1) aboriginal australian · web viewthe word ‘aborigine’ is from the latin word...

An Interfaith Approach toAn Interfaith Approach to Religious Identity -Religious Identity -

An overview of the history and geography of An overview of the history and geography of

TWENTY WORLD-VIEWSTWENTY WORLD-VIEWS

by Diana Chaudhuri

Twenty World-ViewsTwenty World-Views

1. Aboriginal Australian

2. African Spirituality

3. Agnosticism4. Atheism

5. Baha’i6. Buddhist7. Christian8. Confucianism9. Hinduism10. Islam

11. Humanism12. Jainism13. Judaism14. New Age15. Rastafarianism16. Shintuism

17. Sikhism 18. Taoism19. Traditional and Indigenous20. Zoroastrianism21. Other Perspectives

NAME OF WORLD-VIEW DATE/PERIOD OF ORIGIN PLACE/S OF ORIGIN NUMBER OF BELIEVERS IN THE

WORLD TODAY

WHERE FOUND IN THE WORLD TODAY

1) Aboriginal Australian

Probably 30-40000 years ago – long before recorded time. One of the most ancient living faith systems and cultures.The word ‘Aborigine’ is from the Latin word which means ‘from the beginning.’Aboriginal religion is founded on a concept of ‘Dreamtime.’ The Dreamtime ancestors shaped the barren world and created everything from the same source. The Dreamtime ancestors sleep in the earth, as its sacred places, so the Aboriginal Australians have a unique sense of kinship with the land.

The Aboriginals are the original inhabitants, the indigenous peoples of Australia, the Torres Strait and Tasmania. They developed as a network of interrelated but separate, independent tribes or nations.

400,000 people,which is some 2%

of the total populationof Australia

Mostly in Australia

5

NAME OF WORLD-VIEW DATE/PERIOD OF ORIGIN PLACE/S OF ORIGIN NUMBER OF BELIEVERS IN THE WORLD TODAY


2) African spirituality

‘African Spirituality’ is an umbrella title for both the traditional polytheistic religions of Africa which date from pre-history - and the religions rooted in African culture and tradition practised in the African Diaspora, which have developed over the past 100 years. Since both Christianity and Islam have historical connections with Africa which go back for hundreds of years, African Spirituality often reflects these religions and they are often, practised syncrenistically.

There are many ancient African religions, found throughout African continent. Most of these fall into the general category of ‘Shamanism.’ The African Diaspora is concentrated in South America, The Caribbean, USA and UKAfrican Spirituality tends to be practised by people of African descent but there can be some overlap into different cultures where they closely coexist – such as in the celebration of Kwanza.

Approximately3-4 million

Africa,South America,

(especially Brazil)the Caribbean,

the USA,Canada and

the UK.There are smaller

communities in the African Diaspora

found in many other countries.

6



3) Agnosticism Developed mostly in Western intellectual circles during the past 200 years. Thomas Huxley invented the term ‘Agnostic’ in the 1840’s ‘a’ is a negative prefix to ‘Gnostic’ the Greek word for knowledge, so it literally means someone who does not know.

Western Europe, (especially the UK

and France)USA and Canada

Agnosticism is a philosophical perspective,

not a religion. It is impossible to

quantify accurately.

The 1996 and 2001 Canadian censuses showed that the percentage of atheists, agnostics and humanists etc rose from 12.3% to 16.2% so it is a World-View which is increasing in the West, but there is no way of knowing the actual numbers worldwide.

Western Europe, USA and Canada.

Small populations of agnostics are likely to be found in most countries now, especially in intellectual circles.

The Graduate Centre of the City University of New York conducted a study of 50,000 adults in 2001. From this they estimate that there are 991,000 American adults who identify themselves as Agnostic. That is 0.5% of the total population. There are more self-identified Agnostics than Atheists in the USA. In The 1996 Canadian Census counted 21,975 Agnostics.

7



4) Atheism Atheism involves an active rejection of belief in the existence of God. But atheists usually are reacting against a particular cultural concept of God. Epicurus rejected the Gods of Ancient Greece, Fredrich Nietzsche and Karl Marx reacting to the Christianity of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, for example. Mikhail Bakunin (1814–76) was a Russian anarchist and atheist who founded the philosophy known as Nilhism. However Atheism as a conscious ‘faith stance’ is quite a recent concept, probably originating in the late 20th Century.

Western Europe, especially Russia, Germany, France

and England.

A worldwide survey in 2000 by the Gallup polling agency found that 8% do not think there is any spirit, personal God, or life force. The 1996 and 2001 Canadian censuses showed that the percentage of atheists, agnostics and humanists etc rose from 12.3% to 16.2% so it is impossible to give an accurate estimate.

Most atheists are found in the intellectual and anarchistic sections of Western society, especially in the USA. Canada and Western Europe.However the spread of global materialism and idolisation of Western Capitalism means that in other countries atheism is becoming a fashionable attitude among young intellectuals.

8



5) Baha’i Siyyis Ali-Muhammad 1819 – 1850 CE, assumed the title of ‘The Bab,’ (which means ‘The Gate’) On 23rd May 1844 he explained that his mission was to herald a new teacher who would fulfil all the great religions. The Baha’i religion takes this date as its origin. On April 21 1863 Mirza Husayn-Ali-i-Nuri, a prominent member of the ‘Babis’ assumed the title of Baha’u’llah. (This name means Glory to God’ in Arabic) Baha’u’llah is considered to be the main ‘Founder’ of the Baha’i faith.Mirza Husayn-Ali-i-Nuri (1817 – 1892,) was born in Tehran, Iran.

In 1844 Mirza became a leading advocate of the Babi movement, whose founder – the Bab was put to death for ‘dangerous heresy.’ Mirza was imprisoned in Tehran. Here he experienced a series of profound revelations. Exiled from Iran on his release from prison, he lived in Baghdad, (Iraq) Constantinople and Edirne, (Turkey.) Exiled to Acre in August 1868, he wrote his most ‘important work – The Kitab-i-Aqdas there. In the 1870’s he was given freedom to move outside the city and he lived peacefully with his followers until his death on 29th May 1892.

Difficult to give a precise figure, Baha’i

sources estimate 5 million members

worldwide.

About 2.5 million are in India, 140,000 in the USA, 15,000 in Canada, and smaller communities in about 200 other countries.

Baha’i is one of the worlds fastest growing faiths.In Iran, where the religion originated, Baha’is are an important minority but still liable to persecution.

9



6) Buddhism

Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini, (160 km north of Benares, in what was at that time northern India but is now southern Nepal) - in 563 BCE.

A prince of the Shakya kingdom, he left home to seek for the cause of suffering – and a way of overcoming it. After five years he attained enlightenment near the town of Gaya. Now given the title of ‘The Buddha’ – which means The Enlightened One’ - he preached his first sermon in the Deer Park at Samath near Benares and taught for 40 years.

(continued in next column.)

Lumbini, Samath, and many other significant places where the Buddha travelled and taught in India and Nepal ________________________

The Buddha died at Kusinagara aged 80. After his cremation his ashes were buried in monuments called Stupas. (According to most Buddhist chronicles, King Ajatasatu of Magadha and a Brahmin priest named Drona took custody of the Buddha's remains. They divided the relics into eight portions and assigned eight kings the responsibility for building stupas to enshrine the sacred objects in eight different locations in what are today northern India and southern Nepal. These sites, and others which contain his relics, are centres of pilgrimage for Buddhists today.

Estimates vary between

230 and 500million.

Most sources give a

worldwide total of

some 350 million

Top ten countries are Thailand (95%)Cambodia (90%)Myanmar (88%) Bhutan (75%) Sri Lanka (70%) Tibet (65%) Laos (60%) Vietnam (55%) Japan (50%) Macau (45%) and Taiwan (43%)Important minority communities of Buddhists can be found in almost every country including other countries in

Asia,Western Europe, North and South

America, Australasiaand Africa.

10



7) Christianity Jesus was born during the reign of King Herod of Judea. Records show that King Herod died in 4BCE so Jesus must have been born shortly before that date. When Jesus was about 30 years old he began his Ministry. He was crucified about 3 years later. It can be argued that Christianity as a distinct religion began after the death and resurrection of Jesus, about 30 CE, although Christians usually take the date of 0CE, the traditional date given for Jesus’ birth.

Israel/Palestine in the Middle East

Born in Bethlehem, Jesus went to Egypt as a young child when his family fled there as refugees to escape from King Herod. They returned to the village of Nazareth where his parents had lived before going to Bethlehem at the time of his birth. Jesus taught all around the region of Galilee and in Jerusalem, where he was executed by crucifixion.

