Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center

Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center

Sabeel (Arabic 'the way' and also 'a channel' or 'spring') Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center is a Christian liberation theology organization based in Jerusalem. It was founded by Palestinian Anglican priest, Rev. Naim Ateek, the former Canon of St. George’s Cathedral in Jerusalem.

An official partner of the Presbyterian Church USA, Sabeel has Friends of Sabeel chapters in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Ireland, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Australia.

According to its official website, Sabeel "strives to develop a spirituality based on love, justice, peace, nonviolence, liberation and reconciliation for the different national and faith communities." In particular, the group aims to "promote a more accurate international awareness regarding the identity, presence and witness of Palestinian Christians as well as their contemporary concerns."

Sabeel, which advocates "morally responsible investment," has been described by its critics as promoting an anti-Israel agenda, including divestment from Israel. It has also been accused of using antisemitic rhetoric. The Rev. Canon Dr. Richard K. Toll, the Chair of Friends of Sabeel—North America, denies those allegations, writing that "the state of Israel is not above criticism and needs to be challenged when its policies are wrong. And its policy of occupation is wrong." Toll also says that Sabeel "consistently condemns anti-Semitism in all its ugly forms."

Read more about Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center:  Friends of Sabeel, Mixed Support From Different Christian Denominations, Criticism, NGO Monitor

Famous quotes containing the words ecumenical, liberation, theology and/or center:

    Were it possible so to accelerate the intercourse between every part of the globe that all its inhabitants could be united under the superintending authority of an ecumenical Council, how great a portion of human evils would be avoided.
    James Madison (1751–1836)

    I don’t think America’s the center of the world anymore. I think African women will lead the way [in] ... women’s liberation ... The African woman, she’s got a country, she’s got the flag, she’s got her own army, got the navy. She doesn’t have a racism problem. She’s not afraid that if she speaks up, her man will say goodbye to her.
    Faith Ringgold (b. 1934)

    A theology whose god is a metaphor is wasting its time.
    Mason Cooley (b. 1927)

    I think that New York is not the cultural center of America, but the business and administrative center of American culture.
    Saul Bellow (b. 1915)