may 18, 2000

"FAITH HAS AN ADDED CHARISM, A PLUS OF LOVE"
Italian Prime Minister on Dialogue Between Believers and Agnostics

ROME, MAY 18 (ZENIT.org).- For Italian Prime Minister Giuliano Amato, who says he is not a believer, those who have religious faith enjoy "an added charism, a plus of love." The Prime Minister spoke in Rome yesterday, during the presentation of Arrigo Levi's book, "Dialogues on Faith," published by "Il Mulino." Among those attending the event, in addition to Amato and Levi, were Bishop Vincenzo Paglia; Andrea Riccardi, co-founder of the St. Egidio Community, and reporter Gad Lerner.

There was a discussion as to whether or not it was possible to have a dialogue between persons of faith and agnostics who only believe in man and history. At present, the exchange of ideas between these two groups is undergoing an "enthusiastic evolution," the Prime Minister said. For Giuliano Amato, whose political ideology is socialist, the dialogue cannot remain on a purely rational level because "if God exists, this does not depend on my reason's ability to demonstrate his existence. This is the temptation of many who profess a religion: they go on a desperate hunt for rational arguments."

Amato believes there are two reasons that make the dialogue between believers and agnostics possible. The first is ethical and refers to the acknowledgement of man's freedom. "If the human being is such because he is free, moral choices belong to him. When someone chooses evil, he assumes the responsibility." The second is "an evolution that is leading religion to lean more on truth on dialogue, on witnessing truth, and less on truth expressed dogmatically."

This is not a concession, but a recognition of the other's freedom. But the firm point of truth would have to be established and, on this issue, the Prime Minister said, "I stop because as a non-believer, I trust reason and I know that reason makes mistakes. Undoubtedly, there are good and bad expressions of faith: the good ones are based on love for others. Non-believers are also able to love, but less so. We are able to love in restricted communities, we are able to undertake missions of civil commitment, which is different from love. We are less able to involve others, which is fundamental."

For his part, Bishop Paglia said that "Christians don't have an added charism, but an added person: Jesus. Not a concept or world vision but a person who is the sole content of faith. Faith means being in love with God who made the world."

Reporter Gad Lerner, of Jewish origin, said: "I have been accused of being a weak non-believer, but am respectful of a Pope who, moreover, is regarded as traditionalist. I think that these positions run the risk of being secular. What can we do when the Pope's piety is expressed in ways that are foreign to us? It is not about making distinctions, but about finding the moment for dialogue." This dialogue, as all taking part in the discussion agreed, is not easy, especially when concrete questions are addressed such as school systems, issues related to the family, bioethics, or abortion.

For his part, writer Arrigo Levi stressed that one thing is certain. Men of faith and non-believers have developed an idea in common: that of changing the world. "This expresses charity, which has passed from the private to the public realm. We agree on this and we meet, because we are aware of the evil that has been done and that will be done."