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Centennial Reflections

Description

This collection of essays offers a comprehensive history of the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF), the world's oldest international interfaith organization, on the occasion of its centenary. The volume begins with a chronological overview by Robert Traer, tracing the IARF's development from its founding in 1900 as a council of Unitarian and liberal Christian thinkers to a diverse, multi-faith global community.

Subsequent chapters, contributed by various longtime members and leaders, provide detailed accounts of the IARF's involvement in specific countries and regions, including Japan, India, Canada, the Philippines, and several European nations. The work also explores thematic aspects of the IARF's mission, such as its social service network, its relationship with the United Nations, and the role of its women's association. Woven throughout are personal recollections and reflections that offer unique insights into key events, challenges, and congresses that have shaped the organization over its first century.

 

Table of contents 26 entries
  1. A Short History of the IARF Robert Traer — Author p. 1
  2. Swiss Union for Liberal Christians: Founding Member of IARF p. 13
  3. The History of the Japan Chapter p. 18
  4. British Involvement in the International Association for Religious Freedom p. 21
  5. Canadian Involvement in IARF p. 26
  6. IARF Chapter in India Since the Late 1990s p. 29
  7. Perspective of the Unitarian Union in North East India p. 37
  8. Religious Liberalism in Germany and the IARF p. 40
  9. Involvement of the French Association Libérale « Évangile et Liberté » p. 51
  10. Irish Involvement in the International Association for Religious Freedom p. 54
  11. My Reflections on the IARF p. 58
  12. Part II - Personal Reflections by IARF Members p. 67
    1. Personal Memories of the IARF p. 67
  13. IALRW in Relation to the IARF p. 72
  14. The IARF 1958-1972: A Personal Recollection p. 75
  15. The 27th Hamburg IARF Congress in 1990 p. 84
  16. IARF at a Hundred p. 86
  17. My Encounter With the IARF p. 90
  18. The Philippine Involvement in the International Association for Religious Freedom p. 92
  19. Part III - Reflections on Programs and Issues p. 95
    1. The IARF: 1950-1970 p. 95
  20. Opening Address to the 1984 IARF Congress: What Is Our Message to the World? p. 98
  21. Partners in Progress: Building the IARF Social Service Network 1979-1992 p. 100
  22. Widening Interfaith Perspectives in the IARF p. 107
  23. IARF's Recent 30 Years: East and West p. 116
  24. The IARF at the United Nations p. 126

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