HWPL WARP Journal December 2020

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HWPL World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Office Journal

December 2020 Issue

December 2020 HWPL WARP Journal

123 WARP OFFICES MEETINGS HELD IN 77 COUNTRIES IN NOVEMBER 2020

Africa 20

Europe 32

Middle East 9

Republic of South Africa

Sweden

Germany

Saudi Arabia

Ethiopia

Burundi

Norway

Estonia

Syria

Sudan

Tanzania

Croatia

Romania

Bahrain

Cameroon

Côte d’Ivoire

Moldova

Albania

Israel

South Sudan

Spain

Swiss

Kuwait

Rwanda

Czech Republic

Kosovo

Lebanon

Kenya

Greece

Finland

Nigeria

Austria

Macedonia

Lesotho

Cyprus

Hungary

Eswatini

Netherlands

Lithuania

Zimbabwe

San Marino

Poland

Ghana

France

Bulgaria

CURRENT WARP OFFICES STATUS As of November 30, 2020 Total of 253 offices in 129 countries

Europe 36 Countries 44 Offices

13 Countries 14 Offices Middle East Oceania

25 Countries 32 Offices Africa

3 Countries 7 Offices

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CIS 5

Asia 31

Belarus

Taiwan

Bhutan

Uruguay

Ukraine

India

Philippines

Paraguay

Kazakhstan

Laos

United States of America

Kyrgyzstan

Cambodia

Canada

Sri Lanka

Wagner grenadines

Thailand

surname

Myanmar (Burma)

Antigua and Barbuda

Vietnam

Brazil

Malaysia

Guyana

Indonesia

Columbia

Oceania 5 Australia

The Americas 21

Nepal

New Zealand

5 Countries 6 Offices CIS 25 Countries 43 Offices Americas Asia 22 Countries 107 Offices

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Greetings from different religions

01 Greetings!

“Shalom” Peace, Harmony, Wholeness, Completeness, Prosperity, Welfare and Tranquility Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.

Luke 2:14 (NIV)

“As-Salaam-Alaikum＂ Peace be unto you When you are greeted, respond with a better greeting or at least similarly. Surely Allah is a ˹vigilant˺ Reckoner of all things.

Surah an-Nisa-86 (Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran)

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“Namaste” I bow to you my soul honors your soul.

I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides.

I honor the light, love, truth, beauty and peace within you, because it is also within me.

In sharing these things, we are united, we are the same, we are one.

“Sat Sri Akal” Venerated Almighty is the Ultimate Truth It is used often as a greeting by Punjabi Sikhs. It is the second half of the Sikh Clarion call, given by the Tenth guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh.

“Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal” Whoever utters (the following phrase) shall be happy, shall be fulfilled, God is the Ultimate Truth.

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World Interfaith Joint Prayer Conference

02 World Interfaith Joint Prayer Conference held by HWPL amid Covid-19 Pandemic

On October 26, the World Interfaith Joint Prayer Conference with the subheading of “Prayer Gathering to Overcome Covid-19 transcending religion and continents,” was attended by over 600 participants, including 93 religious leaders working closely with HWPL from 7 religions from a total of 19 countries on 5 continents.

The aim of the online prayer conference was to deliver a message of hope to the masses and religious communities around the world suffering from the pandemic. It also shows that HWPL’s WARP Offices serve as a uniting force for peace across religions and continents to overcome crises.

The conference consisted of HWPL keynote speeches, congratulatory speeches, and presentations by six religious leaders representing Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism and Sikhism.

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“Today, the world is facing the Covid-19 disaster and thousands are dying,” said Dr Iftikhar Ayaz, Chairman of International Human Rights Committee, “Humanity must return to seek the mercy of the Creator and pray to find peace and harmony in our lives. HWPL is where all religions can pray together. I believe the role of religious leaders from all over the world participating in these conferences is very important. Together, we can shine the light of hope all over the world and mankind can unite by prayer for peace.”

