Archive for December, 2008

The Danger of Nuclear Weapons

December 17, 2008

Dear Esteemed Colleague,

You will find below the statement of the Religions for Peace Executive Committee on Nuclear Weapons.

Allow me to urge you to carefully ponder this statement, use it in efforts to educate others and disseminate it widely in your own circles.

During the long Cold War, the threat of nuclear war was widely recognized. In response, Religions for Peace worked to build a global multi-religious coalition that spanned the Cold War blocs to advance disarmament, sent delegations of senior religious leaders to meet with Heads of State on both sides of the Cold War and contributed positively to related work at United Nations Headquarters.

Today, the dangers of nuclear weapons are growing: new and more deadly weapons are being developed, new states are acquiring them and the likelihood of non-state actors—including groups committed to terrorism—gaining access to them grows.

Please join your Religions for Peace colleagues in working to advance nuclear disarmament.

Yours in partnership,

Dr. William F. Vendley
Secretary General

Executive Committee
Statement on Nuclear Weapons

Tripoli, Libya
6 December 2008

Nuclear weapons are a grave threat to human life. In addition to their profound danger, they also pose an inherent moral contradiction. On the one hand, our religious traditions affirm the ultimate value of each human life and call us to respect all life, while on the other nuclear weapons threaten indiscriminate death to massive numbers of people and threaten the global ecosystem on which all life depends. This grave threat and fundamental moral challenge concerns us greatly.

We, the Executive Committee of Religions for Peace, urgently call upon all states to work in solidarity for the elimination of nuclear weapons.

The dangers of nuclear weapons are growing. New and more deadly nuclear weapons are being developed by some of the five states who first acquired them: the United States, Russia, Great Britain, France and China. At least three additional states are now thought to have acquired them: Israel, India and Pakistan. Other states may be taking steps to obtain them, and the likelihood of non-state actors—including groups committed to terrorism—gaining access to them grows.

At the same time, existing international treaties are being violated or weakened and have not been acceded to by all nuclear states. Furthermore, additional new international treaties are urgently needed if the human family is to stay the danger of nuclear weapons.

More specifically, we are alarmed at the erosion of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and urge the five first nuclear weapons states who are parties to the treaty to fulfill their obligations, including their responsibilities to reduce their stockpiles of nuclear weapons and work toward their elimination. We also urge the non-NPT nuclear states, India, Israel and Pakistan, to accede to the NPT. Failure to do both of the above may add momentum for non-nuclear states to develop nuclear arsenals. We further urge the leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to continue to cooperate with existing international mechanisms regarding their compliance with relevant treaties. We urge that all states seized by these matters should resolve them through negotiations, transparency and timely action.

We commend the existing legal instruments related to nuclear weapons, such as the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), and call for the addition of new needed instruments. Specifically, we applaud the work underway to create nuclear weapons free zones and a verifiable fissile materials cut-off treaty. We urge governments to ratify and further develop these and other urgently needed tools and to take sober steps toward the development of a universal nuclear weapons convention for all states. While we urge these steps, we acknowledge with appreciation the many states that have voluntarily rejected the path to nuclear armament.

As we urge all states to work for nuclear disarmament, we also note with concern the gross imbalance between massive global spending on the military and the relatively small amounts needed to address poverty. We call for a reduction of military budgets in all countries and a reallocation of the saved funds to advance environmentally sustainable development.

We are representatives of diverse religious traditions committed to working together on the basis of shared moral concerns. We share a common moral conviction: We must all work together to eliminate nuclear weapons, reduce overall defense spending and invest in the common good. We can and must work together to build peace.

From its founding in 1970, Religions for Peace, the world’s largest and most representative multi-religious coalition has advanced nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. These commitments were reaffirmed in August 2006 at the Religions for Peace Eighth World Assembly in Kyoto, Japan, and again in July 2008 at the World Religious Leaders Summit for Peace on the occasion of the G8 Toyako Summit.

Religions for Peace is the world’s largest and most representative multi-religious coalition advancing common action for peace since 1970. Headquartered in New York and accredited to the United Nations, Religions for Peace works through affiliated inter-religious councils in 70 countries in six continents.

