The Journal of Human Rights

The Journal of Human Rights

Christian Peacemaker Teams: Uniquely Christian Identity Meets Mainstream Peacemaking

Document Type : Research Article

Author
Paul J. Yoder
Assistant Professor of Teacher Education, Eastern Mennonite University
10.22096/hr.2019.105288.1106
Abstract
This paper will explore the links between religion and human rights as embodied in the work and mission of the Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) and Muslim Peacemaker Teams (MPT). The paper compares models such as those of theorists Margaret Keck and Kathryn Sikkink in providing a framework in which to understand, critique and build on the work of CPT and MPT. The CPT and MPT groups “get in the way” of violence through placing themselves in conflict situations for the purpose of reducing all forms of violence against civilians. Born out of the “Peace Church” traditions of Christianity in the 1980s, the movement has expanded to spark formation of the less formalized Muslim Peacemaker Team. The two groups now collaborate through shared training exercises and goals. CPT and MPT present a unique example of the integration of religion and human rights. While CPT have worked more extensively and published their experiences more broadly, both groups exemplify the potential synergy of groups who draw on religion in order to advance human rights. As CPT has a more formalized organizational structure, the paper focuses on this group in order to lay out principles from which both operate. As such, the questions of how human rights and religion are interconnected become very clear in the work of CPT. CPT main goal is to reduce violence against civilians through putting themselves in harms way; in addition, CPT also conscientizes the broader public through publishing accounts of their work, particularly on the internet. CPT works to establish networks of faith communities, human rights organizations, etc. to effect macro-level change, even as their most tangible work is very micro-level. CPT and MPT clearly operate out of a profoundly religious foundation. An emphasis on regular spiritual reflection, communal spiritual experience, and public and private prayer underlines this. Some of the groups’ other specific micro-level tactics include civil protest, maintaining a non-evangelical or proselyte identity, avoiding perpetuation of injustices and living out the teachings and examples of peacemaking from the Prophet Mohammed and Jesus. Part of the troubling paradox that necessitates the paper is the degree to which conscientization proves most effective among homogeneous and similar groups. The story of CPT member Tom Fox illustrates this principle. While recent John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health estimates place the number of Iraqi deaths at more than 650,000 since 2003, the abduction and death of Fox in 2005 captured a tremendously disproportionate amount of Western media attention. The obviously discriminatory media and general public attention is something that groups like CPT must both combat and utilize in order to draw attention to and bring change surrounding conflict situations. In so doing, groups like CPT and MPT seek to bridge the barriers that the media and powerful nation-states perpetuate. This paper seeks to take seriously the dignity of both Muslim and Christian efforts.
Keywords
Peacemaking
Christian
Muslim
Reduce Violence
 
