R. Bennett Furlow

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with religious leaders today to discuss ongoing efforts of the U.S. in an Israeli-Palestinian peace process. I do not doubt the sincerity of the clerics present. Nor do I doubt Secretary Rice’s sincerity in getting a workable peace in the Israel-Palestine region. However this strikes me as nothing more than a photo-op. The sentiment may be noble but the execution is impotent.

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s most recent book The Mighty and The Almighty: Reflections on America, God, and World Affairs has, as one of its themes, the idea of religious experts working for the State Department. She claims that during her tenure at the State Department, and for many many years prior, religion was a non-factor when determining U.S. foreign policy. This seems like an absurd idea. When dealing with the conflict in Bosnia, how can you not factor in religion? When trying to achieve a peace procress between Israelis and Palestinians, how do you not look to religion? Understanding liberation theology could have completly altered U.S. foreign policy in Latin America in the 1980’s, but it was a non-issue. Albright states that while she was head of the State Department she had one person on her staff who was an expert on religion. One.

Religion can no longer be a non-issue. When dealing with foreign policy matters a great deal needs to be considered, but one of the most important things to consider is the religious history and traditions and beliefs of the central players. Secretary Rice’s meeting with religious leaders is important, but it is more important that some of these experts, be they clergy or scholars, have a role in crafting foreign policy.