This message was sent from Dr. William F. Vendley to hopeis@btinternet.com. It was sent from: Religions For Peace, 777 United Nations Plaza 9th Floor, New York, NY 10017

Appeal from the INTERFAITH ENCOUNTER ASSOCIATION in the Holy Land

December 7, 2008

Yes We Can – If we keep working together!

 

 

Dear Friends,

 

 

As you all know, IEA’s dialog groups have survived some very difficult times in these last few years. When the missiles which fell on Northern Israel strained nearly to the breaking point the fragile web of connections between Jews and Arabs in the Holy Land, our 4000 participants persevered – because they knew what would happen if they did not, and because they recognized that times of great danger can also be moments of opportunity to change the dynamic between our communities and begin to work together for a brighter future.

 

In a way, this moment too is such a time. It takes many kinds of courage for our participants to do what they do. They must often overcome fear, inertia, the sense that the task ahead may simply be too great for their efforts to succeed, and sometimes even physical risks. We know that you, our supporters, are also facing a period of great uncertainty and risk – perhaps one which is less immediate than the possibility of armed conflict, but terrifying all the same. Nonetheless, we are writing to ask you to join with the faith and courage of our participants, and with their unyielding confidence that together we can and will build a better tomorrow, by once again making a financial commitment to IEA’s work. Indeed, given our growth and successes of the past year, your contribution now can help us more than ever before to build a broad popular movement for real peace.

 

As you know, previous, unsuccessful attempts at making peace have largely focused on political and economic steps taken by governments.  At IEA, we believe that in addition to the political and economic realms, it is necessary to emphasize the human side, finding ways to speak to and tap the deep cultural roots of each people, and catalyzing them to know, respect and befriend the Other. Our success has lent powerful proof to the idea that religion, which so often divides and inflames, can also serve as a potent unifying force.

 

In the past, there have been several points in the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict when real quantum leaps toward peace have taken place – one was the visit of Anwar Sadat to Israel in 1977; another was the peace treaty between Israel and Jordan that was concluded by Prime Minister Rabin and King Hussein in 1994. It is our view that for the next such leap to occur, much preparation is needed in transforming the hearts of people and building a true popular movement for peace, or the efforts of governments and political leaders may well come to naught.

 

At IEA, we are especially proud of the fact that so many of those who take part in our programs have met the “Other” for the first time at our events, and also of the fact that unlike some other dialogue organizations, the non-political nature of our work allows us to recruit participants from a very broad spectrum of each population, one which truly represents each people far more completely than do participants in political peacemaking efforts.  And our distinctive method for interfaith encounters, in which study of sacred texts and ideas reveals shared values and the common humanity that is so often masked by conflict, has created bonds among our over 4000 participants which foster deep respect and understanding for differences as well. 

 

When political issues eventually do come up in informal conversations between our participants, they are discussed in a way that is deeper and more personal, as a conversation between friends, and in a way which builds empathy for each person’s beliefs and experiences. Even when talking about conflict and trauma, relationships among our participants are deepened instead of being damaged by defensiveness or anger, because these difficult subjects are addressed at a point when the group is able to face them and integrate them into the process in a constructive, non-confrontational way.

 

Each encounter has a ripple effect, reaching not only participants themselves but family and community members. In this way, IEA, with your partnership, is creating the conditions for real and sustainable peace to finally come. All of our participants – the professor from Hebron, the high school student from Carmiel, the grandmother from Jerusalem – know that their chances for a brighter future critically depend on the success of efforts such as ours.

 

Those who take part in our programs know that they cannot allow themselves to walk away from dialogue, because their lives here in the Holy Land depend on finding a way – creating a way – for all of us to live together.  We, and they, are depending on you to help build a better future for all of us, because what happens in the Holy Land powerfully affects how those of different faiths relate to each other the world over.

 

If everyone who reads this message can give just $30, we will be able to continue with our work for the next year. But our goal is to found at least seven more dialog groups in addition to the 28 which already exist. In this we are building peace, one person at a time. And each group has a ripple effect, as new attitudes and knowledge spread to our participants’ friends, family, and communities. So please consider helping us to grow by giving as generously as you can.

