Devonshire, Jr., Senior Pastor, The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity, Hershey, PA
Eileen McCafferty DiFranco, East Regional Administrator, WomenPriests
Reverend Johan Dodge, Compass Point Church, Paso Robles, CA
Jane Dugdale, member, Central Baptist Church, Wayne, PA
Rev. Jeffrey S. Dugan, Rector, St. James Episcopal Church, Farmington, CT
Brenda Manthorne Dyck, spiritual director, pastor, Calgary Inter-Mennonite Church, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Omar and Anna Kathryn Eby, Harrisonburg, VA
Jason von Ehrenkrook, Ph.D. Candidate (Near Eastern Studies), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Rusty Eidmann-Hicks, Holmdel Community UCC, Holmdel, NJ
Dr. Matthias Eigenbrodt, Praxis am Viktoriapark, Berlin, Germany
Dr. Stewart L. Elson, Willcox United Methodist Church, Willcox, Arizona
Rev. Daniel J. Fahs, Pastor, Hayward United Methodist Church, Hayward, WI
Audry Falk, Artist
Richard Falk, former Chair Board of Trustees, The Friendship Force
Steven Fenwick Ph.D., Counselor in private practice, Olympia, WA
Sandra L. Fischer, Esq., Cooperative M. Div. student, Hartford Seminary, Hartford, CT
Rev. Dr. David C. Fisher, Senior Minister, Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, NY
Rev. Tim Fitch, Minister of Family Life First Congregational Church of Akron
Rev. Carey D. Fletcher, Red River Baptist Church, Benton, LA
Patrick Foley, Educator
Rev. Dr. F. Peter Ford, Jr., Coordinator of the Program in Christian-Muslim Relations, Mekane Yesus Seminary, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
John R. Franke, Professor of Theology, Biblical Seminary, Hatfield, PA
Barbara Freeman, Church Musician, Haslett Community Church (UCC), Haslett, MI
Matthew Friedman, Th.M. Candidate, Asbury Theological Seminary
Makoto Fujimura, Artist
Clarice Garvey, Our Lady’s Missionaries Fortaleza,Ceará, Brazil
Gary A. Gaudin, Pastor, South Arm United Church, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Sr. Christine Gebel, Our Lady’s Missionaries, Toronto, Canada
Cheryl German, Knoxville, TN
Alexander J. G. Gilchrist, Elder, Presbyterian Church USA, Wappingers Falls, NY
Rev. Douglas W. Giles, MDiv, STS, Retired Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada
Michael Glenn, Cashiers, NC
Leon & Elaine Good, Lititz, PA
Ave Regina Gould, CSJ, Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood, NY
James Goulding, Professor Emeritus and VP for Academic Affairs, Emeritus, MacMurray College in Jacksonville, IL; currently Instructor in Religious Studies, Edgewood College, Madison, WI
Rev. Benjamin Gray, Youth pastor, Griffin, GA
Dr. Victor Greene, Chaplain, Angel Hospice, Franklin, NC
Jeanette Grenz, Overland Park, KS
Kenneth K. Grenz, Overland Park, KS, retired clergy, Kansas East Conference, United Methodist Church
Carol S. Guilbert, Reverend, First Presbyterian Church of Hilton Head Island
Brian Gumm, Interim Lay Pastor, Ankeny Church of the Brethren, Ankeny, Iowa
Anne-Marie Gustavson-Claverie, sister of bishop Pierre Claverie of Algeria
Ellen Halperin, Member, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, Hardwick, VT
Elaine S. Hansen, Fairfield, OH
Hendrik Hart, Senior Member (ret’d), Institute for Christian Studies, Toronto, Canada
Peter C. Hart, President, Dialoggers, Inc., Holland, MI
Rev. Dr. William L. Hathaway, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Annapolis, MD
Rev William L. Hawkins, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, New Bern, NC
Rob Hazel, High Wycombe, England
Eike J. Heinze, Hartford, WI
Rev. Amanda Hendler-Voss, Faith Communities Coordinator, Women’s Action for New Directions (WAND)
Rev. Abigail A. Henrich, Co-Pastor, Union Congregational Church, East Walpole, MA
Scott Hinton, First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn, IL
Sheryll Hix, Behavior Specialist, Stuart , Florida