“At this moment, I would like to express my gratitude and congratulations to HWPL for holding the event so that we, of different religions and faiths can get together and pray together. The Creator of us all have given us directions to deal with Covid-19,” said H.E. Rudiantara, former Minister of Communications and Information Technology of The Republic of Indonesia, in a congratulatory speech, emphasizing the purpose of the prayer meeting that has brought the religious together.

In a series of presentations, religious leaders introduced ways of prayer according to their religious customs and scriptures and delivered a message that the Covid-19 crisis can be overcome with the collaborative efforts of the religious community.

“I’ve been working with HWPL for the past five years. Through the scriptural dialogues, we have always shared our knowledge based on a thorough understanding of scriptures. I know we’re all having a hard time because of the pandemic. This challenge is very difficult to face alone, but we can overcome it if we are united. We may be different from each other, but if we become one in mind, together, with HWPL, we can overcome it,” said Reverend Marcel Andres Tanguilan, Administrative Pastor of Knox United Methodist Church “Let’s comfort the patients in each country suffering from Covid-19 in every way that religious leaders around the world can. HWPL holds regular joint prayer meetings in each country seeking God’s help in ending the Covid-19 pandemic, so let’s unite our strength to promote this valuable work,“ said Professor Dawud Noibi, former Executive Secretary of Muslim Ummah of SouthWest Nigeria “HWPL has prepared this conference with various religious leaders from all over the world. This is an unprecedented prayer conference where people from different religions pray together. God will hear our prayers,” said Venerable Ashin Htavara, General Secretary of All Burmese Monks Representative Committee.

After the six religious leaders finished their presentations, there was a video message from 30 religious leaders wishing for the success of the prayer conference. The special video message was titled, ‘A Hero Is Born in Crisis’ and it gathered the hearts of those who attended.

In the ensuing prayer session, all participants prayed together to restore the world through spiritual reflection and to bring an end to the Coronavirus pandemic.

At the end of the conference, a song of peace, which contained the wishes of all participants, was sung in harmony. After the musical performance, all the participants shouted “We are One” and showed their unity across the different religions and countries. Even after the prayer meeting event, the religious people who attended did not leave the meeting and exchanged messages of blessing and wished for each other’s well-being

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Introducing WARP Offices worldwide

After the event, the participants expressed their feelings: “It was ground breaking that leaders of different religions gathered together to pray for the difficulties of mankind. I was sorry not to see Chairman Lee at the prayer meeting, but I would like to express my gratitude and congratulations to Chairman Lee of HWPL for making a great prayer meeting.

It was a prayer meeting that I will remember forever,” said Mr. Mulyadi Liang, Head of Education of MATAKIN (Majelis Tinggi Agama Khonghucu Indonesia).

And Ms. Oyeleke Yetunde Foluwake, Chief Clerical Officer of Ipaja secondary school of Federal Ministry of Defence said, “I’m happy to be part of this amazing international prayer meeting today.

Thank you for HWPL, especially to Chairman Lee.” HWPL continues to hold its interreligious prayer gatherings to console and empower neighbours in crisis and hardship. HWPL has held more than 20 online joint prayer meetings with participants from more than 70 countries in the month of October. Participants has also voiced the need to continue the meaningful prayer services.

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03 31st

HWPL India Kolkata WARP Office

Participants 1

2

1 Linton Fernando / Catholic

3

2 Michael Kim / Christianity 3 Syed Sajidul Islam / Islam

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Introducing WARP Offices worldwide

Topic: Value of Religion Why do people have a religion? What is the value of religion? Are today’s religions realizing those values?

On October 27, 2020, the HWPL India Kolkata WARP Office meeting was held to discuss the values of religion in each religious scripture. We asked, what the original value of each religion is, and whether we are living a religious life that corresponds to that value.

What do you think is the value of religion?

Syed Sajidul Islam (Islam) “The principle and fundamental purpose of Islam is love for Creator.”