 

Your donation of:

 

$30 – covers printing and communications costs for one encounter session
$60 – buys food for one encounter session
$100 – pays for transportation for Palestinian youth to come to Israel for an encounter session
$250 – allows us to retain trained coordinators of one encounter session
$500 – covers all the costs for one Palestinian and Israeli Youth Encounter
$1,000 – pays for one conference
$5,000 – can sustain one ongoing dialogue group for one year. 

 

You may also contribute online thru our web site, http://www.interfaith-encounter.org/donations.htm

 

In the US, contributions by check may be mailed directly to: Friends of IEA, 7 Lancaster Ct., Ramsey, NJ 07446-2114.  

 

All contributions are fully tax-deductible in the US, as well as in the UK and Switzerland.

 

PLEASE CONTRIBUTE TO THE INTERFAITH ENCOUNTER ASSOCIATION. SUPPORT ONE OR MORE OF OUR PROGRAMS AND JOIN US AS A MEMBER IN WORKING FOR INTERFAITH UNDERSTANDING AND PEACE.

 

All contributions are welcome, small and large!

 

Sincerely,

 

Dr. Yehuda Stolov, Executive Director

E-mail: yehuda@interfaith-encounter.org

December 7, 2008

Hope for the Future!

The Uppsala Interfaith Climate Manifesto 2008
Faith traditions addressing Global Warming

As religious leaders and teachers from the whole world, gathered in Uppsala 2008, we call for effective leadership and action in view of the global threat to the climate. From religious traditions, with different approaches to religious life, we come together at this time in human history to assure the world of what we have in common. We all share the responsibility of being conscious caretakers of our home, planet Earth. We have reflected on the concerns of scientists and political leaders regarding the alarming climate crisis. We share their concerns.
The world religions are a source of empowerment for change in lifestyles and patterns of consumption. Religious faith remains a powerful force for good among a considerable number of the human family. We undertake this mission in a spirit of responsibility and faith.

FROM WONDER TO CHANGE

With a sense of wonder we look at life on planet Earth. It is a miracle – and a gift!
Clear nights with the sky full of stars fill us with awe. It reminds us of our role in the universe. We have many reasons to be humble. Meditating on the sea shore, in the desert or in the forest allows us to feel one with the universe, yet we are so small. Faith traditions with diverse cultures and backgrounds converge to express wonder and awe at the gift of life.

In the history of the Earth, the climate has always varied. However, we are very concerned about the huge human impact on the Earth’s very complex and sensitive climate system. Today humanity constitutes a major force which changes the preconditions of life and welfare for most creatures on the planet. We know enough to realize that we need to act now in the interest of future generations. The situation is critical. Glaziers and the permafrost are melting. Devastating drought and flooding strike people and ecosystems, especially in the South.

Can planet Earth be healed? We are convinced that the answer is yes. Major transformations in understanding human life, lifestyles and work modes, economy, trade and technology are needed. Ethics and values are intrinsic to the development of new institutional structures and architectures of politics and finance. In the religious realm long-sightedness has always been important. More than ever before the world now needs extraordinary, long-sighted political leadership.

OUR APPEALS TO THE COPENHAGEN PROCESS

For the Earth, salvation is about more than new technology and green economy. Salvation is about the inner life of human beings. Life without hope is detrimental to human existence. The peoples of this beautiful precious planet need to dialogue about what it means to live together, with global empathy in a global village. Religions can contribute to this in a decisive way.

As people from world religions, we urge governments and international organisations to prepare and agree upon a comprehensive climate strategy for the Copenhagen Agreement. This strategy must be ambitious enough to keep climate change below 2° Celsius, and to distribute the burden in an equitable way in accordance with the principles of common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities. Greenhouse Development Rights offers one concrete model of such burden sharing. We urge all actors concerned to find politically acceptable tools to realize this.

The Copenhagen Agreement must counteract misuse of land, of forests, and of farmland, using creative incentives for landowners, users and indigenous communities to manage growing forests as carbon sinks.

