Windows to World Religions: Selected Proceedings of the Global Congress on the World’s Religions After September 11

The volume is concerned with the role of religion in the present day. Presenting proceedings of a global “Congress on World’s Religions after September 11” held in September 2006 at Montreal, Canada, it stresses the need for interfaith friendships to develop understanding between faiths and remove stereotypes that have emerged concerning religious beliefs and their followers. Examining the thoughts of Western theologians and others on the role of religion, it discusses spirituality as being at the root of tolerance. The papers refer to Islamic, Christian Mennonite, Bahz’i, Sikh and Hindu religious traditions and beliefs but bear specific reference to the North American Roman Catholic Retreat Centre at Pembroke, Ontario, Canada. They engage in examining specific topics pertaining to the different religious faiths and traditions. They examine the life of Guru Arjan Dev and his message and its significance today, the work of Mira Behn towards conserving the environment of the Himalayas, and the indigenous Australian Christian women’s perception. The book provides a glimpse into the life, work and experiences of the spiritual women of Ramanashrama at Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu and Ramana’s views on woman’s right to spirituality, asceticism and salvation. It showcases the contribution of the Inter-religious Council of Central New York towards bringing people of different faiths and cultures into situations of mutual respect and trust. The volume includes the text of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.