Religion helps in creating the frame work and also the regulator for right values. In other words, religion acts as agency of socialization. Thus religion helps in building values like love, respect and harmony.

We use values when we make a decision, focusing on what is important to us. The values are important because it helps us to grow and develop. It is a reflection of our values and belief towards a specific purpose.

What is the values in Islam religion? The principle and fundamental purpose of Islam is love. Love for God, love for Creator. What does Islam say about respecting other religions? Many Muslim scholars believe that there are no discrimination of religion. In Quran18:29, it says, “This is the truth from your Lord. Whoever wills let them believe, and whoever wills let them disbelieve.“ Linton Fernando (Catholic) “The value of religion is for human generations. And the religious leaders’ teaching is changing for the happiness of human beings, so their role is important.“ The value (in our lives) comes in different forms. Why is that? Because we have three areas in our lives. That is, the personal life, social life and professional life. There are certain things that we need and we want. But people want deference. To satisfy this want, we have generated own rules and regulation.

And Religion is a kind of regulatory frame work of society. And religion has been changing and evolving from generation to generation and time to time. Because the teachings of religious leader have been changing and the world has been changed also.

For example, I’m Catholic, my (religious) rule is going to church every Sunday. That is practice, we have to go and receive Holy Communion. But now, in this lockdown condition, we cannot do that and we have to change online.

Those are things changing religion but actually religion is for happiness and satisfaction of peoples’ lives.

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Michael Kim (Christianity) “Religion itself should be a standard of the value of religion, and it is reconnecting us to God.“ I think it is very true the regarding the value, it is subjective thing. For instance, to a baby, a piece of candy is more valuable that a piece of gold. And to someone that is dying, another day is more valuable to him than money. So what we need is a standard.

Religion should be that standard. Let’s look at the word ‘Religion’. When we break down the word ‘Religion’, it comes from Latin, ‘regare’. So the true definition is to ‘reconnect’.

For “Religion” in Korean, it’s called ‘Jong-gyo’. ‘Jong’ means ‘the highest’. And ‘gyo’ means teaching.

So when you look at “religion” in Korean terms, the true definition is ‘the highest teaching’ or ‘heavenly teaching’.

As Muslims, Catholics and Christians, we all come from Abrahamic God, and if we know the story in the beginning, Adam has sinned. He disobeyed God. And because of that, according to the Bible, we are disconnected from God. God has given us religion, through His scriptures, and through his prophets. Thus religion is a path that is reconnecting us to God. And that can be done by studying our own scriptures. This is the value of religion.

What efforts do you think are needed to restore the true value of religion?

Syed Sajidul Islam (Islam) “We need to follow the master command and religious leaders should teach people with the knowledge of the scripture.”

Islam said religion must be the straight way. The highest thinking of God. We have to reconnect to supernatural power. Why? That is the frame work, the master command. If you follow the master command, you will regain the values.

We are losing our honesty, compassion, the true humanity. Islam says to be tolerant of others.

Some Muslims don’t do that because they don’t know. They are misled by religious people, and in the name of religion, become terrorists. Because there are misinterpretations, religion is misused.

That is because the religious people teach with the lack of knowledge.

If the doctor gives you prescriptions; one is ointment, the other is medicine. Medicine you should take, and ointment you should use on your affected part. But if you are eating ointment, and used the medicine on the affected part, what would be the result? It would be very problematic.

If the doctor gives you prescriptions; one is ointment, the other is medicine. Medicine you should take, and ointment you should use on your affected part. But if you are eating ointment, and used the medicine on the affected part, what would be the result? It would be very problematic.

We have a true doctor. Believe in your doctor who has the prescription. We are facing all kinds of illnesses in the world and so, you have to acknowledge the true doctor. If you are not following the doctor’s orders and the prescription, then you will not get well at all.

