Where does war come from? Unfortunately, 80 percent of the causes of the war are religion.
Scholars say that violent acts of extremism have the basis on the misinterpretation of religious scripture as means to mobilize the public and incite angers in the mass number of people.
Imam Anas Hajjar, Head Imam of Finland Islam Community, pays a closer attention to religious scripture and points out that “Because many people interpret the scripture with their own thoughts and ideologies without correctly knowing what is the will of God inside the scripture, and if laymen continue to interpret without true knowledge and study, the problems caused by extremists will continue to occur.”
So, what can we do?
The role of leaders in reflecting on religion through scripture to discourage religion as means of violent conflicts
The role of religious leaders is so important. Regarding the role of religious leaders, Imam Anas Hajjar, Head Imam of Finland Islam Community emphasized, “Although political extremism and the hate-speech have been in the rise in Europe, NGOs have a critical role in resisting and opposing this type of breakdown in respect of the laws of religious freedom, peace and harmony in the country. The best way to combat all types of extremism is knowledge and this part of the job is given to scholars and religious leaders.”
“In order to find the truth all the humanity wants religious leaders need to put away the thoughts that only my religion is the best and do the comparative work based on Scriptures without dividing themselves and saying ‘your religion’, ‘my religion’,” said Swami Veetamohananda, Swami (religious leader in Hinduism) of Ramakrishna Veda center.
BIG Questions: “Is what I know always right? Is the other religion always wrong? Or is there something in that religion that mine doesn’t have?”
Let us find the best truth and achieve the ultimate value of peace. 🙂
Sikhism is one of the five major religions of the world, and the temple in Pocheon is the only Sikh temple in Korea. Sikhism is a faith whose followers are called “Sikhs”. The word Sikh means Student or Discipline. Their holy book is the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Sikhs believe in reincarnation and karma concepts found in Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. Population of Sikhs in the world is around 27 million. Out of these 27 million approximately 83% live in India with 76% of all Sikhs living in Punjab.
HWPL Religious Youth Peace Camp: Sikhism
The HWPL Religious Youth Peace Camp (Religious Camp) took place on October 26th, at a Sikh temple in the city of Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do, with the purpose of understanding different religious cultures and of wishing for peace.
HWPL Religious Youth Peace Camp is a program developed to overcome religious differences and to spread peace awareness by promoting dialogues and cultural exchanges between religions, going beyond races, beliefs, and ideologies. Seventy-two people attended this religious peace camp along with 40 IPYG members, to experience various aspects of Sikh culture in its etiquette, worship, and dining.
Babaji Sovinder Singh from Gurudwara Shri Singh Sabha Sahib said, “Sikhism teaches us that we should all have to be like brothers to the same parents. If we go in this direction, world peace will surely be achieved. I believe that peace that HWPL purposes to achieve and our teachings are in the same direction. On behalf of Sikhism, I would like to thank you for your efforts.”
An IPYG participant, Kim Tae-jin (29), said, “It was my first time experiencing a Sikh service, and making chapati was very fun. I had a good impression today in particular because the Sikhs welcomed us with such bright smiles.”
I think it is really important to experience different cultures. Then we can broaden our horizons, broaden our thoughts, and understand others. It’s just behind the times in a narrow-minded way. 🙂
The 7th HWPL Intercontinental Online WARP Office Meeting is held now. The topic is “About Food.” Food is inextricably linked with culture.
It is also an inseparable element in Religion. We hope that through this time, we will be able to understand and communicate the teachings of each religion through the meaning of food.
I will introduce some about WARP Office. The Intercontinental Online WARP Office meeting is a special platform where panelists, representing their respective religions, from around the globe gather to discuss their religious scriptures in the spirit of peace. You also can participate in the discussion to ask any questions.
Aren’t you curious about what each scripture is saying?
