North American Interfaith Network addresses Salt Lake City

SALT LAKE CITY — Just like a counterfire is sometimes the best way to halt a forest fire, so, too, is religious reconciliation an antidote for some of the religious anger and conflict in the world, particularly involving the Muslim faith.

That's what Doug Johnston, director of the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy, said Monday morning at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral during the keynote address of the North American Interfaith Network's annual meeting.

His group, based in Washington, D.C., has spent almost a decade in countries like Sudan, Iran, Afghanistan and the territory of Kashmir, trying to use faith-based diplomacy to bridge the religious divide.

Talking about common religions values is one of the keys to his approach.

Johnston stressed that a faith-based dimension can switch people from speaking out of their heads to speaking from their hearts.

He said that in one discussion with some Taliban commanders, one told him, "I can't talk to you unless you convert to be a Muslim."

Johnson countered by explaining that the Muslim faith teaches submission to God and so his group must essentially be Muslims, too, since they are submissive to God. That prompted some laughter and broke the ice and got some meaningful conversation going.

He cited three reasons for his group's success: creating an ownership feeling, so everyone feels it is their effort; inspiring others with their own heritage; and grounding all successful change in Islamic principles.

Johnston said his group is not seeking tolerance but respect. It also relies heavily on help from indigenous partners in the countries where it is working.

He said his group doesn't hide the fact that it relies on the reconciliation principles Jesus Christ taught, but it quotes the Quran, too, asking, "If Jesus were present, how would he want everyone to act?"

He said Muslims get a bad rap because of some of the tribal customs that are not Muslim-based but that cloud religious issues. He challenges Americans to reach out to American Muslims, engage them and try to understand them to break down barriers and find common ground.

His group receives no U.S. government funding and stresses that the separation of church and state argument in America has simply been a crutch. However, some U.S. leaders may finally be warming up to his approach instead of just giving it lip service, he said.

Still, he expects his group to continue to rely on private funding.