A group of United Nations experts together say that countries have an important role to play in promoting religious tolerance and cultural diversity and that they can do this by promoting and protecting human rights, including freedom of religion or belief.
News
USCIRF Statement on International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief
WASHINGTON, DC – On the first “International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief,” declared by the United Nations General Assembly for August 22nd to condemn continuing violence and acts of terrorism targeting individuals, including persons belonging to religious minorities, on the basis of or in the name of religion or belief, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Chair Tony Perkins and Vice Chair Gayle Manchin issued a statement:
Golden Rule Day
The Golden Rule is ancient and modern, secular and religious, personal and common. Golden Rule Day is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on and celebrate the universal principle of treating others the way that we want to be treated. It is a powerful tool for all of our relationships – with ourselves, others, animals, and the planet.
New survey reveals which religions New Zealanders trust most – and least – after Christchurch shootings
In a survey of 1000 New Zealanders, taken a month after the Christchurch mosque shootings of 15 March 2019, respondents were asked how much they trusted people from different religious groups living in New Zealand.
Australian Religious Response to Climate Change – Inaugural National Conference
ARRCC organisers are excited to offer this rare opportunity for people of faith to be empowered to respond more effectively to the climate crisis. The first national ARRCC Conference is being held on 8 – 10 November at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture in Canberra.
The hope is that you will draw strength from solidarity with like-minded others, and feel less isolated. It’s not easy being so concerned about climate change when many in your own faith community are not especially switched on to the issues.
The second important reason to come along is to become more effective as a change-maker in your own area. Conference participants will share and learn with the help of inspirational campaigners, school climate strikers, faith leaders and experts in their fields. The aim is that you return to your own setting with more insight, skills and confidence to organise action at a local level.
Gillian Triggs appointed UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for Protection
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has today welcomed the appointment of Ms. Gillian Triggs as Assistant High Commissioner for Protection to oversee the agency’s international protection work for millions of refugees, internally displaced, stateless and other people of concern.
ABC Australia: What’s the point of interfaith dialogue?
Peaceful solutions to the world’s problems are hard to find — and religious tensions are part of the problem. What needs to happen so we can all share in the bounty of peace? The ABC Australia’s James Carleton joins a panel of three people who have made interfaith dialogue their life’s work.
USCIRF Applauds Announced Changes to Saudi Male Guardianship System
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today welcomed changes to Saudi Arabia’s laws that decrease restrictions imposed on women by the religiously-grounded male guardianship system. The changes allow women to travel without a guardian’s permission, maintain legal guardianship over their children, and register marriages, births, and divorces.
How should Buddhists respond to the gun violence epidemic?
The Buddha was one of the first great teachers to recognise that in the human realm things happen for a reason. Even the most heinous perpetrators of violent acts are still human beings, acting out of desperation, rage, ideological fervor, or mental illness. While we cannot and should not excuse them, as Buddhists we should avoid dehumanizing or vilifying them to the point that we respond in kind.
The Jewish Custom of Shiva
Judaism offers a ritualized structure to deal with grief. The first stage, shiva, is intended to see mourners through the first days of intense grief and disorientation. Of course, grief continues long after shiva ends, and Jewish tradition offers additional rituals to support mourners beyond this initial period
Prime Minister meets with Religious Leaders
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has met with 21 leaders of major faith communities in Australia to discuss progress in the government’s plans to introduce a Religious Discrimination Bill later this year.
Bangladesh Religious Leaders Commit to People-to-People Dialogue with Myanmar on the Rohingya Crisis
(August 5, 2019 | Chittagong, Bangladesh) As the political impasse between Bangladesh and Myanmar over the Rohingya crisis deepens and tensions between local communities and Rohingya refugees are escalating, over 70 Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu and Christian leaders, women of faith and youth leaders in Bangladesh convened a National Consultation for the RfP 10th World Assembly in Chittagong, Bangladesh on 3 August 2019.