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Introducing WARP Offices worldwide

Linton Fernando (Catholic) “We need to give the correct values of religion to the people” I agree that people misread religion. Misinterpreted teaching lead to diverse religions. That is happening now. That is why people misunderstand the value of religion. When it comes to religion, the values are quite different. People connect to the different religions and to their personal styles of religion. Those who are teaching religion based on Buddha or Allah or Jesus Christ, give concepts and philosophy. Based on that, people follow the teachings they want to follow. Therefore, we have to give the correct values of religion to the people.

Michael Kim (Christianity) “We need to study deep within the scriptures as God’s standard so we can follow the teaching as we should.”

We are religious people and our standard is the view point of God, so our standard needs to meet God’s standard. And based on this, it can be decided whether it is good or bad. The clear standard is what has been given to us, which is the scripture. Whether we study the holy Bible, or the holy Quran, or the Torah, we all have our specific standard which we follow.

Regarding the effort, we need to study deep within the scriptures so we can follow the teaching as we should. And if we don’t, it can lead us to misunderstanding. I believe Dr. Syed said before, religion is not bad but it is the minority of people practicing religion who portray a negative image.

This is because their standards were not clear.

I really want to emphasize that our standard should be on scriptures. Because all teachings are about loving and caring and to achieve peace and harmony. All of these are taught in their own manners, according to each scripture. When we follow the clear standard, then we could restore the true value of the religion.

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There were many discussions, and we have reached the conclusion that the value of religion and religious life is that it allows us to reunite with the Creator, and that religion should be based on scripture. Only when you learn and have a proper understanding of scriptures could you then realize the true will of the Creator, and ultimately become one with the Creator.

The study of both the Catholic and Protestant Bibles, and the Quran and the insights shared by the panelists point to the same conclusion: We should all go back to the scripture and understand the true meaning of the scripture perfectly and accurately. And the true value of scripture should be taught.

The HWPL WARP Offices host dialogues centered on scriptures, and not on short-lived pleasantries and harmony. This is because scriptures are the center of religious values, and one can understand the objective and universal truth of religion based on those scriptures. Therefore establishing scriptural values leads to a clearer understanding of the goals of religion and not be influenced by bias or personal opinion. HWPL WARP offices will continue to strive to create a culture of interreligious peace based on knowledge of scriptures and to encourage a thorough study and in-depth comparison of the values and standards of the religion based on the scriptures.

*Disclaimer: To encourage free speech in an open interfaith dialogue, we have shared minimal information of participating panelists in our dialogues.

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Introducing WARP Offices worldwide

04 3rd

Peace WARP Office for New Participants

Participants 1

2

1 Tryeece Echols / Christianity

3

2 Satya Tejasi Giri / Hinduism 3 Misha Kapustin / Judaism

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Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light

Topic: About Religious Scripture On November 17, 2020, the third Peace WARP Office meeting was held under the theme of “Religious Statements.”

The Peace WARP Office is a special program designed by the HWPL Seoul North Branch to introduce new participants to HWPL’s interreligious dialogue. It aims to explain by participating firsthand, the reasons why such interreligious discussions and the topics these discussions are based on are important and crucial to forming the building blocks of religious peace.

The first round of the Peace WARP Office, we took the time to ponder on what is the duties of religious leaders for peace with the theme, titled “Religion and Peace”. The subsequent meeting allowed participants to discuss the topic “Misunderstanding and Understanding” to gain a deeper understanding of each other’s religions through dialogue and discover what are some common misunderstandings and the proper understandings they may have.

Finally, through the third meeting, as we have summarized here, we examined the value of scriptures that serve as the foundation of religions. Jewish, Protestant and Hindu panelists shared their knowledge with the audience which we would like to introduce through a summary of the day’s discussions.

Are religious texts different from worldly books?

Yes/No with explanations, please.

Tryeece Echols (Christianity) Religious texts should be different from secular books because each type of book has a different purpose behind it. Religious books are written for the purpose of attaining wisdom for salvation. In the Bible, this is written in 2Timothy3 (:15). Our Savior Jesus is also described as the author of our faith in Hebrews12 (:2). This is important because it explains the difference between the secular books, which can also teach morals, ethics, behavior, kindness, brotherly love, neighborly love and filial piety, but they cannot teach you to have faith.

