At a recent meeting of the Commission on Christian Jewish Relations (CCJR) here in Rochester, the members of the Commission were engaged in a painful and difficult discussion, arising out of the controversy that erupted over a letter, signed by leaders of fifteen Protestant religious denominations and organizations that was sent to Congress on October 5, 2012 asking that Israel be held accountable for monies sent to it by the United States in light of what the…

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In a recent rebroadcast of an interview between journalist Krista Tippett and poet Christian Wiman on Tippett’s OnBeing program on NPR radio, Wiman made a comment that really called me up short.  “I think that God calls some people to unbelief so that faith can take new forms.”  He and Tippett were discussing Wiman’s own journey from a childhood faith, through a period of agnosticism/atheism and a return in his late 30s to a Christian religious faith.  But the idea that God calls some people…

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I welcome PeaceNext !



The launch of this Interreligious Network is the realization of long standing hopes and visions.



It addresses a need – deeply felt by many individuals and participants who meet at a Parliament – to have a convenient way to stay in touch with new global friends and contacts.



It also meets an urgent need for the host of PeaceNext – The Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions. PeaceNext will be a place where:



• we will… Continue

First, I started a group here: To Melbourne in Spirit. PeaceNext folks who won't be in Melbourne for the event ought to join up!



Second, along the same lines, I have heard a lot of comparisons made lately between PWR and the Olympics. The Parliament is the interfaith Olympics, as it goes, and relies on a similar sort of momentum and energy to effect positive change in the world. I wonder, then, how those of us who will… Continue