Mega-cities and Climate Change – the Role of Religious Leaders

Prof Desmond CahillOn 4th AUGUST, 2022, about 2,000 people, including 24 delegates from 18 countries of Buddhism, Shintoism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Zoroastrianism came together in Japan at an inter-faith “Interreligious Gathering of Prayer for World Peace”. The event marked the 35th anniversary of the first ‘Religious Summit’ held on Mount Hiei in 1987. Moderator of Religions for Peace Asia, Emeritus Professor Desmond Cahill OAM delivered a talk on Megacities and Climate Change – The Role of Religious Leaders.

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Australia drops opposition to treaty banning nuclear weapons at UN vote

Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

Australia has dropped its opposition to a landmark treaty banning nuclear weapons in a vote at the United Nations in New York on Saturday.

While Australia was yet to actually join the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, the shift in its voting position to “abstain” after five years of “no” is seen by campaigners as a sign of progress given the former Coalition government repeatedly sided with the United States against it.

The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, said through a spokesperson that Australia had “a long and proud commitment to the global non-proliferation and disarmament regime” and that the government supported the new treaty’s “ambition of a world without nuclear weapons”.

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Faithful Peace: Why the Journey to Build Resilience is Multi-Religious

Faithful Peace: Why the Journey to Build Resilience is Multi-Religious

Religions for Peace and the Standing Commission on Interreligious Education are proud to launch our latest publication, Faithful Peace: Why the Journey to Build Resilience is Multi-Religious.

With Christian, Hindu, Indigenous, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh theologies, perspectives, and insights, this brilliant and enlightening piece of work explores the importance of multi-religious engagement and why this effort to bring people of all faiths and traditions together, can and does create a more peaceful world.

Prof. Azza Karam, Secretary General and Editor-in-Chief, as well as Programme Officer of Partnerships and Interreligious Education, Dr. Karen Leslie Hernandez and Editor of this publication, invite you to read, learn, think, and thrive in these multi-religious viewpoints from eight Interreligious Education Standing Commission members including – Dr. Pritpal Kaur Ahluwalia, Dr. Luigi De Salvia, Ms. Pascale Frémond, Dr. Johannes Läehnemann, Dr. Anantanand Rambachan, Dr. Lilian J. Sison, Dr. Nayla Tabbara, and Rabbi Dr. Burton Visotzky.

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When it comes to forgiveness, faith and science agree on the benefits

Forgive(RNS) — Forgiveness is an age-old practice central to the teaching of many of the world’s religions. In Islam, forgiveness suggests alignment with Allah. In Judaism, acts of atonement — or Teshuva — are expected for wrongdoing. In Christianity, forgiveness is unconditional, by loving one’s enemies as oneself.

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Religious groups call for education on swastikas before ban on Nazi symbol comes into effect

Vishnu idol with svaasti symbol
A religious swastika is drawn above a deity at Sri Vakrathunda Vinayagar Temple in The Basin.(ABC News: Kristian Silva)

Religious leaders say they are frustrated the Victorian government has stalled on a promised education campaign about the ancient meaning of the swastika, weeks before it becomes a criminal offence to publicly display the Nazi symbol.

From December 29, people in Victoria who display the Nazi symbol — also known as the Hakenkreuz — could face 12 months in jail and a $22,000 fine.

The laws will not be applied to faith communities who use similar-looking religious swastikas, but some fear they will wrongly be accused of supporting Nazi ideology.

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Launch of Religions for Peace Northern Territory Branch

Launch of Religions for Peace Northern Territory BranchOn October 19, Dr Edwin Joseph, the NT Convener of Religions for Peace Australia, it gives me immense pleasure to witness the official launch of the Northern Territory Chapter hosted by the NT Speaker Hon Mark Monaghan MLA: Member for Fong Lim at the Parliament House. Great to have representatives coming together from several faiths like Jew, Sikh, Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Bahai, etc.

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Forgiveness Forum: Where Spirituality and Science Meet

Forgiveness Forum: Where Spirituality and Science Meet

On 26 October, Religions for Peace in partnership with the Templeton World Charity Foundation will bring together key changemakers for a thought-provoking conversation about the power of forgiveness through not only a spiritual lens, but a scientific lens, as well.

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South Australia: Beyond the Garden Gate

South Australia: Beyond the Garden GateBeyond the Garden Gate is a forum for Churches Together to acknowledge the disturbance of God’s creation. The forum will explore practical ways to care for the environment, and create a safe future by learning to live more lightly on God’s earth.

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Colonial Bondage: Liberating Theological Education

Professor Anne Pattel-Gray

The University of Divinity presents the Professorial Lecture of Professor Anne Pattel-Gray who will share her insights into Australia’s First Nations religious and spiritual beliefs and practices that form the core of her theology.

She will explain how we are all held captive by our colonial heritage and that our theological education and institutions require liberation in order to be set free.

She will further explain the process to decolonise biblical and theological narratives and challenge Christians to become the radical change that is so desperately needed to transform a Nation.

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Senior faith leaders call on Albanese to increase ambition on climate

decisive action to combat climate change

One hundred religious and First Nations leaders from across Australia and the Pacific are urging Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to take decisive action to combat climate change by stopping all new coal and gas projects and ending public subsidies to the fossil fuel sector.

Signatories to an open letter to Mr Albanese include the most senior leaders of the Anglican Church in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, the President of the National Council of Churches, the Grand Mufti of Australia, the President of the Uniting Church as well as First Nations leaders and senior leaders of the Buddhist, Jewish, Hindu and Brahma Kumaris religions.

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Adelaide Multifaith Service – Faiths 4 Climate Justice

Australian Religious Response to Climate Change logoAdelaide Prayers for Climate Justice on Thursday 13th October 2022 Join Australians of many faiths to stand in solidarity with Pacific and First Nations people in the struggle for climate justice on this Day of Prayer. Multifaith services are planned in Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Perth and several regional towns across Australia. The details of the Adelaide Multifaith Service is given here.

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