natured colleague with a dark complexion, who wears a turban. He shares the same joy, pain, and problems as his white counterpart and who is to say whether his version of Godliness is inferior or superior to another? Is it not what a person says and does in his or her lifetime, which requires judging? One source of the problem is the question of multi-faith schooling which is in disarray, because the concept is questioned with some passion by religious leaders who see their faith being ‘contaminated’. They see multifaith teaching as a ‘mish-mash’ with nothing solid to promote spiritual and moral development. I believe that the Positive Spirit philosophy can fill that supposed vacuum, as it is overflowing with the most inspiring notions of goodwill, peace, respect and generosity. I am optimistic for other reasons. There are already a ‘meeting of minds’ at the United Nations, and this may well be a a stepping stone for a ‘meeting of faiths’, leading eventually to a ‘meeting of hearts. Perhaps a ‘Spiritual Commonwealth of Nations” could become an appendage of the United Nations, so the word ‘united’ would become meaningful and realistic. With cheaper air travel on the horizon and work permits becoming more international, the presence of “different” people amongst us will become commonplace. Fifty years from now, inter-marriage and social contact in the workplace will complete the picture of a relaxed multiracial society But in the meantime, there are other bases upon which religious harmony can be built. One is the Interfaith Network, which now has affiliations across the world. Another promising development is the British Meditation Society's “symbol of light” which encourages an essential unity of all the faiths. When an Arab can hug a Jew, or when a Hindu can hug a Moslem and not feel they are betraying their faiths, then we are on the road to humankind’s spiritual salvation. Are not all religions in Israel founded on a shared prophet, Abraham? As I write this statement, it has been announced that Arafat and Rabin, two of the most ‘extremes’ in the Middle East, are to shake hands in a gesture of peaceful coexistence. This proves that anything is possible if the will is there for peace and harmony! Here are extracts from declarations given by religious leaders on the occasion of an Interfaith meeting at Assisi in Italy (l986). The occasion was the 25th anniversary of the WWF. It is significant that the theme of
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