Interfaith Org NZ welcomes you in the spirit of
understanding and cooperation between all of the faiths in Aotearoa New
Zealand.
The website was started in the 1990s to support the sharing of news and events of interfaith groups throughout the country. In addition it has links to many other interfaith sites and resources, a multifaith calendar and a picture gallery of interfaith activities. For more information about this site or to submit news and events, please contact Paddy Payne: info@interfaith.org.nz or +64 21 505 215. 
| New report reveals teaching religion in our schools reduces extremism | New report reveals teaching religion in our schools reduces extremismReligious
Education in schools can strengthen multi-culturalism and reduce extremism in
our wider communities, according to a new report.
The report found schools offering Special Religious Education (SRE), Religious
Instruction (RI) and General Religious Education (GRE) were ideal settings
"for children to develop an understanding of peace and tolerance.” The
goal of teaching students how to live harmoniously with others in a
contemporary and diverse society is a pillar of modern education, said the
report. "Multicultural education is a key instrument in achieving social
cohesion.” The
report was written by world-renowned academics Professor Zehavit Gross (the
UNESCO/Burg Chair in Education in Human Values, Tolerance and Peace at Bar-Ilan
University, Israel) and Professor Emerita Suzanne Rutland, of the University of
Sydney.
The report highlighted the recent mass shootings in New Zealand, suicide
bombings in Sri Lanka and the San Diego synagogue shooting as potential topics
of discussion among students. For example, religious education teachers could
discuss the fear and concern which affected Muslim, Christian and Jewish
students in Australia, the report found. Removing in-faith education from
government schools detracts from the government's multicultural aims by denying
students a crucial avenue to explore their own religious identity and heritage.
The report found SRE and GRE played a key role in dismantling stereotypes and
strengthening social cohesion. Professor Gross said the belief that religion is
irrelevant in a postmodern world is a myth. "Religion continues to play a
major role in our public life and acknowledges the legitimate spiritual needs
of each individual." Professor Rutland said religious belief and
spirituality provide students with an anchor for their individual identities
and contribute meaning to their lives. A strong grounding in one's individual
identity, combined with knowledge of other religions, helps to combat extremism
by teaching respect for diversity. Christian SRE CEO Murray Norman said it was
vital students were provided with a safe place to explore their religious
identities.
August 22, 2019 by J-Wire Newsdesk
| | 2018 Census statistics on Religious Diversity | 2018 Census statistics on Religious DiversityAs
many of you know, the 2018 New Zealand Census statistics were released earlier
this week on Monday 23 September. The released figures however, are always just
raw numbers of census respondents. In order to make some sense of these figures
I have compiled and published the attached chart, which should make it easier
for those of us interested in the religious demography of New Zealand to make
sense of the raw data. This includes portraying some of the intercensal growth
in the various categories. I
hope that you will find this information useful. Please
remember that it is a first draft and I would warmly welcome comments and
suggestions for improvement. I am also preparing a written article to accompany
the Table, which will include additional analysis and summarise long term
trends. For the moment, in the interest of getting these figures circulated I
am just providing the basic information. There
are interesting trends to note, such as the phenomenal increase in our Jain and
Sikh populations, along with a tremendous increase in those responding with 'No
Religion’ and ‘Object to Answering’. Both Hinduism and Islam also continue on
strong growth trajectories. The
decline in those adhering to the numerous Christian denominations has slowed
down a bit in the recent Intercensal period (although adherence to Christianity
now only makes up for 37% of those stating a religious affiliation, compared
with 48% in the 2018 Census stats). Since the 2013 Census, New Zealand is no
longer a Christian-majority country, although it maintains its status as the
religion with the most adherents in New Zealand. Secularity is still in the
majority (48.2%). Buddhism has also has lost more than 9% of its 2013
population. Most
surprising however, is the significant decrease of those stating adherence to
Judaism, which has lost 23% of its population over the course of the most
recent intercensal period (after remaining flat for the previous intercensal
period). This may be due to increasing antisemitism and a Jewish population
that may be increasingly unlikely to identify as such. This decline is indeed
newsworthy and I’ll be working on a statement in the coming days. Much
more work and analysis needs to be done on these statistics and figures, so
I’ll keep you posted as the research progresses. If
you are distributing this PDF, please make sure to include both the chart on
Page 1 and the Notes on page 2, i.e. please do not simply print out the first
page and ignore the accompanying notes. If distributing printed versions,
please make sure to include Page 2 as the back side of a double sided
page. This
PDF is available for download on our website at <www.earthdiverse.org.nz/publications/>.
