Workshop Will Address Future of World Religions

Local interfaith leaders are holding a daylong workshop Saturday to discuss the future of religion in a “global culture” and the progress of a plan to form a United Religions organization similar to the United Nations.

The free workshop, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., was organized by the Shepherd of the Hills Disciples of Christ, United Church of Christ Church and the Alliance for Spiritual Community.

The morning session includes a two-hour satellite teleconference from San Francisco featuring three prominent interfaith leaders who will discuss the future of religion in a society that is both “polarized by fanaticism and diluted by uniformity,” said Kay Lindahl, spokeswoman for the Alliance for Spiritual Community.

The afternoon session will focus on the United Religions Initiative 2000, a plan to create an international body of world religions similar in structure to the United Nations. It would work to resolve global conflicts often rooted in religion.

The initiative is spearheaded by the Rev. William Swing, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of California in San Francisco. Swing will participate in the morning teleconference.

Workshop participants will learn how to get involved in the planning of the United Religions body, scheduled to draft a charter by the year 2000.

The workshop will be at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 22851 Aliso Creek Road, in Aliso Viejo. Reservations are requested. For more information, call (714) 661-3087 or fax your name, address, telephone number and religious affiliation to (714) 496-5535.