Parsis, Iranis, Zarathushtis - ALL Under One Roof » Inter-Faith

Understanding Religious Pluralism

yazdi — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:36:14 +0000

PERSPECTIVES FROM RELIGIOUS STUDIES AND THEOLOGY
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY

MAY 23-25, 2012

Religious diversity and pluralism, though a constant feature of human history, is being increased in our time, especially by migration, globalization, and geopolitical events. It has emerged as one of the key issues for the promotion of world peace and religious harmony. In 2005, the Theology Department at Georgetown University established a doctoral program in religious and theological studies with a focus on religious pluralism. To provide scholars in religion and theology as well as our Graduate Program in Theology opportunities to explore further the issues of religious pluralism, a conference will be held at Georgetown University, Washington, DC, on May 23-25, 2012.

Four keynote speakers will explore religious pluralism and its impact on religious studies and theology: Thomas Tweed (University of Texas at Austin) on religious pluralism and religious studies; Paula Fredriksen (Boston University) on religious pluralism in Judaism and Early Christianity; Thomas Michel, SJ (Woodstock Theological Center, Georgetown University) on religious pluralism in Islam; and S. Mark Heim (Andover Newton Theological School) on religious pluralism and theology. There will also be a graduate student pre-conference held on Wednesday, May 23 and concurrent panel sessions on Thursday, May 24.

We welcome students, professors, and members of the community to attend the conference. Registration is free. Please fill out the Conference Registration Form, and return it by email to GeorgetownReligiousPluralism@gmail.com.

Panel Assignments: panel assignments & schedule

Sponsored by
The Ignacio Ellacuria Chair for Catholic Social Thought
Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs
Georgetown Department of Theology
Jesuit Advisory Board for Interreligious Dialogue and Mission, U.S. Jesuit Conference
Georgetown College
Georgetown Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding

Source:

https://blogs.commons.georgetown.edu/rpconference/

CBS Interfaith Religion Special

yazdi — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 05:04:10 +0000

Watch the CBS Interfaith Religion Special “What They Believe: Hindus, Zoroastrians, Bahais” on CBS TV at 11:00 am (in Chicago) on Sunday April 15th. It will air in other US markets at different times (e.g. New York on April 15 at 12:30 pm and California on April 15th 5:30 am.)

Their promo says: “The documentary will explore the history and traditions of three religions that remain a mystery to many Americans … the special will examine the beliefs of the three religions, with a focus on how each is observed in the United States.”

Producer Liz Kineke and her crew filmed and interviewed several of us in Chicago over two days in March and came to our Mehr-roj Jashan led by Dastur Kersey Antia, at the Darbe Mehr. It will all be crammed into an 8-minute segment in the middle of this half-hour show. Let’s see!!!

Bomi Patel

Understanding the Swastika – Use and Abuse of a Sacred Symbol

yazdi — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 06:58:32 +0000

The swastika (or svastika) has been used for thousands of years since Vedic times, in the Indus Valley civilizations, in ancient Troy and by Native Americans. The word swastika in Sanskrit means “that which brings good luck and well-being”:
su means “good” and asti means “is.” It appears in one of the most frequently used mantras of the Rg Veda [1.89.6], the
oldest scripture known to man.
The swastika is considered extremely sacred and holy by Buddhists, Hindus, Jains and Zoroastrians and remains very widely
used from ancient times to the present day. The symbol is engraved on sacred objects of worship as well as on doorways
of temples and homes.
It forms part of religious ceremonies to celebrate weddings, consecrations of new homes, embarking on new ventures or
any such auspicious undertaking. It is used to decorate books, vehicles, cash registers in stores and myriad other objects
in daily use in many Asian countries, especially India. Because the swastika has been so widely used for so long, it has been
interpreted in a variety of ways by practitioners of the Eastern Religions.