We ask the global political leadership for:

· Rapid and large emission cuts in the rich world. Developed countries, especially those in Europe and North America, must lead the way. In the developed countries emissions should be reduced by at least 40 per cent by 2020 and 90 per cent by 2050 against 1990 levels.

· Binding cuts for the rich world on top of their domestic obligations. According to the principles of responsibility and capability countries should pay for international cuts in addition to their own domestic initiatives. These payments should be obligatory, rather than voluntary.

· Measurable, verifiable and reportable mitigation actions by developing countries, especially countries with fast growing economies.

· Massive transfers and sharing of important technology. All countries must encourage and facilitate the sharing of technology that is intrinsically important to reducing emissions. Developing countries must have viable and technologically responsible opportunities to provide for their populations.

· Economic incentives for developing countries to foster cleaner development on a national scale.

· Adaptation to climate change. According to the same principles of responsibility and capability, countries must ensure that poor and vulnerable communities are empowered and supported. Adaptation to climate change must not fail for want of money or other resources.

HUMILITY, RESPONSIBILITY – AND HOPE!

We urge political and religious leaders to bear responsibility for the future of our planet and the living conditions and habitat preservation of new generations, assured in this of support and cooperation from the faith traditions of the world. The climate crisis is a fundamental spiritual question for the survival of humanity on planet Earth. At the same time, we know that the world has never before been more capable of creating sustainable development. Humanity possesses the knowledge and technology. Popular commitment to doing what can and must be done is growing.

We are challenged to review the values, philosophies, beliefs and moral concepts which have shaped and driven our behaviours and informed our dysfunctional relationship with our natural environment.
We commit ourselves to taking and sharing responsibility for providing moral leadership within our various faith traditions and for others who so desire. We call upon all who have influence over the shaping of both intellect and spirit, to commit themselves to a profound reorientation of humanity’s self-understanding and of the world, whereby we acknowledge our estrangement and henceforth strive to live in harmony with Nature and one another.
We offer the gift of our various faiths as a source of empowerment for developing sustainable) lifestyles and patterns of consumption. We undertake this mission in a spirit of humility, responsibility, faith and urgency.
Now is the time to mobilise people and nations.
As people of different faiths, we make these commitments:

· To inform and inspire people in our own religious and cultural contexts to take responsibility for and to implement effective measures

· To challenge political and business leaders where we live and work to develop comprehensive strategies and action

· To focus on the struggle against global warming and draw upon our innermost religious convictions about the meaning of life. This commitment is a deeply spiritual question concerning justice, peace and hopes for a future in love and solidarity with all human beings and the whole of creation.

As religious leaders and teachers, we want to counteract a culture of fear with a culture of hope. We want to face the climate challenge with defiant optimism to highlight the core principles of all major sacred traditions of the world: justice, solidarity and compassion. We want to encourage the best science and political leadership. We commit our communities to fostering a spirit of joy and hope in relation to the greatest gift given to us all – the gift of life!

SIGNATORIES TO THE UPPSALA INTERFAITH CLIMATE MANIFESTO

Ms Charanjit AjitSingh, Sikh, Great Britain
Actively involved in interfaith dialogue for three decades

Dr Kezevino Aram, Hindu, India
Director of Shanti Ashram, in Coimbatore, India

The Revd Sally Bingham, Christian, USA
Director of The Regeneration Project / Interfaith Power and Light Campaign

Father Dr John T. Brinkman, M.M., Christian, Japan
Historian of religions whose work has particular reference to East Asia

The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Richard Chartres, Christian, Great Britain
Bishop of London since 1996

Father John Chryssavgis, Christian, USA
Representing the Ecumenical Patriarch, Constantinople

Dr Mawil Izzie Dien, Muslim, Great Britain
Senior Lecturer in Islamic Studies, University of Wales, Lampeter, UK

Prof. Larbi Djeradi, Muslim, Algeria
University of Mostaghanem, Algeria

Sheikh Ahmad Badr al-Din Hassoun, Muslim, Syria
Grand Mufti of Syria

Prof. Xiaoxin He, Daoist, China
Head of ARC China Program

Sheikha Amina al-Jerrahi, Muslim, Mexico
Master of the Halveti Jerrahi Sufi Order, Mexico City

