PEACE Religious views

"On earth peace, good will toward men," is a phrase from the Bible's description of the birth of Jesus. Those words have become a catch phrase for Christian doctrine. But other faiths also believe in -- and live out -- the notions of peace and good will. Two leaders wrote of their faith's beliefs.
Dr. Mustansir Mir, head of the Center for Islamic Studies at Youngstown State University:
Islam emphasizes the common origins of all human beings -- all of us are the children of Adam and Eve (Koran 4:1 and other verses stress that). In view of this common humanity, the basic attitude of a Muslim toward a non-Muslim cannot be one of hostility but one of peace and good will.
A certain kind of religious doctrine would not by itself guarantee a certain kind of religious conduct. If the doctrine in question is one of peace and good will, then a conscious effort has to be made by the adherents of the doctrine to internalize it and then to apply it, with understanding and compassion, in specific situations involving members of other faiths. It is for this reason that Islam, as a general principle, emphasizes the importance not only of right belief but also of right conduct.
A religious doctrine of peace and good will implies that its adherents also try to understand and be sensitive to the religious beliefs and practices of others. Islam, accordingly, sternly prohibits Muslims to speak ill of other peoples' faiths, and, where it allows Muslims to "debate" non-Muslims, stipulates that Muslims do so "with wisdom and good counsel" (Koran 16:125). In this way, Islam again reinforces its message of peace and good will for humanity at large.
Rabbi Franklin Muller of Congregation Rodef Sholom of Youngstown:
When asked to explain the most essential principle of Judaism to a non-Jew, the great sage Rabbi Akiva said, "Love thy neighbor as thyself." As important as it is to love and be faithful to God, Jews demonstrate that love and faithfulness most clearly by developing positive relationships with their fellow human beings. The 20th-century Jewish philosopher Martin Buber taught, "To love God truly, one must first love people. And if anyone tells you that he loves God and does not love his fellow, you will know that he speaks not the truth."
What, then, does the statement "Love thy neighbor as thyself" mean? Can "love" be commanded? Is it possible for human beings to love others, especially outside their families, with the same level of interest and commitment they have for themselves? The answer is an emphatic "yes." How this love takes practical form in daily life was expressed by the great medieval Jewish philosopher Maimonides, who said, "Loving your neighbor as you love yourself means doing acts of kindness like welcoming the stranger, visiting the sick, offering hospitality, consoling the bereaved, rejoicing with the bride and groom, and making peace where there is strife. All the things that you would want others to do for you -- do for your brothers and sisters."
Thus by doing mitzvahs, or "good deeds," which form the stuff of daily life, one is able to attain better relations with one's neighbors. The commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself" has to do with how one behaves toward others, with actions and not with thoughts or just words. This idea that love for oneself and love for others are mutually connected forms the basis for modern psychologist Eric Fromm's classic work "The Art of Loving." Stressing the importance of "self-love," Fromm writes, "The idea expressed in the biblical 'love your neighbor as yourself' implies that respect for one's own integrity and uniqueness, love for and understanding of one's own self cannot be separated from respect, love and understanding for another individual. The love for my own self is inseparably connected with the love for any other being." Fromm explains that "love is an activity ... it is primarily giving, not receiving." In the act of giving we do not lose, sacrifice or give up that which is precious to us. Instead, giving allows us to experience our power, our vitality. The Torah's command to "love your neighbor as yourself" signifies Jewish tradition's challenge to us to transform our self-love into a generous love for others through the performance of good deeds.