Rally Celebrates World’s Religions
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PITTSBURGH — Worshipers wearing a rainbow of saris, robes and yarmulkes filed into a hall at Carnegie Mellon University, clapping and singing in praise of the world’s religions.
As drums beat, the 225 participants from six continents celebrated their own faiths and reached out to other believers in the signing of the United Religions Initiative Charter calling for religious cooperation. It includes prohibitions on aggressive recruitment.
Representatives from more than a dozen faiths said they want to establish a global group that could speak for the religions of the world--a faith-based United Nations.
Worldwide, the group has formed 75 “cooperation circles,” interfaith groups that meet to discuss religious issues.
California Episcopal Bishop William Swing of San Francisco said organizers of the U.N. anniversary celebration in San Francisco suggested to him five years ago that he organize a celebration of the world’s religions.
Swing began to travel the world seeking religious leaders to start a spiritual parliament. A few religions have endorsed the idea, but the Roman Catholic Church and some Southern Baptist leaders have rejected the organization.
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