Blessed are the peacemakers (in Beirut)

Religion is often accused of doing more harm than good. There is no doubt that religious people do terrible things, often in the name of God. And scandal attracts attention likes flies to feces. Everyone loves a scandal, especially when it involves bad behavior by those that call themselves morally superior, pious, and pure in heart. Unfortunately, the good is often overlooked in the process.

Here is a story that was not covered by major news organizations:

BEIRUT: A three-day Christian-Muslim summit kicked off in Beirut Monday, with participants discussing ways to achieve peace and justice between Muslim and Christian communities.

Christian and Islamic representatives from around the world are taking part in the summit which convenes under the theme “Christians and Muslims Building Justice and Peace Together in a Violent, Changing World.”

A major theme is respecting each other and avoiding tyranny of majority.

One of the Beirut summit’s principal areas of discussion is the plight of religious minorities throughout the world, with focus on how the Muslim minority is treated in the West, and how the Christian minority is treated in the East.

In other words, we need to love each other as we would wish to be loved. It should be fundamental, but is rarely practiced.

Progress, however, will require confession and repentance. Blaming bad behavior on extremists does not ring true.

“It’s clear that once faith is either removed from public life or is challenged as a guide for compassionate care of the other through the values of kindness and goodness, then a vacuum is created. When such a vacuum occurs, fringe elements from both religions corruptly reinterpret time-honored core teachings and religious values in order to support their own personal or political needs and desires.”

- Rev. John B. Chane, 8th bishop of Washington, D.C.

In the United States, Christians engage in hateful rhetoric and behavior towards Muslims far too frequently to be written off as just the work of "fringe elements." Perhaps too many Christians are afraid to confront our own extremists.

We are all God's children and it's time we acted like it. A dialogue like the one happening in Beirut is a good start.