Changing Hearts and Mindsby Robert Bogdanffy

During the spring semester, I studied in Washington, D.C., through the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities American Studies Program (ASP). I interned at the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy (ICRD), an organization that addresses identity-based conflicts by incorporating religion as part of the solution.

I worked alongside Dr. Douglas Johnston, the president and founder of ICRD and author of a recently published book, Religion, Terror and Error: U.S. Foreign Policy and the Challenge of Spiritual Engagement. He previously directed Harvard University’s Executive Program in National and International Security.

He is also a devout Christian. It was my privilege to learn from him not only many professional lessons but also about the proper Christian engagement of conflicts in virtue of our calling to be peacemakers.

My research at ICRD dealt mainly with radicalization as a result of alienation, some of which has given rise to violent extremists. I learned that, when fighting terrorism, it’s important to understand the causes of radicalization and terrorism—causes like injustices, social and individual alienation coupled with political struggle, and a certain amount of Quranic misappropriation. (To be fair, causes like these can also serve as catalysts for democratic change—as they did during the Arab Spring.)

I also learned that the overwhelming majority of Muslims resent extremism just as much as any other sane person. In fact, culturally and religiously, most are admirably devout, hospitable and peaceful.

The Quran says, “[I]f God had so willed, he could surely have made you all one single community: but he willed it otherwise in order to test you by means of what he has revealed to you. Compete then with one another in doing good works! Unto God you all must return and then he will make you truly understand all that on which you were wont to differ” (Quran 5:44-48).

Compete with one another in doing good works: Whether one believes the Quran or not, isn’t that wise counsel? This is what ICRD is pursuing—initiating a competition of good works instead of fueling an ersatz incongruity with vitriolic language.

Although I believe U.S. military actions against tyrannical regimes are commendable, I cannot help but think of the cost in times of historic debt. The yearly budget allocated for one U.S. soldier is enough to build 20 schools in Afghanistan. Perhaps I lack the understanding of what it truly costs to change a regime, or perhaps in the long run, this will become a telling statistic of an inefficient government and a narrow aperture.

Either way, change cannot come without a shift in thinking, and while this involves many things, it categorically mandates a soft power approach. And the fundamental ingredient of this approach is a global citizenry armed with broad knowledge. Anyone who makes an effort to understand someone different from themselves can be part of furthering peace.

How much do we know about the Afghan people? How much do we truly understand the average Muslim’s worldview? There are 1.5 billion Muslims sharing the world with us, and yet the majority of us don’t know the five basic pillars of Islam.

American social writer and philosopher Eric Hoffer said: “A war is not won if the defeated enemy has not been turned into a friend.” After my internship, I believe more than ever in working toward world security through changing people’s hearts and minds—including our own. Micah 6:8 encourages followers of God to do justice and walk humbly. It’s hard to project love and humility with an M16 in your hands.

In one of my ASP classes, Dr. Steve Garber, director of the Washington Institute, challenged us with a vision of Christian engagement that starts with learning more about the world and those sharing the planet with us. He said: “We are called to love the world. Do we love the world enough to know it? And do we know the world enough to love it?

Robert Bogdanffy is a senior political science major from Petrosani, Romania.