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We ,the undersigned, call
upon all leaders, politicians and members of the media to help alleviate
anxiety and tensions in the world by emphasising positive religious
values and sentiments at every opportunity.
We are of many different religions.
Some of our religions involve a belief in God, some do not. But
what all of our religions share is the conviction that man or woman
is more than flesh and bones. That the decent and moral impulses
of humankind derive not from regarding him or her as another material
object, in a material world, but from the consideration that humankind
has a higher spiritual existence. That all religious practices raise
spiritual awareness, and raise humankind's ability and willingness
to treat others not as objects, but as fellow life forces, deserving
of kindness and respect.
The misportrayal by some of
religious values creates darkness and destroys hope.
It is with the religious vision
that we create light and destroy despair.
Man with a religious vision
is lifted above his or her day to day cares and travails to a higher
plain, and an ultimate reality. On that higher plain he or she can
have hope, can have life, can have love; and can dispel suffering.
We believe that those that have
the privilege of speaking to, or for, large numbers of people, can
best help those people by spreading the message of hope, life and
love. Only those that do not care for people spread a message of
no hope, death and hate.
Those that exercise the rights
of free expression (or any human right) must do so with responsibility.
Encourage always understanding
and tolerance; discourage always discrimination and selfishness.
Inform people, by all means,
of the evils of the world - but do not forget also and always to
foster and promote religious values shared by the majority.
Signed by:
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