David B Barretts World Christian Encyclopaedia (1994) gives a figure of 1.9 billion Christians worldwide, and predicts that this figure would increase to 2.1 billion by the year 2000. Christianity is a very diverse religion with some 20,000 different denominations. The largest are Catholic Church 1,050,000,000 members, Eastern Orthodox Churches 225,000,000Anglican Communion (including the Church of England) 73,000,000 and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church 35,000,000.

Christianity is a worldwide religion. Some countries with high percentages of Christians include: Mexico (99%) France (98%) Brazil and Philippines (93%) Italy (90%) United Kingdom (88%)USA 85% Germany (83%) Many other smaller countries have 95 – almost 100% Christian populations and even when the percentage population is low this can represent a huge number of people, for example in China where Christians represent only 5.7% of the population but number over 70 million people.

11



8) Confucianism K’ung Fu Tzu or Confucius as he is called in the West was born in 551BCE, in the state of Lu (today known as Shantung, China. ) He died in 479BCE.

Confucius was an official in the state, deeply concerned with the militarism which dominated China at that time. His philosophy, based on love, compassion and right relationship, led him to be expelled form Li, and he travelled around China with his disciples, on what he believed to be a Heaven ordained Mission, teaching, writing, compiling and editing texts which continue to offer inspiration and guidance some 2,500 years later.

China

(Confucianism is a ‘code of conduct’ rather than a religion and can be lived in syncretism with other religions. Many Confucians are Buddhist or Christian.)

About 6 million,

mostly in China and other parts of Asia. There are small communities in many other countries, mostly within the populations of the Chinese Diaspora, (including some 26,000 in USA)

China, Taiwan and other parts of Asia. There are small communities in many other countries, mostly within the populations of the Chinese Diaspora, (including some 26,000 in USA)

12



9) Hinduism The word Hinduism has its roots in the name of the river Indus. The Indus civilisation is one of the oldest civilisations in the world and Hinduism is believed to have its origins in the religion practised by this ancient Indus Valley Civilisation combined with the Aryan invaders who were nomadic peoples, and all the many and varied tribal and regional ancient cultures and religions of India (the land East of the Indus.)Hinduism has grown organically like a garden from the mists of pre-history. Unique in having no one ‘founder,’ countless sages and saints have added to and shaped the teachings of Hinduism over the millennia, like gardeners inheriting and tending a most beautiful family estate. Such Hindu luminaries can be found in every period of time and those alive today continue to shape and add to the wealth of wisdom and truth that is Hinduism.

Indiain its ancient, geographical area, which

stretches from the Indus

valley in Pakistan to

Myanmar in the east, the Himalayan

mountains in the north and Sri Lanka in

the south.

Hinduism, the faith of more than 860 human beings in

India, and in smaller

communities around the world, largely within the

Indian Diaspora(see below and in next

column.)Europe's largest Hindu population is 1.3-million in the United Kingdom, followed by Holland, 150,000; Germany, 30,000; Spain and Portugal, over 10,000; Switzerland, 8,000; Sweden, 8,000; and Norway, 2,000.

About 80% of India's one billion people consider themselves Hindus; there are perhaps 30 million Hindus elsewhere, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Sizeable minority populations all around the world including. Africa, Australasia, Latin America, the Caribbean, a million in the USA and in Canada and Europe. There are major Hindu populations in South Africa (1,100,000) Tanzania (60,000), Kenya (60,000), Nigeria (30,000) and Zambia (20,000) with significant communities in Zimbabwe, Somalia and Botswana.

13



10) Humanism Humanism began in the Renaissance period in Western Europe (1300 – 1500CE)when intellectuals were re-discovering the Greek and Roman classics in art and literature. Italian Petrarch and Boccacio, English Thomas More and Dutch Erazmus were among the best known of those early humanists.

Early Renaissance Humanism began in Western Europe and

centred on Italy. Humanism grew in importance during the 18th Century European Enlightenment period with the French Voltaire, Diderot and Rouseau – and English Matthew Arnold leading the way.In the early days many Humanists were religious but sincethe mid 20th Century Humanism has become largely associated with non-religious and atheistic perspectives.

Humanism comes under a general ‘umbrella’ heading of ‘Non-Religious groups’ which in some surveys is given a world percentage of about 14% (World Christian Encyclopaedia.) In Britain the British Humanist Association (which is an organisation promoting secular, ethical Humanism and tends towards an atheistic rather than agnostic perspective) has about 50 branches. I can not yet find any reliable statistic for humanists worldwide or in the UK, which is not surprising as it is not a highly structured or organised World-View.

There are Humanist groups in some 60 countries worldwide. The largest and best organised groups are found in Europe and North America, but there are probably independent-minded humanists in most if not all countries.

14



11) Islam The prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was born in Makkah in the year 571 CE. One night in the month of Ramadan in 610 CE Muhammad was praying and meditating in a cave on mount Hira, near Makkah, when an angel appeared to him and commanded him to read or recite. This was the start of revelations which continued for the rest of his life. Commanded to teach the new religion which demanded people turn from their old religious ways and embrace Islam, Muhammad met with strong opposition. In 622CE he left Makkah and went to live in Yathrib, a town to the north, which was renamed as Madinah. This journey is called the Hijra and marks the start of the Muslim calendar. After returning to Makkah in 630, Muhammad returned to Madinah where he died in 632CE at the age of 63.

Makkahand

Madinahin the part of

Arabia now found inSaudi Arabia,

in the Middle East.

1.3 billion worldwide.Sunni Islam – 900,000,000Shi’ite Islam 125,000,000Ahmadiyya 10,000,000American Muslim society 2,000,000And some 1,591,000 (which is 2.7% of the population) in the UK

Top ten largest Muslim populations – Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Turkey, Iran, Egypt, Nigeria, + China.Other countries where the population is more than 50% Muslim include:Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Yemen, Oman, Kuwait, Iraq, Syria, Jordan and in the Middle East, Albania and Bosnia in Europe, Western Sahara, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Lybia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Mauritania in Africa and Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan, in Asia. There are also large minority populations of Muslims in most other countries including UK + USA

15



12) Jainism According to Jain philosophy Lord Mahavir was the 24th and last Tirthankara or Jina of the Jain religion. (A Jina is a spiritual conqueror.) Tirthankaras were born as human beings but attained a state of perfection through God-realisation so they are the ‘gods’ of Jainism.Lord Mahavir was born in 599BCE as Vardhamana, a prince of Bihar, India. At the age of 30 he became a Monk. After 12 years of silence, austerity and meditation he was able to conquer his desires and emotions and achieved realisation. He spent the next 30 years of his life travelling around India teaching. At the age of 72 (527BCE) he died. Unlike the Buddha Mahavira did not start a new religion but reformed and continued the teachings and traditions of Jainism which was a distinct religion already in existence.

Bihar and other places associated with Lord Mahavira and the earlier

Jina in

India

4 million, mostly in India but small communities found in the Indian Diaspora, for example some 25,000 in Britain and 1,500 in Canada

Mostly in India but small communities found in the Indian Diaspora, for example some 1,500 in Canada. In the USA there are Jain Centres in 25 of the 50 States. As with most recent immigrant groups they tend to be in the cities where there are enough Jain families living locally to form and need a Centre.There are about 25,000 Jains in the UK, mostly in families which came from East Africa where there are also sizeable communities among the Asian populations there.

16

NAME OF WORLD-VIEW DATE/PERIOD OF ORIGIN PLACE/S OF ORIGIN NUMBER OF BELIEVERS IN THE WORLD

TODAY


13) Judaism Judaism began when God called Abraham to leave the city of Ur near the Persian Gulf and take his family and flocks to the Holy or Promised Land. Abraham lived in about 1800 BCE.Abraham was followed by his son Isaac and his son Jacob. In Jacob’s time there was a famine and the Jewish people moved to Egypt where they settled but after some time they were treated as slaves. In about 1300BCE God called Moses to be a new prophet and lead his people back to the Holy Land. Tradition tells that it was Moses who collected together the stories found in the first five books of the Hebrew scriptures

In the Middle East

The name Judaism comes from the name of the Middle Eastern kingdom of Judea, part of the land promised to them by God, where the Jews first settled. It is now part ofIsrael and Palestine. ________________________continued from first column

(which were known in oral tradition only until that time) and he wrote them down on the scrolls which are now called the Torah. The first of these books is Genesis – which means ‘In the beginning’ and is a poem about God’s Creation of the world. So Judaism can claim to have its beginnings in the very dawn of creation.

