Current Events and Links

The Parliament of World's Religions- Trying To Save The World

July 8, 2004 - A sort of "cultural Olympics" met recently in Barcelona, Spain with about 500 religious leaders, activists and followers of Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and Islam. The event was staged by The Parliament of World's Religions, based in Chicago.

... in gathering traditional religions with those of a more New Age flavor, the parliament is seeking written commitments from the faithful to help tackle four worldwide problems: refugees, water shortages, religious violence and increasing debt.

Three parliament session have been held: Chicago in 1893 (!); Chicago in 1993; and South Africa in 1999.

Source:Jewish World Review

Parliament of World Religions

New Bible translation promotes fornication

June 24, 2004 - "As Good As New," the new Bible translation for the "One" organization fails to condemn "fornicators, adulterers and 'abusers of themselves with mankind."

... the new version of his first letter to Corinth has St. Paul advising Christians not to go without sex for too long in case they get 'frustrated.'

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams – leader of the Church of England – recommends it as a book of "extraordinary power."

Source:WorldNetDaily

As Good As New - A radical and readable new translation by John Henson

ONE For Christian Exploration -

Sea of Faith Network - Radical Theology

The New Religious Order

Informative article by Gary Kah

As the UN's "Prophet of Hope" [Robert] Muller believes that world unity cannot be achieved without a one-world government and a one-world religion.

Source:Hope For The World

Interfaith group Jerusalem peace rally

Dec. 23, 2003 - Approximately 8000 people gathered in Jerusalem's Independence Park to celebrate an interfaith service, with representatives of the Jews acknowledging Jesus as the Prince of Peace, and Christians honoring Mohammed as God's Prophet.

"We should break down all boundaries that divide people. We should live together in mutual respect and cooperation," advised Rev. Chung Hwan Kwak, Chairman of the IIFWP [Interreligious and International Federation of World Peace]...

Kwak is also Chairman and President of News World Communications, that owns United Press International.

Source:UPI

World church group blasts Iraqi invasion

Sept. 9, 2003 - The World Council of Churches (WCC) has approved a resolution deploring the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, as an "illegal resort to war." It calls on the United Nations to investigate Saddam Hussein's crimes as well.

In response to this statement, Diane Knippers, president of the Institute on Religion and Democracy, says the WCC is again showing its moral blindness.

... this Central Committee statement equates the liberators of Iraq with those who murdered, raped, imprisoned and robbed from millions of Iraqis for decades. Such a vacuous attempt at moral equivalence is, in fact, immoral.

The WCC represents more than 340 churches, denominations and church fellowships in 100 countries and territories throughout the world.

Source:WorldNetDaily

U.N. Wants to Spread Its Tentacles to Churches

July 14, 2003 - This September the General Assembly of the United Nations will consider a formal proposal for the establishment of an Inter-religious Council that would be an actual institution of the U.N.

In August of 2000, 1,000 religious and spiritual leaders met at the U.N. and established a new World Council. But that body decided to be an independent resource for the U.N.

The concept was endorsed by a conference going on in Asan, South Korea, sponsored by the Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace, an organization begun by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon of the Unification Church. Moon also is the founder of News World Communications Inc., which owns UPI.

Source:NewsMax

Pope wants EU to call itself Christian

Jan. 23, 2003 - Pope John Paul II is trying to influence the framers of the European Union's Constitution, now being drafted by the Convention on the Future of Europe, to recognize their Christian roots. The trend in Europe has been to exclude any mention of religion in their constitutions. Most observers doubt that the E.U. Constitution will mention Christianity.

Source:UPI

Give Peace a Chance, World Religions Say

Jan. 20, 2003 - While the build-up for war in Iraq continued, and peace protesters staged many rallies, the Vatican sponsored a peace conference, attended by representatives of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism and Sikhism.

The 38 leaders from 15 countries who attended the three-day meeting appealed for diplomacy and persuasion to correct injustices and respond to international threats.