Rev. Mark E. Hoelter, Unitarian Universalist, Coordinator for Grassroots Interfaith Dialogues, The InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington, Washington, DC
Shirley Eid Holm, Church Librarian, Grace Lutheran Church, River Forest, IL
Rev. Charles Homeyer, Rector of Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Grand Rapids, MI
Jon Hoover, Assistant Professor of Islamic Studies, Near East School of Theology, Beirut
Rev. David M. Horst, Minister, First Parish in Malden, Universalist, Malden, MA
Imogen Hawthorne Howe, West Redding, CT
Lieutenant-Colonel (Retired) Alan Howes, Australian Regular Army, Canberra, Australia
Robert W. Huntington 3rd, MD, Member, Madison Wisconsin Monthly Meeting, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Carol Ingells, Spiritual Director, Episcopal lay leader, Lansing, MI
Carlos Iwaszkowiec, Sales Director, MECS, Inc., St. Louis, MO
Dr. Mary Ellen Jacobs, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT
Linda Jame, MS, ACSW, Psychotherapist, New York, NY
Charles B. Jenkins, Church of the Messiah United Methodist, Westerville, Ohio and member of the Interfaith Association of Central Ohio
Jeromy Johnson, Pastor, Sacramento, CA
Joseph L. Johnson, Pastor, Evergreen Presbyterian Church, Dothan, AL
R. Boaz Johnson, Ph.D., Director, Division of Christian Life and Thought, North Park University, Chicago, IL
Rev. Dr. Gregory Knox Jones, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, DE
Margaret Jayne Jones, Co-Contact, United Religions Initiative, San Francisco Peninsula
Susan Jones, Cary, NC
Jolyn Joslin, retired teacher, member of United Church of Christ, Waitsfield, VT
Rev. Daniel Junkuntz, D. Min., (ELCA), LMFT, LPC, Retired Director, Peninsula Pastoral Counseling Center, Newport News, VA
Sister Karen Kaelin, Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood, NY
Abdul Kasim, Vice President, Critical-Links, New Jersey
Robert Mace Kass, M.D., Trustee, Bekeley Divinity School at Yale
Mona Kelly, Our Lady´s Missionaries, Forta leza, Ceará, Brazil
Rev. D. Andrew Kille, Interfaith Space, San Jose, CA
Rev. Mike King, President, YouthFront; Pastor, Jacob’s Well Church, Kansas City, MO
Ann King-Grosh, Lancaster, PA
Rev. Kurt Kirchoff, Haslett, MI
Ann Kirkland, Toronto, Canada
Michael Kirtley, President, The Friendship Caravan, Arlington, VA
Dr. Robin J. Klay, Professor of Economics, Hope College, Michigan
Charles Klingler, Professor Emeritus of English, Manchester College, North Manchester, IN
Susie Klingler, Member of Manchester Church of the Brethren, North Manchester, IN
Rev. Alfred C. Krass, VP, The Interfaith Gathering of Lower Buck County, PA, retired United Church of Christ pastor, United Christian Church, Levittown, PA
Mark Kurtz, Director of Business Development, BioOne, Washington, DC
Vincent La Marca, Webmaster, New Utrecht Reformed Church , Assistant Secretary, Friends of Historic New Utrecht, Brooklyn, NY
Perry Landes, Lighting and Sound Designer, Hope College, Holland MI
Andrew E. Larsen, Department of World Mission, The Evangelical Covenant Church of North America, Chicago, IL
Rev. Rebecca Larson, Pastor, Monadnock Congregational Church, UCC, Colebrook, NH
Thiel L. Larson, Educator, Bend La-Pine School District in Bend, OR
Michael Lauchlan, Dearborn, MI
Stephen Lawson, Joplin, MO
Paul Leggett, Pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church, Montclair, NJ
“Let There Be Peace” Prayer and Reflection Group, St. Noel Catholic Church, Willoughby Hills, OH
Norman Lindholm, Ohio
Dr. Scott Little, Lay Leader, First United Methodist Church, Smithville, TN
Jerry Ludeke
Matthew D. Lundberg, Assistant Professor of Theology, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI
Dr. Elaine Z. Madison, Associate Professor of Literature, Hawaii Pacific University, Honolulu, HI
Brent D. Maher, Upland, IN
Velandy Manohar, MD, FAPA, Distinguished Life Fellow, Am. Psychiatric Association, Haddam, CT.