Some

14 million

worldwide

1 USA 5,602,000 2 Israel 4,390,000 3 Russia 1,450,000 4 France 640,000 5 Canada 350,000 6 United Kingdom 320,000 7 Argentina 250,000 8 Brazil 150,000 9 Australia 92,000 10 South Africa 70,000 (including non-religious cultural/ethnic Jews) Source: Ash, Russell. The Top 10 of Everything, DK Publishing, (1997).

Top 5 U.S. States With Highest Proportion of Jews in the Population, 1995Rank State Percent Number 1 New York 9.10% 1,654,000 2 New Jersey 5.50 436,000 3 Florida 4.60 641,000 4 Washington, D.C. 4.50 2,000 5 Massachusetts 4.40 268,000

17


WHERE FOUND IN THE WORLD

TODAY

14) New Age ‘New Age’ is an umbrella term which covers quite a range of communities. On the Internet New Age Resource you find four main areas – ‘Conversation with God’ and

Courses in Miracles, Pagan, Magic, Druid and

Earth Mysteries Astrology, Psychics, UFO’s Alternative Healthcare

Practises.‘New Age’ itself is still exploring what it is and what it stands for. Some members identify with the Theosophical Society which began in the late 19th Century. That is perhaps the ‘oldest’ that ‘New Age’ can claim to be. It is largely a 20th Century development, dating particularly from the 1960’s and ‘Hippie’ experiences, which rejected traditional religions and sought for a new, more earth-centred, naturalistic world-view.–

(continued in next column)

Many New Age members look to the pre-Christian Druid and ‘Pagan’ forms of religion.

For the sake of simplicity I am defining New Age as those who focus on ‘Mother Nature’ in their worship and seek for knowledge and guidance in the ways of Pre-Christian and indigenous societies. This includes those who use crystals and herbal healing methods. Some of these people may be monotheistic, believing in a ‘Great Spirit’ and some may be polytheistic, recognising divinity in all aspects of nature. New Age people are likely to be tolerant of all kinds of differences and see all life as a unity, and human beings as just one part of a beautiful and wondrous Creation, everything sacred and part of the whole transcendental Truth.

Because New Age is such a loosely defined collection of communities there is no way of estimating the numbers. NeoPagans are the most organised group within the New Age ‘family.’ They attempt to recreate and revive the best aspects of pre-Christian polytheistic religion blended with modern humanistic, pluralist and inclusionary ideals. There is a willingness to ‘perform magical as well as spiritual rituals to help both themselves and others.’ Isaac Bonewits, (writing on ahttp://www.neopagan.net) claims that there are hundreds of thousands of Neopagans worldwide. With other types of |New Age community the total number of people is probably over 1 million

New Age is largely a Western

development with the main

communities to be found in the

English speaking

world.The largest

communities appear (from

Internet entries) to be found in

the USA, Canada and

the UK.

18

NAME OF WORLD-VIEW DATE/PERIOD OF ORIGIN PLACE/S OF ORIGIN NUMBER OF BELIEVERS AND WHERE FOUND IN

THE WORLD TODAY

15) Rastafarianism______________________________________________

The Pan-Africanist movement of the late 19th Century was particularly strong in Jamaica. One of the leaders at this time was Robert Love. Many street preachers among the Black communities drew the attention of their listeners to references to Ethiopia in the Old Testament. Alexander Bedward was one of these. He founded a mass movement both in Jamaica and Panama (where many Jamaicans went to find work).The Jamaican Marcus Mosiah Garvey was born in 1887. He started the Universal Negro Improvement Association which soon became a success all over the black world, especially in the USA. Alexander Bedward collapsed his organisation into the UNIA and worked closely with Marcus Garvey, for black dignity, emancipation and self-determination. Garvey preached ‘Back to Africa’ and taught a version of Christianity which championed a strongly black-perspective. He focussed on psalm 68 , ‘Princes shall come out of Egypt, and Ethiopia shall stretch forth his hands to God.’(continued in next column)

Marcus Garvey used the term ‘Ethiopia’ as a metaphor for the whole of Africa. It was the ‘Promised Land’ from which the black community in America and the Caribbean had been exiled. In 1930 Ras Tafari Makonen was crowned Emperor of Ethiopia. He took the name Haile Selassie and the traditional titles given to the Emperor - of ‘King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah.’ A direct descendent of King David and 225th in an unbroken line of Ethiopian kings, from the time of Solomon. Afraid of his anti-Western ideas, Marcus Garvey had been imprisoned and then exiled form the US. He died in England in 1940. But what he had begun was very much alive. A number of preachers in Jamaica, seeing the new Ethiopian king and reading behind his ancestral titles, claimed him as a Christ-figure - the living manifestation of Jah, the all-knowing and all-loving God. These preachers included Leonard Howell, a friend of Garveys, Archibald Dunkley, Joseph Hibbert and Robert Hinds. Most people agree that the pivotal date for the start of Rastafarianism was in 1933 when Howell began to distribute pictures of Haile Selassie and teach his divinity. All the movements for Black Pride, self-determination, Return to Africa, Pan-Africanism etc. Merged into one powerful religious movement. Howell

established a rural community. Outside Kingston called The Pinnacle. Up to 1,500 people lived there following a lifestyle modelled on African village life. In the early ’50’s prominent Rastafarians got together and established many aspects of the religion which are central to it still. Dreadlocks – in the image of the Lion of Judah, the need to live simply and naturally in harmony with nature and to reject ‘Babylon’ (the power structure of the ‘Western’ world which had enslaved their ancestors and dragged them from their Motherland, and which still runs the Western world – including Jamaica in a way which is greedy, dishonest, unjust and oppressive to the common people.) Howell died in about 1960. The Pinnacle was closed but the Rasta message spread throughout the black community especially in Kingston Jamaica. Their joyful energy, the rhythms of Africa, which they use in worship, and their powerful philosophy gave rise to a new genre of music – reggae.

In 1966 Haile Selassie, visited Jamaica, a visit of great religious significance. Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and other leading Rasta reggae musicians carried the message of the Rastafari all over the world through their music. Centres were established in London, NewYork, many places in Africa, throughout the Caribbean, even among the Hopi of Arizona, the Maori of New Zealand, Aboriginal Australians and in Nepal. Six out of ten Jamaicans are Rastafarian or Rastafarian sympathisers.Heile Selassie died in 1975 but the movement continues to grow in strength. There are now more than 1,000,000 Rastafarians worldwide, Rastafarianism signifies righteousness, peace and pride based on prayer and contemplation of the scriptures.

19



17) Shintuism Like Hinduism, the origins of Shintuism are lost in the mists of pre-history. Shintuism is grounded in nature worship and the worship of ‘Kami’ which are divine spirits manifested in natural forces , objects and powerful individuals. The Kami are entities which posses a power which an individual does not have and needs. Shintuism was not recognised as a distinct religion until the rise of other perspectives in China made it necessary to distinguish it from them. The name in Japanese is Kami-no-michi ‘The way of the Gods’ which translated into Chinese as ‘Shintu.’

Shintuism is the ancient indigenous religion of Japan. It is related to the religions of Manchuria, Korea and Siberia.

Contemporary Shintuism reflects historical interactions with Confucianism and Buddhism.

Beginning in the 1700’s Shintuists set out to identify and distinguish their faith and to separate it clearly from Buddhism. This restoration was formalised in 1868 when Shintuism was linked to Japanese nationalism and the Emperor was given the status of Kami. After World War 2 the Emperor renounced his claim to divinity but Shintuism continues to be a thriving religion in Japan and the Japanese Diaspora.

3,000,000Mostly in Japan and

the Japanese Diaspora

20



18) SikhismSikhism was revealed through ten religious teachers called Gurus. The word ‘Sikh’ comes from the Punjabi word meaning ‘to learn. The word Guru is Sanskrit for ‘from darkness to light’ so a Guru is someone who brings his followers from the darkness of ignorance and confusion to the light of Truth. The first was Guru Nanak (1469 – 1539) Nanak was born into a Hindu family in Talwandi, Northwest India. As a child he was exceptionally wise and interested in spiritual rather than material riches.At the age of 30 had a profound experience which changed his life completely. While bathing he disappeared, returning after 3 days. At first he couldn’t speak, and when he did he said simply,

(continued in next column

‘There is no Muslim, there is no Hindu. There is only God and the glory of his name.’ Nanak said that he had been taken into Heaven and brought to God’s Throne. God gave him a chalice and said, ‘This is the Cup of my Name. Drink it.’ From that day Nanak was given the title ‘Guru.’Guru Nanak set out to preach the truth that he had been given.In about 1520 he settled in Kartpur where he established the first Sikh community. Shortly before his death he appointed one of his followers - Lehna – to succeed him, and gave him the name Angad which means ‘part of me.’ He was the second Guru. Guru Angad (1504 – 52) Collected and wrote down many of Guru Nanak’s hymns and teachings. He was succeeded by Guru Amar Das (3rd Guru)(1479 – 1574) made his headquarters at Goindwal and established the kitchen or langar.

