Parliament of Worlds Religion 1999 Capetown SA

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

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9 9 9 PARLIA MENT
PARLIAMENT
SOUTH AFRICA FORUM
Religion, Liberation and Transformation: the South African Experience
O F
South Africa is a microcosm of the world. Living together are major communities of black and white people experiencing affluence or poverty, western development or third world need of it, forces of oppression and of liberation, and most of the world's major religions. During thirty years a revolution has occurred in which the people have liberated themselves from political oppression, and now seek to transform society. How did it happen? What is happening now?
2 December, 10:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
Apartheid Oppression was Rooted in the Guiding Institutions
The nine seminars are presented jointly by the South African Chapter of the World Conference on Religion and Peace, and the Religious Studies Department of the University of Cape Town.
All presentations in this symposium will take place in Commerce Auditorium 2.58.
The Parliament of the World's Religions has identified eight "Guiding Institutions which influence the character and course of human society." These are Religion; Government; Commerce, Industry, and Labor, Education: Science and Medicine; Arts and Communications Media; International Intergovernmental Organizations; and Organisations of Civil Society. Apartheid oppression was produced through these Guiding Institutions.
Oppression was inflicted by good people who sincerely believed the colonial tradition that white western supremacy was the instrument of world salvation. Beneath this doctrine was their determination to retain economic power (wealth) in their own hands. These attitudes still rule many Guiding Institutions in the world today.
SYMPOSIA
In this session, a panel of prominent South African leaders will explore how the guiding institutions produced and supported the oppression of South Africans.
Panelists:
Dr. Franz Auerbach, World Conference on Religion and Peace Professor Mamphela Ramphela, Vice-Chancellor, University of Cape Town
Mr. Popo S. Molefe, Premeir of North West Province, Mafikeng Pastor Ray McCauley, President IFCC (Rhema) Church Bishop Paul Verryn, Methodist Church, Johannesburg 2 December, 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Religious Resistance to Oppression
Apartheid oppression was crushed by a long process in which liberated political and religious forces cooperated. Beneath this was a driving force towards theological renewal and economic justice. In this session, the panelists representing some of South Africa's religious and spiritual communities will address the current challenges. communities.
Reverend Bernard Spong, South Africa Council of Churches Father Albert Nolan, Challenge Magazine
Sheik Ebrahim Gabriels, Muslim Judicial Council
Professor Milton Shain, Professor of Hebrew and Jewish Studies at the University of Cape Town
Pastor Sipho Tshelane, African Independent Churches Reverend Charity Majiza, General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches
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THE
WORLD S
RELIGIONS
3 December, 10:00 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Contentious Issues for Religion and Transformation The South African struggle raised contentious issues which still confront religious activists concerned to transform the world. In a discussion moderated by Mr. Moss Nthia of the Evangelical Alliance of South Africa, the panelists will focus on economic pressure, non-violence, protest and pacifism, and self-discovery as tools for social transformation.
Dr. Daryl Baila, Public Service Commission Ms. Ela Gandhi, Member of Parliament
Dr. Molefe Tsele, ESSET
Reverend Douglass Torr, Church of the Province of South Africa
Ms. Jacqueline Williams
3 December, 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
From Resistance to Reconstruction: Analysing the "South African Miracle"
The transition in South Africa has been seen internationally as a social and political miracle. Yet deep-seated problems, many with global parallels, affect the project of building a new democracy. This seminar explores issues confronting religion in this new situation.
Panelists:
Professor David Chidester, Professor of Comparative Religion University of Cape Town
Professor Jakes Gerwel, University of the Western Cape: formerly Director General of
Professor Tinyiko Maluleke, University of Natal
Imam Rashied Omar, World Conference on Religion and Peace, South African Chapter
Ebrahim Rasool, Leader of the African National Congress in the Western Cape
4 December, 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Tolerance and Democracy: Human Rights Across the Chasms
A nation historically divided along racial, cultural, economic, and gender lines presents powerful challenges to religious visions of reconciliation and political practices of toleration. Panelists:
Professor Denise Ackerman, University of Western Cape Dr. Daryl Balai, Chair, Public Service Commission Professor Amands Gouws, University of Stellenbosch
Dr. Chireva Kwenda, African Religion Centre at the University of Cape Town
Professor, Amina Mama, African Gender Institute at the University of Cape Town
Genda Wildschut, Truth and Reconciliation Commission
4 December, 2:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Faith and Politics Working Together in the Emergence of the New South Africa
In this session, a panel of distinguished South Africans who were involved in the struggle against apartheid share stories of the past, and visions and strategies for the future. In a discussion moderated by Mary Burton, the panelists will recount how political and religious forces combined in the struggle to end apartheid oppression, and explore how could they both contribute to building transformed society. Chief Rabbi Cyril Harris, Union of Orthodox Synagogues Professor K. Kritzinger, University of South Africa Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa, Deputy of Education and ANC