LOCAL NYC RELIGIOUS LEADERS PUT THEIR BELIEFS INTO ACTION: Global Hatred; Fear of war and terrorism; Anti-war vs. Pro-war slandering and vilifying – in our papers and on our TVs everyday. This cannot and should not lead to hopelessness and despair; nor should it lead to viciousness or violence. THE ONLY RATIONAL RESPONSE TO A WORLD OF HATRED IS TO GO BACK TO BASICS" – A REAFFIRMATION OF THE CORE BELIEFS WHICH ARE SHARED BY ALL RELIGIONS. Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, and Ethical Society members who live in New York City will gather together to learn from each other, exchange views, share and pray together. Leaders of each group will speak as part of a panel - a forum to enable understanding of each perspective and to answer questions, face to face, from everyone. We will build peace, respect and understanding in the world the only way we can – in our local community.

A Symposium entitled, Overcoming Global Hatred: Nurturing Respect and Understanding among different Faiths in New York City" on April 27th will bring together local Islamic, Jewish, Buddhist, Christian, and Ethical Society leaders to present their perspectives and answer audience questions on how we, as local citizens and people of different religious beliefs, can make a positive difference. In a world that often seems filled with hate, the only rational response for those who believe in peace, respect and understanding between all people, is to put our beliefs into action in our own local community. The audience will be made up of Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Christians, and Ethical Society members from New York City. The event will take place on Sunday, the 27th of April, from 4:00 to 6:30 PM at The Manhattan Won Buddhist Temple, 431 East 57th street (on the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of the temple). Dr. William Vendley, Secretary General of World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP) will be the moderator.

A Symposium entitled, Overcoming Global Hatred: Nurturing Respect and Understanding among different Faiths in New York City" on April 27th will bring together local Islamic, Jewish, Buddhist, Christian, and Ethical Society leaders to present their perspectives and answer audience questions on how we, as local citizens and people of different religious beliefs, can make a positive difference. In a world that often seems filled with hate, the only rational response for those who believe in peace, respect and understanding between all people, is to put our beliefs into action in our own local community. The audience will be made up of Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Christians, and Ethical Society members from New York City. The event will take place on Sunday, the 27th of April, from 4:00 to 6:30 PM at The Manhattan Won Buddhist Temple, 431 East 57th street (on the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of the temple). Dr. William Vendley, Secretary General of World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP) will be the moderator.

The reason we decided to hold this symposium is our sense of frustration and concern regarding the tone of hostility, vilification and often outright hatred that has been seen in recent months due to the actions of the global community with respect to the situation in Iraq and the Middle East. Animosity and denunciations have been expressed between those of different countries and religions, and increasingly between those of differing opinions in this country. In the face of such hatred, it is easy to feel hopeless and powerless. What can we do to overcome or ameliorate the discouraging and frightening global trend away from civil debate towards viciousness, vilification, and hostility?

Although we may be unable to directly influence geopolitical events or actions, we can do our part to reach out within our New York City community to those of different religions in a spirit of respect and friendship. As Buddhists committed to compassion, reason, and understanding among all human beings, we want to put our beliefs in action in a meaningful and effective way in our own local community. We cannot change the entire world but we can change the world around us - our neighborhood and our city - through each interaction, each conversation, and each relationship we have.

Viewed from this perspective, one can feel hopeful and optimistic that the combined power of our individual beliefs and actions are strong enough to overcome any hatred. The only sensible response to a world of growing fear and hostility is to recommit ourselves to our core beliefs and take action to build and strengthen relationships of peace, understanding and respect with our fellow New Yorkers.

Panellists:

Imam Izak-el M Pasha
Masjid Malcolm Shabazz

Rabbi Gary Bretton-Granatoor
Stephen Wise Free Synagogue

Father Thomas Ryan
St. Paul Apostle Church

Jim White
American Ethical Union

Ven. Dr. Chung Ok Lee
Won Buddhism of Manhattan