(continued in next column.)

Talwandi is now in Pakistan and has been renamed Nankana Sahib in Guru Nanak’s honour.

where everyone could eat together as part of the worship.Guru Ram Das (1534 – 81) (4th Guru) founded the Holy city of Amritsar and composed many beautiful hymns. In 1581 he appointed his son to succeed him. Guru Arjan (1563 – 1606), (the 5th Guru,) completed building Amritsar, including the famous Golden Temple. He collected more of the earlier Guru’s hymns and writings into a book called the Adi Granth. Until this time the Sikhs had enjoyed the support of the Muslim Emperor Akbar

20,000,000 worldwide18,000,000 India (of which 11,000,000 are in the Punjab)490,000 in Europe (of which 400,000 are in the UK)

but when he died and was succeeded by Jahangir the situation deteriorated. When Jahangir ordered him to remove some hymns from the Adi Granth he refused and he was put to death..The 6th – 10th Gurus were –Guru Hargobind (1595-1644 Often called ‘The Warrior Guru’ Hargobind chose to wear two swords, after his father’s martyrdom, one representing the struggle for spiritual truth and the other for justice in the outer world. He encouraged Sikhs to be ready to fight for their rights and for the rights of all oppressed people.Guru Har Rai (1630 – 61)He continued the military training of Sikhs and set up free medical care for the sick.

250,000 in USA200,000 in Canada50,000 in Malasia36,000 in East Africa12,000 in Australia_____________________________________Guru Har Krishan (1656 – 64) Only five years old when he became the Guru, he died aged eight, from smallpox.Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621 – 75) He lived during a period of religious persecution. He led the Sikhs to fight for the right to worship, was captured and killed.Guru Gobind Singh (1666- 1775.) - Much of his life was spent in leading Sikhs to fight for their religion. In Anandpur at Baisakhi in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh called for any Sikhs who were prepared to live and die for their faith. Five men went forward. They were the first of the Khalsa or community of dedicated Sikhs (with the surname Singh and Kaur) Guru Gobind revised the Adi Granth and gave this book the status of a living Guru.

21



19) Taoism The original source of Taoism is said to be the ancient I Ching ‘Book of Changes’ The primary figures in Taoism are Lao-Tze (604 – 531 BCE.) and Chuang Tzu. Lao-Tze was a contemporary of Confucius and sought a way of life which would bring peace and harmony to society. His book Tao-te-ching is a philosophy and psychology and also may record earlier wisdom from Chinese Oral Tradition. Taoism evolved into a religious faith in 440 CE when it was adopted as State religion and Taoism became one of the three great religions of China. With the end of the Ch’ing dynasty in 1911 state support ended. After the Communist victory in 1949 and during the ‘Cultural Revolution’ of 1966-1976 much of the Taoist heritage was destroyed. Temples were confiscated and several million monks reduced to fewer than 50,000.

China About 20,000,000

Mostly in Taiwan(Several million still in China where there is more religious tolerance at the present time, with small communities within the Chinese Diaspora including about 50,000 in USA, 7,000 in Latin America and 1,720 in Canada.)Taoism is widely influential in the West through its development of acupuncture, herbalism, holistic medicine and martial arts.)

22


WHERE FOUND IN

THE WORLD TODAY

16) Traditional or Indigenous

I am using the term `Traditional or Indigenous´as an umbrella title for all those communities around the world which still practise their ancient religion, dating back thousands of years. The only exception to this is in the case of the Australian Aboriginal people who have a well-documented culture and religion which is quite distinct. The Native American peoples are an excellent example of this category, as well as the Mayan communities in South America, and the Siberian and Mongolian Shamanists. (A Shaman is the ‘priest’ or spiritual leader of the tribe. He or she is able to interpret the cause of sickness, lack of hunting success etc. A Shaman can enter into a trance so that his soul can travel and see the cause of problems in the tribe and how to cure them. A Shaman may allow a spirit to occupy his (or her) body during ceremonies, to bring new wisdom or healing to the tribe.)There is a recent interest in Shamanism, similar to the Neo-Pagan movement but this development I would categorise under ‘New Age. In my definition genuine Traditional or Indigenous peoples are restricted to the cultures where the community has practised in this way for many thousands of years.

Research suggests that some form of Shamanism is the natural religion of pre-historic tribal peoples who lived close to nature by hunting, fishing and gathering food. For example, The cave-paintings in Europe, created by stone-age peoples some 30,000 years ago include ‘deer-men’ (half human and half deer) which may be an illustration of a Shaman communing with the Deer Spirit. The parts of the world where genuine Shamanism is still practised are on the fringes of the industrialised world, particularly in Siberia and Mongolia, in the rain-forests of South America and among some tribes of Native American peoples. Many of the isolated tribes in Africa (the Bushmen and Forest peoples for example,) and tribes in isolated parts of India and SouthEast Asia may also still follow their own unique form of Shamanism.

What I term `Traditional or Indigenous´is sometimes called ‘Shamanism,’ ‘Tribal Religions’ ‘Ethnic Religions’ and ‘Primal-indigenous’ (It is listed under the title ‘Primal-indigenous’ in the statistics given by ‘Adherents.com’) which quotes

figuresranging from100 million to244 million.

Clearly these people belong tomany very different tribes and communities and include many very different ‘world views.’

On the fringes of the industrialised world, particularly in Siberia and Mongolia, in the rain-forests of South America and among some tribes of Native American peoples. Isolated tribes in Africa, India and SouthEast Asia may also still follow their own kinds of Shamanistic religion today.

23

NAME OF WORLD-VIEW DATE/PERIOD OF ORIGIN PLACE OF

ORIGIN

NUMBER IN THE WORLD TODAY


20) Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrians are also known as Parsis

Founded by Zarathushtra who was born somewhere along the Oxus river, in (modern-day Iran) Persia: (His name is Zoroaster in Greek and Zarthosht in India and Persia). Like Abraham, the great Jewish prophet, he lived on the edge of historical time. Zoroastrians and scholars can’t be sure of his exact dates but it is likely that he slightly pre-dates Abraham, having lived close to 2000 BCE. (Some sources give 6000BCE others say that he writes more in the style of 1500 BCE. While drawing water at age 30, Zarathushtra had a shining vision. A being calling itself Vohu Manah ("Good Purpose") appeared to him and took him into the presence of Ahura Mazda. Zarathushtra then received a revelation that Ahura Mazda was the single, eternal, and moral creator God. Zarathushtra joined a different tribe. He taught monotheism in a time when most people followed ancient indigenous polytheism. His own people rejected his teaching, but he and his message won the favour of the prince, Vishtaspa, who was able to defend the growing new religion. As king of Persia Vishtaspa made Zoroastrianism the state religion until Arabs invaded Persia in 650CE and the land became part of the great Muslim empire which stretched from Spain to India. A small number of Zoroastrians fled to India and in Iran only some 18,000 have survived the centuries of persecution.

Persia

now

Iran.

About 140,000 World-

wide

Mostly in India, (about 97,000) andIran, (about 18,00) mainly in Yazd, Keman and Tehran,

There are smaller populations in the wider Asian Diaspora including about 10,000 in Europe, 7,000 in the USA, 3,500 in Canada,1,500 in Australiaand 1,000 in Africa.Another Website gives the following statistics - At most, there are 200,000 Zoroastrians worldwide; 15,000 of whom live in North America (Melton, 837). Rashna Writer lists their numbers at under 150,000 (Writer, 245).

24

21 Other PerspectivesIn selecting the twenty World-Views outlined above I have tried to cover as many perspectives as possible, hoping that everyone will be able to find their ‘spiritual background’ or religious identity, their ‘place’ in the world of religion among the pages. However I know that there are some perspectives that I have not covered. For example,

The Mormons or Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter Day Saints, the Church of Scientology, Seventh Day Adventists and Jehovah’s Witnesses are linked to Christianity but have beliefs and practises which are unlike other Christian denominations. The Gypsy or Roma peoples in Europe practise their own distinct faith, at times embraced by Christianity or Islam but often relating more closely to its ancient roots within Hinduism.

Some people are sincerely seeking for spiritual truth but they do not follow a particular Path or religion. They are sometimes called Religious Seekers, but I prefer the term ‘Spiritual Aspirants.’