Natalia Marandiuc, Ph.D. Student, Theology, Yale University
Dr. Henry B. Marksberry, Minister of Health and Wholeness, St. John’s United Church of Christ, Newport, KY
Rev. Ben C. Martin, Honorably Retired, Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), St. Louis, MO
Caleb J.D. Maskell, PhD student, Department of Religion, Princeton University
Martha B Matuska, “Let There Be Peace” Prayer and Reflection Group, St. Noel Catholic Church, Willoughby Hills, OH
Shaun Mazurek, Denver, Colorado
Sister Regina McAuley CSJ, Brentwood NY
Pastor Sandy McCormack, Soma Christou International, Houston, TX
Deborah McEvoy, Dearborn, MI
Rev. Loren McGrail, Chaplain at Abbott Northwestern Hospital Minneapolis, MN
Dr. James F. McGrath, Assistant Professor of Religion, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN
Maryann McHugh, CSJ, sister of St. Joseph, Brentwood, NY
Mickey J. Mercer, Teacher, Flagstaff High School, Flagstaff, AZ
Nathan Messarra, Ecclesia Clear Lake, Friendswood, TX, USA
Roel Meeuws, M.Sc. Delft University of Technology, Delft, member of the Reformed Church of the Netherlands as present in the Pilgrimfatherschurch, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Rev. Michael Merkel, Pastor, Bethesda Lutheran Church, New Haven, CT
Elizabeth Moody, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, Mill Valley, CA., and member, World Religions Building Bridges Program Committee with Marin Interfaith Council, International Assoc. of Sufism, and Dominican University in Marin County, CA
Re. David L. Mosher, Co-Minister, Unity of Loudoun County, Leesburg, VA
Daniel H. Miller, Chaplain, Houston Hospice and Palliative Care System, Houston, TX
Luke Miller, National Coordinating Group Member, Emergent Village, Dallas, TX
Rosa Lynne Miller, Asbury United Methodist Church, Lafayette, LA
The Rev. Dr. W. Douglas Mills, Associate General Secretary for Dialogue and Interfaith Relations, General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, The United Methodist Church, New York, NY
Timothy D. Moore, Teacher, Milwaukee, WI
Barbara Mueller, teacher emerita, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Ft. Wayne
John Mueller, Minister of Music, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Ft. Wayne, IN
John Mulholland, University of Chicago Law Library staff, Chicago IL
Rev. Dr. Stephen Butler Murray, College Chaplain, Director of Religious and Spiritual Life, and Lecturer in Religion, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York
Stephanie Nash, Pastor for Education and Outreach, Second Baptist Church, Lubbock TX
Bradley Nassif, Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies, North Park University, Chicago, IL
Norm Nelson, President, Compassion Radio, Lake Forest, CA
Carole Nuckon, Bend, Oregon
Rev. Gus Nussdorfer, Interim, First Presbyterian Church, Bryan, OH
Clarke K. Oler, Associate Pastor, All Saints Episcopal Church, Pasadena, CA
Steven J Ondersma, Assistant Professor, Wayne State University School of Medicine & Deacon, PCUSA
Robert C & Roberta G Ouderkirk, Normandy Park, WA
John D. Painter, Pastor, Centenary United Methodist Church, Metichen, NJ
Dr. Stepehn Pavey, Research Associate, Institute for Community Research, Hartford, CT
Rev. Dr. Protobresbyter Professor George C. Papademetriou
Rev. Jeanne C. Parker, clergywoman, ABC/RGR, Rochester, NY