A) Books and Articles:
1. Bailey-Dick, Matthew (2005). “Blueberries, Rubber Boots, and Boat Rammings”, in: Getting in the Way : Stories from Christian Peacemaker Teams, edited by Tricia Gates Brown, Pa.: Herald Press.
2. Brown, Tricia Gates (2005). “Christian Peacemaker Teams: An Introduction”, in: Getting in the Way : Stories from Christian Peacemaker Teams, edited by Tricia Gates Brown, Pa.: Herald Press.
3. Cordaro, Tom (1989). The Role of Nonviolent Civil Resistance in the Ministry of the Christian Community to the World, Chicago: Christian Peacemakers Retreat.
4. Frey, Mark (2005). “Standing in the Gap”, in: Getting in the Way : Stories from Christian Peacemaker Teams, edited by Tricia Gates Brown, Pa.: Herald Press.
5. Hoffer, Eric (1951). The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements. Time Reading Program Special Ed. ed., New York: Harper & Row, Publishers.
6. Keck, Margaret E., and Sikkink, Kathryn (1998). Activists Beyond Borders : Advocacy Networks in International Politics, Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press.
7. Kern, Kathleen (2000). “From Haiti to Hebron with a Brief Stop in Washington, D.C.: The CPT Experiment”, in: From the Ground Up: Mennonite Contributions to International Peacebuilding, edited by Cynthia Sampson and John Paul Lederach, New York: Oxford University Press.
8. Kraybill, Ron (2000). “Reflections on Twenty Years in Peacebuilding”, in: From the Ground Up: Mennonite Contributions to International Peacebuilding, edited by Cynthia Sampson and John Paul Lederach, New York: Oxford University Press.
9. Lederach, John Paul (2000). “Journey from Resolution to Transformative Peacebuilding”, in: From the Ground Up: Mennonite Contributions to International Peacebuilding, edited by Cynthia Sampson and John Paul Lederach, New York: Oxford University Press.
10. Lehman, Wendy (2005). “Sometimes You Have to Bend So You Don't Break”, in: Getting in the Way : Stories from Christian Peacemaker Teams, edited by Tricia Gates Brown, Pa.: Herald Press.
11. Loney, Jim (2005). “Someone to Take Care of You”, in: Getting in the Way : Stories from Christian Peacemaker Teams, edited by Tricia Gates Brown, Pa.: Herald Press.
12. Miller, Joseph (2000). “A History of the Mennonite Conciliation Service, International Conciliation Service, and Christian Peacemaker Teams”, in: From the Ground Up: Mennonite Contributions to International Peacebuilding, edited by Cynthia Sampson and John Paul Lederach, New York: Oxford University Press.
13. Morley, Janet (1992). Bread of Tomorrow : Prayers for the Church Year, Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books.
14. Roe, Dianne (2005). “Witnessing Demolition, Fasting for Rebuilding”, in: Getting in the Way : Stories from Christian Peacemaker Teams, edited by Tricia Gates Brown, Pa.: Herald Press.
15. Schaaf, Matt (2005). “This Place Where My Feet Stand on the Earth”, in: Getting in the Way : Stories from Christian Peacemaker Teams, edited by Tricia Gates Brown, 39-54. Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press.
16. Shafer, Don, and Ad Hoc Committee appointed by Council of Moderators and Secretaries (1986). “Christian Peacemaker Teams: A Study Document”.
17. Sharp, Gene (1973). The Methods of Nonviolent Action. Vol. II, The Politics of Nonviolent Action, Boston: Porter Sargent Publishers.
18. Sharp, Gene (1973). Power and Struggle,Vol. 1, The Politics of Nonviolent Action. Boston: Porter Sargent Publishers, 1973.
19. Stoltzfus, Gene (2001). “Foreword”, in: Hebron Journal: Stories of Nonviolent Peacemaking, edited by Arthur G. Gish, PA: Herald Press.
B)Websites:
20. CPTnet editor, Webster, NY. e-mail to CPTnet. “HEBRON UPDATE: 11-15 April  2006.” 22 April 2006. www.cpt.org.
21. CPTnet editor, Webster, NY. e-mail to CPTnet. “HEBRON UPDATE: 20-29 January 2006.” 9 February 2006. www.cpt.org.
22. “Frequently asked questions about CPT.” 2000. http://www.cpt.org/publications/faq.php (accessed 13 April 2006).
23. Goode, Michael. Personal email message to author, 19 April 2006.
24. “IRAQ: Muslim Peacemaker Team training in Karbala.” 2005. http://www.cpt.org/archives/2005/feb05/0004.html (accessed 13 April 2006).
25. Johnson, Ben. “Reaping What You Sow.” FrontPageMag.com. http://frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=20371 (accessed 13 April 2006).
26. Kindy, Erin. Personal email message to author, 19 April 2006.
27. Lumley, Murray. Personal email message to author, 19 April 2006.
28. “Statements of Support.” http://www.cpt.org/iraq/response/supportstatements.htm (accessed 13 April 2006).
29. “Update from CPT Hostages; Response to Torture Rumours.” http://www.cpt.org/iraq/response/06-23-03statement.htm (accessed 13 April 2006).
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The Journal of Human Rights
Volume 13, Issue 2 - Serial Number 26
Issue 26
March 2019
Pages 221-240