|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Secularism
|
|
|
Building Inclusive Community
|
|
The journey of the Task Group on Secularism is a story of strengthening happy communities to become "Inclusive Communities" transcending barriers of faiths or no faith welcoming all peoples participate and part take in the exercise of understanding and appreciating each other. It is our joy to express our understanding of "Faith Issues" with a wider perspective and Holistic understanding in pluralistic context of India and the challenging situations in a global village.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Face To Face: Dialogue Through Sports - Programme August – 2008
|
|
|
|
The concluding function the chairperson of the cricket event, Mr. S. V. Rathna Kumar congratulated the teams. Rev. Dr. Thomas Ninan addressed the occasion on the theme Dialogue through sports. He said all religious believers could learn to stay in their backyards. The backyard of their cultural and linguistic system:-
When one remains in the backyard – Exclusive, when the team plays in the field – Inclusive
when they become deep friends for life – Pluralism, in and through the teams coming to Bangalore for the game, visiting the city, eating local food, hearing the local language they have come face to face with their new neighbour. Encounter through sports has allowed them to know each other. They need to join hands beyond sport with a heart to overcome widespread suffering of humanity around us. Rev. Dr. Thomas Ninan placed four points to reflect on:-
a) What message will you take with you?
b) What message have you left behind?
c) What action for the good of humanity and the country will you do?
d) Can you turn our rich diversity and heritage unto the precious gold of national unity?
|
|
|
|
Mr. Balgit Singh thanked the YMCA Cricket Club for hospitality and all the arrangements. The team was presented Certificates, Mementos and team Shield (Trophy) and Best Batsmen, Best Bowler players by Mr. S. V. Rathnakumar, Mr. Noel Narohna and others. Copies of a booklet on "Symbols" were also presented to the players.
|
|
|
|
Mar Thoma Yuvajana Sakhyam - Youth camp
|
|
|
|
Rev. Manoj Idiculla, President of the Sakhyam invited Rev. Dr. Thomas Ninan, consultant, YMCA Task Group to address 200 youth of Bangalore on 29 August 2008 attending the camp.
The theme: Faith commitment in a Religiously Plural Society: A challenge was the topic.
This was an issue oriented presentation. The general theme of the camp was "Footholds of Faith".
The camp was inaugurated by the Rt. Dr. Abraham Mar Paulos, Bishop of Trivendram and Quilon. His grace told the youth they need to be "We" oriented in a world that is becoming "I" oriented if they are witness to Christ's Love. The Programme enhanced a lot of diversity including rock music & games. Rev. Dr. Thomas Ninan took the students through basic questions they would ask regarding Christian faith in the context of other faith tradition. He explained to them the complementality of all religion as a "Road to Peace and Harmony". Three conclusive propositions were presented to them:-
1) Truth is not defended by exclusiveism but through relationships.
2) All religions are complementary than contradictory.
3) Human beings are called to be partners not enemies.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rev. Dr. Thomas Ninan presented the vision for India:- as mother of the world family of nations as disciple of Christ. India is a land of Justice a light of Dharma and princes of Peace. Based on a synthesis of science and spirituality which is the ideal to which India must be perfected. Mr. J. Suhas and Mr. Ram Sunder also attended and encouraged the team effort of the task group.
|
|
Peace and Value Education - "Being a Peace Classroom"
|
|
This was the theme of the two day session on peace and value education for the 11 & 12 standard students of Little Flower Metric High Secondary School, Tirupur – The hosiery town of south India.
|
|
|
|
|
The principal Rev. Dr. Sr. Eushma welcomed the team consisting of Rev. Dr. Thomas Ninan, Mr. J. Suhas and Mr. Ram Sundhar. On the first day ecological peace and societal peace was discussed. A film on water issue – "Narmada" and "I live in Berampada" – communal violence was also shown. This was followed by a discussion.
|
|
|
|
On the second day, the nuclear deal and political peace was discussed including the danger of a nuclear catastrophe. The students were shown the film "Buddha weeps in Jaduguda" where the uranium corporation have mines and how people who are exposed to radiation suffer. The students were taught about 7 social evils. This was followed by a vibrant discussions. Mr. Ram Sundhar through interaction with the students opened the issue of value education, communication skills and peace – personal, social and political. The students numbered 200 who participated. The principal and students thanked the team and they hoped to invite the team for the 9 & 10 standard students and teachers too. The power point presentation on the topics were effective for the occasion. This programme was held on 1 & 2 September 2008.
|
|
|
|
International day of Non-violence
|
|
|
|
This was observed on 2nd October 2008 on the theme: Politics and spirituality, outer witness, inner faith. Mr. S.V. Rathna Kumar, General Secretary, welcomed the gathering on this auspicious occasion and with the lighting of the lamp to the singing of the Vedic chant – Asatoma Satgamaya the event began. Mr.Shudhra Srinivas gave the Keynote address. The politics of blame and fear needs to be replaced with a politics of solutions, faith, hope and love. Herein lies the connection between spirituality and politics.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The spirituality of Gandhiji reflects a dedication for human liberation. His life encompassed the compassion of Christ for the service of humankind. "Gandhiji and Archbishop Dom Helder Camara walked the talk" and where their walk did not coincide with their talk, they changed either their walk or their talk. Both these eminent, human persons pointed to "non-violence" as the greatest force at the disposal of humankind.
