Program (31st WRC)

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Humanities Theatre, J.G. Hagey Hall, Ontario, Canada

Presided and Moderated by

Jeff Allan
KW's Famous Radio Host

Opening Session : 10:00a — 12:20p

10:00a    Doors Open (Registration and Social Time)

10:30a    Opening Multi-Media Presentation

10:40a    Welcome by the Presiding Chair - Jeff Allan

10:45a    Reading from the Holy Scriptures — Representatives of all Faiths

11:01a    Opening Ceremony - Introduction of Speakers and Dignitaries

— Introduction of Speakers and Dignitaries
— Unveiling of the World Religions Conference Plaque
— Singing of O'Canada - National Anthem of Canada by Cecile Monique

11:08a    Introducing the Conference

11:14a    Introduction to World Faiths & Philosphies — All speakers *

11:56a    Messages and Greetings from Guest Dignitaries

12:20p    Banquet LUNCH and SOCIAL Break

Theme Session "Who is God" * - 1:20p — 4:45p

Seven World Faith representatives and a Humanists philosopher (Representing Atheists and Agnostics) presented his/her view of their respective faith on the theme "Who is God, Nature and Characteristics" (15 minutes each). Each speech was followed by a spiritual presentation of a poem or hymn reinforcing the concept presented by the respective faiths religious group (5 minutes).

1:20p Introduction to the Theme Session Moderator

1:24p Jewish Perspective — Dr. Allan Gould - Toronto
1:39p Judaic Spiritual Poem or Song — Local Jewish Community

1:45p Hindu Perspective — Swami Bhagwan Shanker - Hamilton
2:00p Hindu Spiritual Poem or Song — Local Hindu Community

2:06p Sikh Perspective — Hari Nam Singh Khalsa - Toronto
2:21p Sikh Spiritual Poem or Song — Sikh Student's Association, UW

2:27p Humanist Perspective — Doug Thomas - Elmira
2:42p Secular Poem or Song — Society of Ontario FreeThinkers

2:48p Islamic Perspective — Muhammad Afzal Mirza - Mississauga
3:03p Islamic Spiritual Poem or Song — Ahmadiyya Muslim Childrens

3:09p Coffee Break — Complimentary Refreshments and Social

3:40p Announcing rules of the Q/A Session — Moderator

3:43p Christian Perspective — Pastor Rick Pryce - Kitchener
3:58p Christian Spiritual Poem or Song — Local Christian Community

4:04p Aboriginal Spiritual Perspective — Gerard Sagassige - Kitchener
4:19p Aboriginal Spiritual Poem or Song — Aboriginal Community of KW

4:25p Buddhist Perspective — Sister Thich nu Tinh Quang - Hamilton
4:40p Buddhist Spiritual Poem or Song — Local Buddhist Community

Concluding & Interactive Session : 4:46p — 5:45p

4:46p    Recognition of Speakers and Volunteers

4:52p    Open Questions Session with Speakers of the event

5:40p    Closing Remarks — Event Moderator, Jeff Allan

5:43p    Silent Prayers — Multi Faith

5:45p    DINNER and SOCIAL

(* The order of speakers presenting various religious perspectives was determined via random draw at the last conference held on October 16, 2010)