Todd Nachowitz, PhD
Director, EarthDiverse
mobile: +64 27 432 7590
email: <todd@earthdiverse.org.nz>
bio: <www.waikato.ac.nz/staff-profiles/people/toddnach/>
web: <www.earthdiverse.org.nz>
facebook: <www.facebook.com/EarthDiverse>
twitter: twitter.com/EarthDiverse
Secretary, Waikato Interfaith
Council (WIFCO) / Te Tīaho Uenuku
email: <wifconz@gmail.com>
web site: <www.waikato-interfaith.org>facebook: <www.facebook.com/WIFCO>
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| Week of Prayer for World Peace - National | Various | 11/10/2020 12:00 a.m. | 18/10/2020 11:59 p.m. | The Week of Prayer for World Peace is an opportunity for people of all faiths to pray in their own gatherings or with people of other faiths for world peace. The Week will be observed around the world from 11 to 18 October. A leaflet has been produced with prayers, readings and affirmations from many faiths to use each day. The theme of the leaflet is developed for worldwide distribution by the Week of Prayer for World Peace multi-faith committee based in Great Britain. Religious communities throughout New Zealand are encouraged to celebrate the week both in their observances and together with people of different faiths. | | Week of Prayer for World Peace - National | Various | 10/10/2021 12:00 a.m. | 17/10/2021 11:59 p.m. | The Week of Prayer for World Peace is an opportunity for people of all faiths to pray in their own gatherings or with people of other faiths for world peace. The Week will be observed around the world from 10 to 17 October. A leaflet has been produced with prayers, readings and affirmations from many faiths to use each day. The theme of the leaflet is developed for worldwide distribution by the Week of Prayer for World Peace multi-faith committee based in Great Britain. Religious communities throughout New Zealand are encouraged to celebrate the week both in their observances and together with people of different faiths. |
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| Aotearoa New Zealand Interfaith Network | The Aotearoa New Zealand Interfaith Network is part of the New Zealand Diversity Action Programme and is a mailing list that brings together faith communities, interfaith groups, government agencies, academics and individuals interested in interfaith ... | | Auckland Interfaith Council | Auckland Inter-Faith Council (AIFC) was formed to provide a platform for inter-religious dialogue and networking, and to create a model showing cooperation among religions. | | BBC Religion & Ethics | The BBC's site on religion and ethics with information areas on Atheism, Bahá'í, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Mormonism, Paganism, Rastafari, Shinto, Sikhism, Taoism, Unitarianism, Zoroastrianism | | BBC Religion & Ethics programmes | The BBC in the UK have many radio and television programmes which can be viewed online | | BeliefNet | We are a multi-faith e-community designed to help you meet your own religious and spiritual needs -- in an interesting, captivating and engaging way ... | | Canterbury Interfaith Society | We are a voluntary non-profit association of people representing diverse religious communities in Christchurch and the wider Cantebury area. | | Center for Interreligious Understanding | Through educational programs and policy leadership, the CIU brings people of all faiths together to learn about our history, our shared values and why we must live and work together toward a society of justice and peace ... | | Centre for Faith and the Media | The Centre for Faith and the Media is an independent, non-profit organization to inform, advise and help media and the general public achieve a stronger understanding of spiritual history, practices and values in Canadian society. | | Council of Christians and Jews | The Council of Christians and Jews brings together Christian and Jewish Communities in a common effort to overcome the evils of prejudice, intolerance and discrimination between people of different of religions and ethnicity. | | Dunedin Abrahamic Interfaith Group | Our group was formed here in Dunedin in the aftermath of the events of September 11th 