What is the Parliament of the World’s Religions 2009? |
First held
in 1893 and every 5 years since 1993 the PWR 2009 will be
a gathering of over 10,000 people of faith and other interested
people of goodwill meeting in Melbourne to learn about each
other, to consider issues of global significance and to
promote interreligious understanding and cooperation.
Will there be votes and resolutions? |
NO!
The PWR provides a safe place for meeting and discussing,
but does not entertain resolutions, does not meet as a legislative
assembly, and does not vote.
Will religions be ranked, scored, or evaluated? |
NO! The purpose is to promote understanding and cooperation,
not to judge
Who supports the PWR 2009? |
The PWR 2009
is currently supported by the State Government of Victoria,
the Commonwealth Government of Australia, and the City of
Melbourne as well as individual, religious and corporate
donors.
We expect between 10 and
15 thousand people from every religion, from all parts of
the world and from around Australia. Everyone is welcome.
Those who attend will be expected to be themselves, to be
open to learning about others, and to be respectful of the
rights of others.
Has the program been set? |
NO! Five community
workers have been hired to develop relations with religious
and interreligious groups in Melbourne and Australia in
part to surface issues they consider important. Themes for
PWR 2009 will be developed out of these consultations.
Why would Australian Governments support the PWR 2009? Is it constitutional? |
Governments are also concerned about social cohesion and the role of religion in both challenging and promoting social cohesion. They see PWR 2009 as a major contributor to healthy interfaith relations and social cohesion.
Will groups engage in combined worship? |
NO! Each group will present itself and its beliefs and practices
but will not be expected to engage in combined worship activities.
Opportunities to observe others in worship will be provided
as part of the process of learning about each other. These
will often be events in Melbourne places of worship.
The PWR 2009 does not
seek converts, nor does it see the parliament as a place
to seek converts. Groups are asked to present themselves
positively, to put their best foot forward and in so doing
some may be attracted but that is not the aim of the PWR
2009. The usual outcome of interreligious involvement is
a strengthened commitment to one’s own tradition.
Who is responsible for the PWR 2009? |
The PWR 2009 has been awarded by the Chicago
based Council
of the Parliament of the World’s Religions (CPWR)
and is managed by a local Board of Directors in Association
with the CPWR.
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