Sri ChinmoyThe Parliament of Worlds Religions has been opened in recent years by a silent meditation, led by Sri Chinmoy. There are some people who through their own spiritual height and realisation embrace in their World-View every religion and none. Their entire lives embody the ideal of Inter Faith understanding. Sri Chinmoy belongs to this category. He calls his ‘religion’ ‘Love of God’ and it includes everyone alive, everyone who has ever lived and everyone who will ever live in this world. I will not try to explain his position but rather select some passages from his books which illustrate his perspective. I am sure that the following extracts from Sri Chinmoy’s writings will strike a chord with members of other religions and traditions. The truths which the different World-Views share in common arise from our common Source and shared humanity.

During an interview at Heiligenkreuz Monastery in Switzerland in 1989, when asked about his religion, Sri Chinmoy answered,

‘Up until the age of eleven, I was raised as a Hindu. Then I went to a spiritual community (The Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicheri, south India) where I prayed and meditated most sincerely and soulfully. After a few years I went beyond the boundaries of any one particular religion and said, “Now I have only my sincere love of God.” Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam and all the other religions are like houses. Everybody is born in a particular house. But after a time we leave our house and go out into the world and mix with our brothers and sisters. If anybody now asks me what my religion is I will not say Hinduism. I will say that my religion is my constant, conscious and sleepless love of God. Our love of God is the living breath in us, and that is the one universal religion.’The following extracts from his book ‘Wings of Joy’ may help to illustrate Sri Chinmoy’s philosophy of love, devotion and surrender to God.

‘.....We are all seekers and our goal is the same; to achieve inner peace, light and joy, to become inseparably one with our Source and to lead lives full of satisfaction.’

26

‘.......We have to make God a living reality in our day-to-day lives. We have to accept the world as it is. If we do not accept something, how are we going to transform it?...’‘....One can practise spirituality irrespective of which religion one belongs to. Religion may be compared to a house. You may live in one house and I may live in another house. Although we live in different houses, we both want to learn the same subject, which is God-realisation. So we both go to the same school....’‘.....A true spiritual seeker will have the deepest respect and utmost reverence for all religions. We can treasure all religions and claim them as our very own. Each religion is like a branch of the God-Tree. How can we deny the value of the branches when we accept the tree as our very own. Each religion is right, absolutely right, in its own way. But when we cry for the highest Truth, love of God becomes our only religion. True spirituality will not demand the renunciation of any religion. If you remain in your religion and practise the spiritual life, you will be able to run very fast toward the goal. Your own religion will give you the constant confidence in what you are doing. Again, you may feel the need to transcend religion. In either case, your goal is to realise God who embodies all religions and, at the same time, is far above them....‘....I feel it is through prayer, meditation and dedicated service that world peace can take place. Each individual has to try to make others happy, for it is only through happiness that we can have peace. If we can offer happiness to someone lovingly and sincerely, then that person will have only goodwill toward us. So from happiness we get peace and from peace we get happiness. The two are inseparable....‘....Life is nothing but the expansion of love. We can cultivate divine love by entering into the Source. The Source is God, who is all Love. We must try to love all of humanity with the inner awareness, consciousness and conviction that inside each individual is the living presence of God....

In a lecture at the United Nations, where he offered bi-weekly peace meditations for over 30 years, Sri Chinmoy affirmed,

‘Right now fear, doubt, anxiety, tension and disharmony are reigning supreme. But there shall come a time when this world of ours will be flooded with peace. Who is going to bring about this radical change? It will be you: you and your brothers and sisters... you and your oneness-heart, which is spread throughout the length and breadth of the world.’

‘Try not to change the world. You will fail.Try to love the world. Lo, the world is changed, Changed forever.

Sri Chinmoy has written thousands of spiritual poems to express his vision and philosophy. I include here just one poem The Absolute´´ which he wrote while still in his teens as it offers a rare insight into what is meant by God-realisation, perhaps the best basis for real spiritual authority. I feel that the poem speaks for itself as justification for my decision to give some space to Sri Chinmoy´s work here – rather than that of so many other great spiritual figures of today.

27

I would love to include more but time is limited and the scope of a collection like this does not allow for a wider survey. All I can say is that there is a great richness of wisdom and spiritual insight to be found – both within and beyond the traditional religions. The quest for spiritual truth is a life-long adventure. I wish you well in it.

The Absolute

No mind, no form, I only exist:Now ceased all will and thought.The final end of Nature´s dance;

I am It whom I have sought.

A realm of Bliss bare, ultimate,Beyond both knower and known.

A rest immense I enjoy at last;I face the One alone.

I have crossed the secret ways of life;I have become the Goal.

The Truth immutable is revealed;I am the way, the God-Soul.

My spirit aware of all the heights, I am mute in the core of the Sun.

I barter nothing with time and deeds;My cosmic play is done.

----------------- Sri Chinmoy

28

Appendix

Sri Chinmoy Opens the Parliament of World’s Religions http://www.yogachicago.com/sep04/parliament.shtml

Barcelona – International world harmony leader Sri Chinmoy opened the week-long Parliament of World’s Religions in Barcelona with silent meditation and a performance of his peace-filled music on the esraj, an ancient Indian stringed instrument. The Parliament is the world’s greatest gathering of religious and spiritual leaders………

The planners of the Council for the Parliament officially asked Sri Chinmoy to lead the opening of this momentous event in silence as a “perfect entry for participants into the Parliament experience,” adding, “We can think of no one better to do it than you.” This was the fourth such Parliament ever held, and Sri Chinmoy’s second time to offer the silent opening. Sri Chinmoy also offered the opening meditation at the 100th anniversary of the original Parliament, held in Chicago in 1993.

The first Parliament took place in the magnetic presence of the immortal Swami Vivekananda in Chicago in 1893. The Parliament of World Religions in Barcelona is one of the largest events that took place during the five-month Universal Forum for Cultures in the beautiful Spanish city.

29

http://www.yogachicago.com/sep04/parliament.shtml

Attitudes to Other Faiths

We have seen that someone who belongs to a particular World-View may have an EXCLUSIVIST OR PLURALIST view of other perspectives on life.

AN EXCLUSIVIST view is one which regards all other religions, World-Views and often even other denominations of the same faith, with suspicion. An exclusivist believes that their particular belief system is the only true way of approaching Truth.

A PLURALIST outlook in contrast is found when someone believes that no one religion or faith perspective holds the monopoly on Truth and God is revealing ‘Himself’ through all the different religions and World-Faiths, in `His´own inimitable Way.

HINDUISM is doctrinally a Pluralistic religion, but there are some small-minded Hindus who can be quite intolerant of different sections of Hindu society, never mind different religions. The names India and Hinduism were given by people who lived outside India. It is derived form the name of the river Indus which flows through Pakistan and delineates the Western boundary of the region of India. Hinduism’s own name for itself is Sanatana Dharma, the Eternal Code of Life, and is absolutely all-inclusive.

BUDDHISM is similarly generous in its view of other religions. An Exclusivist Buddhist might think Buddhism is the best religion and regard themselves as blessed and fortunate to have been born Buddhist, but the philosophy of ‘loving kindness’ extends to all forms of life so most Buddhists are happy to work together with those from other faiths and are strongly Pluralist in perspective.

SIKHISM is the only religion I know of in which one of the Founding Fathers (Guru Arjan (1563 - 1606), the 5th Guru,) actually accepted martyrdom as much in defence of the rights of Hindus as of his own religion. Sikhism is full of stories and anecdotes which teach the importance of real respect and appreciation of other religions and the Guru Granth Sahib is the only Holy Book I know of which incorporates the writings and hymns from other religions as well as its own. (In Christianity the Jewish Scriptures are included as the Old Testament of the Bible, but these are seen only in relation to their fulfilment in the Messiah’s birth as Jesus.)

ISLAM was revealed at a time when the Arab tribes were worshipping many different deities. By teaching the unity of God and the intrinsic ´brotherhood´ (and sisterhood) of all Muslims, irrespective of race or social status, Islam was a real force for unity and peace. There are many passages in the Qurán which are deeply appreciative of the ‘People of the Book.’ (at first Judaism welcomed Islam

30

warmly. It was only when the new teachings contradicted some very basic Jewish beliefs and traditions that any kind of conflict arose. The Jewish opposition to Islam was the natural response of an ancient and well-structured religious tradition defending its identity and principles.) There are numerous stories about Muhammad which illustrate the depth of his compassion and respect for other religions and it is completely against the teachings of Islam to try to force someone to convert to Islam. Sufi Islam, Ismaili Islam amd many other branches of Islam are absolutely pluralistic, while many Muslims, including leading scholars and Sunni and Shiite Muslims are fully committed to Interfaith work. The small minority of vocal and extreme Exclusivist Muslims are absolutely unrepresentative of true Islam.

