Religion’s role in The role religion plays as both peacemaker and stimulus for conflict is one of the topics of a community forum on "Waging Peace" to be held three Saturdays in November at the state Capitol auditorium.
world events will be
explored in a forum
Star-Bulletin staff
The impact on society of business and government corruption will also be explored, as will the proposed establishment of a Cabinet-level U.S. Department of Peace. A participant from Northern Ireland peacemaking efforts will lead a session on "practicing what we preach" about ending conflict.
The series will open at 9 a.m. next Saturday with a discussion of the premise that "We are our own worst enemy: Most suffering is man-made." City Prosecutor Peter Carlisle will speak on "The overt and hidden costs of corruption in business and government." University of Hawaii psychology professor Anthony Marsella will give a view of "The overt and hidden costs of human conflict, especially war." The Rev. Ted Robinson, senior pastor of Central Union Church, will address "The causes of corruption and human conflict and how to overcome them."
Humanity United Globally, a Honolulu-based nonprofit organization, is the sponsor of the events.
Retired U.N. diplomat and educator Jerry Chang founded the organization, which sponsors the Youth Peace Ambassadors program.
An array of local organizations will co-sponsor the talks on "Confronting the global crisis in human conflict."
At 9 a.m. Nov. 16, "The dichotomy of religion: Is religion hurting rather than helping?" will be explored. Speakers will be Majid Tehranian, director of Toda Institute for Global Peace and Policy Research; the Rev. Jan Youth of Honpa Hongwanji Temple; Andi Van der Voort, president of Humanists Hawaii; and Glenn Paige, president of the Center for Global Nonviolence.
Presenters at the 9 a.m. Nov. 23 forum will include Mariam Stephens, peacemaker and poet from Belfast, Northern Ireland. Also speaking will be Ha'aheo Guanson, co-director of the Pacific Justice and Reconciliation Center, and Jerry Chang.
Admission is free, but the organizers request that reservations be made. Call Jerry or Ruth Chang at 373-3654.
Click for online
calendars and events.
