Religions for Peace International is in solidarity with the people of Myanmar. Just as this organisation, convening faith leaders and institutions for over half a century, prays together for the healing of this nation, it condemns any and all efforts which subvert the democratic will of its peoples.
Pope to participate in first International Day of Human Fraternity
Pope Francis will mark the International Day of Human Fraternity in a virtual meeting on 4 February 2021, the date set by the United Nations General Assembly for this new annual occasion. He will do so together with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad Al-Tayyeb. The event will be hosted in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed.
Care for the Environment – Indigenous Traditions
As part of the Interfaith Call to Action auspice by United Nations Environment Program and other multifaith organisations, we will, each month, present the view of one religion on the Environment and care for the environment. Religions to be covered include Indigenous Traditions, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism, the Bahá’í Faith, Hinduism, the Jain Religion, Buddhism, the Sikh Religion, Confucianism, Daoism, Shinto, and in summary, Environmental Ethics: Points of Agreement among the World’s Religions.
Faiths for Earth – Religions and the Call for Action
Religions for Peace first raised the call for Action with the Faiths for Earth program in 2015. Religions for Peace partners with the United Nations Environment Program and the Parliament of the World’s Religions Climate Action to deliver the program, Faiths for Earth – A Call to Action. In this series of articles, Religions for Peace Australia – each month – will present the approach of one of the world’s many religions and its responses to a Call for Action – living in harmony with the Earth.
Religions for Peace – GreenFaith – Sacred People, Sacred Earth Statement and Global Day of Action
Across the world, more and more people are experiencing climate-fuelled disasters first-hand. Droughts, floods, fires and hurricanes are displacing and impoverishing millions. COVID is cruelly worsening these impacts on our most vulnerable communities.
At the heart of these dangers are destructive power structures – ineffective or immoral governments, extractive industries, and fundamentalist or extremist religions. This unholy alliance is wreaking climate devastation.
As we face conditions that tempt us to turn away in despair, faith institutions can and must do much more. The world is crying out for change. We invite individuals and Faith Communities to join in Sacred People, Sacred Earth and create a liveable Earth for the generations to come.
Ecumenical Water Network
The World Council of Churches launches the Ecumenical Water Network. The worst of the COVID-19 pandemic may be over soon as vaccines are being rolled out in many countries. Yet the global water, sanitation and hygiene crisis remains a considerable challenge. A newsletter “Together for Water” is launched.
Researchers Name Top 10 Insights from Climate Science in 2020
The climate insights report is published each year through a partnership between Future Earth, the Earth League, and the World Climate Research Programme.
Emissions from thawing permafrost are likely to be worse than expected.
Other key findings from 2020 include that climate change can affect our mental health, tropical forests may have reached peak uptake of carbon, electrification in cities is pivotal for just sustainability transitions, and going to court to defend human rights can be an essential climate action.
The Appeal of Conspiracy Theories to Spiritual People
In an Op-ed on Psychology Today, Steve Taylor, Ph.D., -senior lecturer in psychology at Leeds Beckett University – writes about people who have had profound spiritual experiences, yet fall for spirtual conspiracies. In this article, some intriguing history is recounted, and the recent phenomenon of conspiracy theories about the global pandemic and the US Election are examined. Steve Taylor comes to a conclusion which the reader may consider and evaluate…
In Hiroshima and Nagasaki, religious leaders urge “concentric circles of peace”
Religious leaders in Hiroshima and Nagasaki are welcoming the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, even as Japan’s Christian council “regrets” that the government has not supported or ratified the treaty.
“We ask the government of Japan to sign the nuclear weapons ban treaty as soon as possible,” the National Christian Council in Japan said in a 27 January statement, saying that the treaty “collects the wisdom of humanity,” and is “a major step in humanity’s long walk toward hope and ideal.”
Sikh temples in Victoria seek volunteers for family violence prevention project
The Victorian Sikh Gurduaras Council is seeking volunteers to participate in two upcoming events as part of the state government-funded family violence prevention project that was rolled out in late 2019. The project aims to initiate discussions and raise community awareness about the impact of family violence. The project aims to ensure members of the Sikh community feel safe in their home and neighbourhood.
Young Adults – Climate Change Conference 2021
The Local Conference of Youth Australia is a conference for young adults in Australia, aged 18 to 35, concerned about the climate crisis. This conference is auspiced by Brahma Kumaris (Australia).
This year’s focus will be on climate restoration and how I play my role in working towards a solution.
The conference will feature a variety of talks and workshops from speakers and experts from a diverse range of backgrounds.
Queensland: World Interfaith Harmony Week
The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the City of Brisbane will host a World Interfaith Harmony Week observance themed Crisis and Victory: How crisis brought us together, online, on Sunday 7 February 2021 at 2pm.
