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Toronto Interfaith Forum: Human History and Contemporary Challenges
Written by Qamrul Khanson, Recording Secretary, UPF-Toronto
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Toronto, Canada – UPF organized a talk on Human History and Contemporary Challenges by Dr. Gerald Filson, Director of Public Affairs of the Baha’i community in Canada, on July 6.
Rev. Mitch Dixon explained the Principles of UPF that bring together people of diverse religions and cultures with the theme of living for the sake of others. Humans are to develop socially based on the family as the ongoing school of love and peace. UPF strives to bring human beings closer to each other individually, communally, nationally, and internationally, spreading the message of one human family under God throughout the world.
Dr. Gerald Filson, the main speaker, shared his knowledge in a very special style:
Humans with all their diversities enjoy natural resources to empower themselves according to their understanding. No matter what ethnicity and diversity barriers we may face, I feel as I am part of the whole of humanity without any divisive instincts. Simply, we are all humans and share the same roots. I Gerald Filson, am the son of Swedish father and Irish mother. This heritage doesn't set me apart but makes me an example of a common person upon this planet earth.
I am fascinated with Canada, where we live and share in the atmosphere of diversity. The Greater Toronto area is a meeting place of diverse cultures and religions, and this diversity makes it an exemplary model. In my high school, there are 156 mother languages spoken, making me feel honored to be part of that community.
I as a religious person and am of the conviction that religious knowledge is necessary for every human created by God. It opens the gate of greater knowledge on the road to salvation. We have inherited destructive and constructive forces all around us. The knowledge of religion can lead us to constructive achievements and help us break the barriers of destructive divisions which we have artificially created.
In my opinion, past animosity among people of diverse religions was a blunder created by some people which has caused suffering to most people. The religion of God is one, but in order to be adherents of such a religion, different chapters evolved at different times. To me all religions of the world call people to worship and honor God.
Dr. Moon Shik Kim, Dr. Thillairajan, Rev. Mitch Dixon, Dr. Hoossen Auckbaraullee, Women's Federation for World Peace chairperson Lilly Tadin, Rev. Stoyan Tadin, and Rev. Brian Winters exchanged questions and answers on the topic. I emphasized that according to Islamic beliefs, God has one religion, which is the worship of one God and the recognition of all Prophets and Messengers of God. All religions propagated such a worship of the One God.
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