[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1040 Introduced in House (IH)]








109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1040

Urging political and religious leaders of the world and all peoples to 
 move forward in a conciliatory spirit and deal with religious matters 
                 in a responsible and balanced manner.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 25, 2006

 Mr. Hastings of Florida submitted the following resolution; which was 
          referred to the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Urging political and religious leaders of the world and all peoples to 
 move forward in a conciliatory spirit and deal with religious matters 
                 in a responsible and balanced manner.

Whereas the recent statements of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and the 
        subsequent unrest in the Arab world were a disquieting illustration of 
        the consequences of mutual misunderstanding;
Whereas statements and remarks of political and religious leaders relating to 
        religious matters and other peoples' beliefs, as well as media reports 
        of such statements and remarks, occasionally lack the adequate 
        sensitivity;
Whereas, on the other hand, such statements and remarks and media reports are 
        sometimes misinterpreted and exploited for political reasons;
Whereas such statements and remarks, as well as some public reactions to such 
        statements and remarks, show a lack of interfaith understanding and 
        knowledge;
Whereas the differences in belief, especially among the Abrahamic religions, 
        which are founded on common history and share their theological grounds, 
        are less significant than their similarities;
Whereas all influential religions, including Hinduism and Buddhism, own common 
        values of peace, respect, and dignity;
Whereas, although religions usually call for mutual understanding, the 
        differences in the beliefs of such religions are often used to draw 
        lines between people;
Whereas religious or spiritual understanding can play a positive role in 
        facilitating trust and overcoming political differences;
Whereas there will be no peace among religions without dialogue among religions; 
        and
Whereas there will be no peace among nations without peace among religions: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) urges political and religious leaders of the world and 
        all peoples to move forward in a conciliatory spirit and deal 
        with religious matters in a responsible and balanced manner;
            (2) expresses its assistance for all projects supporting a 
        dialogue of religions in order to achieve a better mutual 
        understanding;
            (3) encourages the people of the world to learn about the 
        contents of different religions; and
            (4) calls on the followers of the Abrahamic religions and 
        all religious people of the world to recollect their common 
        ground and to focus on their similarities.
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