A key value in all religions is the Golden Rule. Another important value in religions – and in interfaith activity – is hospitality to the stranger. The government is withdrawing support services for people living in our communities who have fled war and persecution, including financial support and trauma counselling from victims of torture. Back your neighbour asks you to sign a petition for them, for when we back our neighbours, they give back.
Yoga Day at Victorian Parliament 28 June
The world will be celebrating 5th International Day of Yoga this year; Sri Sri Yoga and the Art of Living invite you to a very special celebration of the 5th International Day of Yoga for Harmony in Australia at Parliament House, Melbourne on Friday, 28 June.
The Israel Folau crowdfunding saga is not about freedom of religion
Dr Simon Longstaff of The Ethics Centre writes about Israel Folau and the fallout from his sacking and the crowdfunding saga. Dr Simon Longstaff says, inter-alia, Religious freedom comes in four basic forms: freedom of belief, freedom of worship, freedom to act in good conscience (which includes freedom from coercion in matters of religion) and finally freedom to proselytise (which includes the right to educate one’s children in the faith). Folau’s case involves the third and fourth of these freedoms.
What Folau believes and how he worships have not been challenged. Rather, he has been sanctioned for what he has done and said — not as a believer, but in his role as an elite rugby player representing Australia. However, can the two roles of “believer” and “contracted player” be so easily separated? That is the question at the heart of this issue.
“Green Reformation” conference explores ties between ecology, religion and education
An international consultation entitled “Green Reformation: Ecology, Religion, Education and the Future of the Ecumenical Movement” was held 12-15 May at the Bossey Ecumenical Institute.
Faith actors call for global solidarity
Religions for Peace was among 25 signatories on a statement released by the UN Refugee Agency entitled “Faith Actors call for Global Solidarity.” The statement was released on World Refugee Day, observed on 20 June.
“The diversity of origins and traditions which make humanity unique are being targeted by intolerance, sometimes by brutal violence, and refugees are often on the front line of this assault,” reads the statement. “Based on their religious teachings, as well as on the experience that some of their communities have of being targeted themselves, faith-based actors seek to address xenophobia as one of their special responsibilities.”
The number of displaced people in the world has eclipsed 70 million. Social media campaigns, including #RefugeeForum and #StepWithRefugees also supported solidarity with refugees.
2019 Abraham Conference: Healing Memories, Making History
The Abraham Conference this year is titled Healing Memories, Making History: Genuine encounters in the present will redeem our past for a different future. Our international keynote speaker is Rev Dr Diego Sarrio Cucarella, Rector of the Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies (PISAI) in Rome. The moderator will be broadcaster Mr John Cleary. The Conference will take place in the Parramatta Mission Fellowship Hall on Sunday 28th July, from 1:30 pm – 5:30 pm.
G20 Interfaith Forum
The final day of the forum sought to transform discussion into focused results and recommendations. Following a morning dialogue session, the two plenary sessions, “Ideas to Action” and “Towards 2020,” featured distinguished speakers who proposed recommendations for the G20 Summit, as well as ideas for the 2020 forum.
The Charter of Makkah
The “Charter of Makkah” calls on the world to fight terrorism, injustice and oppression, stating that the duty of all is to refuse the exploitation of people and violation of human rights.
Pope Francis backs carbon pricing and ‘radical energy transition’ to act against global warming
Pope Francis says that carbon pricing is “essential” to stem global warming — his clearest statement yet in support of penalising polluters — and appealed to climate change deniers to listen to science.
In an address to energy executives at the end of a two-day meeting, he also called for “open, transparent, science-based and standardised” reporting of climate risk and a “radical energy transition” away from carbon to save the planet.
Pope warns oil bosses of climate threat
The Pope has told oil company bosses that climate change threatens the future of the “human family”. The oil executives had been invited to the Vatican in Rome for an audience with the pontiff. Pope Francis said a radical energy transition is needed to save what he called “our common home“.
Statement of the African Council of Religious Leaders on the Excessive Use of Force on Protesters in Sudan
Nairobi, Kenya – 7th June 2019 – The African Council of Religious Leaders – Religions for Peace (ACRL-RfP) strongly condemns the violent response of the Transitional Military Council to the ongoing peaceful protests on the streets of Khartoum. The recent use of brutal force to disperse peaceful protesters by unarmed civilians in Khartoum, Sudan are indeed shocking and tragic.
Tasmania: June 2019
Greetings of peace! This is the special time of Eid al Fitr and many of you will have celebrated Iftar Dinners, breaking the fast during the evenings of the holy month of Ramadan. At this time we give the good wishes of Eid Mubarak! to our Muslim friends. During June, Religions for Peace Tasmania Branch will join with Australian Response to Climate Change at its Annual General Meeting to honour the efforts of those who are attempting to live more sustainably and in accordance with the simplicity which is advised by their Faith traditions.
