Inter Faith Dialogue on Human Rights and Human Responsibilities with focus on Justice and Peace A Report The dialogue on the topic Inter Faith Dialogue on Human Rights and Human Responsibilities with focus on Justice and Peace was initiated by Eco Foundation for Sustainable Alternatives (EFSA), Bangalore and jointly organised by Karnataka Christian Education Society (KACES), Mangalore; Mangalore Diocesan Ecumenical Commission, Mangalore; Chair in Christianity, Mangalore University, Mangalore; Mangalore Peace Education Forum, Mangalore. On the 24 th and 25 th of Feb, 2014 at SAHODAYA, Balmatta, Mangalore. Ms. Sudha Reddy delivered the welcome Speech and Mr. Ajit Muricken introduced the theme. The program was inaugurated by Rev. Dr. J. B Saldahna and in his inaugural address stated that God guides our destiny and that faith becomes a bridge between God and us. He questioned as to why we return to interfaith? Faith can transform us. When we follow a faith it improves our attitude of openness towards other faith despite fundamentalism. It helps to overcome fear and foster dialogue. To get human dignity, justice, peace, responsibility we need to follow: 1. Dialogue of life 2. Dialogue of action 3. Religious experience 4. Theological extend These will bring positive effect in society such as understanding between different religions to increase acceptance and tolerance. Interfaith encounters form communities of awareness. It can play a key role in the promotion of Global peace and reconciliation by bringing various groups together in order to establish and maintain constructive channels of communication and sustainable collaboration. Rev. Dr. H.R. Cabral said that Human s life is filled with the ethics of religious service as human religion is introduced to the human surroundings. That is a mutual critical enrichment. He said that God wishes make his abode in the midst of people who have good hearts. He elucidated this through a small story. He made his point clear by saying that good motivation builds good society. Rev. Fr. Clifford rendered the vote of thanks. The first panel presentation was comprised of Dr. Ismail N Principal, Badriya P.U.College; Sri. Sarvajna Achar P, Visiting Faculty KTC; Rev. Dr. Joseph Martis Rector, St. Joseph s Seminary; Sri. Nirmal Kumar, Rtd teacher. The theme for this panel was The accumulated wisdom, knowledge, experiences inherent in each faith, tradition & their relevance to deal with the present crises such as ecological, social, economic & political values. 1. Dr. Ismail N said that if the society is filled with love, it can be free from exploitation. The reasons for social unrest are lack of love and respect for each other. In order to create a good environment and to build a good future we must teach these values in the schools.
2. Mr. Sarvajna Achar cited the Sanskrit verse Asathoma Sadgamaya Thamasoma Jyothirgamaya Mrithyorma Amrithamgamaya. In the past people had the quest for truth, light and eternity and such personalities were responsible for bringing equality among people. The present society is replete with inequality. The reason for this is contradicting situation and environments. Everyone wants to defend one s own ways of life and not to follow it. He concluded his speech by saying that everyone s way of life is correct but argument is wrong. Realising this point we should come together to build an egalitarian society. 3. Fr. Joseph Martin said that the basic tenets of every religion are the same. God created everything with a good purpose in mind. The gifts of nature belong to everyone. It s our responsibility to love each other. Citing from Bible, he explained Jesus Christ ideologies. Jesus said that if someone helps a poor person reflecting justice and ethics it is just like helping him. He said that we should respect and love everyone in the society. He also said that we should equally respect the law of the land. Through self appraisal of ourselves regarding the inculcation of God s words and self correction we can create an egalitarian society. 4. Mr. Nirmal Kumar began said that without the internal purification and recognition by one brotherly communities, communal harmony is not attainable. We should respect the element that helps to bloom humanity, irrespective of religions, he said. By admitting the light of brotherly religions we can control communal violence and successfully build a stable society. After this illuminating session of thoughts, there was an interactive session on the topic of discussion for 30 minutes. School teachers, students and representatives from different association and institutions who were participants of this dialogue posed a number of questions. Group Discussion: To identify constraints and dilemmas faced by the followers of different faith traditions in living up to the ideals of religious values in the contemporary world Why this attitude creating inequality has been created? Is it possible to eradicate these evils by following the advice of the prophets? These questions were taken up for discussion. Later on the participants were divided into groups and were given topic for discussion. After the group discussion each group presented its report. 