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UK Religious leaders discuss practical steps to make peace a reality

by HWPL
02 Mar 2016 at 22:29hrs | Views
Panel of Religious Leaders From Variosu Faiths
London, England - On the evening of Wednesday 24th February 2016, the UK branch of HWPL (Heavenly Culture World Peace Restoration of Light, Chairman Man Hee Lee) hosted a World Alliance of Religions' Peace (WARP) office scripture dialogue at St. Brides Foundation. Religious leaders from five religions (Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Quaker and Hindu) gathered together with young adults from across London.  

HWPL WARP office is the fruit of the World Alliance of Religions' Peace (WARP) Summit held in South Korea in September, 2014. During the Summit, over 680 religious leaders from 120 countries agreed to sign the Unity of Religion Agreement initiated by Mr. Man Hee Lee and declared an intention to realise world peace through the unity of religions. In less than two years HWPL has established 115 WARP offices in 61 countries around the world, making the religious leaders' promise a reality. Every month, leaders of various faiths gather together at WARP offices to examine each other's religious scripture for the unity of religions.

This time, the dialogue was held under the theme of "The role of interfaith in achieving peace and justice". Through the dialogue, leaders gained understanding about each other's religious beliefs and discussed what religions can do for the achievement of peace in the UK and the world.

Gretchen Castle, Quaker leader, shared "I'm always amazed at how I tend to hear similarities more than the differences - how we are all for peace, and... we all want the best for the human family."  It was her first time attending the dialogue.

Having attended the dialogue previously, Mr. Satya Minhas representing Hinduism emphasised the important role of scriptures in the achievement of global harmony. He said, "Scriptures are very important to resolve all issues and achieve world peace," and adding, "Some scriptures can be misinterpreted in a way that doesn't support this goal."  

There was a performance by Jon Barker of his song 'Lay Down your Guns', a song testifying to the futility of war and violence in the world. He hoped it would support the work of HWPL and inspire young people to unite for the purpose of ending all conflict.

After the dialogue, participants handprinted the word 'PEACE' signifying their willingness to achieve this common goal.

A staff member of the HWPL UK branch said, "HWPL is working to achieve world peace with two primary initiatives ─ unity of religions and enactment of the Convention on the Renunciation and Cessation of War and International Armed Conflicts." He continued, "If people around the world unite in strength and religious leaders take the lead, this goal will surely be achieved. The dialogue today is the reality," urging religious leaders to work together for global harmony.

Besides operating WARP offices, HWPL is working with former and current presidents as well as international experts to enact the Convention on the Renunciation and Cessation of War and International Armed Conflicts. Furthermore, HWPL is building a global network within groups of media, women, and youth to make the world a better place for future generations.

Source - HWPL