|
|
|
|
|
The meeting concluded with the words of Archbishop Dom Helder Camara. God is not in the skies, He is among us" and then he was assassinated. Gandhiji said:- I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is, only temporary, the evil it does is permanent.
|
|
|
|
The thought for the day was:
In the midst of death, life persists
In the midst of untruth, truth persists
In the midst of darkness, light persists
Hence I gather that God is life, truth and light
After a discussion Mr. S.V. Rathna Kumar, General Secretary, YMCA gave the concluding remarks. Mr. J. Suhas gave the vote of thanks.
|
|
|
|
Center for Peace and Progress – Extension Center
|
|
|
|
Tannary Road, as the name suggests is the hub for tanning of leather in Bangalore. This also indicates that the area is predominately occupied by Muslims. As years have passed members of all communities reside in this area – which is over populated. It would be right to mention that it is a highly sensitive area for communal conflicts, police atrocities and political nuisance. The people are generally a peace loving people for their won livelihood.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The YMCA in order to affirm the peace-loving nature of the communities and to strengthen the networks present organized "Cricket for Peace" in the common play ground of the community Two teams of Members of all communities in the area held a Cricket Match on 25 March 2009 to promote goodwill. The look on symbols of all religions its meaning and relative histories affirmed the "complete mentality of all religions "rather than the "competition among religions" in the market place. This unique event has strengthened our participation in the area and furthered our concerned for Interfaith relations.
|
|
|
|
|
We hope to hold more events in the area. Our thanks to Mr. Khader and Mr. Anand for the local initiatives and organisation. Interfaith Relations - Seminar on Human Rights for College Teachers -At St. Joseph's P.U. College
|
|
|
|
The One day seminar began with a prayer song. Fr. Melvin Mendonca St. Joseph's College introduced the need to understand the Human Rights perspective in the context of the 'communalisation of politics'. Fr. Ference Fanas.S.J. Rector of St. Joseph's Institutions emphasized the historical commitment of their institutions for promoting learning is to know, to be, to do and to live- co-exist.
|
|
|
|
The next session titled "Human Rights perspectives in Karnataka was led by Mr. Clifton Rozario from Alternative law Forum. He promoted out the negative effects of globalization which are marginalizing farmers and communities to intense poverty, rising debts and resultant suicides.
The farmers are having debts and commit suicide. Clifton a rationalist referred to Ambedkar and the fate of Dalits. He Strongly critiqued the campaign of hate "in the state and growing religious intolerance to rise to power.
The next session after the break was a paper presentation led by Rev. Dr. Thomas Ninan, Director of India Co-existence Initiative and Consultant of the Task Group on Secularism of YMCA. He spoke of Inter-faith relations which is a movement for a "Culture of Peace". He warned about the tendency to live in the backyard and frame rules for the backyard that eliminates others. He emphasized that "Openness begets openness". Swami Sachidananda of Rishi Kesh. Between professed values and operational values there is a need for a spirituality based on Sarva Dharma Samabhav, Sarva Dharma Manabhav and Sarva Dharma Sadbhav to prevent fanaticism and fascism the greatest task is not conquering others, but the self. He quoted Mathew Arnold said:- " Ignorant armies clash by night" He said:- Truth is not defined by exclusivism but by relationships. All religions are complimentary not contradictory. Humankind is called to be partners not enemies and conducted by proposing the complimentality of religions as a peace and harmony initiative.
The final session was led by Mr. Ashok Mathews, Director of SICHRAM on the theme understanding Human Rights in the present day context. He said Human Right is a struggle for justice. The session concluded with a discussion.
The vote of thanks was made by one of the Teachers of the College.
|
|
|
|
YM/YWCA Week of Prayer and World fellowship
"Born Free Born Equal" – Celebrating Human Rights
|
|
|
|
|
|
The chief guest was Mr. Noel Naronha, at Indian Children Primary High School, Tannery Road. The theme "Born free, born equal – celebrating human rights" was the fresh perspective shared at one of the most populated and sensitive area of Bangalore-tannery road, for Muslims especially to know that they are Born free, born equal in India is definitely a milestone for celebrating human rights. Mr. Manohar from SICHREM expounded the topic with his personal experience & comments.
|
|
|
|
|
The group consisted of women and youth beside the men of community. It had a communitarian expression with people of all faiths & persuasions. The reminder of human rights is also a reminder of the duties of every citizen for peace and harmony in society.
Mr. R. Prasanna Kumar, Assistant General Secretary welcomed the gathering, Mr. Ram Sunder, task group member proposed the vote of thanks. The programme was held on 15th Nov 2008 at Indian Children Primary High School, Tannery Road
|
|
|
|
Mr. Noel.C. Noronha is the Chairman of the Task Group and Mr. J. Suhas is the related Secretary of the Task Group on Secularism.
|
|