Session 1 : Islam, Sikhism and Hinduism
Date: Nov. 21 2019, UTC 6:00~8:00
Session 2 : Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism
Date: Nov. 21 2019, UTC 13:00~15:00
What is HWPL WARP Office?
I’m trying to explain briefly to some people who don’t know. In WARP Summit 2014, certain politicians and religious people get together and promise each other something to do for peace. At the center was HWPL Chairman Man Hee Lee.
HWPL then figured out the fundamental reason why conflicts between religions are caused by misunderstanding, and worked on the comparison of the scriptures of each religion. It is the HWPL WARP Office. Conversation on the basis of the scripture is to enhance mutual understanding and to bring religious people together first.
At the 2019 world peace summit, HWPL Chairman Man Hee Lee encouraged other religious leaders to join the HWPL WARP Office meetings by saying “let us gather and compare scriptures to fulfill our goal. We need a common standard to compare scriptures. You have to judge for yourself. Religions cannot achieve harmony until we have a common understanding of scriptures. HWPL WARP Office meetings must do this.”
On July 19, the HWPL held the 16th WARP Office in Daejeon. They invited leaders of Buddhism, Islam and Christianity to hold a forum under the theme of “God’s Promise.” Participants discussed the record of God’s promise to make and whether it was recorded in the scripture.
The Buddhist leader said, “The teachings of Buddhism are not dependent on the absolute but on the fulfillment of one’s salvation and wishes through training and enlightenment himself.”
“God promised blessings and salvation in heaven if we kept the word written in the Quran,” the Islamic leader said. “He confirmed our faith by keeping his word.”
The pastor said “There are two testaments of old and new in the Bible. The content is the liberation from sin and the return of the Creator God. The prophecy of the Old Testament came about 2,000 years ago and Jesus had achieved Old Testament. And he gave us a new testament.” Lastly, he emphasized that “the true faith of the believers is to believe that a new testament will be fulfilled and to believe what has been achieved when it is done.”
Theme: What is the truth? in Busan
On July 21, under the theme of “Truth,” leaders of Cheondoism, Buddhism and Christianity gathered to announce “the truth and standards in each scripture” and “the process and purpose of seeking the truth written in each scripture.”
“It is not easy to learn the true truth in a world where lies are played these days,” said a 40-year-old woman who attended the forum. “After listening to the truth of each religion at the forum today, I came to the conclusion that the ultimate purpose of truth is ‘LOVE’.”
Meanwhile, HWPL has continued to host the WARP Office for Inter-religious Harmony since the 2014 WARP Summit and currently operates offices at 250 locations in 127 countries.
The Seoul, Gyeonggi and Southern branches of the HWPL held the fourth round of the Suwon WARP Office Meeting Interfaith Dialogue, which strongly demonstrated their commitment to world peace measures and religious unity. Leaders of the three religions, Cheondogyo, Buddhism, Christianity attended as the panel to discuss the topic of the issue, “Peace.”
The questions were: ‘Is there a record of peace in the annals?’ and ‘What role should I play as a religious leader for the sake of world peace?’ The panel had heated debates based on each of the statements.
A Cheondogyo leader said “As a religious leader, we should not perceive each other as “wrong” and can coexist and symbiosis from mutual respect.”
A leader of Buddhism said “The teachings of the Buddha towards peace are the basis of Buddhism. Charity is unconditional love and sharing and companionship, and the attitude of respect for the life of the unknown, as explained in the first law of Buddha’s reign, will lead to peace.”
The Christian minister quoted the Bible as saying, “Peace is the restoration of the global village to its original form, where all mankind created by God is saved and free from death and pain.”
The HWPL’s Seoul and Gyeonggi Eastern branches had a heated debate among the “Buddhist, Confucian and Christian” promoters. This is the 23rd Seoul WARP Office.
Question is “Is there a case in your scripture that one truth is interpreted in many ways?”
The Christian panel said, “It is the present reality of Christianity that the interpretation of the Bible is rampant. The reason for this much interpretation is God’s concealment of his future, which is difficult to interpret. When the Holy Spirit tells us the truth, we can see the true meaning of it.”