Faith described in the Bible can be one of two kinds: 1) Faith to be revealed, and 2) Faith in Revelation and is also referred to as First Faith and Last Faith. Worldly books cannot explain this because it a secret the Creator uses to talk about prophecy and fulfillment. The Bible explains how words become realities as seen in John1 (:14) when we see the word became flesh.

Word becoming flesh refers to how the prophecies in the Old Testament, words, were fulfilled in the First Coming through Jesus, flesh. Before Jesus was born it was correct to believe that the Messiah Will Come, but after the birth of Jesus, that is improper faith and believers need to have the last faith, or faith to be revealed when Jesus became the flesh fulfilling all the words written about the Messiah from the Old Testament.

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Introducing WARP Offices worldwide

Satya Tejasi Giri (Hinduism) Undoubtedly, religious scripture is different from worldly materialistic books. And here I would point out 5 facts of difference: 1. By its origin. This is not a human creation. This is a revelation that descended on a prophet, the founder of a religion, or a seer, a saint.

2. Religious scripture gives us knowledge about God, soul, about the laws of the universe. This is an authoritative scripture.

3. Holy Scripture is encrypted knowledge, we can endlessly study the Holy Scripture, since what is stated in it is very succinctly summarized, therefore each word of the Holy Scripture is very valuable, multifaceted, reveals the nature of reality very deeply.

4. Scripture is time-tested, as it was relevant many centuries, millennia ago, and so it is relevant today. And for many centuries it has led new generations of people to comprehend the Truth.

5. The scriptures are confirmed by the mystical experience of the saints of this tradition or anyone who follows this scripture under the guidance of a spiritual master. “The world is spread by me, who has a non-manifest body. In me, all beings reside. One who knows this fact, is the knower of the Veda.� Ishvara Gita, ch3, verse7 Misha Kapustin (Judaism) There are no particular answers for religious or secular books. For conservative Jews, they will only concentrate on religious books. For liberal Jews, we should read both religious books and secular books to develop ourselves as human beings.

In my point of view, there are differences between religious books and the secular book. We can separate the different religious books as well. As we cannot compare the Torah with the other sacred books written by other prophets or Rabbi.

To conclude, I believe as human beings we should be active to read both religious books and secular books. Obviously, the books given by the creator should be differentiated from secular books.

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What is the will of the Creator who gave the scriptures/religious texts?

Satya Tejasi Giri (Hinduism) We have already noted that scripture is not the creation of human thought. Scripture is appurusheya, that is, it is of divine origin. It is the revelation that came down. They could disappear over time and then reappear by virtue of Divine conduction. They restored the lost knowledge in the minds of people. The main goal of scripture is to convey to us knowledge that is hidden from human perception, hidden due to our inability to see the spiritual world, the spiritual hierarchy in the universe.

Scripture is the materialization of the will of God. Scripture represents the illuminating, liberating power of God. God has various powers and energies. One of the most important energies of God for us - people, the energy of Divine Grace, Divine freedom and revelation - Anugraha shakti. Manifesting His liberating power, God gives us the scriptures - Vedas, Agamas, Puranas, Itihasa, Tantras, Upadeshas. The will, which is laid in the scriptures, to accelerate the evolution of man, to show him the path of spiritual liberation, the path to becoming a God-man. Each of us must grow spiritually.

Misha Kapustin (Judaism) The Torah is given to humanity to teach people that there are different biological things compared to animals. We actually learn how to behave, friendly to other beings, and how to deal with God, to see the difference between good and bad.

By learning the scriptures make human being to be holy and closer to God. When one studies the Torah, he would perform all the commandments altogether. Reading the Torah or religious books is the commandment.