CHRISTIANITY in its early days suffered from persecution, especially by the Romans. But this experience did not prevent it developing its own narrow and intolerant attitude. There is a sad history of persecution by the Christian churches which dates back to the days of the Inquisition and the Religious Crusades. However that picture has been changing fast. Some denominations such as the Quakers have had a strongly Pluralistic attitude from their inception and most major denominations including Roman Catholic, Anglican and Methodist are now committed to Interfaith work. Exclusivist attitudes in some denominations and aggressive missionary work can still cause tension between Christianity and other faiths, so there is still a long way to go.

The Chinese World-views, including TAOISM and CONFUCIANISM tend to be Pluralistic

It is interesting to see that the more recent revelations, such as BAHA’I and NEW AGE movements have an intrinsically Pluralist approach and see any kind of prejudice such as religious intolerance and racism as quite unacceptable. These too are at the forefront of Interfaith co-operation.

31

Interfaith Philosophy

The Interfaith Movement in the 20th Century by Marcus Braybrooke - (Author, Trustee of he International Interfaith Centre, World Congress of Faiths, Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions, and the Peace Council.)- some extracts:Shaping the Present RealityOne hundred years ago, Charles Bonney, who presided at the World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago, ended his closing address like this: "Henceforth the religions of the world will make war, not on each other, but on the giant evils that afflict mankind." Sadly, religions have failed to fulfil that hope. Yet this century, for all its catastrophic wars and acts of genocide, has also seen the growth of a worldwide interfaith movement. Before trying to discern the path ahead, it is worth pausing to see what has been achieved.

The Study of World ReligionsThe World's Parliament of Religions gave an impetus to the emerging study of world religions. While such study is an academic discipline in its own right, it has greatly increased awareness of the teachings and practices of world religions at every level. This century has seen an enormous increase in knowledge about world religions. Books, films, and videos are widely available. This study has helped to provide accurate information about the religions of the world. Even so, much ignorance and prejudice still exists.

Knowledge may not of itself create sympathy. Opportunities for personal meeting and friendship are important to dispel prejudice and to encourage real understanding. Many interfaith groups attach much importance to providing opportunities for young people to meet. Often they discover that they face similar problems and that in every society many young people are questioning all religions. They may also discover how much people of all faiths can do together to work for a better world.Organizations for Interfaith UnderstandingNo continuing organisation emerged from the 1893 World's Parliament of Religions. At first slowly and recently more rapidly, interfaith groups have been established in many places. Some are quite small, meeting in a home. Members get to know each other and learn about each other's beliefs and practices. Sometimes members pray together or share in social or peace work. Other interfaith organisations are national bodies and some are international, seeking to co-ordinate global interfaith concern. By 1993, the established international interfaith organisations were the International Association for Religious Freedom, the World Congress of Faiths, the Temple of Understanding, and the World Conference on Religion and Peace.Those who take part in interfaith bodies seek for a bond between religious believers, despite the differences of belief and practice between and within the great religions. The interfaith organisations all reject syncretism, which implies an artificial mixing of religions, and indifferentism, which suggests that it does not matter what you believe. None of these organisations are trying to create one new world religion.

32

The interfaith organisations accept that most of their members will be loyal and committed members of a particular faith community. Respect for the integrity of other peoples' faith commitment and religious practices is essential. A few members of interfaith organisations may have no specific allegiance and describe themselves as seekers. While aware of the distinctiveness of the world religions, members of interfaith organisations hope that some basis of unity exists or may be discovered, although the nature of the relationship of religions to each other is still much debated. For some people the unity rests upon our common humanity; for others there is an essential agreement between religions on moral values. For others there is a mystical unity, by which they mean that religious experience is ultimately the same and that differences are a matter of culture and language; others hope that through dialogue religions will come closer together and grow in their understanding of the Truth. Others stress the need of religious people to work together for peace and justice and the relief of human suffering; for some, it is enough that there should be tolerance and respect, without bothering about questions of truth. All these shades of opinion and many more are reflected within interfaith organisations, which have generally avoided trying to define the relationship of religions. For them, the search for understanding and co-operation is urgent in itself.In their early years the international interfaith organisations tended to stress what united religious believers. Now, with greater trust and knowledge, equal emphasis is given to appreciating the distinctive contribution each faith-and the various traditions within each faith-make to human awareness of the Divine. Increasingly, those who occupy leadership roles in the various religious communities have begun to take an active part in interfaith organisations, whereas at first the initiative lay with inspired individuals. It has taken a long time to erode the traditional suspicion and competition between religions-and it still persists, especially in the problems created by aggressive missionary work. The main brake on the growth of interfaith understanding has been the conservatism of religious communities. Happily, now, those at the leadership level in many religious traditions recognise the vital importance of inter-religious co-operation.

Peace through ReligionAttempts to bring together people of different religions to promote peace date back to the early part of this century. Even so, the first Assembly of the World Conference on Religion and Peace did not meet until 1970....

It is difficult to evaluate the power of prayer, but certainly remarkable changes have recently taken place in the world scene, especially since the first World Day of Prayer for Peace at Assisi in 1986. Each year some people of all religions join in The Week of Prayer for World Peace. Special days of prayer are held to mark human rights anniversaries and for particular areas of conflict. Many people regularly repeat the Universal Prayer for Peace:"Lead me from death to life, from falsehood to truth.Lead me from despair to hope, from fear to trust;

Lead me from hate to love, from war to peace.Let peace fill our heart, our world, our universe."

33

Religious Institutions Engage in DialogueOften those who have pioneered the search for good relations between religions have faced misunderstanding and even hostility in their own faith community. They have been accused of compromising or watering-down the distinctive beliefs of their own religion. In fact, however, most pioneers witness that learning about other religions has helped them appreciate their own more deeply.Slowly the value of interfaith dialogue has become more widely recognised.In the Christian world, in 1966, The Second Vatican Council's decreeNostra Aetate transformed the Catholic Church's attitude to people of other religions. A Secretariat for non-Christians was established, which is now called The Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue. At much the same time, The World Council of Churches established a Unit for Dialogue with People of Living Faiths (now the Office on Inter-Religious Relations.) ....Some other religions now have agencies to encourage dialogue; these include the International Jewish Committee on Inter-Religious Consultations and the World Muslim League's office for inter-religious affairs.Clearly, official dialogue has a character of its own. Participants have some representative role. Much of the work is to remove misunderstanding and build up good relations, as well as encouraging practical co-operation on moral issues and social concerns. More speculative discussion about questions of "truth" may be inappropriate...

Some Leading Interfaith Organisations

Network of International Interfaith OrganisationsIn March 2001, IIC convened a meeting in Oxford for representatives from 14 international interfaith organisations to discuss enhanced communication and co-operation.Delegates came from

¨ The Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions, International Association for Religious Freedom, International Interfaith Centre, Interfaith Youth Core, Millennium World Peace Summit for religious and Spiritual Leaders, Minorities of Europe, Peace Council, Temple of Understanding, United Nations Spiritual Forum for World Peace Initiative, United Religions Initiative, World Conference on Religion and Peace,

34

World Congress of Faiths, World Faiths Development Dialogue, and World Fellowship of Inter-religious Councils.

Invited facilitators and resource persons came from the World Interfaith Congress, Soul for Europe, Interfaith Network of the UK, and the Alliance for a Responsible, Plural and United World.

There was also agreement to produce a combined information leaflet <networkfolder%20jan%2004.pdf>, to keep each other informed about planned programmes etc through a common calendar, and to keep in touch through an ongoing e-group.In August 2002, representatives met in Budapest and in September 2003, we met again in Oxford.The network organisations will meet next informally in Barcelona at the Parliament of World Religions and again for a full network meeting in Oxford in early 2005International Interfaith Centre,2 Market Street, Oxford, OX1 3EF, UK Tel: 44(0)1865 202745; Fax 44(0)1865 202746

International Interfaith Centre - HistoryThe International Interfaith Centre was inaugurated in Oxford, UK on 6 December1993, inspired by the 1993 Year of Interreligious Understanding and Cooperation. As a result of the increasing amount and variety of interfaith activity around the world, it was perceived that a need could be met by an international, interfaith centre which was informed about all these different efforts and able to encourage continuing interfaith understanding and cooperation. A Trust was established by the two oldest international interfaith organizations, the International Association for Religious Freedom <http://www.iarf-religiousfreedom.net> (IARF) and the World Congress of Faiths <http://www.worldfaiths.org>, together with Westminster College, Oxford, which had a highly regarded Department of Theology and the Study of Religions. IIC's VisionIIC facilitates networking, encounter, education and research between religious and spiritual individuals, organisations, and communities throughout the world.