The Buddhist panel said “This place is so beautiful and blessed.” And the Confucian panel said “I’m really surprised that the HWPL WARP Office has reached its 23rd anniversary. I was grateful to be with young people and I should have studied more ways to implement the truth, but I’m sorry for the lack.”
“About the Beginning of Man”, 6th Inter-Continental WARP Office
On June 15th, with the theme of “About the Beginning of Man”, “The 6th Inter-Continental World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Office Meeting” was held to discuss religious teachings on human life written in scriptures through YouTube by religious representatives from Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, and Zoroastrianism.
Regarding the importance of interfaith dialogue based on scriptures, Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL says, “Many conflicts bring the destruction of our globe. Wars and conflicts must come to an end in order to achieve peace, but wars break out more frequently because of religion. It is said that God had creation not to kill, so there should be zero conflict caused by religion. This is why religious leaders become one for peace.”
Did you see session 1? It was very exciting. I had hoped on the one hand that they wouldn’t fight, but this was a useless worry. They answered honestly and sincerely.
Let’s look at the first question for a rich explanation. “Is your scripture recorded about the first person?”
Christianity:
“From a Christian point of view, we believe that it began 6,000 years ago, and Moses wrote it 2,500 years after the beginning of history, which was recorded in Genesis, and in Hebrews 3. But then creation and the first human perspective changed within Christianity, causing internal division. We can divide man into physical and spiritual creation.
On Genesis 5:1, Adam’s genealogy came out, and that’s where the first human being was recorded. Many humans have been born, but only one descendant has been recorded, because God has chosen one from history to work. I’m putting more emphasis on spiritual creation. It’s not just because it’s physically created, it’s because it’s talking about people who can talk to God.”
Zoroastrianism:
“Yes, it’s written in a book written before 500 B.C. and difficult to understand because of the language. And it’s hard to fully understand because one word contains many meanings. The first person named Gayomat (Keyumars) is recorded. He was the first man on Earth, the first king of Iran, and ruled for 30 years, born in Iran. The Iranian atmosphere, ethnicity, began with Gayomat.”
Moderator: “It’s interesting to have a first person named Gayomat (Keyumars). So did he start a man, or did he already rule people?”
Zoroastrianism: “He is also listed as the king of the earth, Gilsha. Today, in the eyes of the spirit, it’s very interesting, he could hear Auramazda. It was recorded that human beings Gayomat was created by the demise of evil spirits, and he ruled for 30 years.”
Sikhism:
“It’s not just about religion, it’s about evolution written in the scriptures. Because scriptures deal with everything, not just religion. In Sikhism, God created the world and man. It’s written in the scripture, and it says that one made many things. It’s proof of God’s creation of the universe. And he made everything. Of all animals, we are listed as having sovereignty. And the book also records how people have evolved. And it’s recorded that he is reincarnated through his actions.”
Islam:
“Let me answer the first question. Yes, it’s well documented in the Koran. As for the first person, he is Adam and he is recorded in many places. Allah said to Muhammad, he created a man. It’s not written in the Koran about a person’s appearance, but you can guess from the records. The scholars wrote a note that Adam modeled after Allah, but not Allah. It doesn’t look exactly the same, it’s just what it looks like, and the details of the eyes and ears are different. He made Adam out of Allah’s image, but he never looked the same.”
How is it? It’s exciting, right? 🙂 Various views aroused the curiosity.
The second session will be held by a total of seven people, including the host, moderator, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism and Christianity. What impressed me most in Session 1 was the “attitude” of the panels. They didn’t think the knowledge they knew was all, and they didn’t attack their opponents. It’s so cool to see such gentle religious leaders.
The 6th HWPL Intercontinental Online WARP Office Meeting Session 2
<Session 2> Question List
Is your scripture recorded about the first person? So, what is his name?