Tryeece Echols (Christianty) The will of the Creator is explained in 1Timothy2 (:4), he wants all people to come to the knowledge of the truth. When this happens all people can be saved. If someone tells you something you really don’t want to forget, then you will do what? Write it down! In the same way, when the Creator God wants us to remember something He does not want us to forget, He will write it on the tablet of our hearts. Recording His Words there is how we become the people sealed with the Truth from God like what Hebrews 8 (:10-12) says. The will of the Creator is to guide all people to salvation.

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Introducing WARP Offices worldwide

After the discussions, both panelists and audience members shared what they felt and learned.

Rabbi Misika shared that although she had a broad understanding of Christianity through her family members, she learned something new. She did not have many encounters with Hinduism so she was able to hear and learn many things through the speeches given.

Svamini Satya Tejasi Giri also encouraged the audience *youth members who attended the discussions to study in reverence and to bring true happiness to the world. Swamini also mentioned that religion helps us to become better people, lead us to holiness, and find true happiness.

Pastor Tryeece Echols said he could see how much effort they have put into understanding and sharing their respective sentiments throughout their lives.

One audience member, Christian, shared that he had previously pondered about why God gave Man scriptures and what His will for us is. Christian also shared that he had learned many different views on the subject thanks to this meeting.

Through this WARP Office meeting, we were able to see once again that this platform not only broadens individual thinking but also provides an opportunity to understand religions and cultures that we have not much experience encountering in our own lives, and thus moving us an inch closer to the direction of world peace. As such, we look forward to learning and working together as messengers of peace through the WARP Office meetings.

*Disclaimer: To encourage free speech in an open interfaith dialogue, we have shared minimal information of participating panelists in our dialogues.

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05 53rd & 54th

South Africa Johannesburg WARP Office

Participants 1

2

3

4

1 Ahk Oriel Ben Israel / African Hebrew 5

2 Kiritbhai Acharya / Hinduism 3 Ngodup Dorjee / Buddhism

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4 Rubina Ghoor / Sufi Islam

5 Wilson Wandawanda/ Christianity 6 Aman Ntiya / Sunni Islam

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Introducing WARP Offices worldwide

Topic: Metaphorical vs Literal Language in Scriptures Metaphors describe an object or action in a way that is not literally true, but helps explain an idea or make a comparison. With the topic of Metaphorical versus Literal Language in Scriptures, we seek some common misunderstandings that people from the outside looking in might have of the different religions based on the type of writing that scriptures have been expressed in.

Amongst the different types of writing to relay sacred knowledge, many scriptures are known to encompass various metaphors to relay teachings that go beyond culture and time. The metaphors included as examples in the discussions are by no means an exhaustive list of some figurative language and their common misunderstandings. However, we hope that this could inspire many to test their preconceived notions about the teachings of different religions.

We hope you enjoy the insights shared by panelists of the 53rd and 54th HWPL South Africa Johannesburg WARP Office, which were held in September and October, 2020.

Is there metaphorical language in your scripture?

If yes, please explain why.

Aman Ntiya (Sunni Islam) Yes, there are metaphors in the Quran, but we received the explanations from the prophets as it was their duty to explain the scriptures. In Islam, there are options that are approved by the prophets, but some things are left for only God to know. God will not ask you of what He did not reveal to the prophets. It is important to understand the language in which the scripture was revealed in.

Rubina Ghoor (Sufi Islam) The language of the Qur’an is broad and varied. Metaphorical examples are used widely to give a deeper sense of meaning. The many stories in the Qur’an cover a fairly wide period of time and illustrate human nature in its various states and forms. One of the main reasons why “metaphorical language” is used, is to allow us, as human beings, to use our own reason and intellect to choose, employing our individual free will.

Ahk Oriel Ben Israel (African Hebrew) I agree with Sheikh Aman when he said it is important to understand the language in which the scripture was revealed in. The Hebrew language is called the Holy tongue. In Isaiah 28:10, it urges us to reason and in Proverbs we are urged to seek knowledge the way we seek a treasure. Believers need to seek the truth. Scriptures will not contradict itself because it is of the same spirit. You will not find something in Exodus that contracts another teaching in Proverbs for example. Precepts found in scripture should add up to form the same picture.

