Parliament of Worlds Religion 1999 Capetown SA

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

Page 96

1 9 9 9 PARLIAMENT OF THE WORLD'S RELIGIONS IDENTITY
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4
Linda Groff is Professor of Political Science & Future Studies at California State University in Carson, California. She is also the Director of Global Options Consulting, Linda teaches, writes, consults, and gives talks and workshops on global futures, evolution, peace, conflict resolution, intercultural, interreligious, spiritual, and Internet topics
10:00 AM-11:30 AM IN COMMERCE 2.56 A Kaleidoscope of Christian Spirituality: Evangelical Spirituality Mrs. Jean Knighton-Fitt During this workshop the outline story of Jesus will be covered, with defintions of religious terms used. Also explored will be the history of the Evangelical Movement overseas, with particular attention to South Africa. The speaker will say why this approach to Christianity is particularly meaningful to her. She will also suggest how it can address and meet the needs of the human predicament, especially in South Africa, at this point in our history Jean Knighton-Fitts is by training a high school teacher and by choice a wife, mother and homemaker. The Knighton-Fitts home is an open-home Christian community, where hospitality and lively dialogue characterize the lifestyle. Jean is particularly interested in the empowerment and fulfillment of women in the challenging art of homemaking
10:00 AM–11:00 AM IN SCIENCE 2.71 Empowerment of Women in Hinduism Dr. M Lakshmi Kumari Owing to various historical and social compulsions, a number of negative forces have worked against Hindu women. These destructive forces are the very antithesis of Hinduism. This lecture will explore how Hinduism has an abundance of measures that could empower and emancipate women. Dr. M. Lakshmi Kumari holds a Ph.D. in Botany from Madras University She also completed a two year post-doctoral Fellowship at the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences in the erstwhile USSR. She has been associated with the Vivekananda Kendra in India for the past three decades and has served as its President. She is an eminent religious and social worker in India
10:00 AM-10:45 AM IN SCIENCE 2.70 Asteriods and Reeds: A MexicaSacrificial Ethic for Today Dr. Kay A. Read The Mexica (Aztecs) have long been portrayed in popular literature as nasty barbarians, interested only in ripping out people's hearts to blindly feed an omnipotent sun god. Their portrayal in academic circles, until very recently, has not been much better. In this lecture, Professor Read will explore the Mexica sacraficial concepts as lived in a complex cosmovision, and will illustrate they founded ethical norms. She will also illustrate how these understandings can provide a path for modern societies to move towards a solution for today's ethical problems with diversity, Professor Kay Read teaches courses on Native American and Meso American indigenous peoples at DePaul University, USA
10:00 AM–11:00 AM IN SCIENCE 3.49 Enlightenment in the 21st Century: Four Doors to Spiritual Illumination Prof. Andrew Vidich This lecture gives the secrets to unlocking the door of spiritual perception and experiencing the ocean of Divine Light within. It explains, according to the Path of the Masters, the basic theoretical understanding necessary, the role of ethical behavior as a foundation for spiritual path, and the techniques of spiritual practices that were required on daily basis. Lastly it explains the role, purpose, and necessity of the spiritual guide, in order to continue progressing on the spiritual path. Andrew Vidich, is currently teaching as an assistant professor of Religion at lona College of New Rocheile. He is currently the executive co-chair of the Interfaith Council of New York. Andrew has been a practitioner of meditation for over two and a half decades under the guidance of three great spiritual Masters of our time, Sant Kirpal Singh, Sant Darshan Singha, and Sant Rajinder Singh
Identity
10:00 AM–11:30 AM IN SCIENCE 2.65 Breaking Down Barriers to Peace Mr. Ralph Singh In this workshop, Ralph Singh will show a new video documenting the work of His Holiness Baba Virsa Singh Ji's work for justice in India. The video presentation will be followed by a facilitated dialogue about issues arising from the video, and will explore how sustainable agriculture can provide a basis for cultivating mutual respect and eliminate poverty. Ralph Singh is an American Sikh, and is a Trustee of the North American Interfaith Network
10:00 AM-12:00 PM IN SCIENCE 2.73 Crossing Boundaries: Spiritual Journeys in Search of the Sacred Dr. Linda Groff Constructive models for dealing with religious diversity in today's interdependent world willbe explored, based on indepth interviews with people from different age groups, as well as diverse ethnic, religious, and national backgrounds, who have explored at least two or more different spiritual/religious traditions. Dr. Groff will look at their motivations and how they have integrated these traditions into their lives. She will then present a summary of these spiritual journeys, although each is unique, she will offer four+ models of such journeys and share certain characteristics they have in common. Dr. Groff will also discuss the importance of, and principles for conducting, interreligious dialogue today. This session will also be experiential, with participants sharing their spiritual journeys in pairs and then with the larger group.
10:00 AM–11:00 AM IN THEATER 1 Foundations of Zoroastrianism: Their Imperative for Interfaith Work in the Modern Age Mr. Rohinton M. Rivetna; Mr. Ervad Parvez M. Bajan; Dr. Dastoor Kersey Antia The basic tenets of Zoroastrianism will be examined, working to identify their imperative for interfaith work and respect for diversity by bringing forth their value in the context of the present age of diversity. The presenter makes a plea for other faiths to examine their own in preparation of the coming "Age of Diversity." Rohinton M. Rivetna is a founding member of the Zoroastrian Association of Chicago, Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America, Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions and a spirit for the formation of United Religions Organizations. Mr. Bajan MA, LL.M.) is presently the Assistant Head Priest at the Seth
B.M. Fire Temple and spent many years as a Bank Officer fnow retired) Mr. Bajan has also been active as an academic lecturer and writer on religious topics Dr. Antia has been high priest of the Zarathushti community in the Chicago area since 1977, when he was awarded the Dastur's shawl by ZAC. Dr. Antia is the author of numerous papers on religion and psychology
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