Campaigners gather to share ideas on religion and peace
Symon Hill reports from Charities Parliament peace fair
Tony Benn has insisted that religion can be a source of peace in the world as well as a source of division. Criticising those who use religion to stir up hatred, the veteran leftwing campaigner emphasised that all major religions teach us to treat others as we wish to be treated.
He was speaking on Monday 13 September at an event organised by the Charities Parliament, which brought together campaigning groups to explore links between local and international peace.
The evening involved a choice of talks and a musical performance followed by a peace fair. At least 200 people attended a panel debate chaired by Steve Chalke of the Oasis Trust, with a visibly high number aged under thirty.
When Steve Chalke called for a straw poll on the question: ‘is there such a thing as a just war?’ the audience was split approximately equally but a large percentage appeared to abstain.
Tony Benn told the Friend: ‘I have great confidence in the Quakers.’ He explained that he had attended many events at Friends House and described it as ‘a great centre for political discussion’.
