People of faith must move beyond tribalism and identify with human suffering experienced by those on “the other side,” a Baptist minister involved in promoting multi-faith relationships said.
“Too often, when people look at those on the other side, there’s no respect for their pain, for their suffering and for what has happened in their history,” said Bob Roberts, co-founder of the Multi-Faith Neighbors Network and global pastor at Northwood Church in Keller. “No one wants to acknowledge the other’s point of view.”
Since its beginning, the Multi-Faith Neighbors Network has sought to build trust and respect among people of different faiths by bringing them together to develop authentic relationships based on honest dialogue.
Pain on both sides
Then Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing more than 1,100 civilians. In response, Israel launched a military assault on Gaza that has claimed more than 34,000 lives.
“The challenge now is that people are seeing the situation through their own tribe’s eyes,” Roberts said.
Jews and Muslims — supporters of Israel and supporters of Palestinians in Gaza — each are hurting, he said.
‘Keep people at the table’
“Our focus has been to keep people at the table. For the most part, it’s worked, but it’s slow, hard work,” Roberts said.
Individuals are more open and honest in small private conversations than in any big public forum, he observed. Individuals don’t want to risk being perceived as disloyal to their own “tribe,” he noted.
“I’ve talked to many Muslims who privately condemn Hamas, the Oct. 7 attacks and other acts of terrorism. But publicly, it’s hard for them to say anything for fear their own tribe will castigate them,” Roberts said.
“I know plenty of rabbis who are horrified by the civilian deaths that have taken place in Gaza. But they don’t speak up for fear of being ostracized by their own tribe.”
The key, he said, to keep talking to each other, even about uncomfortable subjects, such as the relationship between Israel and the Palestinians.
“The issue needs to be addressed. It can’t be put on the back burner,” Roberts said. “The only good thing about the conflict is that it’s making it clear to everyone that something has to be done.”
Look for peacemaking opportunities
The Multi-Faith Neighbors Network has remained focused on “strengthening what remains” — fostering the relationships already developed between ministers, rabbis and imams in communities around the country, as well as overseas.
To date, the network has not launched groups on college campuses, which have become a hotbed of protests and counter-protests.
However, Roberts noted he has been invited to speak at several universities this year, including participating in a panel discussion at an “Othering and Belonging Conference” sponsored by the University of California at Berkeley.
People of faith need to keep the conversation going with people outside their faith and beyond their “tribe,” looking for opportunities to promote peace and understanding, he said.
“And when a hand is extended to us, we need to reach out and grab it,” Roberts said.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Ken Camp and originally published by Baptist Standard.