Rev. Urbane Peachey, retired Pastor, formerly in Middle East, Lititz, PA
Michael Peacock, seminarian, chaplain, attorney; Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church, Tampa, Florida
Jonathan Pedrone, Youth Pastor, New Testament Baptist Church, Miami, FL
Dan Peters, Thousand Oaks, CA
Reverend Clare L. Petersberger, Minister, The Towson Unitarian, Universalist Church Lutherville, MD
Gene Peterson, Board Member, Churches Together, Minneapolis, MN
Prof. Joseph M. Pirone, Ph.D, Sam Draper Honors Program, SUNY and Advisor, Awareness in Motion, Interfaith Club Enneapsychodramatics
Rev. Vincent Pizzuto, Ph.D., University of San Francisco, CA, New Skellig Contemplative Christian Community
Keith Plate, MD, International Student Ministry, Iowa City, IA
Kenneth Polsley Jr., Pastor, All Nations Baptist Church, Iowa City, IA
Eve Pope, Trustee Emeritus, United Religions Initiative
Viola Deavours Powers, Cincinnati, OH
Alfred C. Price, Philadelphia, PA
Stan Purdum, Pastor, Centenary United Methodist Church, Waynesburg, OH
Georgia Quailey, Pittsburgh, PA
Rev. Charles W. Rawlings, Presbytery of Newark Middle East Work Group, NJ
David Redfield, Episcopalian, Grosse Pointe, MI
Dr. Donald H. and Mary M. Reimer, Charlesewood Mennonite Church, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Dr. Andreas Renz, Lecturer, LMU Munich, Germany
David Reynolds, Australia
Robert E. Riddle, First Presbyterian Church, Asheville, N.C.
Jack Ridl, Professor Emeritus of English, Hope College, Holland, MI
Rev. Marchiene Rienstra, Minister, Unity Church on the Lakeshore, Douglas, MI
Dr. Kevin Riggs, Senior Pastor, Franklin Community Church, Franklin, TN and Sociology Professor, State Community College, Nashville, TN
Dr. M. K. Rigsby, Professor of Philosophy and Religion, Eastern New Mexico University, Portales NM
Mark Andrew Ritchie, Author, Commodities Trader
Heath and Courtney Robinson, Temple, TX
Rev. Dr. Errol G Rohr, Chaplain, King College, Bristol, TN
Rev. Betsy Payne Rosen, Deacon, Our Saviour Episcopal Church, Mill Valley, CA
Rosetta E. Ross, Associate Professor of Religion, Spelman College, Atlanta,
Georgia
Rev. Dr. Greg Roth, Senior Pastor, Centerville Presbyterian Church, Fremont, CA
Chaplain Reggie B. Rowell, Medical University of Charleston, Charleson, SC
Dr. Mark Rutledge, United Church of Christ Campus Minister at Duke University, Durham, NC
Fleming Rutledge, Episcopal Diocese of New York
Phil Saksa, International Student Specialist, Detroit, MI
Tim Samoff, Blogger, Kansas City, MO
Alan P & Maria G Sandner, First Presbyterian Church, Bend, Oregon
Clara Santoro, CSJ
David G. Delos Santos, ICT Specialist, PACTEC International, Kabul, Afghanistan
Edwin G. Saphar, Jr, Elder, Downtown United Presbyterian Church, Rochester, NY
Brother Satyananda, Minister, Self-Realization Fellowship, Los Angeles, CA
Theresa Scanlon, Principal, St. Francis of Assisi School, Brooklyn, NY
Rev. Dr. Jill Schaeffer, United Presbyterian Church of Cincinnatus, NY and Adjunct Professor, New York Theological Seminary, New York, NY
Andrew Schill, Oil and Gas Attorney, Durango, Colorado
Rev. Mark Schindler, Unity of Auburn, Auburn, CA
Perry Schmidt-Leukel, Professor of Systematic Theology and Religious Studies, University of Glasgow, Chair of World Religions for Peace
Carolyn Schneider, Associate Professor of Theology, Texas Lutheran University, Seguin, TX
