Parliament of the World's Religions

The Parliament of the World's Religions is a major interfaith gathering held every five years. It was held in Melbourne in December 2009.
There were more than 6,000 registered participants and a total of 650 activities over the week of the event.

A meeting of 'religions' was held in Chicago in 1893. A hundred years later, a group in Chicago initiated another event to celebrate the centenary of the fist event. A grooup was set up to run these events - it is called the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions.

Since then a 'Parliament of the World's Religions' has been held every five years in different cities around the world. [See 'History' section below for more details.]

Just prior to the Melbourne PWR, the Board of Trustees of the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions elected a Muslim as its chair - Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid. The new leader's term of office began on 1 January 2010. He succeeds the Rev Dr William E. Lesher, who has served as chair since 2003. Click here for Report. 

Our concerns

We have concerns about formal interfaith activities such as this because they place all religions on a level playing field. In such gatherings it is seen as intolerant to proclaim Christianity's exclusive message - that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6) - and the only way to God the Father - and the only way of salvation (Acts 4:12).

Acts 4:12 Committee

In response to the message of the PWR, and the meeting of the PWR in Melbourne, the Acts 4:12 Committee held a series of public meetings, printed four pamphlets, made banners available which stated "JESUS: the only way to God" and set up a website.

During the Parliament of the World's Religions, from 3-9 December 2009, a 'silent witness' was held outside the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre prior to the opening function and each morning from 7.30 am to 9.30 am.

Melbourne PWR - December 3-9, 2009

Information about the Melbourne PWR meeting...

The Parliament of the World's Religions was held in Melbourne from 3rd - 9th December 2009.
The announcement was made in December 2006.
The official launch for the event was in December 2007.
The website for the Melbourne parliament - click here.

Funding
The federal and Victorian governments have each given $2 million to the Parliament of the World's Religions and the City of Melbourne has given $500,000.

Events
Organisers say they expect the Melbourne Parliament to bring 10,000 visitors to Melbourne from around the world.
There will be an expected 450 activities over 7 days. By the time it started there were more than 650 events scheduled.
The main venue will be the Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre.

Patrons and Board
The Melbourne organisers, Board and Patrons are listed on the website - click here.

Some prominent Christians are involved in this event as Patrons or Board members.
These include the Catholic Archbishop Denis Hart, the Anglican Archbishop Philip Freier, Tim Costello, Maureen Postma (VCC), James Haire and so on.

The Board members include Muslims, Jews and an 'Interfaith' minister.
Similarly there are Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist patrons.
The Patron-in-Chief is Professor David de Kretser AC, Governor of Victoria.

Organisers
The Melbourne meetings are being co-ordinated by Gary Bouma and Des Cahill, two of the authors of the Discussion paper for the AHRC Freedom of Religion and Belief Inquiry!

Gary Bouma was also an expert witness for the Islamic Council of Victoria in their religious vilification case against Pastor Daniel Scot and Pastor Danny Nalliah.

The same two men were the authors, along with Hass Dellal from the Australian Multicultural Foundation (who is on the Board of the Parliament), of the book Religion, Cultural Diversity and Safeguarding Australia and a companion book promoting the establishment of local Interfaith Networks, in 2004.
Click here for our campaign page on those publications.

History
1893 - The first such event, the World's Congress of Religions, was held in Chicago in 1893.

1993 - One hundred years later, the next event, now called the Parliament of the World's Religions, was held in Chicago.

Five years prior to that a 'Council for the Parliament of the World's Religions' was formed to organise the event.

Since then a 'Parliament of the World's Religions has been held every five years:
1999 - Cape Town, South Africa

2004 - Barcelona, Spain
[Event dates taken from the group's website.]

Melbourne events:
* The launch was held in Melbourne on 6th December 2007.
* Preliminary events were held. An event and concert were held in the Melbourne Town Hall on Sunday 8th February 2009.

Comment:
We are concerned at these sorts of interfaith events as they tend to create a 'level playing field' for all religions - Christians who proclaim the uniqueness and superiority of Jesus Christ and Christianity are sidelined as being intolerant or unloving - and all 'ways' are seen as equally valid.