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Wilson Wandawanda (Christianity) Yes, Jesus used metaphorical language to fulfill the prophecy: “All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: ‘I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world’” (Matthew 13:34-35).

Metaphorical language is used to make promises as we see in the book of Hosea chapter 12 verse 10, which says, “I spoke to the prophets, gave them many visions and told parables through them.”

It was also used to hide the plans for salvation from the Evil Spirit, Satan who would hinder and interrupt the plans of God (Mark 4:10-12).

What is the most misunderstood metaphorical language in your scripture / teachings?

Aman Ntiya (Sunni Islam) There are no misunderstandings within the scripture of the Holy Quran. The teachings in the Quran are loud and clear. Allah (God) says in Quran 2 verse 99 “And certainly We have revealed to you (Muhammad PBUH) clear communications and none believes in them except the transgressors” However, the misunderstandings that people have are largely due to inadequate knowledge about the scripture. All Muslim scholars agree on all core issues. It is the duty of the leaders to educate and clarify issues that people struggle to understand due to their level of knowledge. Believers should only seek knowledge from the scholars who are rightly guided by the Holy Quran and the traditions of the prophet Muhammad peace be upon him.

Ngodup Dorjee (Buddhism) The concept of Suynata or “Emptiness” is the central teaching of Buddhism, but its true meaning is often the most misunderstood. If Buddhism is ever to be understood correctly, we need to be clear about emptiness, since a wrong understanding of its meaning can be confusing, Emptiness wrongly grasped is like picking up a poisonous snake by the wrong end.” In other words, we will be bitten!

Emptiness is not complete negation of the existence; it doesn’t mean that nothing exists at all.

This would be a nihilistic view contrary to common sense. What it does mean is that things do not exist the way our grasping self-perceive them to be. In his book on the Heart Sutra the Dalai Lama calls emptiness “the true nature of things and events,” but in the same passage he warns us “to avoid the misapprehension that emptiness is an absolute reality or an independent truth.” In other words, emptiness is not some kind of heaven or separate realm apart from this world and its woes.

The Heart Sutra says, “All phenomena in their own-being are empty.” It doesn’t say “all phenomena are empty.” This distinction is vital. “Own-being” means separate independent existence. The passage means that nothing we see or hear (or are) stands alone; everything is a tentative expression of one seamless, ever-changing landscape.

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Introducing WARP Offices worldwide

Kiritbhai Acharya (Hinduism) To emphasize the strength and power of Hindu Gods, they are depicted as having many heads or hands. Each represents a certain quality or value. The symbolic meaning must be explained and understood. For example, Mother Lakhsmi sits on top of a lotus flower which symbolizes fertility, purity and divinity. Her four hands, represent the four aspects of human life important to Hindu culture: dharma (duty), kāma (desire), artha (purpose), and moksha (liberation). The flow of water from Lord Shiva’s head tells the story of the descent of Mother Ganges to Earth. Each symbol has a significant story attached to it.

Wilson Wandawanda (Christianity) Metaphorical language in the bible is often misunderstood. An example of this would be the word “seed.” It is often misunderstood to mean “money” and therefore is often used to promote the notion of ‘prosperity.’ This in turn has caused Christianity to be perceived as a ‘prosperity’ religion. In Luke 8:11, it is clear that the seed is meant to represent the Word of God. The only time when the prophecies in the Bible can be properly understood is at the time of the physical fulfillment of those prophecies, and it can only be revealed by a person who is sent by God in order to testify about the fulfillment of the said prophecies. The best example of this is Jesus Christ who was sent by God as His Son, over 2000 years ago. Jesus was the actual physical fulfillment of all of God’s prophecies, contained in the Old Testament.

(Luke 24:44-45) “…Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.”

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How can believers understand the true meaning of your scripture?