35

IIC promotes international interfaith activity to:-Create understanding and harmony between people of diverse faith traditions -Identify positive models to support cooperation, peacebuilding and human rights -Address global critical issues -Contribute to conflict transformationIIC initiates projects, conferences, seminars, publications and consultancies to further these aims and encourage the peaceful and harmonious engagement of religious and secular people in our world.

INTERFAITH VOICES FOR PEACE & JUSTICE is a communications network for faith-based activist groups.

Our network provides a variety of ways that representatives from these groups can interact with one another in the search for a common peace and justice agenda. We believe that the fundamental principles of most religions have much in common, and that these principles can provide a foundation for enlightened social action.

The Interfaith Alliance Foundation.We are The Interfaith Alliance and The Interfaith Alliance Foundation. Founded in 1994 by an interfaith group of religious leaders, we work to promote interfaith cooperation around shared religious values to strengthen the public’s commitment to the American values of civic participation, freedom of religion, diversity, and civility in public discourse and to encourage the active involvement of people of faith in the nation’s political life. We are local religious leaders and activists, some with years of political experience, some just starting out. We work in our communities, in state capitals, in Washington, DC and wherever else our voice is needed. Our 150,000 members across the nation represent diverse religious and spiritual traditions - Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs - 70 faith traditions in all, as well as many Agnostics and Atheists. In Washington, DC, our national office works on Capitol Hill and with the White House, in coalition with denominational bodies and other activist organisations to make sure our unique message is communicated when and where it matters most. Our 47 local Alliances are active in their communities on local issues, carrying The Interfaith Alliance message to decision-makers, the media, and the public at large.

36

Minorities of Europe

BackgroundIn 1995 the Council of Europe convened a conference in Slovakia entitled ‘All Different, All Equal’. They brought together at this conference youth leaders from across Europe who were working with young people from the ethnic minority communities. Delegates recognised the need for an organisation which would promote minority youth issues, promoting mutual understanding, speaking for and serving the needs of the young people from minority groups across Europe.At first those interested in this worked from home. They discussed what kind of organisation they would like to establish and what kind of role it would have but they got together again in 1997, this time in Izmat in Turkey. Here they chose the name for their organisation - ‘Minorities of Europe’ - and worked out the constitution. Since that time they have been exploring a variety of ways in which they can contribute to the education and empowerment of young people from minority groups.As the new millennium approached, ‘Minorities of Europe’ considered how they could best celebrate the event. They decided to hold a conference for some 350 young people from across Europe. This was entitled “Values have no boundaries - action for the Millennium.” This conference was held in Coventry and it brought together delegates aged between 16 and 25, not just from different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds but also from other minority backgrounds such as gay, lesbian and disabled young people. There were workshops on many different issues and it was a great success.

In August 2001 the United Nations convened the Third World Conference on Racism. This was held in South Africa and ‘Minorities of Europe’ recognised its importance and relevance to the lives and experiences of the young people that they represent. They took 15 young people from Birmingham, Leicester and Coventry to South Africa for this conference and on their return these young delegates created an exhibition - “Respect, Not Tolerance” which has toured the UK, Europe and the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

In Britain other events were occurring at this time which were focussing attention on the need for improved community relations and mutual understanding. The riots in Oldham, Bradford and Burnley showed only too starkly what can happen when minority groups become polarised. ‘Minorities in Europe’ recognised the problem and took action. After the report on the riots came out in 2001 they organised a conference for 150 young people, aged between 16 and 25, who came from the cities which had been affected by the disturbances. This was entitled “Beyond Labels” and held in Leicester. It was attended by some of the politicians and ministers responsible for taking action to try to solve the problems which had led to the violence. Ted Cantle, author of the report on the riots was also there. The young people were able to talk frankly about their experiences and explore ways of getting away from stereotypical views which cause the barriers and ferment that kind of inter-community conflict.

37

Out of this experience ‘Minorities Of Europe’ has devised a programme called ‘Swapping Cultures’ which is flexible enough to be organised for any kind of group and setting. It takes young people through four stages of action, beginning with simple ice-breaking paired activities, teaching listening, communicating and reflective skills and finally requiring the participants to work together as a group to celebrate their diversity. It is a powerful and effective tool for developing self-confidence and mutual respect.

Since that time ‘Minorities of Europe’ has continued with this Programme and others which similarly confront prejudices and encourage an appreciation and celebration of diversity.

In 2004 ‘The Council for the Parliament of the World’s Religions’ (CPWR) will be holding a conference in Barcelona. These conferences of world religions are held once every four to five years and are widely recognised as the ‘Olympics’ of the global Interfaith movement. The coming conference has attracted a lot of interest and is being enthusiastically supported by ‘The Universal Forum of Cultures’ and ‘The UNESCO Centre of Catalonia.’ The Minorities of Europe’ has also recognised its importance and significance for the young people that they represent.

Introduction to this Project:The ‘Minorities in Europe’ has set up a project entitled ‘Sharing the Sacred - Serving the World’. This aspires to build on the existing level and quality of interfaith dialogue and action in the United Kingdom, using the CPWR Conference as a resource. With its own unique focus on young people from diverse backgrounds ‘Minorities of Europe’ aims to enhance awareness of the positive roles that different faiths play, when they work together to address real world issues such as war, poverty, health and education. They aim to achieve this goal by offering young people from diverse cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds the chance to creatively participate in the CPWR Conference ‘Pathways to Peace: The Wisdom of Listening, The Power of Commitment’,

The UK is host to the most religiously diverse population in the European Union. There are teachings within all the world faiths that promote equality and respect for others. Theoretically this should translate into excellent community relations, but through fear of difference, ignorance and lack of understanding, religion is too often instead, associated with hostility, giving rise to stereotypes based on racist attitudes and xenophobia. This causes discrimination and unfair treatment on the basis of race, culture and religion. In consequence a significant number of people in Britain are excluded from important areas of society and live restricted and fearful lives.’

The importance of making young people aware of - and including them in - interfaith activities should not be underestimated. In light of recent events, at both global and local levels, it is becoming of ever increasing importance that young people recognise that relations between different faiths can be positive - and not merely a factor contributing to intercultural conflict. A co-operative relationship between faiths can in fact facilitate peace, a fundamental theme of the 2004 Parliament.

38

The Parliament of World’s Religions

The World's Parliament of Religions, Chicago, 1893The World's Parliament of Religions was held as part of the World Fair or Columbian Exposition which marked the four hundredth anniversary of Columbus' "discovery" of America. The word "Parliament" was chosen to emphasize that participants of all religions were equal, but, in fact, the body had no executive or legislative authority. It reflected the optimism and self-confidence characteristic of the USA towards the end of the nineteenth century.Most of the participants were Christian from a wide spectrum of denominations. Their presuppositions permeated the gathering. Yet the contribution made by those of other faiths, although their number was small, was very significant.The World's Parliament of Religions gave much attention to the contribution of religion to peace and social issues. Women were encouraged to play quite a part at the Parliament-more so than at most subsequent interfaith gatherings.

The mission of the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions is to cultivate harmony between the world's’ religious and spiritual communities and foster their engagement with their world and its other guiding institutions in order to achieve a peaceful just, and sustainable world.

The World Parliament <../../p/pa/parliament.html> of Religions <../../r/re/religion.html> is an interfaith conference that was first held in Chicago <../../c/ch/chicago__illinois.html> in 1893 <../../1/18/1893.html>. This was the first major interfaith conference in recorded history, bringing together eastern and western spiritual leaders to learn about and with each other.

The World’s Parliament of Religions of 1893 was organised by the Unitarians and Universalists of the Free Religious Association.

The second Parliament of the World's Religions was held in Chicago August 28 - Sept. 5, 1993. At the latter meeting it was decided to hold a Parliament every five years, and in 1998 <../../1/19/1998.html> one was

convened in Cape Town <../../c/ca/cape_town.html>, South Africa <../../s/so/south_africa.html>. In 1999 the Parliament of the World's Religions was held in South Africa December 1st - December 8th.

The 2004 Parliament of World’s Religions in Barcelona is entitled Pathways to Peace: The Wisdom of Listening, The Power of Commitment.

39

Bishop McLeod Baker Ochola 11 and the Acholi Teligious Leaders Peace Initiative (ARLPI) a multi-faith peace group in Northern Ugsnda, win the |Paul Carus Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Interreligious Movement

John Henry Barrows Preface to Chicago POWR in 1893 (full text is excellent) International interreligious gatherings are rare opportunities for people of faith and spirit to find inspiration and renewal and

to forge new pathways to peace. EarthSpirit, one of the 125 co-sponsoring groups, participated in 1999, adding nature spirituality to the paths taking part in

the conversation: This year, in July of 2004 another Parliament is being held in Barcelona, Spain. Again, EarthSpirit is a sponsor and will

participate through networking and offering presentations both by individuals and by MotherTongue.

