Religious strife ends with Communication and Understanding

March 09, 2007

With strife internationally between nations and religious denominations, and ethnic tension here in Australia, local groups are doing something about it and promoting cooperation.

On Sunday, the Church of Scientology in Glebe, Sydney held a special church service on religious influence in society, as a cultural exchange with the Affinity Intercultural Foundation which "helps Muslim community to interact with the greater society and increases public awareness of the Muslim community, its religion and culture."

The room was packed with 159 people who mostly didn't know much about the Islamic faith. It was a rainbow of cultures ethnically with attendees from South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Japan, Israel, Turkey, Bosnia and America.

The Vice President of the Church of Scientology Australia, Cyrus Brooks, spoke on the religious influence in society and how when a culture falls away from religious pursuits and goes totally materialistic, that culture fails. More police don't bring less crime, as it's morals that the positive influence religion once had instilled in civilisation.

David Ilham, Executive Member of Affinity and originally from Xinjiang China, spoke on the basics of Islam, and similarly stated that if the self tries to gain fulfillment in material things, it will never be satisfied. Only directing one toward God will do so.

Attendees commented on the surprising similarities between Scientology and Islam and one especially commented on the strife, "people are going to war, but don't even understand what this religion is about. It's the fear of the unknown that causes conflict so we must work harder to understand each other."

This is a first in a series of interfaith services at the Church of Scientology whose creed has religious tolerance "built in". The Creed of the Church of Scientology was written by L. Ron Hubbard shortly after the Church was formed in Los Angeles on February 18, 1954 and it succinctly states what Scientologists believe. The first two lines read: "We of the Church believe: That all men of whatever race, color, or creed were created with equal rights; That all men have inalienable rights to their own religious practices and their performance; ..."

Going through the halls of the Scientology church, people commented throughout the day that more of this should be going on. It makes a lot of sense, Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard said "understanding is the universal solvent," and with all the strife today, that's never been more relavent.

Contact Cyrus Brooks 02 9692 7308 or see www.scientology.org.au for more details.