The Year of Inter-religious and Understanding and Co-operation in 1993 revived interest in the 1893 Parliament of Religions Most accounts concentrate on the main assembly: Interfaith Pioneers .puts the spotlight on the fringe meetings, especially the contribution of women.
What happened after 1893?
Interfaith Pioneers highlights: The founding of IARF -The International Association for Religious Freedom The growth of academic study of world religions The 'Religions of Empire' conference in London The Second World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1933; The founding of the World Congress of Faiths (WCF) by Sir Francis Younghusband in 1936. WCF Conferences in Oxford, Cambridge and Paris. Wartime efforts by people of faith to prepare for a more peaceful and caring world
But this is not just an academic study.. It is all about the fascinating men and women who, inspired by their faith and spirituality dedicated their lives to creating a more peaceful and caring world community.
This also a personal book. The search for real understanding of each other by members of different faiths and beliefs has been an important part of my life and of my dear wife Mary, to whom I dedicate the book
In the post-war period in which we grew up, Christians showed little interest in other faiths. Rebuilding Christian communities was the priority after the devastation of World War Two.
At Cambridge University, where I read theology, there was only one course about 'non-Christian religions' - but I was already interested in other world religions. My National Service had taken me to Libya and Cyprus. This created an interest in Islam and Eastern Christianity.
A week's leave in Israel introduced me to the Land where Jesus lived; to Judaism as a living faith. An unforgettable visit to the (then) small Holocaust Museum has inspired me to oppose all forms of Antisemitism and to join with Palestinian and Israeli friends in the search for peace in a Land holy to Jews, Christians and Muslims
After University, thanks to a World Council of Churches' scholarship, I went to India to study Hinduism at Madras (now Chennai) Christian College.
I was inspired by Sri Ramakrishna and Vivekananda and also by the Tamil Saivite saints, These writings convinced me that God's love is for all people and that together we should seek peace and care for those in greatest need. This was confirmed by sharing with Hindus and Muslims in helping at a clinic for people suffering from Leprosy.
On my return to the UK and after my ordination, I wondered how to follow up on this interest and happened to see a small advertisement in The Times about the World Congress of Faiths (WCF) and its library. I soon learned a little about Sir Francis Younghusband.
Afterwards I discovered the two-volume record of the 1893 Parliament of World Religions. No one seemed to know about it. But it was to inspire leading international interfaith organisations to mark the centenary in 1993 as a Year of Inter-religious Understanding and Co-operation - with international and interfaith gatherings in London, Chicago, India, Japan and elsewhere . I have written about these in my Pilgrimage of Hope and Faiths Together for the Future.
Mary as a teenager went on a UNA visit to Berlin when it was still divided and damaged by the war. Before I met her, she was active in the Fellowship of Reconciliation and World Refugee Year.'
The book in dedicated to Mary and my family and the many people of different faiths who have shared in this interfaith pilgrimage for peace, relief of poverty and the healing of the earth.
May the day come soon when, in the words of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, 'all people enjoy life in all its fullness'.
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