Listening to all religiou traditions

[rug]

Padre James Bhagwan
Wednesday, April 17, 2013

BEING in the "Soul of Asia" over the Easter weekend, it was not until much later that I learned of the controversy back home over a religious program broadcast on local television on Good Friday.

While, as a Christian and a fledgling theologian, I have my own response to the claims made in this particular criticism of my faith, (I have done so on social media), I would suggest we reframe the issue; looking at it with a different set of eyes or spectacles — from the perspective of religious liberty and religious tolerance.

The proposed draft constitution by government addresses religion in Fiji in two sections. In Section 4 (Secular State), the following is stated: Religious liberty, as recognised in the Bill of Rights, is a founding principle of the State; religious belief is personal; and religion and the State are separate.

According to Section 22 (Freedom of Religion): Every person has the right to freedom of conscience, religion, belief, thought and opinion; every person has the right, either individually or in community with others, in private or in public, to manifest and practise their religion or belief in worship, observance, practice or teaching; and every person has the right not to be compelled to act in a manner or take an oath that is contrary to the person's religion or belief; or requires the person to express a belief that the person does not hold. This section also addresses the issue of education and religious communities and religious education and practice in educational institutions.

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=231275

[Jim__]

1. Great article.

John Cobb explains that the best way to approach persons from other religious traditions should always be in love. Love requires that we take the others seriously, and listen to what they have to say. Listening is not only hearing about who we have been from the perspective of others. It is also hearing from them what they have come to understand through their quite different histories. We can learn not only in the sense of gaining information, but in the more important sense of having our horizons extended and our consciousness raised.

[Thats my opinion]

2. John Cobb is a neighbor and friend of mine.

He and his wife have lunch with our community every day. He is the world's leading voice for process thought, and leads the Center for Process Study, with interested theologians and others around the globe..

His main concern these days is how the religious and secular worlds can band together to do what needs to be done about global warming. I have talked about Process study on DU, but am met with voices which say only I and a handful of others hold it to have any value. John has led in establishing centers in 30 Universities in China. Next week 120 Chinese scholars are to be in our community working on the subject.

The love he talks about is tough love. He is no sweet innocent do-gooder. He is strong, intelligent and motivates myriads of others.