Source:Reuters

Ushering in the One-World Religion

Oct. 23, 2002 - This month in Geneva, the United Nations hosted their first-ever summit of women religious leaders. More than 500 women attended, from more than 70 countries. Most were from "Eastern religions" — Buddhists, Taoists and Hindus.

...there was no mention of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. Nor could we find any evangelical Christians either speaking at or attending this world religions summit.

Source:CBN

Vivekanada's dream of Temple Universal to be fulfilled

Oct. 19, 2002 - An interfaith temple in Chicago may be erected by 2005.

Source:Outlook India

The Legacy of Abraham

Sept. 22, 2002 - In the cover story for Time Magazine, David Van Biema shows that Abraham is beloved to Christians, Jews, and Muslims. He reports on a movement to bring the faiths together through their common respect for Father Abraham. One example is a catchy Arabic tune he heard on the radio in a New York taxi cab.

The chorus was, "We have the same father. Why do you treat us this way?" Who might the father be? I asked. "Ibrahim," he said. "The song is called Ismail and Isaac," after his sons.

Source:Time Magazine

Poll Discovers Low Trust in Religion

July 19, 2002 - Americans' confidence in religious institutions is at a 30-year low. See the summary in our apostasy section.

Charles gears up to be the prince of faiths

Apr. 16, 2002 - Prince Charles plans a religious movement to counter the breakdown of tolerance.

He will launch his movement, called Respect, alongside the leaders of all of Britain’s principal religions in Birmingham on April 29, at an event co-ordinated by the Prince’s Trust.

In addition to Christian leaders, such as the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster and the Archbishop of Wales the event will also have leading representatives from other faiths, including Muslims, Sikhs, Bahai, Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains.

Source:The Times of India

WEF floats idea of ‘united nations of major religions’

Feb. 4, 2002 - The World Economic Forum, meeting in New York, has initiated a summit meeting of representatives from Christianity, Judiasm, and Islam to discuss ways of achieving peace and progress together. High-ranking representatives of various branches of all three world religions have been invited

The forum has...revived an idea that was first launched by the late King Hassan of Morocco in conjunction with the UNESCO in 1998. The idea was to create a kind of "united nations of major religions..."

Some of those invited are: Nigerian-born Cardinal Arinze, retiring Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Carey, Batholomew I the Orthodox patriarch of Constantinople; Israel’s Chief Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, Britain’s Chief Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Sachs and Peter Stoerdijk, who heads the movement of liberal Jews in Europe; and Islamic leaders, Dr. Zaki Badawi from Great Britain, Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef, who presides over the World Muslim Congress based in Saudi Arabia and Kamal Al-Sharif, who is secretary-general of the Jordanian Council of Dawa.

Source: Arab News

Iran Will Participate In Assisi Prayer Meeting With Pope

Jan. 9, 2002 - A representative from the government of Iran will participate in the Assisi world prayer meeting for peace convoked by the Pope for Jan. 24.

The Iranian ambassador said that his country is always willing to participate in any initiative to promote dialogue between religions.

Source:ETWN

Pope Calls World Religions to Peace Summit

Nov. 18, 2001 - Pope John Paul called for a meeting of leaders of all the world's religions on January 24 in the Italian city of Assisi. The meeting should be a historic moment for humanity, when all religions pray for peace and work to overcome armed conflict. The Pope said he hoped the meeting would help to improve relations between Christians and Muslims.

Source:Reuters (Story no longer on line.)

Deception One World Religion

Check out this well-illustrated page about New Age Religion in the light of prophecy.

World Church Council calls for putting an end to Israel's occupation...

Feb. 8, 2001 - Meeting in Berlin, the World Church Council issued statements favorable to the Palestinians. They called for end to Israeli occupation in Palestinian territories, the Golan Heights and shebaa farms.

The committee wound up its meetings by launching a decade-long universal campaign for cooperating, as Christians, with other heavenly religions and national associations in containing violence.

Source: Arabic News

Heaven open to everyone, says Pope

Dec. 8, 2000 - The Roman Catholic Church was criticized for a document signed in September, in which it was stated that the way of salvation was "only in the unique and universal Catholic Apostolic Church." The Pope has now made an ammendment saying that Heaven is open to all as long as they are good.