Edward H. Schreur, Senior Pastor, Protestant Church in Oman, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
Glen G. Scorgie, Ph.D., Bethel Seminary, San Diego
Jonathan H. Scruggs, Associate Pastor, First Assembly of God, Gastonia, NC
Pastor Timothy Seitz-Brown, Paradise Lutheran Church (ELCA), Thomasville, PA
Robert P. Sellers, Connally Professor of Missions, Logsdon School of Theology, Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, TX
Samir Selmanovic, Program Director, Faith House Manhattan, New York, NY
Emily Shaffer, US Department of State, Kigali, Rwanda
Donna Shank, LCSW, Lancaster, PA
Joey Shaw, Masters candidate at Center for Middle East Studies and LBJ School of Public Affairs, The University of Texas at Austin
N. Gerald Shenk, Professor of Church & Society Eastern Mennonite Seminary, Harrisonburg, VA
Rev. Dr. Stephen J. Sidorak, Jr., Executive Director, Christian Conference of Connecticut
Frederick A. Smith, MD, Consultant in Palliative Medicine, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, Assistant Professor of Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, Communicant, Christ Episcopal Church, Garden City,
Paul. V. Sorrentino, Director of Religious Life, Amherst College, Amherst, MA
Rebecca L. Syme, MATL student – Bethel Seminary, St. Paul, MN, USA
Rev. Andrea Zaki Stephanous, Ph. D., Vice President of the Protestant Church in Egypt, Director of Dar El Thaqafa Communications House-CEOSS
Rev. John Paul Sydnor, Assistant Professor of World Religions, Emmanuel College (Boston) and Co-Pastor, Union Congregational Church, East Walpole, MA
Jim Somerville, Pastor, The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, DC
Dr. Barbara Spitzer, Clinical Psycholoogist, Stamford, CT
Rev. Susan F. Sprowls, Campus Pastor, Lord of Light Lutheran Campus Ministry (ELCA), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Rev. Lauren R. Stanley, Episcopal Missionary in Sudan
Rev. Harvey Stob, Pastor of Congregational Life, Ann Arbor Christian Reformed Church, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Arthur J. Stock, member Wellesley Village Church, and former Chair Board of Directors, Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ
John K. Stoner, Consultant, Every Church A Peace Church, Akron, PA
Rev. Jim Strader, Episcopal Chaplain/Priest, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
James A. Strnal, Secular Franciscan Order
Dan Sullivan, Saint Augustine’s Episcopal Church,Wilmette IL
Helen Katharine Swearingen
Christine Talbott, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Castine, ME
Dennis Teall-Fleming, Director of Faith Formation, Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church, Belmont, NC and Facilitator, Gaston Trialogue (Jews, Christians, and Muslims), Gaston County, NC and Instructor in Religion, Gaston College, Dallas, NC
Rev. Dr. Mari Thorkelson, Pastor Bethel Lutheran Church, Willmar MN
Rev. Dr. James A Todd, Honorably Retired, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Member of the Presbytery of Southern New England
John L. Tipton, CEO, Telephone Jack’s Communications, Adrian, MI
Judy and Woody Trautman, Founding Co-Chairs of the MultiFaith Council of Northwest Ohio, Toledo, Ohio
Barbara H. Trought, Elder, Presbyterian Church (USA), Burlington, NJ
Monte D. Tucker
Rev. Philip H. Troutman, M.Div., Ordained Elder, Church of the Nazarene, Doctoral Student, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY
