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Interfaith Harmony Week Commemorated in Chisinau
Written by UPF - Moldova
Monday, January 23, 2012
Chisinau, Moldova - To commemorate World Interfaith Harmony Week, a Day of Interfaith Humor took place on January 23 in Chisinau. A presentation about how humor can unite followers of different religions was demonstrated to the 100 participants. Joy and happiness are the primal desire of the human soul and its original goal.
Turning to Holy Scriptures, traditions, and festivals of different religions, a full measure of appreciation was offered about the experience of joy and happiness in life. Moreover, while listening to the sacred words of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and the Unification Church, people could understand that not only human beings but also the Creator experience the impulse of happiness and the desire to experience true joy in the parent-child relationship. They reflected on how, thanks to such heavenly fun, they can serve other people and fill their lives with positive sensations and inspiration. A professional clown and magician delighted the children. Finally, all children received gifts.
The evening performance included interreligious skits, jokes, and songs. Each person had the opportunity to participate in interesting contests and win prizes, enjoying the family environment.
Humor can perform miracles, and fun can truly unite people. Such events can instill confidence that all people beyond distinctions of race, nationality, religion, and tradition are able to feel joy and happiness as members of one family centered on our Heavenly Father.
On February 12, another meeting dedicated to World Interfaith Harmony Week took place in Chisinau. This event featured analyses of various attitudes that representatives of diverse religious communities might have towards each other. For example, could adherence to a particular ideology be the criterion of how good or bad a person is? It was concluded that there are generally two types of people: those who do good and those who do evil. Moreover, religious affiliation is not the main distinguishing feature, because both types of people are found in various Christian, Muslim, and Jewish groups, just as in any other faith. Thus, being part of a particular community does not make one part of a privileged elite. Social respect can only be earned by one’s personal lifestyle.
The best testimony of one’s faith is the way one lives, not adherence to a particular religious doctrine. Just as we may find examples of great saints amidst all religions, we can likewise find evidences of great failings in all faith traditions. Temptations and trials come equally to people belonging to any faith tradition. Therefore, the decisive issue is our ability to resist the temptations that intersect with our lives and our determination to bring goodness to the world. All religions surely wish to see such people among their followers.
The more than 50 people present at the meeting realized that one should not blame a religion for the negative examples of several of its individual representatives. We are all children of our Heavenly Parent, who has contributed throughout history to the establishment of diverse religions so that people could be able to reach spiritual maturity.
UPF-Moldova emphasized that interreligious relations are an urgent issue in Moldova and other countries. Promoting unity and harmony among people is a necessary part of solving the urgent problems of society. Those who were present at the meeting were inspired by the UPF initiative and returned home with ideas and materials to share with their friends and family.
For more information about World Interfaith Harmony Week, click here.
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