Tony Blair Faith Foundation

On the day lovers and retailers celebrate the romantic deeds commonly attributed to St Valentine, I reflect on a recent panel discussion of the subject of love. Three speakers, a Catholic priest, an anthropologist and a scholar in classical history tackled this expansive question in the forum of the Seek Wisdom series of special lectures at UWA. Love, they all agreed, is more than a feeling or the sum of physical and psychological effects which can be measured within its sufferer.

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair will deliver the keynote speech today  at Tecnológico de Monterrey University in Mexico.  Mr Blair will say:  “Do we want societies that are open to those who are different, who have different faiths and cultures than our own; or do we want, in the face of insecurity and economic crisis, to close down, to look after “our own” first and foremost?

Does Richard Dawkins exit? By Michael Sheldrick, UWA – Tony Blair Faith Foundation Student Ambassador This was the title of a robust and lively conversation held at UWA last week featuring Ian Robinsion (Chaplain and Desert Spiritualist), Mark Edwards (Atheist and Ethicist), and Neville Bruce (Agnostic and Biologist).

While I have spent parts of the past four years studying religion and religious culture at McGill University, there has not always been a true sense of attachment to what has been presented. The opportunity to learn about a program such as Face to Faith, by video conference, demonstrated to me that there are many untapped resources that can be used to teach young people about religion and the various associated cultures.

“Perhaps our eyes need to be washed by our tears once in a while, so that we can see life with a clearer view again” Faiths Act Fellow Alum Randa shares how a trip to Sarajevo to speak on multi-faith efforts against maternal mortality turned into a life changing re-affirmation of her faith and her commitment to be heard against injustice in the face of the human tragedy she encountered.  One morning in Sarajevo, after the usual Fajr prayer, or the Muslim pre drawn prayer, I prayed and recited some extra prayers until it seemed light enough for me to go out for a short run.

This week holds unprecedented potentially help turn the tide against religious tensions. It can build understanding and provide unity and strength to counter those who see faith as a source for division and discrimination. Obviously resolutions do not by themselves alter the world, but this resolution encourages people who believe in inter-religious harmony to stand up and be counted. If you are a person of good will there are many things you can do this week that cost very little and take little time.