Last week
I went to a conference on Islam and Christianity. It was not a hate mongering session or a conference to ask awkward questions in the hope of making the two groups fight each other. It was actually fascinating.

It was organised by an Aussie woman who had lived in Indonesia for three years who had seen the divide between Christians and Islamic peoples and wanted to help bring them together.

Suffice it to say she's doing an excellent job - she's created this amazing organisation which travels with the intention to educate and spread tolerance.

The Christian and Islamic men and women both fit and didn't fit many of the stereotypes we see portrayed in the media. The Islamic women were dressed traditionally but were very confident and outspoken women who I quickly earned a lot of respect for in the two hours I got to listen. The Christian women were just wanting to help answer any questions we had. The men from both religions seemed both kind and devout - yet not *once* did they tell us we were soulless for having no religion. Nor did they look down on the women who were travelling alone.

It seemed to me that this group was not out to convert anybody to any particular religion but wanted to make sure everyone had all the facts right.
They also stressed the fact that the various bibles and korans have different interpretations and different people see them and place higher values on different morals.

I'm all for education of peoples on various religions - it was truly excellent. I honestly think that this group of people have a lot of potential in helping rid a lot of stereotypes that we seem to have of various religions today.
(Poppet some assembly required., Sun 22 Mar 2009, 3:51, 3 replies)

That's a great thing to see . . .
now, if only we could get a couple of the grown-ups in power to follow their example, the world could be a lot happier.
( Mrs Legless . . . belongs to, well, you know . . . :), Sun 22 Mar 2009, 9:04, closed)

Do you know the name of the group or woman who organised this? This is a fantastic thing, and seems extremly well organised - I'd just like to send them a message saying that.
(Potty Jag har smör i min rumpspringa, Sun 22 Mar 2009, 10:59, closed)

I did
but I can't for the life of me remember it. I will check at school and get her details and give them to you - just give me a day or two.
(Poppet some assembly required., Sun 22 Mar 2009, 11:10, closed)