Imagine a world where every religion
great and small meet together to discuss the issues of faith, peace and unity.
Imagine six thousand people coming from all over the globe to attend such a
discussion . . . that for eight days and as many nights, Christians, Hindus,
Moslems, Bahai's, Wiccans, Pagans, Zoroastrians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and a hundred
other faiths shared in this discussion. Each sharing a common experience of
equality, mutual respect and a desire for understanding. What would happen
if this came to pass?
On August 28th, 1993 just such a thing
occurred in Chicago, in the heartland of America. The Parliament of the World's
Religions met, bringing together for the first time in 100 years, the leaders
of the world's faiths and thousands of spiritual people. Together they truly
became a microcosm of a better world, planting seeds of a dynamic understanding
of a more spiritual world yet to come.
The Parliament of the World's Religions
was and is a loosely knit body of varied churches and traditions with different
social and racial backgrounds who are seeking interfaith communication and
spiritual unity, while striving for a consensus of faith and common social
action.
As the highest of the Clergy spoke of
working toward a global ethic, the vision of Barbara Marx Hubbard and Barbara
Bernstein created the Parliament of the People. Here the vast majority of
the representatives were working towards a unique and personal understanding,
developing the theology of the common person, and expressing their desire
for a universal renewal of faith.
The Parliament of the People existed during
four lunch hour break periods. In this sense, it was a late thought, not
connected to the Parliament itinerary. While other events during the Parliament
had a lot of pre-planning, the Parliament of the People was far more spontaneous.
Once the Parliament of the People began,
a sigh of relief and anticipation could be heard. For three days prior,
we sat for hours listening to the world's leading clergy and experts, without
an opportunity for voicing our opinions. For many of us, it was as if we were
extras in a well-orchestrated play. We were feeling overwhelmed and under-appreciated.
Many were asking why were we here? Why did we travel to this place? The initial plenaries
only made us eager to do something. So when the first session of the Parliament of
the People began, it was a real opportunity to be heard.
This was a major tuming point. For many
participants it gave them back their purpose.
Within the first few minutes of the Peoples
Parliament we became involved in Spiritual Democracy, where each man and
woman was equal. In circles of ten, we faced people who were not of our faith.
We spoke of our feelings, of divinity, and of service. Before we knew it,
Spiritual Democracy meant Participatory Democracy. We no longer needed our
structured religions to act out our wishes, to voice our thoughts. We simply
opened our mouths to speak, listened intently, and let our hearts sing out. This
became a moment of independence and liberation. It was a wondrous experience of
transformation, for the Parliament of the People allowed us to become one people.
While the meetings of this People's Parliament
lasted only two hours each day. the feeling was expansive and filled the
day. While the Assembly of Religious Leaders were meeting secretly, we were
meeting everywhere. Our Spiritual Democracy became the Theme of the World
Parliament.
Unbeknownst to the organizers of this
Parliament there was a truth emerging. We were learning that true theology
is about that which concerns us ultimately - the meaning of our existence,
the significance of life.
What was happening was that millions of
believers in every land were insisting upon a church that is meaningful and
relevant to today's society and needs. A powerful desire to reinterpret,
modernize, and make useful the faiths born in ancient times was coming into
existence. We were not looking to discard the deep beliefs of our traditions,
nor did we want to destroy the fundamental truths of our fellow Parliamentarians.
Rather, we sought to share this planet in ways that the Divine Spirit desires
us to. United, the participants took in the social upheaval of our society and
demanded that each of us take action, to preserve our traditions while seeking
peaceful solutions.
From this wonderful dialogue emerged 'Your
Voice', and through this we brought forth a new vision for all to see. We
see a new faith and a new spirit. It is working in the community, through
small groups which will not suffer sermonizing, but will enjoy spiritual
celebration. It will integrate minorities, it will acknowledge the equality
of women, and it will promote social action. It will oppose governments and
private industries that are in the business of killing, oppressing, polluting,
and exploiting. It will be a faith of social compassion, and regardless of
language, race, or tradition, it's clergy and it's members will act out,
and will live the deepest truths of love and mercy.
In the midst of this 'Your Voice' became
our open declaration of intent. This humble newsletter became our rallying
point. We were creating a manifesto of spiritual democracy and the
Parliamentarians became a religious body that was filled with mercy, grace,
and love. Never before had so many different people come together to begin
the world anew. 'Your Voice' became a thread which weaved this marvelous
tapestry of the people.
This independent newsletter-at-large was
unofficial and separate of the organizers of the Parliament. As it represented
a way to communicate with the entire Parliament, it was funded by donations
from the parliamentarians and everyone was happy to have the opportunity to
share their views. Each of the first ten issues were eagerly sought and were
often gone within minutes of their release. The volunteers who worked on them
deserve our fondest, if belated, thanks for preserving these words.