Sri Ramakrishna’s ModelsSri Ramakrishna lived in Bengal, India, in the mid 1800’s. He was a saint, (Hindus claim him as an Avatar or direct incarnation of God, like Sri Krishna, the Buddha and Christ.) His experiences and Message are particularly relevant to the Interfaith movement since he approached God first as a Hindu devotee of Ma Kali, then as a Sufi Muslim and finally as a Christian. In this way he experienced first hand and experientially that all the religions offer true paths to the Absolute. He was perhaps the first and best true Interfaith luminary. Sri Ramakrishna used images to help explain the oneness of religion. Two of these models or images follow here:

The Beautiful LakeSri Ramakrishna compared God to the water in a lake. Travellers could approach the lake from various directions. One might traverse first a desert and then a range of mountains to reach the lake. On returning home after many months, he would describe the nature and beauty of the lakeside scenery he had discovered. He would share with his tribe the precious life-giving water he had brought home. He would give his people directions to follow so that they in turn could go to the lake to feast on the beauty, swim in the pure water and drink its water to their hearts content, for themselves.

In a similar way travellers would approach the lake from other directions and cross very different terrain to reach it. On their return they would describe the lakeside scenery that they discovered and give directions for their people to follow which bore no resemblance to those given by other tribes. But the water that they brought back for their people would be the same substance as that brought home by other travellers. Anyone who followed the directions given for their tribe would be able to find their way

40

safely and successfully to the lakeside, where they would be able to see, experience and enjoy the beauty and life-transforming refreshment of the water for themselves.

The important thing that this model teaches is that not only is the God (which all religions seek to know and serve through their devoted worship) one and the same for all of them - but differences in religions are absolutely necessary. Also we can never know God through the study either of our own traditions or other religious traditions. To know God personally we have to choose just one Path and follow it faithfully to the end.

The Ocean and The IcebergAnother of Sri Ramakrishna’s models uses the image of an ocean. He says that God is beyond our conception, beyond gender and space and time. But through God’s Grace, Omnipotence and Omnipresence God can be known. If you think of an ocean it represents the qualities of vastness which are like God’s Infinite and Impersonal, Formless nature. But just as the water of the ocean can take a physical, finite form when frozen into an iceberg, God-the-Absolute-Unknowable-Infinite can take the form of God-the-visible-knowable-approachable for those who worship. The form God takes is the form we love most. So a Christian will encounter God as the Person of the risen Christ, a Muslim will encounter God through the sacred Word of the Holy Qur’an and a Hindu will encounter God in the form of the deity they most adore. God is beyond our direct knowledge. We have to use some idea, language or image to approach the Reality we call God. The symbolism and subtle reality of the Hindu deities is no more ‘idolatrous’ than the 99 names for God found in Islam or the Christian descriptions of God as Omnipotent, Infinite, Omnipresent etc. The phrases in the Bible which describe Jesus as Light of the World, The Good Shepherd, Son of Man and Prince of Peace, for example are also similar images which enable us to approach divinity through our small, very limited and partial human perception. Both words and images are not the Goal, but they are essential at our stage of development. With them we are able to go beyond our limited vision and encounter the Reality of God for ourselves.

What is special about this model is the way it recognises the power of devotion and the wondrous love and compassion that God has for all those who worship and cry to know God Personally.

41

Swami Vivekananda

Sri Ramakrishna’s dearest disciple was a young man named Swami Vivekananda. It was he who first brought India’s religious treasures to the West. Sri Ramakrishna died in 1886. Swami Vivekananda became a wandering Monk and travelled the length and breadth of India spreading his Master’s message and campaigning for a true Vedantic society in which caste and social injustice had no place. He came as a delegate to the first Parliament of World’s Religions, to Chicago in 1893, where he made a powerful contribution in what is recognised as the first major Interfaith event in the world. Because of his significance I am concluding with two of the addresses he gave at that event. Swami Vivekananda gave the following historic addresses at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago, 1893:

Response to Welcome At The World's Parliament of Religions Chicago, 11th September 1893

Sisters and Brothers of America,

It fills my heart with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome which you have given us. l thank you in the name of the most ancient order of monks in the world; I thank you in the name of the mother of religions; and I thank you in the name of the millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects.My thanks, also, to some of the speakers on this platform who, referring to the delegates from the Orient, have told you that these men from far-off nations may well claim the honour of bearing to different lands the idea of toleration. I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth. I am proud to tell you that we have gathered in our bosom the purest remnant of the Israelites, who came to the southern India and took refuge with us in the very year in which their holy temple was shattered to pieces by Roman tyranny. I am proud to belong to the religion which has sheltered and is still fostering the remnant of the grand Zoroastrian nation. I will quote to you, brethren, a few lines from a hymn which I remember to have repeated from my earliest boyhood, which is every day repeated by millions of human beings:

"As the different streams having their sources in differentplaces all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the

42

different paths which men take through different tendencies,various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee."

The present convention, which is one of the most august assemblies ever held, is in itself a vindication, a declaration to the world, of the wonderful doctrine preached in the Gita:

"Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever form, I reach him;all men are struggling through paths which in the end lead to Me."

Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilization, and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now. But their time has come; and I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honor of this convention may be the death-knell of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or with the pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal.

Address At the Final SessionAt The World's Parliament of Religions Chicago, 27th September 1893

The World's Parliament of Religions has become an accomplished fact, and the merciful Father has helped those who laboured to bring it into existence, and crowned with success their most unselfish labour.My thanks to those noble souls whose large hearts and love of truth first dreamed this wonderful dream and then realized it. My thanks to the shower of liberal sentiments that has overflowed this platform. My thanks to this enlightened audience for their uniform kindness to me and for their appreciation of every thought that tends to smooth the friction of religions. A few jarring notes were heard ham time to time in this harmony. My special thanks to them, for they have, by their striking contrast, made the general harmony the sweeter.Much has been said of the common ground of religious unity. I am not going just now to venture my own theory. But if anyone here hopes that this unity will come by the triumph of any one of the religions and the destruction of the others, to him I say, "Brother, yours is an impossible hope." Do I wish that the Christian would become Hindu? God forbid. Do I wish that the Hindu or Buddhist would become Christian? God forbid.

43

The seed is put in the ground, and earth and air and water are placed around it. Does the seed become the earth, or the air, or the water? No. It becomes a plant, it develops after the law of its own growth, assimilates the air, the earth, and the water, converts them into plant substance, and grows into a plant.Similar is the case with religion. The Christian is not to become a Hindu or a Buddhist, nor a Hindu or a Buddhist to become a Christian. But each must assimilate the spirit of the others and yet preserve his individuality and grow according to his own law of growth.If the Parliament of Religions has shown anything to the world it is this: It has proved to the world that holiness, purity, and charity are not the exclusive possessions of any church in the world, and that every system has produced men and women of the most extended character. In the face of this evidence, if anybody dreams of the exclusive survival of his own religion and the destruction of others, I pity him from the bottom of my heart, and point out to him that upon the banner of every religion will soon be written, in spite of resistance: "Help and not fight", "Assimilation and not Destruction", "Harmony and peace and not Dissension".

************************************************************

Finally a few newspaper reports and other comments which followed that first Parliament of Religions:

The Swami's epoch-making representation of Hinduism at the Parliament of Religions was to raise India not only in the estimation of the West but in her estimation as well, and was eventually to bring about a profound change in her national life.

"The Parliament of Religions at Chicago is, we believe, the beginning of the movement that will come into greater prominence by and by for unification of all nations into a common religious bond. That was the impression, at least, of all those whom attended the Parliament of Religions, and listened intelligently to presentation of the different religious creeds. ..."

"Vivekananda's address before the Parliament was broad as the heavens above us; embracing the best in all religions, as the ultimate universal religion -charity to all mankind, good works for the love of God, not for fear of punishment or hope of reward. ..."

“What Swami Vivekananda spoke came from the inmost depth of his illumined soul, from his conviction and deep spiritual insight. This explains why his common words-'Sisters and Brothers of America'-- created an unprecedented spontaneous spiritual upsurge of emotion in the minds of an audience of seven thousand members and raised them to their feet.”

44

If my readers feel that my categories still fail to include their faith perspective or World View, I hope they will contact me so that I can make my analysis more inclusive – [email protected]

45

mailto:[email protected]

1) aboriginal australian · web viewthe word ‘aborigine’ is from the latin word...

Documents