60 people from a dozen faith traditions gathered to celebrate at an event jointly hosted by the Multifaith Association of South Australia and the Baha’i Centre of Learning. Our aim was to cultivate peace within ourselves and our wider community; to pay respect and learn from our First Nation communities; and to act swiftly on climate change by ‘Living the Change’.
60 people from a dozen faith traditions gathered to celebrate at an event jointly hosted by the Multifaith Association of South Australia and the Baha’i Centre of Learning. Our aim was to cultivate peace within ourselves and our wider community; to pay respect and learn from our First Nation communities; and to act swiftly on climate change by ‘Living the Change’.
Faiths represented included: Ahmadiyya Muslim, Anglican, Baha’i, Brahma Kumaris, Buddhist, Catholic, Hindu, Latter Day Saints, Lutheran, Muslim, Unitarian, Uniting Church – with apologies from Jewish and Sikh representatives.
MC Philippa Rowland, President of the Multifaith Association of SA said, “It is a privilege to gather as people of many faiths to celebrate our commitment to interfaith harmony and urgent climate action in Australia, just one day after the global student-led Climate Strikes.”
Uncle Allen Edwards, a Kaurna-Kokotha elder from the Blackwood Reconciliation Circle, gave a formal Welcome to Country. Mahbooobeh Aryanpad, External Affairs, then welcomed all to the Baha’i Centre of Learning, calling for a new orientation of our activities. “There is hope,” she said, quoting from Baha’i writings, “World Peace is not only possible but inevitable. It is the next stage of the evolution of this Planet.”
Khizar from the Ahmadiyya Muslim community of Adelaide read aloud Multifaith SA’s Commitment to Interfaith Harmony. In part, this states: “We recognise that as neighbours, we have responsibilities to the community, to the world and to ourselves. We seek to reduce the threat of climate change to our earth and to future generations, and commit together to reduce our emissions and to support vulnerable communities.”
Uncle Allen shared stories of connection between land and people, and a deep understanding of the living Murray River learned through participating in many RingBalin ceremonies. These annual practices to heal the river, unite Indigenous communities and maintain cultural knowledge transfer from elders to young people. A respectful circle of listening and dialogue shared ideas of how we can all learn to “Walk Gently on Country” in a time of climate crisis.
Vani Shukla, Hindu yoga teacher, led a guided Meditation on cultivating Peace in ourselves to still the negative voices of anger that only add violence to a world crying out for peace.
All then shared a delicious Ethiopian vegan meal lovingly provided by Zaid, followed by a smorgasbord of desserts contributed by everybody.
The final interfaith session focused on the global Living the Change climate initiative. Philippa described growing concern across faith groups about escalating climate impacts on the most vulnerable, and outlined the range of voluntary lifestyle changes (food, transport and energy choices) that can add up to making a significant contribution to climate change.
The graph below shows the relative scale of greenhouse emissions reductions that can be achieved, making it clear that reducing car use and, in particular, restricting long haul flights have the biggest beneficial impacts on climate change.
While individuals can make lifestyle changes, and communities of practice can lead societal change, it is clear that pro-active policies are needed at the national scale to address the accelerating urgency of climate change.
So, in addition to our individual pledges to act to reduce carbon emissions, the Adelaide faith community stood together in solidarity to Call on all Parties to Unite for Climate Action.
Damian Outtrim, Brahma Kumaris and immediate past MFA President, led a closing ceremony and mediation before guests departed, each bearing small candle of hope.
Next Steps: Over the next few months, Multifaith SA will help individual faith groups run their own community workshops, setting up opportunities for shared learning and support. These workshops will all play a part in building a platform of practical action during the Time of Living the Change (September to December 2019).
