By Jack Lawrence R. Fortuno, WYAAP Member
I attended the World Youth Alliance Asia Pacific (WYAAP) Interfaith (i-Faith) Talk on Islam and Christianity last October 4, 2008 (Saturday). The said talk gave me various and parallel learning regarding my understanding of the two religions.
When I was a kid, I used to have conflicting and varying ideas regarding the two religions. I thought religious practices and beliefs are no way connected or similar between the two religions.
The talk enlightened me further with the proper way of understanding how the two religions conduct or present itself over the society and to its believers. The talk emphasized upon me the noble gesture of respecting religions. It is highly essential to promote and practice respect for religions wherein diversity of faith and beliefs varies, no matter what the religious affiliation or group.
In the present society today, believers of Islam are highly discriminated, decried and haphazardly judged due to their religious beliefs. While Christians, in certain parts of the world, are being forced to convert to another religion due to continuous violence, lingering torture and massive discrimination being pressed upon them.
In my humble opinion, we may be looking at things differently but we might be looking at the same God with a different name. As Mahatma Gandhi said “one’s own religion is after all a matter between oneself and one’s Maker and no one else’s”.
To view pictures from this event, check out our multiply album.
Overview of Islam and Christianity in the Philippines is the first of a series of iFaith Talks. The second iFaith Talk: Jesus in Islam, was held on October 18, 2008 at Filmus, Malate. The next iFath Talk: Mysticism, is scheduled for November 8, 2008. If you’d like to get more information about the next iFaith talk, get in touch with us at the WYAAP office! Email asiapacific@wya.net or call +63 2 4330715.