James and Susan Vagnier, Columbus, OH
Rev. Dr. Timo Vasko, The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, Espoo
Sister Nancy Vendura, CSJ, Sisters of Saint Joseph, Brentwood, NY
Dr. David H. Vila, Associate Professor of Religion and Philosophy, John Brown University, Siloam Springs, AR
Marlene M. von Friederichs-Fitzwater, Assistant Adjunct Professor, Division of Hematology/Oncology, UC Davis School of Medicine and Director of Outreach Research and Education, UC Davis Cancer Center
Case Wagenvoord, Chair, Adult Education Committee, Holmdel Community UCC, Holmdel, NJ
Rev. Dr. Francis K. Wagschal, Retired Lutheran Pastor, Waynesville, NC
Barbara Wall, Certified speech and language pathologist Bandhagen, Sweden
Sammy Wanyonyi, World Evangelist, Sammy Wanyonyi International Ministries (SWIM), Minneapolis, MN
Michael J. Watts, Instructor in Religion, Johnston Community College, Smithfield, NC
Derek Ivan Webster, Beth Emunah Messianic Synagogue, Agoura Hills, CA
Rev. Gordon V. Webster, Co-Pastor, Downtown United Presbyterian Church, Rochester, NY
Rev. Dr. Dave Weidlich, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Petaluma, Petaluma, CA
Susan Weissert, Ossining, NY
Rev. Terry Weller, Interfaith Minister and Editor, Interfaith Unity Newsletter, Toronto, ON, Canada
Charlie West, Pastor, Grace/Skandia United Methodist Churches, Marquette, MI
Roger G. Whetsel, Engineering Consultant, Winchester, TN
Jerald Whitehouse, Director, Global Center for Adventist Muslim Relations,
General Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists, Loma Linda, CA
Rev. Dr. Gary A. Wilburn, Senior Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, New Canaan, CT
Prof. Stefan Wild, University of Bonn, Germany
Bett and Talbert Williams, St Anne’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta, GA
Boyd H. Wilson, Ph.D., Professor of Religion, Hope College, Holland, MI
Don Wilson, Temple of Understanding Advisory Board
Rev. Dr. Emmanuel M. Wilson, Spiritual Care Coordinator, Heartland Home Health Care & Hospice, Jacksonville, FL
Dr. Norman G. Wilson, Coordinator of Intercultural Studies Department, Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, Indiana
Hester F. Witchey, AMI Montessori Teacher
Pecki Sherman Witonsky, Author, The Cave of Reconciliation, An Abrahamic/Ibrahimic Tale
Wayne R. Wohler, Pasadena, CA
Rev. Dean A. Woodward (retired), Park Hill United Methodist Church, Denver, CO
Rev. Daniel Wolpert, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Crookston, MN
Carol M. Woods
Harry Woods, Edmond, OK
Anna Woodiwiss, Kabul, Afghanistan
Prof. Ashley Woodiwiss, Director of the Drummond Center for Statesmanship, Erskine College, SC
Robyn Yates, Children’s Pastor, Fellowship Bible Church Arapaho, Dallas, TX
Byard & Judy Yoder, Landisville Mennonite Church, Pennsylvania
Liz Yoho, Director of Children & Youth Ministries, Congregational Church of New Fairfield (UCC), CT
Larry E. Yonker, Business Owner, The Elevation Group, Colorado Springs, CO
Rick Zachar, Phoenix, AZ
Daniel Zelesko, MA, Instructor of Philosophy and Comparative of Religion, Harrisburg Area Community College
Rev. Curtis L. Zieske, Pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church (ELCA), Albert Lea, MN
John & Velma Zook, Lititz Mennonite Church, Lititz, PA
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