Presentation used in visit to Hong Kong by IARF Council members Rev. Takahiro Miwa and Adv. V. Rengapashyam, accompanied by Prof. Gene Reeves.
They were engaging a group of Unitarians and others from various faith backgrounds who have an interest in forming a local chapter of IARF.
2. Three IARF persons visit Hong Kong
• Dr. Gene Reeves, Professor of Buddhism
• Rev. Takahiro Miwa, Shinto, IARF council
• Mr. Rengapashyam.V, Hindu, IARF council
meet many religious persons in Hong Kong,
and make an explanation about IARF
15. IARF based on the two
concepts, Religious Freedom /
Grass Roots.
• Religious Freedom means that we Human
Beings are different one by one, so we must
live in peace through the mutual
understandings of these differences.
• This means mutual understandings among all
religions are very important.
• It is Religious Freedom.
16. Grass Roots
• Grass Roots means that the thinking of
individuals is more precious than the thinking
of groups.
• We are often restricted by the thinking of the
group which we belong to, but we had better
be free from them for the mutual
understandings.
17. IARF activities
• In these 15 years, IARF put the stress on the
activities of Human Rights, especially Religious
Human Rights. So Human Rights Education is the
main program of us.
• Of course, other programs for interfaith and
peace are welcome. The important point is that
our activities are not political. IARF is a non-
political organization. IARF works for the
realization of Global Peace through peaceful work.
18. About Chapter
1. One Chapter for one country, it is the original
concept. But it might not be proper in huge
area like China.
2. Hopefully chapter members consist of many
different religious persons.
3. Chapter needs to make some rules for its
administration and select some board for making
decisions.
4. Chapter needs to report their members, rules
and activities to IARF international.
5. Chapter can use IARF title and concepts for its
activities.
19. Money issue
1. The membership fee is USD10.00 per person a
year to a minimum.
2. We recommend that IARF Chapter activities
will be done by local money.
3. We recommend that Chapter will find some
groups or persons who make donation to its
IARF activities.
Of course, after approval of a Chapter, IARF
council will discuss about some support from
IARF International.
20. Application form
China Chapter
Title:
First Name (required) Initials :
Surname (required) :
Religious or Belief Tradition:
Address:
Country:
Your Email (required):
Your Telephone:
Any further information:
Please send your application by internet.
http://iarf.net/members/individual-membership-form/
21. Reference
• I hope IARF activities will spread all over the
world, and they will stop conflicts and wars
based on religious difference.
• IARF is based on nonviolence activities.
• None of good is born from violence, conflicts
and wars.
• We hope a peaceful world based on diversity
of human beings.
• We pursue a realization of Religious Freedom
and Human Rights.
22. • We, as religious people, have to develop
mutual understanding among different
religions and spreading such thinking all over
the world. The reason is not to misuse our
religions as the excuse to cause wars and
conflicts.
• I do believe, to recognize and respect the
differences of each person is indeed the base
of Democracy. So, I emphasize that the
realization of Religious Freedom and Human
Rights will certainly bring out the Peace and
Democracy for us!