Does your scripture record what the Creator did for him after he created the first man?
Is there a record in your scripture of the first person’s genealogy and the solidarity of the descendants?
The number of viewers at the same time was over 200. I’m more curious about Session 2. The wind of peace is blowing!
The Intercontinental Online WARP Office meeting is a special platform. Experts from each religion will participate as a panel. They ask each other questions and talk to each other about the same topic.
The reason why this meeting is more special is because it is broadcast live all over the world in real time. And listeners from all over the world can participate directly online. Do you want to know what we’ve been talking about so far? 🙂
HWPL WARP Summit
History of TOPIC
“What Religious Texts Tell You” 1. How to Get Rid of Evil 2. The Beginning and Origin of All Things 3. About God 4. AfterLife 5. About Creation 6. About the Beginning of Man
Isn’t that what you’ve been curious about? Don’t you happen to think about that? Wouldn’t there be no answer to that kind of debate? They’re just saying what you think and ending it, aren’t they? You’re right and I’m right, and that’s how it ends?
Of course, I thought so too.Of course, I thought so too. But HWPL WARP Offcie was different. They talk with exact criteria. What do you think it is? The secret is a “Scripture.”
Religion without a scripture is recognized as a culture, and everything is spoken around a scripture. Then it becomes much easier to talk. Because when comparing the scriptures of each religion, the answer comes out. Is there content in the scriptures for each subject? If so, what does it mean? If you do this, you can’t have an argument and you can agree with each other.
So far, wars caused by religion and ideology have accounted for 80 percent of human history. Think about it in your head right now. Isn’t there too much? But you can’t fight by speaking on the basis of scriptures. How wise! It’s so amazing.
<Session 1> Question List
Is your scripture recorded about the first person? What is his name and when did he come about?
What is written about the person’s appearance in your scripture? In some scriptures, it is written that man is made according to the shape of God.
Did a man come first or a woman first?
The 6th HWPL Intercontinental Online WARP Office Meeting
The first session will be held by a total of six people, including the host, headmaster, Muslim, Sikh, Zoroastrian and Christian leaders. I think the conversation is going to be so exciting, I’m going to watch it live. Let’s see! Also, you can see it again after the event is over.
The 5th HWPL Intercontinental Online WARP Office Meeting Session 2
War and Religion are inseparable
Wars of mankind : total 14,513 times
Reason of War: 80% Religious war
Victims of War : 3.7 billion
Nobel Peace prize rewarded : 130 times
Why Religion? This is because 80 percent of the war was caused by religion. Isn’t religion there to live well? Isn’t that what religious leaders teach you? But look at the reality before your eyes. How much does religion have to do with peace?
There are a lot of people trying, but things are still difficult. Who goes to fight when war happens? Someone’s son, someone’s father. Who in the world can compensate for their death? Is money all right? They don’t come back alive. How much pain is left of the family? Can you handle it? This is a really difficult problem.
HWPL WARP Offices in the World
Seeing the current status of the religious war, HWPL thinks the solution of peace. ‘How can we make it?’ The answer they found is the Scriptures. Because it represent the accumulation of not only the spiritual and moral teachings of the respective faiths, but also a fundamental standard of human conduct.
Although the common objective that all religion is the great things, these messages are often overlooked by people. So peace is becoming an elusive concept. So HWPL approach towards the root cause of this hostility between faiths, defined as the misunderstandings that arise from the misinterpretation of these scriptures. Eminent religious experts recognized it as an ‘Innovative Approach’. The alliance of religions is the earnest hope of all humanity.
In the short four years from its official beginning, the WARP Offices have seen rapid expansion with 218 offices now operating in 126 countries. With approximately 2,500representative religious leaders as participants, they dedicated themselves to thoroughly researching what a “Trustworthy Scripture” should contain.
91 percent of all religious leaders agreed that the following six attributes.
