"Implications of MORALITY on our society in the next MILLENNIUM"
XIXth
World Religions Conference
October 17, 1999
Brantford, Ontario, Canada
Report by Dr. Ijaz A. Qamar
Nearly 250 delegates attended the
19th annual conference on World Religions
organized by the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam, Brantford Chapter. The topic
of this religious founders day, “Implications of MORALITY on our society
in the next MILLENNIUM”, was addressed by the leaders of a variety of
faith traditions.
The forum chaired by Mr. Dave Levac
MPP for Brant, was inaugurated by Mayor Chris Friel. In his inaugural
remarks the mayor equated morality to equality for all, particularly for
those marginalized in our communities including the disabled. If we can
make these groups an integral and inclusive part of our daily life we will
achieve one level of morality, the mayor said.
Mr. Levac described the topic of
morality as an absolute challenging and optimistic topic. He laid emphasis
on treating children with honesty, truthfulness and listening and touching
them with love and affection. This is an area if acted upon diligently,
will add to the moral richness of our society.
Seven religious perspectives were
brought out on the theme of morality and its future. Mr. Naseem Mahdi,
Ameer of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, brought the perspective of the
Islamic faith. Mr. Mahdi, during his presentation on this important topic,
defined morality into three different conditions; namely – i) the physical
and natural condition of human beings, ii) the regulation of physical
desires through conscience (differentiation of good & bad) and iii) the
personal relationship with God – the spiritual state. He explained
morality of this millennium is no different from that of the previous or
of the next millennium; Morality is absolute. He referred to Chapter Al-Asar
of the Holy Quran in this connection, which reads “Surely man is ever in a
state of loss, except those who believe and do righteous deeds, and exhort
one another to preach truth, and exhort one another to be steadfast”. He
said that it is unfortunate that morality is a taboo in modern times. It
is considered as outdated. Nobody wants any morality in all spheres:
personal, national and international.
Rabbi Mopton Green from Hamilton put
forth the concept of morality as the basis of human existence,
individually and collectively. He said that in the books of Moses (Torah),
loving thy neighbour is mentioned once and loving a stranger is mentioned
thirty times. This is a real challenge for all of us. The Rabbi said it
would be inconsistent to love God and to hate His children.
The teachings of Hinduism and
Sikhism were presented by Priest Rupanuga Das, Hara Krishna Temple,
Toronto, and Mr. Prithpal Singh Chagger, Mississauga respectively. The
Priest Das presented a pacimistic view of the world as there is declining
morality all over. Principal tenants of austerity, cleanliness, mercy,
tolerance and honesty are on the decline. Real happiness comes from inside
and is directly proportional to morality. According to the Sikh speech
morality like charity begins at home. Service to humanity will continue as
the driving force of the Sikh faith in the years to come.
A Christian speaker, Hentrick Van
Der Breggen of the Heritage Baptist College, Cambridge, was very
philosophical in his presentation and said that moral relativism is flawed
and religious ideas will result in goodness for all.
In native peoples religion’s view
their culture and tradition will forge ahead in the coming years,
according to Mr. Walter Cooke of Winona, a native religious leader. They
hope a revival in their lives beyond 2000.
The Buddhist speaker summarised the
teachings of Buddha in one quotation, “He who conquers himself is the best
conqueror”. Ego, greed, envoy, hatred and other improprieties have to be
illuminated through a number of training rules of morality and discipline.
