July 2007

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A Peacemaking Visit to Iran
by Rev. Sandra R. Mackie

Blessed are the peacemakers. . .

Members and friends of the Interfaith Center for Peace and Justice,

All the world’s great religions teach us about the importance of working for peace through justice. Wise people tell us that without justice there can be no peace. When there is no peace, we all suffer. Those of us who follow great teachers such as Jesus, Gandhi, Mohammed, Romero or King know that peace is a way of life as well as a goal of relationship within community.

In response to the call of these wise leaders, I recently traveled to Iran as a member of a 16-person Civilian Peace Delegation. Civilian Diplomacy is a grassroots movement that advocates for talks between nations when the citizens of those countries feel that their governments are not acting in the best interest of the people. It was an incredible trip! We saw snow capped mountains and desert hills. We met people from all walks of life, all age groups, and several faith traditions. You might be surprised to know that there is a Christian community in central Iran, as well as a Zoroastrian community and a Jewish community. These communities of people feel safe and integrated into the culture of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The reason I went to Iran was to meet and experience the Persian people. It has always been my belief that as different as people around the world might be, we have more in common than we have differences. I found that the people in Iran want the same things in life as the people in the United States... or Canada... or Mexico... or Europe... or Asia. People everywhere want to live in peace and security. People everywhere want to have health care and education available for their children. People everywhere want work with purpose. Now I can say with great certainty that the people of Iran want these same things.

One of the differences I see between the people of the US and the people of Iran is the level of deep hospitality that is a tradition among the Persian people. While some in our government try to paint a picture of a country full of terrorists who hate the US, our group found the opposite to be true. We found hospitality as we have rarely, if ever, experienced in this country. And we found people who have a particular love for Americans. Everywhere we met people whose faces lit up with joy when we introduced ourselves as Americans. We were welcomed, literally, with open arms!

The people of Iran are able to differentiate between the American government and the American people. They do not respect the actions of our government, but then they do not respect the actions of their current government either! It troubles me that most Americans are not able to make that same kind of distinction, to see that a government is not always representative of the people of that nation.

It is my great hope and my fervent prayer that we as a people can begin to examine the possibility of living in peace with Iran, and with the rest of the world. But peace cannot be the way if our nation refuses to enter into dialog with other nations. I urge you to contact your federal representatives. Advocate for use of diplomacy instead of force as national policy.

At this time in history, we are citizens of a nation that has a web of more than 700 military bases around the world. As a nation, we were once the respected and beloved friend of many nations around the globe, but now many nations only fear us. For more information on Civilian Diplomacy trips to Iran, please visit the Fellowship of Reconciliation at www.foruse.org. I am committed to speaking to as many groups as possible. Please be in touch with me if you would like to set up a speaking engagement for your church or group.

May peace be with and among us all,

Rev. Sandra R. Mackie, smackie8@earthlink.net

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Last updated June 27, 2007

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