His Eminence Metropolitan John of Pergamon, Christian, Greece
Representing the Ecumenical Patriarch, Constantinople

Mr Tore Johnsen, Saami/Christian, Norway
Pastor and leader of the Sami Church Council in Norway

The Very Revd Colin Jones, Christian, South Africa,
Trustee at Desmond Tutu Peace Centre and member of the Tällberg Foundation team

Ms Bernie T. Keldermans, Christian, Republic of Pelau
Environmental scientist at the forefront of the national campaign to protect the islands

The Very Revd Leonid Kishkovsky, Christian, USA
Director of External Affairs of the Orthodox Church in America

Prof. Oren R. Lyons, Turtle Clan, Onondaga Nation, Six Nations
Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan, member of the Onondaga. Nation Council of Chiefs of the Six Nations

Prof. Dr J.N.K.Mugambi, Christian, Kenya
Africa representative, WCC Working Group on Climate Change

The Rt Revd Sofie Petersen, Christian, Greenland
Member of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches

Prof. Rosemary Radford Ruether, Christian, USA
A pioneer in the area of feminist theology in North America

Mr M. Abdus Sabur, Bangkok, Muslim, Thailand
Secretary General of AMAN, Asian Muslim Action Network

The Rt Revd Thomas Samuel, Christian, India
Bishop of the Church of South India, Madhya Kerala Diocese

Rabbi Awraham Soetendorp, Jewish, The Netherlands
Dutch leader of the Reformed Jewish congregation in the Hague

The Ven. Bhikku Khy Sovanratana, Buddhist, Cambodia
Personal advisor to the Buddhist Supreme Patriarch in Cambodia

Prof. Hava Tirosh-Samuelson, Jewish, USA
Professor of History at Arizona State University, USA

The Ven. Bhiksuni Chuehman Shih, Buddhist, Taiwan
Thervada Buddhism Coordinator at the Fo Guang Shan monastery

Prof. Parichart Suwanbubbha, Buddhist, Thailand
Professor of Comparative Religion and Ethical Studies at Mahidol University

Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Jewish, USA
Has developed a theology and practice of eco-Judaism. Director for the Shalom Centre

The Most Revd Anders Wejryd, Christian, Sweden
Archbishop of Uppsala, Primate of the Church of Sweden

Prof. Liu Xiaogan, Daoist, Hong Kong
Professor of Philosophy at the Chinese University of Hong Kong

05/11/2008 10:06

Conference on Cluster Munitions

December 4, 2008

News from RELIGIONS for PEACE :

The Signing Conference on Cluster Munitions opens!

Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 December more than 100 countries will sign the convention to ban cluster munitions. – This is a historic day and a day for celebration says Religions for Peace – European Council of Religious Leaders (ECRL) Moderator, Bishop Gunnar Stålsett. – To fail to sign the convention banning cluster munitions is to fail humanity, he continued. It is a great joy to see all these representatives from so many countries gathered in Oslo to sign the convention and thereby serve humanity. A Religions for Peace delegation is present at the signing conference. Among the delegates are ECRL Archbishop Yannoulatos Anastasios, Albania and Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, Great Britain together with the Council Moderator, Bishop Gunnar Stålsett. The delegation is also joined by Venerable Vy Sovichea, Cambodia, Bishop Andon Merdani, Albania, Bishop Jean Nduwayo, Burundi, Revd Yoshitaka Hatakejama, Japan and Brigitte Chevalier, France.

Read more at: http://www.rfp-europe.eu/index.cfm?id=218802

Interfaith Climate Summit in Uppsala

On 28 and 29 November, (Lutheran) Church of Sweden Archbishop Anders Wejryd gathered religious leaders from five continents and all major faith traditions for the Interfaith Climate Summit in Uppsala, Sweden. Archbishop Wejryd is a Co-President of the World Council of Religions for Peace.

