Inter Faith Network Meeting 26 May 2010

Report from Richard Boeke on:
Inter Faith Network's Faith Communities Forum Meeting 10.30am until 1pm.
Wednesday 26 May, chaired by IFN's Co-Chairs, Dr Girdari Bhan and
Bishop Alastair Redfern.

At the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, Regent's Wharf, 8 All Saints Street, London N1.

At a table with two-dozen representatives of Faith Communities, I took my seat between Dr. Anne Richards and Canon Michael Ipgrave, both Anglicans. Dr. Harriet Crabtree, Brian Pearce and two other staff of the IFN were there.

To two Hindus, I expressed sympathy on the death of Om Parkash Sharma. One was Mr. Ramesh Pattni from the Hindu Temple in Croyden.

The opening discussion concerned the new government, and the expectation of a cut in government funding for InterFaith programmes.
While this year’s funding is in place, much less is expected in 2011.
Eric Pickles is new Secretary of State for local governments. Other Government Leaders involved with Interfaith include Gregg Clark, Andrew Stunell, and Nick Hurd.

National Interfaith Week will go ahead for 21-27 November. Harriet Crabtree asked for ideas for the observances during Interfaith week.
The focus was on having a major event in London, as well as events throughout the United Kingdom. (For Horsham Interfaith, Catholic Bishop Kieran Conry has accepted our invitation to be our featured speaker, 1 PM, Saturday, 27 November)

Soundings: The last annual meeting of IFN called for some action on relating to traditions other than the “big nine” currently included in the IFN. Shall we accept Pagans? If so, “which of over a dozen pagan groups?” Philip Rosenberg from the Board of Deputies of British Jews made several comments. There was also discussion of groups like Christian Science, and Mormons, who are not accepted as part of the main stream of the Christian, Sikh, or Muslim tradition.

While there was general agreement to take some action, there was concern that any meeting called not be presented as a step toward these groups becoming members of IFN.

Dialogue? Brian Pearce suggested focus on the idea of SOUNDINGS, a day of listening. Pagans already attend IFN as representatives of local interfaith groups. Harriet Crabtree presented 2 DRAFTS of a possible one-day programme. As I understand the outcome,it was agreed that she would develop three-step process based roughly on DRAFT B:
1)As Director of the Interfaith Network, Harriet would present an overview of the past 20 years Inter-religious engagement in the UK.
2)Speakers from major faith communities would give their reflections.
3)Pagans and “Alternative Spiritualities” etc, would be heard (not argued with).

Equality Act: Brian Pearce reported on the Equality Act and the recent court case involving a registrar who would not conduct a same-sex civil union. The court did not rule on the religious element. Rather the ruling in essence said to the registrar: “there is a contact of employment. You have breached the contract of employment.
Thus, grounds for dismissal.”

Other Business: In Dubai, I. Singh reported 17 Indians sentenced to death for the killing of one Pakistani. Imam Sajid reported Facebook banned in two Muslim countries due to cartoon contest for images of Mohammed (forbidden by Quran) ADJORN.