2001 out of spontaneous expressions of solidarity and goodwill between leaders of our three faiths, the police and the Dunedin City Council. | | Interfaith Council of Nelson-Tasman (IFCNT) | The Interfaith Council of Nelson-Tasman was formed to provide a platform for inter-religious dialogue and networking, and to create a model, to be inclusive of all, to open the door to their hearts, showing cooperation among religions and humanity. | | Interfaith Encounter Association | The Interfaith Encounter Association is dedicated to promoting peace in the Middle East through interfaith dialogue and cross-cultural study ... | | Interfaith Youth Core | Our interfaith leaders are building a movement of young people from all faiths and traditions who are working together to change the world | | Interfaithnet Asia Pacific | Interfaithnet is a group of Interfaith Ministers who graduated from interfaith seminaries in the USA, UK and Canada and who are practising as congregational ministers, chaplains, celebrants, spiritual counsellors and healers, pastoral carers, social ... | | International Association for Religious Freedom | The International Association for Religious Freedom is a registered charity based in the United Kingdom which has the aim of working for freedom of religion and belief at a global level ... | | International Council of Christians and Jews | The ICCJ serves as the umbrella organisation of 38 national Jewish-Christian dialogue organisations world-wide. | | Internationally recognised Values Education Program | Living Values Education Program (LVEP) is a comprehensive values education program. This innovative global character education program offers a wide variety of experiential values activities and practical methodologies to educators, facilitators, parents | | Multifaith Action Society | Founded in 1972, the Multifaith Action Society (MAS) is a Canadian registered charity dedicated to the facilitation of interfaith education and dialogue. For over forty years, MAS has worked to build bridges between groups in British Columbia. | | PBS Religion and Ethics | Since its debut in 1997, RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY has set itself apart from the mainstream media by providing distinctive, cutting-edge news coverage and analysis of national and international events in the ever-changing religious world. | | Peace Next | Peace Next is the official social network of the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions | | Pluralism Project - On Common Ground | The Pluralism Project's fantastic resource, "On Common Ground" has recently been turned into an on-line resource, and is well worth a visit if you've some time to explore. | | Regional Interfaith Network (RIN) | The Regional Interfaith Network (RIN) website was established in Melbourne, Australia in December 2010 following a unanimous recommendation made at the 5th Regional Interfaith Dialogue held in Perth, 2009 | | Religion Media Centre | An independent, impartial body helping journalists and other media professionals to cover religion. | | Religions for Peace | Religions for Peace is the largest international coalition of representatives from the world's great religions dedicated to promoting peace | | Religious Diversity Centre | A national centre of educational and research excellence, fostering an appreciation for and understanding of religious diversity amongst all New Zealanders. | | REonline | Religious Education Online. REonline is a family of websites, with www.reonline.org.uk at its centre. Great resources for education of children of all ages. | | Scarboro Missions Interfaith Department | In recent years, the Scarboro Missions Interfaith Department in Toronto, Canada has committed itself to building a website featuring curriculum and useful educational resources for interfaith work. | | Spiritual "non-secular" Discussion Forum | Spiritual / Gnostic / Mystic Discussion Forum for all sincere seekers of Ultimate Truth | | The Interfaith Alliance | The Interfaith Alliance and The Interfaith Alliance Foundation - the national non-partisan advocacy voice of the interfaith movement. Our 150,000 members are from more than 70 faith traditions and people of good will ... | | The Revealer | A daily review of Religion and the Press. |
