Religious for Peace Initiative

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The Religious for Peace Initiative (IOF) initially emerged from the peace movement as an association of members of Christian orders . Meanwhile, Christians without a spiritual office and non-Christians also belong to it. The initiative is financed by donations .

The name is explained by the founding phase. However, many of the order members have now either left their order or the initiative. Most recently, Gregor Böckermann's resignation from the Order of the White Fathers became publicly known , which he himself justified with criticism of his commitment, but which was accompanied by a wedding a few months after his resignation (Frankfurter Rundschau of June 3, 2005). The website of the initiative does not provide any information about how many members the initiative still has today who are actually religious.

The initiative was founded in 1983 to protest against NATO's double decision . Until 1990 members held a permanent vigil in front of the Cruise Missile base in Hasselbach in the Hunsrück ; thereafter the stationing plans were politically shelved due to the changed global political situation. The IOF also protested the Iraq war with public actions in 2003 .

The criticism of capitalism has been a focus of the IOF since 1990 , as it regards capitalism as a source of social injustice. She speaks of casino capitalism . The IOF regularly holds vigils and protests in front of the headquarters of Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt am Main , which it regards as a symbol of capitalism and neoliberalism . In 1993, for example, members chained themselves at the entrance to the bank, in 1995 they planted an apple tree in front of the headquarters, and in 1998 they dumped liquid manure in front of the entrance.

IOF members were sentenced to fines several times after protest actions (e.g. for trespassing ); in general, they refused to pay them and instead served several days' imprisonment.

In 2003, the IOF was awarded the Aachen Peace Prize for its commitment to peace . The reason was:

“The intensive and committed peace work that has lasted for over 20 years as well as the nonviolent, courageous advocacy of social justice are an encouraging example that is worth imitating in a time when violence is always seen and practiced as a continuation of failed politics. The courage to face the causes of war and violence and their protagonists personally in actions is worthy of being honored with the Peace Prize. "

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