Charter: Committee on Religion

As a group, we are composed of 11 nationalities. We include believers and non-believers and represent five faiths: Christianity (of different denominations), Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. We believe that all religions, in their essence, are positive forces and convey a message of love. We all agree that religion advocates love towards all humanity, regardless of faith, race or gender. We envision a world in which, instead of being exploited, religion and religious institutions are a source of tolerance, peace and respect. The promotion of such religious ideals will foster harmony within a society, as well as on a worldwide basis.

Furthermore, we want to achieve acceptance of one another. We encourage all people, regardless of their own beliefs, to respect other people's religions and beliefs. In addition, we are expecting to establish the freedom of choice of whether to believe or not to believe and safe practice of that choice.

• All religions emphasize the importance of peace as a basic religious value.
• We must keep in mind that the core message of each religion espouses love. This love is meant to be extended to all of humanity.
• The holy scripts, known to us, support tolerance and respect of each of the other religions.
• All religions known to us encourage helping those who are in need.
• All religions known to us encourage one to have a sense of self-respect and dignity.

Religion as a Tool of Manipulation: Religion can be manipulated by groups or individuals and used as a tool to attain or achieve certain goals or motives. Some religious leaders, politicians, rich people, charismatic leaders, educators, communities and media at times resort to manipulation of religion as a tool to carry out their agendas. Often they desire to gain or maintain power, money, keep control over people and enforce unjust tradition. Methods include distorting or misinterpreting religious texts, as well as, brainwashing and threatening, with the purpose of promoting hatred and violence. Many people have built up hatred or fear of others. When they are convinced that their religion sanctions violence against those they hate or fear, violence becomes legitimate in their eyes.

People are made vulnerable to manipulation by factors, which are beyond their control. Among these are poverty, discrimination, oppression, lack of critical thinking skills and lack of religious freedom. Religion has the potential to divide people belonging to different faiths as well as dividing people within the same religion who perform different practices. Furthermore religion has the potential to create discrimination on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, social and political status or sexual orientation.

Solutions and Suggestions: Clergymen are significant, because they effect billions of people, especially those in whose lives religion plays a great role.

• Clergy should promote tolerance, peace and respect for all social groups through holy texts and in other ways.
• Clergy should encourage interfaith dialogues.
• Clergy should spread constructive religious education which does not restrict the freedom of others, order to prevent manipulation and misinterpretation.
• Clergy should encourage people with wealth and power to share with people in need. ·Clergy should lead by example.

Attitudes of society towards religion play a great role in the lives of individuals and the functioning of countries.

• Complete freedom of belief should be advocated in a society. Families, schools and societies should promote tolerance, respect and acceptance for all faiths.
• People should encourage each other to acquire knowledge about other religions and beliefs.

In order to reach the greatest number of people, the government is essential as it is the primary policy maker and policy enforcer.

• Government should prevent religious manipulation by establishing equality and a sense of social security, though education and social welfare institutions.

The rights of the religious minorities should be protected.

Statement [1] of the Committee on Declaration of Principles
Statement [2] of the Committee on Media
Statement [3] of the Committee on Education
Statement [4] of the Committee on Economic Disparity
Statement [5] of the Committee on Principles of Governing
Statement [6] of the Committee on Safety and Security
Statement [7] of the Committee on Popular Culture

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