HEADS, HEARTS AND HANDS: What Can Dialogue Do For Us?

HEADS, HEARTS AND HANDS: What Can Dialogue Do For Us?The Australian Council of Christians and Jews, the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion Australia, and the International Council of Christians and Jews will host a gathering at Trinity College Theological School on Sunday 2 February and at Temple Beth Israel, Tuesday, 4 February for people interested in interfaith dialogue and encounter. This event will take place in conjunction with a visit from the board of the International Council of Christians and Jews.

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Attack on Ripponlea Synagogue: As faith leaders we stand together

Attack on Ripponlea SynagogueA Christian Bishop, a Leader of Muslims in Victoria and a Progressive Rabbi from East Kew all address the heinous attack on the Adass Israel Mosque in Ripponlea, Melbourne. These faith leaders – together they declare, “We seek to stand together at times like this“.

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No argument can justify this attack on a place of worship

fire-bombing of the Adass Israel SynagogueAn attack was made on the Jewish Community of Elsterwick-Ripponlea with the fire-bombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue, early morning of 6 December. Congregants were inside at the time, and one was burned in escaping. Religious for Peace Australia does not endorse violence of any kind, nor violence in support of any cause. We are people of Peace. We remain people of peace – here in Australia – no matter what is occurring overseas in whatever theatre of conflict. The scourge of antisemitism must be eradicated from Australia.

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Defining Belief and Disbelief (in Islam): The Importance of Recognising Belief as Subjective and Complex Landscape

Dr. Adis DuderijaThe definitions of belief and disbelief are far from static; they are shaped by a multitude of factors, including personal experience, cultural context, and societal norms. The complexity of these concepts calls for a more compassionate and open-minded approach to discussions of faith and scepticism. By recognizing the fluidity of belief and the importance of context, we can cultivate a richer understanding of what it means to believe—or not believe—within a diverse and interconnected world. Embracing this complexity not only enriches our personal journeys but also fosters a more inclusive dialogue that honours the myriad ways in which individuals navigate their convictions in a rapidly changing landscape.

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UN World Day of Peace – Raising Peace with Faith Communities Event

UN World Day of Peace - Raising Peace with Faith Communities
In observance of World Day of Peace, Religions for Peace Australia and the Faith Communities Council of Victoria joined the Raising Peace Festival on Sunday 15 September along with United Religions Initiative in presenting an online event in observance of United Nations World Day of Peace. The theme of this event was Faith leaders sharing their personal practices to maintain equilibrium / inner peace when working in a fractured world for peace. This event was conducted as part of the Raising Peace Festival, 2024.

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Rising Tide in Canberra: A Bishop Reflects

Rising Tide in Canberra:

Australia is witnessing an ever-increasing response to the use of fossil fuels, exports of these fuels, and the granting of new mining licences to international organisations. This response – in part – is shown in demonstrations, protests, banning of protests by state government and a certain disregard of free speech and human rights. Bishop Philip Huggins – patron of Australian Religious Response to Climate Change and a member of the UN Interfaith Liaison Committee to the Climate Change Conferences gave an address to the Rising Tide event in Canberra.

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Victoria’s anti-vilification laws

Victoria’s anti-vilification lawsThe Victorian government has unveiled long-awaited legislation to overhaul the state’s anti-vilification laws, the culmination of more than five years of work. The justice legislation amendment (anti-vilification and social cohesion) bill 2024 was introduced to parliament on Tuesday and will be debated in the new year.

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NSW: Buddhist Studies Seminar

The Australian Association of Buddhist studies hosts Dr Flavio Geisshuesler (Asian Studies, University of Sydney) talk on meditation in Tibetan Buddhism at this year’s University of Sydney Alumni Festival at 3:45pm – 4:45pm (AEST) on Saturday 30 November.

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The volunteers who donated time and money to build Canberra’s newest Hindu temple

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Taylor

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayam Mandir is the newest of 10 temples in Australia dedicated to the teachings of Hindu figure Bhagwan Swaminarayan. It looms large on a corner block in the Gungahlin suburb of Taylor, its intricate exterior painted pink to represent peace and harmony.

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Multi-Faith Pilgrimage of Prayer for COP29

Multi-Faith Pilgrimage of Prayer for COP29
Multi-Faith Pilgrimage of Prayer for COP29 – by the South West ARRCC group


On Tuesday 19th November representatives from 4 Faith traditions, 3 Christian denominations which included a number of communities from Perth to Margaret River, gathered at Koombana Beach in Bunbury on the land of the Wardandi Noongar people to begin their walk to draw attention to the importance of action for climate justice and to pray at a number of faith community sites.

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Justin Welby to quit as archbishop of Canterbury over handling of abuse scandal

Justin Welby to quit as archbishop of Canterbury over handling of abuse scandal

The archbishop of Canterbury has stepped down amid intense pressure over his handling of one of the church’s worst abuse scandals.

Justin Welby’s decision, announced on Tuesday, comes after mounting demands from victims and members of the clergy for him to quit.

Pressure on him had intensified since the publication last week of a damning report on the Church of England’s cover-up of abuse by John Smyth in the UK in the late 1970s and early 80s, and later in Zimbabwe and, it is suspected, South Africa.

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End the Silence: Interfaith Prayers for Violence Prevention within the home and the community

Religions for Peace - United Religions Initiative Logos

 

United Religions Initiative and Religions for Peace Australia invite you to be part of a gathering with prayers, a presentation, and an open discussion on how our faith, spiritual, and ethnic communities can stand against violence and support women, children, and families at risk on Sunday 24 November 2024.

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