Click here for the full explanation in a brochure format

Queen highlights Church of England’s duty to all faiths

yazdi — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:24:21 +0000

The royal couple were greeted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, before meeting representatives of the Baha’i, Buddhist, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, and Zoroastrian communities, as well as Christian representatives.

They each presented a treasured object or text of importance to their faith.

Click Here for more

Zoroastrians Connections with Christians and Jews

yazdi — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:52:54 +0000

Zoroastrian Association of Metropolitan Chicago

proudly hosts the

2011

Society of Scholars of Zoroastrianism (SSZ) Conference

“Zoroastrian Connections with Christians and Jews”

and

Zoroastrianism-101: “Celebration of the life and work of Sir Jivanji Modi ”

supported by

Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA)

and

World Zoroastrian Organization (WZO)

at the

Arbab Rustom Guiv Darbe Mehr, 8615 Meadowbrook Drive, Burr Ridge, IL 60527,

Saturday November 12 and Sunday November 13 , 2011

The Society of Scholars of Zoroastrianism (SSZ) is an initiative to promote study and scholarship of the Religion of Zarathushtra, formalized during the Eighth World Zoroastrian Congress in London in 2005. The mission of the Society is to revive the tradition of scholarship within our community among athornans and behdins alike, and to promote interaction among academicians, theologians (priests), educationists, lay scholars and practitioners of Zoroastrianism, through roundtable discussions, conferences and publications. The aim is to make SSZ a prestigious organization on par with scholarly organizations of other faith communities, and merit affiliation with international bodies such as the American Academy of Religions.

SSZ Conferences have been held in Chicago each year since 2006, when noted scholars and students present their research papers. To encourage Zoroastrian studies within the community, these SSZ conferences also include sessions on Zoroastrianism-101 delivered by community members, especially the youth. Persons/Associations interested in the mission and vision of the Society of Scholars of Zoroastrianism, are invited to host future Conferences in their areas. SSZ will provide assistance as needed. The organizers enjoy complete autonomy in regard to programming and organizing the Conference.

All community members, students and scholars are invited and encouraged to participate. You will no doubt be enriched, your presence gives support to the speakers, and your feedback is invaluable so that future research efforts may be directed in a constructive manner for the benefit of both the academicians as well as the community.

Registration. Suggested donation is $7 for Saturday dinner and $7 for Sunday breakfast, lunch and tea. Please RSVP by October 31, 2011 to Dinaz Weber (630-830 3430, kenanddina@yahoo.com). For program information contact Rohinton Rivetna (630-325 5383, rivetna@aol.com) or Kayomarsh Mehta (630-654 8828, kayomehta@aol.com) and visit www.s-s-z.org.

PROGRAM

Saturday November 12, 2011 6:00 pm

6:00 Benediction, Monajat, Welcome

6:30 Life of Sir Jivanji Modi, an inspiration – Jivanji’s grandson Jamshed Modi

7:00 Works of Sir Jivanji Modi – Khurshid Ichaporia, student of Zoroastrianism: Yasnaaicha,

Vahmaaicha, Khnaothraaicha, Frasastayaecha; proper study and understanding,

absorption and contemplation, gaining knowledge and imparting of knowledge.

7:30 A record of Sir Jivanji Modi’s travels to heritage lands where formerly Zoroastrianism

flourished – Ervad Soli Dastur, FL

8:45 Dinner

Sunday November 13, 2011 8:30 am

8:30 Registration and Breakfast

9:00 Benediction, Monajat, Welcome

9:30 Zoroastrian Connections with Christian and Jews, Session I

Life after death in Zoroastrianism, Christianity and Judaism – Dr. Pallan Ichaporia,

Zoroastrian connection and influence on Judaism – Rabbi Harold Kudan, founding rabbi of Congregation Am Shalom in Glencoe, IL.

11:30 Jashan Participation with Understanding, a legacy of Late Dastoor Dr. Nowrooz

Minocher – Homji, a beloved of ZAC; an interactive session – Ervad Soli Dastur with

local association members.