Aman Ntiya (Sunni Islam) We need to take the study of scripture seriously and put in effort to learn from it. We should also study the words of Prophet Muhammad, pbuh, as he followed the command to explain to us the words in the Quran. Our intentions of studying should also be pure in searching for the true meaning.

Nobody can overrule the words of the prophets.

Rubina Ghoor (Sufi Islam) While we may belong to a certain religion, or grouping, we are uniquely independent individuals with a capacity to think and reason. So, while we may follow the basic rules and philosophy of the religion that we may choose to follow, it is our own individual interpretation that will determine our relationship with our Creator.

One has to, like with all scripture, approach the Qur’an with an open mind. There are many stories, some being allegorical, that provide guidance and answers for those who want to know more.

While the Qur’an is the “word of God”, it is better understood with the living example of the Prophet Muhammad, pbuh.

Ahk Oriel Ben Israel (African Hebrew) One needs to be a true believer - seeking truth. One should seek to be in alignment with truth.

I agree with Pastor Wilson and Sheikh Aman and would like to add that truth brings change. More than the focus on religion we should focus on having righteousness. We are in a period that Daniel prophesied about where even falsehood will be sold as truth. We need to uproot our expectations that have been tainted by deception. Believers often treat scripture like another magazine, but scripture is the Word of God and is Holy and thus require our effort, attention and study.

Wilson Wandawanda (Christianity) Who gives the metaphorical language in the scripture? It is the Creator. So how can one find the true meaning of scripture and meet the creator? Throughout biblical history, the creator chooses one person and gives him the true meaning of the scripture. Finding that person is finding the truth. In Matthew 11 verse 27, Jesus says, “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

Jesus was not only able to interpret the prophecies but was also able to testify the fulfillment of those prophecies. It is therefore important for us to understand that God appoints one person to testify His truths through pre-written prophecies and their fulfillment.

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Introducing WARP Offices worldwide

The search for the true nature of life and to understand the will of the Creator is a noble endeavor and a reminder for humility. We are constantly witnessing and being inspired by this endeavor shown in our discussion of scriptures at our monthly WARP Office meetings.

Through the discussions, we have come to understand that prophets appointed by the Creator are tasked to explain and reveal the truths in scripture. They are given a duty to guide the devout in the proper understanding of scriptures.

Despite the different historical and cultural backgrounds, scriptures still convey teachings that continue to speak to us and to provide for us spiritually. Scriptures are a mirror to human nature and may even challenge us to apply our reason and intellect to understand them fully. On the other hand, different cultural backgrounds may lead to misunderstandings of metaphors in scriptures. Thus, we should seek to study the scriptures thoroughly, even if this require a study of the original language of instruction of the scripture to do so, as explained by most of our panelists.

We should not base our understanding solely on our own personal backgrounds and experiences.

*Disclaimer: To encourage free speech in an open interfaith dialogue, we have shared minimal information of participating panelists in our dialogues.

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Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light

06 Quotes on Peace

“Differences are not intended to separate, to alienate.

We are different precisely in order to realize our need of one another.”

― Archbishop Desmond Tutu

“If we live in our oneness-heart, we will feel the essence of all religions which is the love of God. Forgiveness, compassion, tolerance, brotherhood and the feeling of oneness are the signs of a true religion.” ― Sri Chinmoy

“I believe in the religion of Islam.

I believe in Allah and peace.” ― Muhammad Ali

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Quotes on Peace

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” ― Mother Teresa

“All human beings are the reflection of one and the same Lord.

Recognize the entire human race as one.” ― Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji

“Peace does not mean an absence of conflicts; differences will always be there.

Peace means solving these differences through peaceful means; through dialogue, education, knowledge; and through humane ways. ” ― Dalai Lama

“My religion is based on truth and non-violence. Truth is my God. Non-violence is the means of realizing Him.” ― Mahatma Gandhi

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Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light

If you would like to have more information or have any inquiries regarding the HWPL WARP Offices, please contact us at info@hwpl.kr