Religion conference
aims to attract
8,000 to Honolulu

Hawaii discusses a bid to host
the 2005 Parliament of
the World's Religions

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By Mary Adamski
madamski@starbulletin.com

Picture a summit of members of the world's religions bringing their intellectual and spiritual powers to bear on the issues of peace, justice and harmony among peoples.

That's exactly the vision of a group of Hawaii church representatives who want Honolulu to be the site of the 2005 Parliament of the World's Religions.

The last gathering of the international interfaith parliament was in Cape Town, South Africa, and drew 7,000 people.

A session in Hawaii would likely bring 8,000 people, Jerry C.L. Chang told a Thursday meeting attended by members of several denominations as well as Hawai'i Convention Center and Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau officials.

Discussion of presenting a bid for the convention will continue at a luncheon meeting at noon Friday at the Central Union Church Women's Building. The Rev. Robert Thompson, trustees chairman of the Chicago-based Council for the World Parliament of Religions, will speak. The meeting is open to anyone interested. Wednesday is the deadline for reservations, which may be made by calling Chang at 373-3654. The cost to attend is $10.

Chang, a former United Nations representative in Paraguay and a past vice president of the East-West Center, is spearheading the effort. Chang was one of 14 Hawaii people who attended the 1999 Cape Town conference.

The concept of interreligious dialogue was new when the first parliament was held in 1893 in Chicago, part of the World Columbian Exposition celebrating the explorations of Christopher Columbus. The Council for the World Parliament of Religions was formed in 1988 to organize a centennial parliament, which attracted 8,000 people to Chicago in 1993, and it continues to plan religion summits.

The Chicago meet produced a "Declaration of a Global Ethic," which affirmed that "a common set of core values is found in the teachings of the religions, and that these form the basis of a global ethic." It stated, "We commit ourselves to a culture of nonviolence, respect, justice and peace."

Chang said: "The idea is to find common ground through which we can live peaceably together. If there is no dialogue, we can't find common ground."

Chang told the Thursday meeting that several countries are bidding to host the next parliament. The council requires the host city organization to work as a planning partner, which includes funding commitments. Initial deposits would total $25,000.

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