He said at an audience that "all of the just on Earth, including those who ignore Christ and his Church" were "called upon to build the kingdom of God".

Source: Electronic Telegraph - Bruce Johnston in Rome (Story no longer on line.)

One World Religion is Not Enough

Oct. 24, 2000 - Wendy Griffith analyzes the recent Millennium World Peace Summit of religious and spiritual leaders that took place at the United Nations. The United Religions Initiative is also explained.

Source: CBN News

The Jesus Mysteries' opens a controversial can of worms

Sept. 22, 2000 - See the summary in our Jesus section.

Scholars welcome Jewish statement on Christianity

Sept. 8, 2000 - In a major theological statement, the first of its kind, scholars from four Jewish denominations (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist) have said that Nazi thought was not an outgrowth of Christianity.

The document included eight major points:

·Jews and Christians worship the same God. ·

·They both seek authority from the Hebrew Bible. ·

·Christians can respect the claim of the Jewish people on the land of Israel. ·

·Both faiths accept morals from the Torah, or the five books of Moses. ·

·Nazism was not a Christian phenomenon. ·

·The humanly irreconcilable differences between Jews and Christians will not be settled until God redeems the entire world as promised in scripture. ·

·A new relationship between Jews and Christians will not weaken Jewish practice. ·

·Jews and Christians must work together for justice and peace.

More than 160 Jewish leaders of all backgrounds have signed on to the statement.

Source: Virtual New York (Story no longer on line.)

U.N. religious summit speakers decry efforts at conversion

Sept. 8, 2000 - One objective of the summit that failed was an effort to produce an advisory council to the United Nations. The idea could be revived later because its defeat was due to a lack of details about the proposed council.

Many speakers denounced efforts to convert people from one religion to another. Such statements were met with vigorous applause. Evangelicals were practically absent from the summit. One notable exception was Anne Graham Lotz, who gave a gospel presentation.

Source: Worthy News

Vatican Document Reasserts Catholicism Superiority

Sept. 8, 2000 - In a reaction to ecuminism, the Roman Catholic Church has issued a document that states people can only attain full salvation from earthly sin through the spiritual grace of the Catholic Church. It claims that oher faiths -- including Protestant Churches have defects that place their followers in a 'gravely deficient situation in seeking salvation.'

The document was released by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and is said to have the explicit approval of Pope John Paul II.

Source: Maranatha Christian Journal

Turner Attacks Christianity at U.N. 'Peace Summit'

Aug. 30, 2000 - During the Millennium World Peace Summit (see previous article - below), Ted Turner, who was introduced by New Age billionaire Maurice Strong, made fun of Christianity and endorsed New Age ideas.

Immediately Turner denounced his own childhood Christian faith. The crowd’s laughter turned to approving whoops as Turner explained he turned away from Christianity when he discovered "it was intolerant because it taught we were the only ones going to heaven. That confused the devil out of me since that would have left heaven a very empty place."

Source: PropheZine

World religions converge at U.N. conference

Aug. 29, 2000 - The Millennium World Peace Summit held its opening exercises at the United Nations Monday. Representatives of the world's leading religions were invited.

"We have to ask a fundamental question," said Bawa Jain, secretary-general of the summit.... "Can religion play a role in the peace-making process?"

The Dali lama was not invited, apparently because of political pressure from China.

Ted Turner was named honorary chairman of the event.

A major portion of the meeting's funding is coming from the U.N. Foundation/Better World fund, created by Ted Turner, the vice chairman of Time Warner Inc. and founder of Cable News Network, the parent network of CNN Interactive.

Turner, who is serving as honorary chairman of the meeting, has in the past had to apologize for brash remarks about organized religion, including a 1990 comment that Christianity was "for losers."

Source:CNN

Other coverage of the summit:
International Religious Summit At U.N. Receives Criticism - Maranatha Christian Journal
Leaders of the World's Religions Meet - Religion News Today (Story no longer on line.)

