|
|
Five
World Religions
The
16th Congress of the IARF was held at the University of
Chicago in August 1958 on the theme: "Today's Religions
Can Meet the World's Needs Today." The evenings of
the Congress were devoted to addresses by members of "the
five great world religions." Panel discussions met
daily to address the following subjects: Philosophy and
theology, Growing Tensions: Social, Racial and Religious,
Science in the Modern World, Worship, Education and the
Arts, Ethics and International Relations, and Human Values
and Economic Forces. In 1958 the IARF had 25 member groups
from: Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, France, Germany,
Great Britain, Hungary, India (Brahmo Samaj), Japan (Japan
Free Religious Association), the Netherlands, North Ireland,
Poland (Old-Catholic Congregation of Krakow), Romania,
South Africa, Surinam (Evangelical Lutheran Congregation),
Sweden, Switzerland and the United States of America.
The International Union of Liberal Christian Women, the
International Religious Fellowship, and Albert Schweitzer
College in Switzerland were registered as associate member
groups. The
IARF purposes in 1958 were: "(1) to bring into closer
union the historic liberal churches, the liberal element
in all churches, and isolated congregations and workers
for religious freedom; (2) to draw into the same fellowship
free religious groups throughout the world which are in
essential agreement with our ways of thinking; and (3)
to open and maintain communication with free Christian
groups in all lands who are striving to unite religion
and liberty, and to increase fellowship and cooperation
among them."
In 1961 the Congress was held in Davos, Switzerland, and
in 1964 at The Hague the 18th Congress addressed the theme, "A Religion for the World of Tomorrow." In 1966
the Congress was held in London on the topic, "The
Spiritual Challenge of Mankind Today and Our Response." |
|
|
|