1) Good and Evil 2) Birth, Aging, Sickness and Death 3) The Spiritual Realm 4) Cleansing of Sins 5) History and Genealogy 6) Prophecy and Fulfillment
The Chairman Man hee Lee said, “If religions are in harmony with each other, there will be no reason to fight. To achieve harmony among religions, people of religion should examine and compare their scriptures to find the truth and become one in that truth. People of religion are responsible for leading people of the world in the right path.”
The 5th HWPL Intercontinental Online WARP Office Meeting
The Intercontinental Online WARP Office meeting is a special platform with panelists, representing their respective religion, from WARP Offices from around the globe. This international setting allows, not only the panelists, but also audience members the opportunity to engage with other panelists from different countries and backgrounds.
This meeting will be held quarterly under the series named, ‘What Religious Texts Tell You.’ For the fourth quarter, the topic is “Creation”
This HWPL Intercontinental Online WARP Office Meeting is not first. It’s already the 5th time. Don’t you want to see what’s been going on before you see this event today? I’ll give you a guide.
The First Intercontinental Online WARP Office Meeting
The topic of this WARP Office meeting was “What is the root of evil and how can we eliminate evil? Where does it come from? How can we eliminate it according to your respective religion?” These religious leaders are eminent in each religious scriptures.
The 2nd Intercontinental WARP Office Online Meeting
What Religious Texts Tell You: “Beginning and Origin of All Things” Is there a creator? What’s the essence of my existence? What has brought me to this world? These are the questions. The leaders dedicated themselves to thoroughly researching what a “Trustworthy Scripture” should contain.
The 5th HWPL Intercontinental Online WARP Office Meeting “What Religious Texts Tell You”
I think there are still many questions about creation by religion. But isn’t the truth one? Aren’t you curious what’s really right? No one has ever compared religion like this. In my personal opinion, atheists would also like to engage in this conversation. Because atheists have no religion on the outside, but they are a religion in a broad sense.
I’m really looking forward to it today! Let’s join us live on YouTube!
HWPL 인천지부 회원 600여명, 인천국제하프마라톤대회 참가 / Reporter Jooyong Park / 1st of April 2019 / Shinailbo
The Incheon branch of the HWPL said about 600 HWPL members participated in the 19th Incheon International Harf Marathon held at Incheon Munhak Stadium on March 31.
The purpose of the HWPL Incheon branch’s participation in the marathon is to urge Incheon citizens to join “Legislate Peace Campaign” to promote the culture of peace, an end to the war.
“The only solution to achieving a world of peace without war is the establishment of a binding international law at the United Nations General Assembly in September this year,” a HWPL official said. “We expect all citizens to recognize the importance of peace and join the call for international legislation.”
What are the criteria for the answer to peace that you have found in the scripture?
HWPL 인천지부, 기독교·불교·천도교 이해와 화합 위한 토론회 개최 / Reporter Yanghoon Kim / 11th of March 2019 / Maeil Daily
The Incheon branch of the HWPL said they held 11th “Mansu, Juan WARP Office” on March 8 at the seminar room of HWPL WARP Office located in Bupyeong, Incheon.
The HWPL WARP office is an inter-religious dialogue group established to resolve wars and conflicts taking place around the world, and aims to promote interreligious harmony and peace by increasing understanding of other religions’ scriptures by participating in the forum.
A panel of the Chondoist, Buddhist and Christian churches participated in the discussion to discuss the rationale for believing their respective scriptures and when and how peace through religious harmony was promised in each scripture.
As religious leaders who propagate peace, which is the essence of religion, they felt a great sense of mission and promised to do their part for peace, and vowed to recognize the value of the discussion session of the HWPL WARP Office and to continue to attend.
Since the WARP Summit in 2014, HWPL operated the WARP Office for interreligious harmony in 170 countries around the world, with 3,000 religious leaders, including Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism. In addition, they are trying to pursue harmony within the church through the “Square of religious dialogue“.