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Interfaith Groups in NZ
Auckland Interfaith
Council
Pres: Mrs Ruth Cleaver, mcleaver@xtra.co.nz
General Enquiries: nzaifc@gmail.com
Facebook: Auckland Interfaith Council
Website: www.aucklandinterfaithcouncil.org.nz
Waikato Interfaith
Council
Sec: Dr Todd Nachowitz, wifconz@gmail.com
www.waikato-interfaith.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WIFCO
Twitter: twitter.com/WIFCONZ
PO Box 11048, Hillcrest, Hamilton 3251
Tauranga Interfaith
Council
Rev John Hebenton TSSF, John.HebentonTSSF@gmail.com, 021-679-202
Facebook: Tauranga Interfaith Council
Hawke's Bay Interfaith
Council
Pres: Dorothy Brooker, dorothy.brooker@gmail.com
Vice Pres: Tony Franklin-Ross, tonyfr@methodist.nz
Sec: Angela McKee, a.mckee13@outlook.com
Palmerston North
Interfaith Council
Mary Eastham, maeastham23@gmail.com
Wellington
Inter-Faith Council
Chair: Rakesh Naidoo, rakeshnaidoonz@gmail.com
Vice: Harvinder Singh, h_singh0110@yahoo.co.nz
Sec: Ian Hamilton, ianhamilton751@gmail.com
Treas: Pushpa Wood, pushpa.wood@gmail.com
Deputy Treas: Mere Fiore, tioremere12@gmail.com
Enquiries to: wtgninterfaithcouncil@gmail.com
Interfaith Council of Nelson-Tasman
Sec: Catriena Wilkinson secretary@ifcnelsontasman.org.nz
www.ifcnelsontasman.org.nz
Christchurch
Interfaith Society
Dianne Downward stepdown@slingshot.co.nz
www.canterburyinterfaith.org.nz
facebook.com/christchurchinterfaith
Dunedin Interfaith
Council
Chair: Geoff Mitchell
Sec: Max Gillies dunedininterfaith@gmail.com
Dunedin Abrahamic
Interfaith Group
Chair: Dr Haizal Hussaini, haizal.mh@otago.ac.nz
Sec: Ken Baker, kennethdbaker@gmail.com www.dunedininterfaith.net.nz
facebook.com/www.dunedininterfaith.net.nz
 | | 20 Feb | | | | | | 21 Feb | | | | | | 22 Feb | | Hinduism - Mahashivaratri is dedicated to Shiva, one of the major deities to whom Hindus direct their devotion. The night before the feast, Hindus recite texts, sing and tell stories in honour of this God whose dynamic cosmic dance creates, destroys and recreates the world. | | | | 26 Feb | | Christianity (Western) - Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, the forty-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance and self-denial that precedes Easter (Western Churches). | | | | 26-29 Feb | | Bahá'í Faith - The intercalary days inserted between the 18th and 19th months to complete the 365 or 366 day solar year. | | | | 1 Mar | | Bahá'í Faith - 'Alá (Loftiness), 19th and final month of the Bahá'í year | | | | 1 Mar | | | | | | 1-19 Mar | | Bahá'í Faith - 19 day Fast is a time of preparation for Naw Ruz. Those who are healthy and of age (15 to 70 years) abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. | | | | 2 Mar | | Christianity (Eastern Churches) - First day of The Great Lent (or the Great Fast), the 40 day period prior to the beginning of Holy Week, ending with Lazarus Saturday, the day before Palm Sunday. | | | | 6 Mar | | Christianity - World Day of Prayer is a world-wide annual day of prayer hosted by women from Anglican, Orthodox, Protestant and Roman Catholic traditions. | |
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| | Decade of Action for Road Safety, 2011-20 (UN) | | | International Decade for Action: Water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028 (UN) | | | International Decade for People of African Descent, 2015-24 (UN) | | | International Decade for the Rapprochment of Cultures, 2013-22 (UN) | | | International Year of Plant Health (UN) | | | Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa, 2016-2026 (UN) | | | United Nations Decade for Deserts and the Fight against Desertification, 2010-20 (UN) | | | United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition, 2016-25 (UN) | | | United Nations Decade of Family Farming, 2020-2028 (UN) | | | United Nations Decade of Sustainable Energy for All, 2014-2024 (UN) | | | United Nations Decade on Biodiversity, 2011-20 (UN) |
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