Getting some helpful insights from a Tim Keller day in London last week, and now from his book "The Reason for God". Here's the first:
1. It is common for people to say that "fundamentalism" leads to violence, yet the reality is that ALL of us humans are fundamentalists, including atheists. We all have fundamental, unprovable faith commitments that we think are superior to those of others.
So the real question is which fundamental beliefs will lead a person to be most loving, humble, and receptive to other people and thus be most conducive to a peaceful world? The answer is Christianity. Unlike other systems of belief we believe that no-one is good enough and therefore all need to humble themselves. For example most people in our culture take a "moral improvement" view to life - that if there is a God then we can relate to him and go to heaven through leading a good life. Christianity teaches the opposite - we need forgiveness, grace, help, salvation. Hence once saved we should be humble and gracious, forgiving and helpful to the rest of humanity.
Historical example: The Graeco-Roman religion were very tolerant and open - everyone had his or her own God. At the same time the Christians fundamental view was that there is only 1 true God, Jesus Christ. OK, so which set of fundamental beliefs lead to more tolerance? One culture was brutal, the other not; one led to a huge divide between rich and poor, the other led to generous sharing a giving to their own poor and those of other faiths; In one women had low status with female infanticide, forced marriages being common, in the other there was far greater security and equality for women; During the terrible urban plagues of the 1st 2 centuries, who cared for the sick and the dying, even at the cost of their lives?
Answers on a postcard.
To be sure there have been terrible injustices inflicted in the name of (false) Christianity, but who can deny that Christianity's fundamental beliefs are a powerful impetus for peace in our troubled world?