12:15 Launch of FEZANA publication “Zoroastrian Connection with Christianity and

Judaism” – Roshan Rivetna

12:30 Lunch and Keynote address: The Future of Zoroastrianism – Keki Bhote

1:30 Zoroastrian Connections with Christian and Jews, Session II

Zoroastrian connection with Armenian Christians – Very Reverend Aren Jebejian,

St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church, Chicago, IL

Concepts from the book under preparation on Zoroastrian connections with other faiths, Dastoor Dr. Kersey H. Antia, IL

3:00 Tea

3:30 Zoroastrian Connection with Christian and Jews, Session III

Zoroastrian connection with Christians – Tony Evensen, St. Ignatius, Chicago, IL.

2^nd speaker – TBA

5:00 Closing followed by “Roundtable”: Actions and Assign Responsibilities.

Swami Vivekananda at World Parliament of Religions

yazdi — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 06:24:24 +0000

Hear his speech in NewYork in 1893

Courtesy : Jehangir Gilder

Topography of Faith: Mapping the USA

yazdi — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 03:21:43 +0000

Topography of Faith: Mapping the USA

‘USA Today’ recently published a fascinating graphical depiction of faith in the USA: The Topography of Faith. Based on research done by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, the map presents the overall view of the US and yields individual views for each state as you scroll over. Makes for a fascinating few minutes as you try to guess the religious topography of different states and regions.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/graphics/pew-religion-08/flash.htm

Courtesy : Rashid Mehin

Co-exist Prize

yazdi — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 10:37:20 +0000

Coexist launches a global search for an unsung hero who has made an exceptional contribution to building bridges between people of different faiths. The Coexist Prize, worth $100,000, aims to celebrate the positive social role religion plays for so many people in the world.Coexist, a Foundation with offices in New York and London, will honor an individual who has shown inspirational courage, imagination and commitment, and been nominated by the public, or by its global network of nominating partners. The Prize is completely inclusive and explicitly open to people of all faiths, and those of no religious persuasion. There are also two runners up awards worth $10,000.

The winners’ powerful stories will be featured in short documentaries, which Coexist will showcase at the Prize ceremony on Tuesday March 20th 2012 at New York University.

Members of the public can nominate people through the online nomination form here, where there is also further information about the criteria and guidelines. The deadline for nominations is the 14th of October 2011. Candidates can also promote their project on Twitter as part of the competition, by using the hashtag #coexistprize.

http://www.coexistfoundation.net/en-gb/news-article/31/%24100000-prize-for-coexist-heroes.htm

Courtesy : Behram Pastakia

Religions prepare welcome for Dalai Lama

yazdi — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 04:23:29 +0000

From the Chicago Tribune:

Religions prepare welcome for Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama’s message of compassion long has transcended Tibetan Buddhism and enchanted people of all faiths — and no faith.

The full story can be viewed at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/ct-met-dalai-lama-interfaith-artwork-20110716,0,516322.story?track=ctiphoneapp

Upcoming Event – The Parliament of World’s Religions- 2014

yazdi — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 07:22:42 +0000

The Parliament of World’s Religions is the world’s oldest (dating back to 1893) and largest inter-religious and inter-cultural event. The PWR meets every five years. It gathers during one week about 10 000 people of diverse religious and cultural traditions from across the globe. It comprises plenary sessions addressed by senior civil and religious leaders, a host of cultural events, and more than 600 distinct workshops on the challenging issues facing the global community. Previous Parliaments were held in Melbourne (2009), Barcelona (2004), Cape Town (1999), Chicago (1993).

Three years of preparation will ensure that the exchanges at the Parliament genuinely reflect the breadth and depth of perspectives and values of the world’s religious & convictional communities. Over 75 preliminary events are organised in cities throughout the world. The gathering itself thus emerges as the culmination of an intense and in-depth global dialogue.

http://www.brussels2014.eu/

Courtesy : Behram Pastakia