Interfaith Conference on Tantra

The Mela Interfaith Association in conjunction with the Janssen Spirituality Centre in Boronia, Victoria will hold the First Interfaith Conference on Tantra In Australia on 14-15 November this year. The theme of the Conference is: ‘Classical Tantra in the World’s Religions: The bliss that arises from the union of opposites.’

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Countering Violent Extremism Requires a Whole-of-Community Approach

Countering violent extremism in Australia is a difficult task, fraught with political, cultural and religious sensitivities, exacerbated by social tensions and lack of understanding across various communities. One unintended consequence of the desire to secure our nation has been to heighten these tensions and divisions in many communities across Australia.

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Muslim Radicalisation: Where Does the Responsibility Rest?

The problem of Muslim radicalisation is exaggerated and overrepresented in political, media and public discourses. In this article, Halim Raine says that the problem of Muslim radicalisation has clearly grown over the past several years and the contributing factors need to be considered.

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Pastoral Care and the Complexity of Mental Illness in Pentecostal and Evangelical Churches

In April 2013, 27-year-old Matthew Warren tragically took his own life, after a lifelong struggle with mental illness. While such incidences may seem unremarkable due to their sad frequency, Warren was the much-loved son of Rick and Kay Warren, the pastors of Saddleback Church in California. In the light of Mental Health Week just passed, important questions must be asked. How does the church best support those who live with mental illness?

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World Bank Changes Extreme Poverty Definition

World BankThe World Bank updated the international poverty line to US$1.90 a day, from US$1.25 a day. The poverty line was revised to incorporate new information on differences in the cost of living across countries. The World Bank also announced that, using the new line (as well as new country-level data on living standards), global poverty has fallen from 902 million people (12.8% of the global population) in 2012, to 702 million people (9.6% of the global population) in 2015.

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Parliament of Religions: Live Streaming available

The 2015 Parliament of the World’s Religions begins on Thursday, October 15th with the full-day Inaugural Women’s Assembly beginning at 9:00 a.m. The Opening Plenary Ceremony and Procession will be held at 6:30 p.m. Pre-registration for live streaming of the Parliament in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, is avaialble.

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Social Good: What kind of World do I want to live in by 2030?

Social Good Summit The Sixth Social Good Summit met on the sidelines of the UN Sustainable Development Summit under the theme ‘#2030NOW’ and asked participants to answer the question “What type of world do I want to live in by the year 2030?” Summit partners are the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Foundation, Mashable and the 92nd Street Y.

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Signposts – a guide to Religious and Intercultural Education

Signposts cover The European Wergeland Centre (EWC) is a resource centre for education professionals, researchers, civil society, policymakers, parents and students. This resource centre has made available an important document for policy and practice for teaching about religions and non-religious worldviews. A download link is given.

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What Words Did Pope Francis Use The Most During His Visit To The U.S.?

During his six-day trip to the United States, Pope Francis delivered a total of 19 speeches and homilies. He spoke to a wide array of audiences, from the powerful leaders of Congress and the United Nations to the people on the margins whom his heart seems to be drawn to — prisoners, immigrants, homeless Americans and others who are suffering.

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