See also: United Religions Initiative (Story no longer on line.)

Religious And Spiritual Leaders Meet To Form Permanent UN Advisory

July 31, 2000 - More information on the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders.

The idea for the World Peace Summit has its roots in the World Parliament of Religions, but got its final push from US media billionaire Ted Turner who met last fall with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. Ted Turner is known for having frequently insulted Christians and has made jokes about John Paul II....

Leaders have been invited from Hinduism, Sikhism, Shintoism, Judaism, Taoism, Chritianity, Islam, Jainism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Confucianism, and indigenous religions. The logo for the World Peace Summit is the symbol of each of these religions forming a circle around the symbol for the UN. It is almost identical to the symbol for the "New Age" United Religions Initiative.

Source: ETWN News

U.N. plans to bring together 1,000 world religious leaders

July 15, 2000 - The Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders will meet in the General Assembly of the UN on Aug. 28, and will be continued for two more days to the nearby Waldorf Astoria hotel.

One thousand religious leaders, who are to be named Tuesday will issue a Declaration for World Peace and agree to some form of a permanent organization. Ted Turner, the summit's honorary chairman, has promised full live coverage by CNN.

Source: WeekendNews Today

United Religions Official Birth: June 26

June 1, 2000 - The 5th Global Summit of the United Religions Initiative (URI) will take place in Pittsburgh, PA on June 26th.

Participants in the Charter signing will include religious leaders representing the world's faith traditions as well as representatives from URI Cooperation Circles around the globe. Some of the faiths represented include: Hindu, Zoroastrian, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Taoist, Wiccan, Baha'i, Sikh, and Indigenous Peoples.

Source: United Religions - (Story no longer on line.)

PDF File - Requires Acrobat Reader - (Story no longer on line.)

NCC Launches Group To Include Evangelicals, Catholics

May 29, 2000 - The World Council of Churches, plagued by financial problems, and representing less than a majority of Christian churches, has decided to form a new organization that will include all major branches of U.S. Christianity, including evangelicals and Catholics.

Source: Maranatha Christian Journal

Om Sakthi Spiritual Movement

"A philosophy which embraces all religions." This is an example of the current movement toward "religious tolerance." This group is a sponsor of the Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance.

Critics Respond To "Jesus" Miniseries

May 18, 2000 - The ABC miniseries got mixed reviews by evangelicals. The purpose of His death was misrepresented, and He seemed to be confused and angry. At least the miracles and resurrection were presented as true.

Source: Maranatha Christian Journal

UPI Sold To Branch of Unification Church

May 17, 2000 - News World Communications, which is closely related to the Unification Church (Reverend Sun Myung Moon), has purchased United Press International. The organization already owns the Washington Times. Helen Thomas, a 40-year veteran of the White House Press Corps has resigned from her post following the sale.

Source: BBC

'Multi-faith Coronation' for Charles

Apr. 10, 2000 - There is serious consideration of changing the method of kingly coronation in England by the time Prince Charles ascends to the throne. The change might end the Church of England's special privileged relationship to the king. The ceremony might include other religions as well.

Source: Electronic Telegraph (Story no longer linked.)

The Burning Man

Mar., 2000 - by Thomas Horn - Article about the four-day Satanic festival which has been held for the past ten years in Black Rock Desert in Nevada. It draws earth-worshipping pagans from all over the world to this New Age techno-fest, with recent attendance exceeding 15,000 wiccans, satanists, goddesses (white witches), nudists, and others for the Labor Day weekend of "glorious Hell on earth." Source: Worthy News

'Multi-faith Coronation' for Charles

Apr. 10, 2000 - There is serious consideration of changing the method of kingly coronation in England by the time Prince Charles ascends to the throne. The change might end the Church of England's special privileged relationship to the king. The ceremony might include other religions as well.

Source: Electronic Telegraph (Story no longer linked.)

