There's a United Nations, why not a United Religions?

[Philosoraptor]

Crazy idea, I know, but why not? Have a building somewhere where all the representatives of all the world's religions can come together in harmony and understanding, similar to the United Nations.

Is there such a thing and I'm just not aware of it? Would such a thing work, or be a waste of time? Why hasn't anyone ever done this on a serious level like the U.N.?

Religions and nations are similar, and intertwined in some cases, but religions also go beyond borders. Nations and religions have all just met recently when you think about it, when religions and nations meet, there are clashes and adjustments, religion is one of the main forces of human nature.

All sects and factions could come together and meet and interact and make productive choices and generally promote peace through religion and tolerance.

I don't know how you'd handle the atheist angle, I can't think of everything, but if an atheist wanted to be represented realistically at the supposed United Religions, it could be worked out. Some could argue that it too is a religion, but I won't.

They could start with the things that all religions agree on, always a good ice breaker. Charity, helping the poor, ending war, making peace, coming together in love and understanding, we can all agree on these things no matter our creed.

And then they could discuss the things they don't agree on, in a respectful way, even this would be constructive.

And now, I will take applications for devotees to my new religion, the United Religions.

[Evoman]

1. It would last a week

and then we atheists would have to clean up the resulting bloody mess. The last thing we need to do is bring religions together. Geographical boundaries are the only thing keeping the world intact!

[Philosoraptor]

2. You're probably right

It is a lofty Star Trekky idea. What am I smoking anyway?

[soup]

3. You reading over my shoulder?

or just on the same page?

Mingling of faiths is appeal for peace

Jews and Muslims gather Sunday to learn more about each other. In the end, they find they're not that different.

By SHERRI DAY
Published September 18, 2006

>snip<
The rabbi and the 6-year-old, a Jew and a Muslim, gathered with more than 100 people Sunday in North Straub Park to celebrate the commonalities of their faiths, particularly the confluence of their religions' holiest months.

This week, Jews will kick off the month of Tishri, which includes Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and Sukkot. Muslims will begin Ramadan, in which they fast during daylight hours.

Both faiths abide by lunar calendars, but their holy months only coincide about every 30 years. In this cycle, Ramadan and Tishri converged in 2005, this year and will meet once again in 2007. Such a convergence won't come again for 33 years.

Serving The One, an interfaith group that organized Sunday's gathering, saw the occurrence as an opportunity to bring people of different faiths together.
>snip<

"We need to unite under one umbrella," said Shallouf, 53. "There's so much mayhem in the world, it's time to preach peace."
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/09/18/Southpinellas/Mingling_of_faiths_is.shtml

peace

[Bluebear]

4. Religions are often based on being "The Correct One"

Being that they are in competition for new 'believers' I don't know how much you can ultimately unite them.

[sweetheart]

5. Well everyone does have their correct one

That a subjective correct would ever be objective, is absurd, rather we should
expect over a lifetime, persons to evolve to different religious perspectives as
they mature with life's experiences. Then, whilst a person might be religious,
and might have 'the correct one' every day, those correct ones may never be the
same day to day, and as a society, then to uphold them all by freedom of religion,
is that not "The Correct One".

[Poppyseedman]

6. United Nations Religion

Yeah, the one on the East River works SO WELL.

[sandnsea]

7. Somebody suggested a religious summit

a couple of years ago, with all the world's religious leaders coming together to craft a message of peace and unity and marginalize extremists of all types. Typical response - ridicule.

[Hekate]

8. Look up United Religions Initiative

http://www.uri.org/

It's an interfaith organization helping to foster peace and understanding through Cooperation Circles in many countries. A friend told me about it when it was just beginning -- because of her I made a small donation so that I would get the newsletter. I've been impressed with their intentions and their work.

Hekate

[Perky]

9. Othinhink the other er than the fact that no relgion thnks the others are

are creible. Religions do nod typically not see the othe relgions as the enemy. They see nation-states as the enemy.

[LWolf]

10. There is such an organization.

It's called the Interfaith Alliance:

http://www.interfaithalliance.org/site/pp.asp?c=8dJIIWMCE&b=447561

[Finder]

11. I have always wanted to see one in Jerusalem...

since it makes perfect sense.

[treestar]

12. Great idea

The Catholic/Protestant hatred divide has been muted with this kind of thing, I think it is called the Ecumenical Council. Now you see Catholic priests at weddings in Protestant Churches to "bless the marriage" for the Catholic spouse getting married in that church. Whereas a generation ago the Catholic Church would have considered them to be just "living in sin."

It would tend to attract moderates anyway, and give some media attention to moderates whereas now the extremists get all the attention.

[TheFriedPiper]

13. That many crazy people in one room? That's asking for trouble!