2nd Panel Session The second Panel comprised of Sri. Ramnath Kotekar, Dr. Sheedhar K & Dr. Basil Hans. 1. Dr Hans began with the question who is my God? Who is not our God? God created human religion. Communal harmony is the purpose of human religion which is created by man. He quoted many versus from Bible and told us about the belief of Christianity for the convenience of the community. He told that we should not only be church goers but also be church growers. He explained that when we accept the thought of Christ our motivation fills with good will it leads us to build a heart to heart
foundation which is very important to bring about justice, peace, responsibility in society. 2. Dr. Sheedhar K stated that World is not facing food crisis. We are facing a crisis of food distribution. Food should be distributed equally to the people. Egalitarian Society. Creating awareness among the people to build interfaith community with enhance this task. 3 rd Panel presentation from Youth perspective: Miss. Chaitra J (Student, Roshini Nilaya): Religion is not a ceremony and religious places are not a center for simply forgiveness of sins in order to do more sins. She suggested five path ways: 1. Rootedness: Be root in your religion. 2. Prayerfulness: with pure spirit 3. Non-violence: loving other faith people 4. Goodness of other faith: 5. Simplicity: Mr. Joachim D Silva, Lecturer St. Aloysius college. Faith is intrinsic value of life. Belief and practices are subjected to faith. Thus the present Youth requires vision. Dialogue which paves way for solving differences and problems the society can become an effective instrument for interfaith peace. Radical changes in the youth can be identified in their questions. Equality, gender issues, communal issues. Family and ethical issues are interrelated. Family is basic ground to create and train children. Dr. Faizan, Dentist Human rights are universal, interrelated and interdependent. Quran speaks about the rights of the common. Dealing equally with all people without any discrimination against any religion and status. Religion is to practice not to force any one to convert. Social responsibility in action by sharing the burdens of the other. Eg: Economic humanity or zakath a portion of one s earning should be kept for socially useful purposes & Economic equality charity and absence of interest At the end of these discussions it became evident that all the religions must be respected and all people are equal and all should be loved. Religious values must be adopted in life and the future generation must be motivated to tread one same path. Everyone should live a life filled with values as its everyone s social responsibility to do so. The concluding remarks were said by Rev. Dr. J.B. Saldana and Dr. H. R. Cabral. Rev. Dr. Hannibal cabral urged the participants to be We should be a small light where there is darkness. We can be a big light by joining together. Role models are the need of the hour. Human religion should be created. Rev. Sandeep Theophil the general co-ordinator delivered the vote of thanks. Thus the curtains were drawn to the session. Group discussion Report: Question Group1 Group2 Group3 Group4 1 Decline of value education in schools and Communalism, Fundamentalism, Identity crisis by youngsters Moral policing Gender
family. Nuclear family and individualism Role of parents: busy with their own schedule Influence of drugs addiction. b) Celebration of all religious festival in educational centers Moral teachings from every religion Junk food, waste management Charity begins at home 2 Case study in the school At the institution level: Meals with children Religious institution a place of integral development economic disparity, injustice, political unrest, corruption Inter faith dialogue. Reservation should be closed Value based Educaiton. Moral values Caste problem, honour killings Corruption, even in religious places Treat equally the common people Spreading awareness through friends Being practical before preaching Let us be positive about other religion Do not put your own religion down discrimination Controlling the students from anti national attitudes National leaders are promoted as Hindutva Law and order: police sufficiency. Value base education in school and homes Group existence should be abolished based on the communalism. 3 Teaching any one Food, electricity and water. No plastic Learn to share Heads of the institution should take integral development of Role model: by leading your group Be positive Practice equality. Priest or Teacher Texts books with anti religious aspects should to curtailed Personal and institutional level Celebrate differences together Resource persons should be sent/invited for
students Religious leaders should work together