United Methodists join interfaith dialogue in Fiji
A UMNS Report
By Linda Bloom*
June 11, 2007

The Rev. Larry Pickens
|
Two United Methodist leaders say fruitful dialogue among representatives
of different faiths is being organized outside the mainstream
ecumenical movement.
That is one of the reasons why the Rev. Larry Pickens, chief
executive of the United Methodist Commission on Christian Unity and
Interreligious Concerns, and the Rev. W. Douglas Mills, a commission
executive, accepted an invitation for dialogue from Tony Robbins, a
well-known motivational speaker, author and leadership coach.
Pickens said churches and faith groups that historically have not
been part of the ecumenical movement are becoming more involved in
non-traditional forms of dialogue. He expects to see more forums hosted
by individuals such as Robbins who believe conversation across faith
lines can impact the world positively.
"I think this opens some doors for us to engage in significant interfaith dialogue," Pickens said.
The May 29-June 5 conference, "Oneness: An Interfaith Dialogue on the
Unity of Humankind," took place at the Robbins-owned Namale Resort
& Spa in the Fiji Islands, and travel expenses were paid by Robbins
and his foundation. The invitation billed the event as an opportunity to
"work together in the spirit of oneness to dissolve tensions and
promote the universal human values of compassion, love and happiness -
the precursors to peace."
“We talk a lot about the reconfiguration of the ecumenical movement and this is just an example.”
–The Rev. W. Douglas Mills
Mills said the commission needs to take advantage of such experiences
outside of traditional and mainstream avenues. "We talk a lot about the
reconfiguration of the ecumenical movement and this is just an
example," he said.
Mills noted that Robbins also wanted to offer faith representatives
"a time of renewal, a time of prayer and a time of contemplation. In a
sense, this is his gift to us."

The Rev. W. Douglas Mills
|
Robbins, 47, has authored a number of best-selling books including Unlimited Power and Awaken the Giant Within
and operates a company based in San Diego that produces and sells
everything from motivational audio programs to planning software and
nutritional supplements. He is a popular speaker and conducts seminars
across the globe.
Among the dozen or so participants to the Fiji interfaith conference
was Iman Mehdi Korasani, Islamic Society of California, who arranged a
meeting last year in San Francisco between the Dalai Lama and prominent
Muslim dignitaries; Rabbi Solomon Schiff of Miami, who has been a leader
in the National Conference of Christians and Jews; and Tawfik Hamid, a
former member of an Islamic extremist group who now promotes a message
of peace and is the author of The Roots of Jihad .
Hinduism and Buddhism also were represented at the conference, where
the goal was "to create a safe space where these religious leaders could
have dialogue … and raise the issues that are important to us from the
perspective of our traditions," according to Mills.

Tony Robbins
|
Pickens said Robbins is considering how to use his influence to affect
events from a faith perspective, particularly on issues of conflict. The
Middle East, for example, is a region where interfaith dialogue could
help people address the violence in which they live and ways to change
those circumstances.
Robbins brought a group of young people from Israel/Palestine to the
conference to interact with the religious leaders and among themselves.
The setting "allowed them to begin to humanize each other and begin to
share in a way that made a difference," Pickens said.
Participants also were introduced to Oneness University, a movement
out of India dedicated to spiritual renewal and prayer. "They are really
trying to embrace this concept of change taking place from the inside
out," Pickens said. "People have to change internally before they can
change their surroundings."
One of the added benefits to the conference was the opportunity for
Pickens and Mills to meet with Methodists in Fiji. Both preached in
local churches and a few Fijian pastors participated in the conference
itself. The Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma, an outgrowth of British
Methodism, is the largest Christian denomination in Fiji.
*Bloom is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in New York.
News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or newsdesk@umcom.org .
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Resources
Commission on Christian Unity
Anthony Robbins Foundation
Anthony Robbins Companies
Religious freedom in Fiji |