Read more at: http://www.rfp-europe.eu/index.cfm?id=218830

The Interfaith Manual

December 4, 2008
At a Religious Diversity Day seminar on Sunday 11/9 at the University of California at Irvine, “The Interfaith Manual” was selected as the book of choice by the professors from the various UC campuses teaching Interfaith and Comparative Religion.  As the author, I am now working to expand the awareness of the manual being available to other colleges, universities and interfaith groups.  I hope you might be able to help me get this information to the right people.  Thank you in advance for your support.
Blessings,
Steve
 
Rev. Dr. Stephen L. Albert
reboot@san.rr.com
858-487-8196
www.REBOOTonline.org

The Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement (CMJE

December 4, 2008

New Resource

 

The Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement (CMJE) has expanded and enhanced its Muslim and Jewish religious text resources. CMJE has compiled an online resource center including an adapted compendium of fully searchable Islamic religious texts alongside Jewish religious texts. This resource was developed to:

  • Assist religious and lay leaders as they create sermons and curricula around Jewish-Muslim themes;
  • Facilitate scholarship on Islam and Judaism by academics and students alike;
  • Allow quick and easy viewing of various issues from the perspectives of the sacred texts of each faith.

Each religious text has several translations in order to facilitate scholarly study, debate, and religious text study on a variety of topics. We will continue to expand this compendium in order to provide a user-friendly resource for scholarship and general educational purposes.

To explore our new resource Click Here

Mumbai Statement from Religions for Peace

December 4, 2008
Statement on Mumbai
from the Office of the Secretary General
 
2 December 2008
 
All sincere religious believers around the world in Religions for Peace are united in condemning last week’s horrific acts of terror in Mumbai and in extending their solidarity to the victims, their families, and the peoples of India. Such assaults on innocent lives are attacks on human life and dignity everywhere.
 
Whenever religious differences or identities are manipulated and misused to ferment violence and discord, the importance of the Religions for Peace mission to advance cooperation among religious communities for peace is further underscored. Religions for Peace seeks common action for peace to both prevent and rapidly respond to such acts of terror. 
 
Religions for Peace respectfully calls upon all religious believers of good will to join in the common work of building peace. 

DECLARATION OF WORLD THANKSGIVING 2008

December 1, 2008

 ONE CLEAR CALL OF GRATITUDE
can wake us up and raise our consciousness
of the precious opportunities we have been given.
Enduring wisdom of the ages teaches us to practice Thanksgiving
to enjoy the ongoing gift of life.
We can either ignore our raised consciousness
or suddenly rejoice in it
DRINKING FROM THE SPARKLE OF THE GIVEN MOMENT
The illusion of entitlement denies
that we are given everything from birth to death.
Ego makes it the ego’s own invention.
But if we practice wonderment
at the priceless gift of each day – that changes life.
THANKFULNESS MYSTERIOUSLY GIVES HAPPINESS
Greed, apathy and fear deny life,
but thankfulness affirms joy and strength
and seizes the surprise of each moment.
(Grateful to the inspiration of Brother David Steindl-Rast)
Prof. Dr. Muhammad R. Abu Layla
Al Azhar University
Cairo, Egypt
His Serene Highness
Prince Nikolaus von Liechtenstein
Dr. Mandyam D. Srinath
Professor of Electrical Engineering
Southern Methodist University
Roshi Joan Halifax
Zen Center
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Kenneth J. Palmer
Lay Leader
St. Michaels and All Angels
Hon. Jeanne L. Phillips
U.S. Ambassador (ret.)
Father Seraphim Hipsh
St. Sava Orthodox Church
Plano, Texas
Cardinal Jean‐Louis Tauran
Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue
Vatican
Dr. Merve Kavakci
Member of Parliament – 1999
Ankara, Turkey
Mohammad Rasul
Honored Chapel Charge
Thanks‐Giving Square
Rev. Msgr. Donald F. Zimmerman
Pastor
Christ the King Catholic Church

Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, Ph.D
Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel
 

Faith Acts Fellowship

December 1, 2008
We need your help…

to spread the word about the Faiths Act Fellowship.

The application deadline for the Tony Blair Faith Foundation’s Faiths Act Fellowship is rapidly approaching.

Act now. Be sure to share the news with your network, your students, your community, your friends before the end of the year. Everyone is invited to apply!

Interfaith Youth Core
910 W. Van Buren 4th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60607
joey@ifyc.org

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