Rumours sweep Rome that Pope will quit next year

Jan. 13, 2000 - Despite Vatican concerns that the Church could not handle two Popes -- one reigning, and one retired -- John Paul II has come to realize that his body was "no longer a docile instrument, but a cage," and may decide to retire in 2001, after the Jubilee celebrations are completed.

Source: Electronic Telegraph (Story no longer linked.)

United Religions' 72 Hours Project- Various places worldwide

Dec. 31, 1999- Jan 2, 2000 -

The 72 Hours Project is an unprecedented interfaith peace-building effort, inviting people of faith from around the world to take actions together for peace. From December 31st, 1999 through January 2nd, 2000, project participants will mobilize their communities to take steps for peace as we cross the threshold into a new millennium.

(Story no longer on line.)

Council for the Parliament of the World's Religions

Dec. 1-8, 1999 -- Cape Town, South Africa -- "At the 1999 Parliament, thousands of people from around the world—teachers, scholars, leaders, believers and practitioners—come together to experience astonishing spiritual and cultural variety, to exchange insights, to share wisdom, to celebrate their unique religious identities; in short, to be amazed, delighted, and inspired. At the same time, participants wrestle with the critical issues facing the global community, learning about the world situation, and seeking the moral and ethical convergence that leads to shared commitment and action."

Religions conference vows to work for achieving coexistence

Dec. 1, 1999 - Some 1000 delegates to the World Conference on Religion and Peace in Amman, Jordan, agreed to work together to achieve "coexistence" among various communities.

Source: Arabic Times

Church unity movement in jeopardy

Nov. 10,1999 - The National Council of Churches celebrates its 50th anniversary this week, but despite the support of 35 denominations with some 50 million members, the organization is plagued with debt and disorganization. It is not supported by Evangelicals and Pentecostals. Source:Religion News Today - (Story no longer on line.)

Leaders of all religions to meet in Rome; Vatican in final stages of preparations for inter-religious meeting

Sept. 24, 1999 - The Vatican is sponsoring an inter-religious meeting in preparation for the new Millennium.

There will be two important moments during the meeting. The first is the Assembly itself, which will be attended by 200 people: 80 Christians of different denominations and 120 from other religions; it will be held in the Vatican Synod Hall. The second is a significant meeting in St. Peter's Square on October 28, with thousands of faithful present. The Assembly will include the traditional African, American and Hindu religions, the monotheist religions, and some new Japanese religions.

Source: WeekEnd News Today / EWTN News (Story no longer on line.)

Anglican Bishop spearheads United Religions Project

June 28, 1999 - Episcopal Bishop William Swing, speaking in a conference in Jerusalem, along with the Dali Lama, said that religions are at least a half century behind nations in the effort to work out their differences. He hopes that the United Religions organization will be functional by June of next year. Source: Maranatha Journal

See also: Report from United Religions on their June 1999 Global Summit Conference

United Religions Emulates The United Nations

June 22, 1998 - Over 200 religious leaders from all over the world began a six-day conference to try to create a United Religions Initiative charter. The founder of the group is Bishop William E. Swing of the Episcopal Diocese of California. The group hopes to complete the charter by June 2000. Source: San Jose Mercury News - (Story no longer on line.)

Be Aware of The Interfaith Alliance

March, 1998 - This organization, which apparently begun in 1995, states that they have "come together to stand up to the growing and ominous power and influence of the Christian Coalition and other religious political extremist groups and individuals. " It is comprised of liberal religious leaders including pro-homosexual activists. The president of the group is Phil Wogaman, pastor of Foundry United Methodist Church of Washington D.C., which President Clinton regularly attends (see recent article "United Methodists Allow Homosexual Ceremony").

This organization proposes an alternative concept of family values, and tries to agressively undermine the activities of Christian conservatives in their local communities. They may infiltrate local governmental circles and other centers of influence to establish their views, and cause officials to brand Christian conservatives as intolerant extremists.

United Religions Now Forming along United Nations Model

This organization has set the year 2000 as its target date for signing a charter which would include all world religions.

A Brief History of Proposals for A United Religions - (Story no longer on line.)

Their history doesn't include the National Council of Churches or the World Council of Churches.