In the Green Lines of Humanity
When the stakeholders of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Freedom of Religion and Belief (APPG for FORB) met in April, a major topic of the meeting was Nigeria. The Nigerian Humanist, Mubarak Bala, was recently sentenced to 24 years in prison. His crime was blasphemy. His weapon was social media. He was condemned for Facebook posts considered anti-Muslim. The stakeholders adamantly condemned the ruling, and the APPG released a statement.
Religion and belief are both divisive and uniting. Historically, religion has been a tool to bring people together. The Austria-Hungarian Empire was a vast and diverse population. They spoke more than fifteen languages and encompassed land from many current Central and Eastern European countries. Despite the various ethnicities of the area, over 90% were Catholic. The Hapsburgs understood that it is easiest to unite a diverse group by having a definite similarity. And, of course, a common enemy.
Religious revivals are often used to unify diverse groups against another faith tradition. The crusades fueled connections between separate European powers as they fought for control of the Holy Land. Muhammad united the Arabian tribes under the umbrella of Islam. The East India Company played upon different cultures and faiths in India to gain economic footholds in the area.
Differences of faith have launched armies and led to genocide. Despite the advances we have made as a society, faith-based discrimination is still present. Yet borderlands have peaceful spaces, and some areas host multiple faith traditions.
The town of Pyla, Cyprus, sits in the middle of the UN Green Line. A neutral zone 180 kilometers long and as wide as 7.5 kilometers, the Green Line is a buffer between the Turkish and Greek forces on the island. Pyla is one of four villages inside the Green Line. It is unique because it is home to both Greek and Turkish communities. There are three churches and one mosque in Pyla.
The religions represented in the APPG have not always cooperated historically. As an all-party parliamentary group, the members have different political views, and the stakeholders hold vastly different positions in society. Yet, they have come together because they ‘believe that international freedom of religion or belief is a crucial human right.’ They have found common ground, a green line or buffer zone.
When borderlands feel too sharp, look for the green line. Find common ground and build connections in that space. Polarization too often seems to be a wave that will crush us. But it is noise. If you don’t have common political views or religious beliefs — find something you share. As humans we have more in common than in opposition. When the middle ground feels beyond reach, pivot. Broaden the conversation, find common space, and choose to stand there.
