The Words of the Arnoldi Family
|
|
The Words of the Arnoldi Family |
UPF-Munich hosted an inter-religious meeting in commemoration of World Interfaith Harmony Week on February 1. The topic was "The Mysticism of Religions: Fathoming the Heart of God."
The first days of February are dedicated not only to the UN World Interfaith Harmony Week but also, especially in Munich, to the world-renowned Munich Security Conference, where prime ministers, foreign and defense ministers meet, and to the not less famous Munich Peace Conference, initiated by various peace organizations.
Thus, it was very good that the local UPF chapter opened these meaningful days of peace for the world with an inter-religious meeting. In terms of numbers, this gathering may have been smaller than the other two, but the words that were spoken were surely not less important. And these words were not shallow or empty but a beginning that will soon be reality.
The motto of World Interfaith Harmony Week is "Love God and Love Your Neighbor." And precisely to this slogan, especially the first part "Love God," we sought to dedicate ourselves in choosing the topic of mysticism. Mysticism was and still is a search for God and an encounter with Him, and out of this arises a love for humankind and lasting peace.
After some introductory words by the UPF moderator, the imam of the Muslim community of Munich West spoke to the audience of 30 Christians, Muslims, and Unificationists about Islamic mysticism, in particular about the traditions of the Sufi order. He said that the journey to God is a journey to the inner self and that God is an eternal treasure longing to be discovered.
Next, Dr. Alfons Wellenhofer spoke about Christian mysticism. The following are excerpts of his talk: One essential aspect of mysticism is that it seeks a union with God, and this union can be experienced in the here and now. There are three stages: first purification, then illumination of the mind, and finally union with the divine. The Christian mystical way is the striving for moral perfection as a preparation and foundation for the spiritual way.
In the final part Robert Bentele of UPF spoke about aspects of mysticism in the teaching and work of UPF Founder Rev. Sun Myung Moon. In his encounters with God, he often senses a deep loneliness hoping that His counterpart, humankind, will respond to Him. God, heaven, and earth need one another in order to experience love. The loving God can be liberated when His object of love responds; thus, reciprocal relationships are essential to happiness, for humans and also for God. "Therefore, you can affirm with conviction that God cannot be happy without you!" he concluded.
The discussion of this topic indicated ways in which religious people can come closer to each other because there are many parallels and common points. It was a very moving inter-religious gathering, and participants expressed interest in attending the next meeting.
The Christian Science Church hosted the newly-established "House of Religions" of Stuttgart in celebration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week on February 4. The church building is situated on a hillside looking over the city center. It has a very impressive meeting hall for their services, and the only decoration in the front of the room is a sign with the words Gott is liebe [God is Love] written on it. A banner donated by UPF-Stuttgart proclaimed World Interfaith Harmony Week.
Even though this part of Europe is experiencing temperatures far below zero, over 40 guests attended the program. Volker Steinlein, a representative of the Christian Science Church, greeted all those attending and gave a short introduction, reading from the Bible and explaining a bit about their religious community.
After a song played on the organ, Hubert Arnoldi started his presentation. He is the chairman of UPF-Stuttgart, founder of the Inter-religious Roundtable in Stuttgart, and the first chairman of the House of Religions in Stuttgart. He talked about the development of the House of Religions and explained its concerns. Cooperation and dialogue between the various religious groups are fundamental to the process of learning from one another, supporting each other, and generating trust. Mr. Arnoldi cited parts of the Manifesto of the Ecumenical Church Days in Munich last year which the House of Religions has integrated into its principles. Amazingly enough, the UN General Assembly also included these principles in their Resolution for the World Interfaith Harmony Week.
Following his talk, there was a very special candle-lighting ceremony with seven representatives from different religions, accompanied by beautiful music on the organ. Mr. Samir El Midani, Muslim representative, closed the ceremony with a prayer.
Lutz Leverentz, representing Christian Science, then gave a PowerPoint presentation about their understanding of God. They believe that God is love, father and mother, life, mind, soul, spirit, and principle -- the all in all. Goodness is real and evil is nothing. Sin is life without God. Jesus is a human being absolutely one with God's character, therefore giving him the ability to heal. Death, evil, sin, and sickness have nothing to do with God. Christian Science is based on four fundamental statements about God. Mary Baker Eddy used these four principles to develop the Christian Science teachings in the 19th century. The Bible is the foundation of their belief. He then went on to explain about her life and work. He also mentioned the role of prayer, repentance, baptism, and giving.
Volker Steinlein then ended the program with the Lord's Prayer.
Everyone enjoyed wonderful refreshments lovingly prepared by the women from the congregation.