Archive of News about Beliefs, Faiths and World-views
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Inter Faith Week (www.interfaithweek.org|) aims:
¶ to strengthen good inter faith relations at all levels
¶ to increase awareness of the different and distinct faith communities in the UK, in particular
¶ celebrating and building on the contribution which their members make to their neighbourhoods and to wider society
¶ to increase understanding between people of religious and non-religious belief
The Week is being facilitated by the Inter Faith Network for the UK and the Department for Communities and Local Government but will be community-led.
A garden sponsored by Church Action on Poverty has won an award at the BBC Gardeners' World Live show at the NEC in Birmingham. The garden raises awareness of injustices facing people who come to the UK seeking sanctuary.
The Bishop of Bolton has asked people not to let the MP expenses scandal benefit BNP. Writing a public letter, on behalf of Bolton Church Leaders, the Bishop has called for people not to use a BNP protest vote, in the forthcoming European election.
The Bishop of Bolton, the Rt Revd Chris Edmondson, said: "Like most people, the Church has been extremely disappointed by the current revelations about inappropriate use of expenses across all political parties.
It is very easy in such a context to become disenchanted with the mainstream political process and therefore wish to register a protest vote for a minority party.
However, we would encourage people to consider carefully the core values of such parties. For example, the BNP have sought to suggest in their recent campaign literature that their policies seek to 'restore Christian values' and represent the teachings of Jesus.
At the heart of Christian faith is the oneness and commonality of all humankind, created in the image and likeness of God. Therefore we cannot support any party promoting division, and the scapegoating of others.
Therefore, we urge you to vote in the local and European elections in June. These democratic rights to suffrage have been bought at great cost over many years, and they should neither be neglected nor squandered.
On behalf of Bolton Church Leaders, I recently signed the Hope not Hate campaign pledge. This highlights that Jesus broke down barriers and treated all people with respect. As a Jew he talked to the shunned Samaritans. Through the cross he reconciled people to God and to each other. "There is neither Jew nor Greek."
We would encourage everyone to sign up to the Hope not Hate Campaign at www.hopenothate.org.uk|
Bishop Chris Edmondson on behalf of Bolton Church Leaders
Support the 'HOPE not hate' Campaign against racist political parties.
The European elections are on 4th June and the British National Party (BNP) are standing. The BNP have a billboard campaign claiming that Jesus Christ would support their policies were he on earth today. This is offensive to many Christians and Muslims (who recognise Jesus as a great prophet). Many of us regard the BNP policies to be rooted in racist thinking.
All the major Christian churches are urging Christians not to support any political party that offers racist policies as these are incompatible with Christian discipleship.
For more information go to www.hopenothate.org.uk|
Christian Aid is an agency of the churches in the UK and Ireland to help the poorest of the poor in our world. The organisation believes in strengthening people to find their own solutions to the problems they face and so it supports local organisations, which are best placed to understand local needs. It strives for an end to poverty and campaigns to change the rules that keep people poor. Christian Aid works with supporters and organisations overseas of many different faiths, and of no religion at all. Christian Aid Week is a week during the year when there are house-to-house collections and events to raise money.
You can find further information and donate via their website: www.christianaid.org.uk/|
The Co-Chairs of the Christian Muslim Forum write:
We are deeply distressed by the news of hundreds dead in Gaza and deaths in Israel. We are representatives of global faiths which both have their heartlands in the Middle East. Conflict in the Middle East affects both of our communities of faith, and our Jewish sisters and brothers, wherever we live.
We are passionately committed to peace and reconciliation, dialogue and conflict resolution. We believe that the argument for and necessity of peace grows whenever violence and bloodshed in any form erupt and whoever perpetrates it, whether individuals, groups or states. We urge all parties to continue to seek peace, as our three faiths encourage us; to call to mind these seasonal words - 'peace on earth and goodwill to all' - which have such strong resonances, and to work towards re-establishing a ceasefire. We also urge our friends and supporters to continue to pray for peace.
Imam Dr Musharraf Hussain
Rt Revd Richard Cheetham, Bishop of Kingston
Co-Chairs of the Christian Muslim Forum
Multifaith Peace Prayers for Gaza took place at the Friends Meeting House, Silverwell Street on Wednesday 7 January 2009 at 2.00pm.
This event was supported by Bolton Council of Mosques, Bolton Hindu Forum, Bolton Christian Cohesion Project and the Friends Meeting House. Further information may be requested from Chan Parmar at the Bolton Interfaith Council on 01204 546110.