Canadian members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invite others to join the conversation on World Religion Day. Celebrated on the third Sunday of January, World Religion Day highlights that “the spiritual principles underlying the world’s religions are harmonious” and “religions play a significant role in unifying humanity” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Religion_Day).
Join the conversation by speaking with neighbours or friends about how people of faith contribute positively to Canadian society. Learn more about your neighbours’ faith traditions and discover what you have in common. “People of faith have cause to believe not only in the good of their own religion but also in the good of religion in general” (“The Relevance of Religion”).
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- OWS Committee members
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To celebrate World Religion Day, we publish a conversation with two executive members of the Canadian Interfaith Conversation: Geoffrey Cameron, Director, Office of Public Affairs, Bahá'í Community of Canada, and Sandra Pallin, National Communication Director, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
What do you value about interfaith work?
Geoffrey Cameron: One of the best aspects of interfaith work is the opportunity it creates for learning from others. It creates a space to talk about the role of religion in society and to reflect on the implications of shared moral values and spiritual principles for the generality of Canadian society.
Sandra Pallin: I value the goodness of the people we work with. I have felt of their sincerity and integrity as we have navigated challenging discussions and issues around solidarity in diversity, reconciliation, immigration, extremism, freedom of religion or belief, etc. Interfaith participants contribute in the spirit of faith and collaboration, which is an inspiring process.
What are some of the surprising things you have learned from engaging with people of other faiths?
Geoffrey Cameron: One of the most surprising things I have learned from engaging with people from other faiths is the extent to which a focus on religion can transcend political differences. People who would normally approach political issues with different partisan perspectives will find a great deal of unity when looking at the underlying principles from the viewpoint of religion.
Sandra Pallin: One of the surprising things to me is how much we have in common. Not theologically, necessarily, but in purpose. Interfaith conversation has helped educate me as to participant motives for service and charity. It’s on that level we find commonality in purpose.
What are some of the underlying spiritual principles or shared ideas that you have discovered through interfaith work?
Geoffrey Cameron: One of the underlying spiritual principles that has come through most strongly in my engagement in interfaith work is the search for the truth. Rigid dogmatism is an unfortunate characteristic of much of our public discourse, and I have found that those engaged in interfaith work come with an open mind and a desire to pursue the truth within the framework of their own traditions. That’s a very powerful thing.
Sandra Pallin: People of faith believe in something bigger and greater than themselves. Regardless of how we reference that Supreme Being, such belief commits us to each other. It’s the basis of our desire to help each other and to relieve suffering. Interfaith conversation recognizes our duty to love and serve one another.
Why would you encourage others to learn about spiritual or faith traditions beyond their own?
Geoffrey Cameron: I think that it is part of a proper education that we should learn about spiritual and faith traditions beyond our own. Interfaith dialogue at all ages can be an important vehicle to better understanding our neighbours, our world and the spiritual heritage of humankind.
Sandra Pallin: Knowledge can increase understanding and dispel fear. I recall multiple times during interfaith meetings when I felt deep understanding for the experience of others. Those cherished moments have changed both my perspective and behaviour.
What role do organizations like the Canadian Interfaith Conversation have in promoting harmony and uniting people of faith?
Geoffrey Cameron: The Canadian Interfaith Conversation is the only interfaith organization that has a national reach across the country and which creates spaces for people of all faiths and of none to talk about the perspective of religion on the issues of the day. Learning how to talk together, advance a conversation together and share insights together is an important aspect of becoming more unified as a country.
Sandra Pallin: The Canadian Interfaith Conversation brings together 41 participant organizations who are committed to promoting harmony and religious insight, strengthening our society’s moral foundations and working for greater realization of the fundamental freedom of conscience and religion for the sake of the common good (see Canadian Interfaith Conversation Charter Vision).
French Version
https://presse-ca.eglisedejesus-christ.org/article/les-saints-des-derniers-jours-soulignent-la-journee-mondiale-de-la-religion