Parliament of Worlds Religion 1993 Chicago IL

Author(s): Parliament of the World’s Religions
Publisher: USA Parliament of the Worlds Religions

Page 23

Plenary Sessions
Parliament of the World's Religions. Not only the numbers but the places and the stories are very different then they were at the time of the first Parliament in 1893.
Brief intermission Lart II: Responses Madame Nana Apeadu, Ghana; President, Pan-African Human Rights
Association, New York Most Reverend Samuel Ruiz Garcia, Obispo de Chiapas, Chiapas, Mexico His Excellency Metropolitan Paulos Gregorios, Delhi Orthodox Centre,
New Delhi, India Dr. Chatsumarn Kabilsingh, Thammasat University, Bangkok, Thailand Rabbi A. James Rudin, American Jewish Committee, New York Conclusion
The "voices" in this plenary session come forward not only to describe their experiences of loss, to confront or to ask sympathy, but to make affirmations of spirit. Though many have lost their sacred writings or their holy places, they wish to say that they are still alive and that they are here---in spite of!
Bringing affirmations of faith and spirit, the "dispossessed" claim a proper place in this gathering of the world's religions. They assert a spirituality, based in their various traditional and name religions, that could transform religions and societies. They enter their experience into the deliberations of the Parliament on critical issues of the earth, development, education, health, and the future of human communities and world cities.
"VISIONS OF PARADISE AND POSSIBILITY" Sunday, August 29. 8:00 PM-10:00 PM Grand and State Ballrooms Images, passages from sacred texts, and visions expressed through a variety of media will portray the religious reflection on the possibilities inherent in the human condition. Visions of paradise, of the garden, of creation, and rebirth. Inspiring affirmations as well as provocative challenges from the worlds of science and social justice-- will encourage Parliament participants to focus on what can be achieved through cooperation and respect for the sacredness of all life. Speakers and readers from many faiths will be featured, with narration provided by professional actor Robin Ramsay. Singer and instrumentalist Arlo Guthrie, baritone Robert Brown, and renowned Indian dance artist Hema Rajagopalan will perform.
Introduction of Presidents Musical Performance-Bob Kindler & Jai Ma Music Ensemble "Earth as a Garden"-Robin Ramsay, Narrator Reader - Rabbi Alan Bregman Reader Dr. Javeed Akhter Dance Performance Maggie Kast and Rebecca Phillips "Earth in Her Golden Age"-Robin Ramsay, Narrator Dance Performance-- Indian Dance by Hema Rajagopalan Reader - Imani Nyah Reader--The Rev. Thomas A. Baima Musical Performance-Songs by Akasha "Ways of Being"-Robin Ramsay, Narrator Reader - John Dobson "Global Visions Statement"-Leticia Shahani Reader - Susan Shown Harjo Musical Performance-Arlo Guthrie "The Oneness of Life"-Robin Ramsay, Narrator Reader --Dr. John Alge Reader--Mr. Ron Kidd Young Readers--Uewish Host Committee) & Sierra Weathers Reader -Dr. Gerald Barney Musical Performance--William Brown Jr., baritone Closing Blessing
The assembly will include: 1. An audio-visual presentation. (Materials were contributed by the peoples, their artists, and the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees.) 2. Personal stories and testimonies. (From the various continents.)
Haitian Procession. Bishop Willie Romelus of Jérémie Ladjamaya, African American Ghulam Nabi Fai, Kashmir, India Va Seng Vang and Fa Thi Vang (with Keng), Laos Edward Monokowa, Liberia Sheikh Ahmed Tijani Ben Omar and Joe Archiso, Ghana Fr. Tom Kocherry, India Norbu Samphell, Tibet Molefe Tsele, South Africa Hayelom Ayele, Ethiopia Gurmit Singh Aulakh, Punjab, India 11th-century hymn, Sikh chorus Sharifa Sharif, Afghanistan David Hernandez, Chicago homeless Juanita Batzibal and Daniel Matul, Guatemala Sacred dance: Arbol de la Vida
Art and Dawn Shegonee, Menominee-Patowatomi 3. A summarizing challenge to the Parliament. 4. A communion of drums.
"VOICES OF THE DISPOSSESSED" Monday, August 30 9:00 AM-12:00 PM Grand and State Ballrooms The tides of human refugees are a sign of our time. The number of international refugees has increased seven-fold in the past 15 years (to 18.9 million). This does not include an equal number of people displaced within their own national borders, and many more who feel dispossessed while still on their own historic turf-who are losing their children's names, their town names, their chosen Labor, their holy places, and their freedom to act in public.
Following are translations of portions of some songs and chants included with the presentations. A song of Haiti (Creole): Bondje Ayisyen Bouke by Fr. Yvon Massac,
parish of Fennathe. The song begins with someone experiencing shortness of breath and a
short dialogue. Q: O friend, why are you so tired? Have you been running? A: These days one does not need to run to get tired in Haiti Q: What do you mean? A: When one considers the injustices that permeate our land, where
foreigners get all the rights and privileges while natives are treated badly, one must stop to think and unequivocally to say, O God, we
are tired! Refrain: O God, the Haitian people are tired/We are tired, please come
to our rescue. O God, we are gasping for air/We are heartbroken by
the meanness around us. (1) We are tired of being humiliated by other countries/ And by the
Haitian bourgeoisie, Who in order to protect their own interest/Rid other Haitians of human rights. Dear God, we must therefore ask,
did Jesus die only for these? (2) We are tired of the bluffs, abuses and big lies/ We are being fed to
appease us. We were told our pigs were sick and had to be destroyed/ While it became plain this was not the case. If such a
thing can take place/ It is because our leaders lack dignity. (5) They seem to forget that small fish must avoid strong currents/
They blindly follow big countries. All day long they are shouting around/ To show they are still in control. Our military rulers are so
dumb/ They think we develop" with weapons. (7) We the people: Let us look up to God/ Only the Lord and his
Christ can save us. Just as he saved the people of Israel/ From the
This manifest and inescapable displacement of peoples on virtually every continent today is a reality to be faced early in this
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