Letlapa Mphahlele (far right) in Indonesia. Photo: Courtesy of Letlapa Mphahlele.
Different strokes: Howard Grace on dignity and peace
‘We human beings are extremely varied in what resonates with us.’
When I read The Dignity of Difference by Jonathan Sacks, the former chief rabbi, what came through to me was that we human beings are extremely varied in what resonates with us. Some like classical music, others hiphop or afrobeat. I was a teacher of mathematics, but not all my students shared my joy or aptitude for the subject! This difference also goes for spiritual propensity – forms of worship and beliefs are many and varied. Having a diversity of religious practices and worldviews give us pivotal contrasts.
My friend Letlapa Mphahlele is a former liberation army commander from South Africa’s apartheid times. A ‘born again’ Christian in his teens, Letlapa eventually became an atheist. But his greater vision now, in the spirit of our shared humanity, enables him to be an open-hearted bridge builder.
Some months ago, on a visit to the UK, Letlapa had inspiring engagements with several Quaker Meetings and schools. But in early February, his encounters were very different. He was invited to Indonesia, which has the largest Muslim population in the world. He went to support the young Initiatives of Change team there, which works on peace through trust building. Occasions were many and varied, with interactions ranging from forgiveness and reconciliation, to discussions on the similarities between well-motivated non-believers and Muslims.
Letlapa wrote, ‘In an engagement with interfaith community leaders exploring the hurts and wounds of the past, we heard one deep story from Pastor Obertina. As an Indonesian Christian woman she had been a victim of religion-based violence, which forced the closure of the church for the past twenty years. She wrote: “The people who attacked and damaged our church did not see us as human beings but rather as misguided and evil objects. When we add the notion that those who are different are heretical and evil, demonisation takes place, increasing the potential for violence.” She was able to relate and use story sharing as part of the healing process for her.’
Letlapa continued, ‘The event also had humorous moments. I thanked the Muslims in general, especially the ones in Indonesia, for not trying to convert me. I said they were a contrast to my Christian mother, who is hopeful that one day she’ll convince me to ditch atheism and become a Christian again. “Stay atheist,” someone quipped in the audience, “Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world. We have enough and we don’t need more.” And the house ruptured into laughter.’ Humour can play a great part in building bridges from the heart.
As a Quaker, I resonate with encounters like these, which happen in such a peaceful spirit. They reflect that Dignity of Difference. They also foster the sense that we are all fellow travellers, reaching out, in our different ways, to a mystery that is actually beyond our human understanding.
