(above) Buddhist monks display patience as they work on an intricate piece of art. (below) Health issues concern faith movements across the globe.

Pursuing Peace in Parliament of World’s Religions

By MALCOLM STEPHENSON, Australia Mission Centre congregational support minister

The first Congress of the World’s Religions was in Chicago in 1893, and Joseph Smith III was there.

Considered the birth of formal interreligious communication, the event brought together many religious and spiritual communities. They discussed peace, diversity, and other issues.

That effort faltered. But after a break of 100 years, the group was reborn in 1993 as the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions. In 2009, Melbourne, Australia, played host. At the First Presidency’s urging, Community of Christ again was there. Rick Sarre, Karli Smith, and I attended.

The event attracted more than 10,000 people from Baha’i, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, and other religions. Over seven days they experienced more than 600 events—keynote addresses, seminars, debates, performances, concerts, and exhibitions.

They agreed to work together for a just, peaceful, and harmonious society with civil and cross-cultural talk on local, national, and global issues.

The parliament, like most interfaith networks, seeks interreligious harmony, rather than unity. Seeking unity among religions would risk losing the unique character of each.

Considering the group’s goal of pursuing peace, justice, and harmony, I was not surprised to see the parliament raise awareness on issues important to Community of Christ. Repeatedly, we heard of ideals upheld in Enduring Principles. They included the worth of all persons, blessings of community, and the sacredness of creation.

Many parliament objectives already are happening within Community of Christ. Our dedication of the Temple for the pursuit of peace, reconciliation, and healing of the spirit directs us toward issues of justice.

Our spiritual values and Christ-directed mission toward care and concern for humanity align us with the parliament. Specific calls where the parliament and Community of Christ coincide:

• Focusing on issues to honor indigenous communities and encourage reconciliation.

• Building lasting, cross-cultural networks of understanding and cooperation.

• Challenging leaders to craft new responses and solutions to religious extremism and to increase human security.

• Calling people of faith, spirit, and goodwill to understand and respect differences.

• Exploring religious conflict and globalization as defining challenges and providing tools to respond.

• Sensitizing religious and spiritual communities to racial, ethnic, and religious violence and providing strategies to defuse tensions.

The color, scope, and hope at the parliament amazed us. Considering my sense of the divine presence, I welcomed the words in Doctrine and Covenants 164:9e:

The challenges and opportunities are momentous. Will you remain hesitant in the shadows of your fears, insecurities, and competing loyalties? Or will you move forward in the light of your divinely instilled call and vision?

On the Web
For more information about the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions, visit www.parliamentofreligions.org.