Press Release
Published 02.09.2009 Author: SCR Religious communities: actively promoting integration
The Swiss Council of Religions (SCR) firmly rejects the minaret initiative. The SCR insists on integration instead of exclusion. It calls for active promotion of the integration of the Islamic communities in Switzerland with concrete measures.
For the first time a national body made up of Jews, Christians and Muslims is publishing a joint document on a proposal for a referendum: The Swiss Council of Religions (SCR) firmly rejects the minaret initative. The Council, which consists of leading Christians, Jews and Muslims, is committed to protecting religious peace in Switzerland. The minaret initiative is bringing about the opposite. It exploits religion for political ends and engenders mistrust among the population.
Cultural diversity is a characteristic of Swiss identity; it makes Switzerland strong. The rights to freedom guaranteed by the federal constitution form the foundation for a peaceful and respectful coexistence of people of different religions and cultures in Switzerland. In this country all have the right to live out their faith visibly within the framework of public order. This includes the building of the houses of God as is customary in each religion. The planning of such buildings needs long-term planning involving the local population.
The Swiss Council of Churches insists on integration instead of exclusion. According to Jewish, Christian and Muslim understanding every human being is a creature of God. This is the common basis of all religions. In respect for the convictions of each faith ways must be found to deal with differences and live together in peace. For that, dialogue at every level is necessary. The SCR calls for active promotion of the Islamic communities in Switzerland with concrete measures.
The signatures to the popular initiative express anxieties and fears of the population that must be discussed. Moreover there are differences between the churches and the religious communities that need to be taken seriously. The question is how these differences are to be dealt with and how society is to be shaped. Whether a society respects the dignity of its members is decided by the way in which it deals with minorities.
For the Swiss Council of Religions freedom of religion is a universal basic right. Within the framework of its possibilities and contacts the Swiss Council of Churches is therefore also influencing the situations of religious discrimination in other countries. With the statement, that will be presented at a press conference today, the SCR calls on the religious communities in Switzerland to be models for how people dispute about insights and convictions in a serious and respectful way.
Download the statement PDF 120.01 kByte
