Frank Kaufmann

Education in Schmitten, Germany

2012-01-15T20:01:00.001-08:00

On January 9th and 10th I taught approximately 80 young people from c. 18 - 22 some lectures on spiritual principles and their application in daily life.

Here are a couple of images of our time taking pictures together

The group with especially good. Bright, attentive, and thoughtful.

Continued Problems in US Foreign Policy

2011-12-31T06:09:00.000-08:00

Continued Problems in US Foreign Policy

Recent work in Luxembourg, October 2011

2011-11-05T07:36:00.000-07:00

I recently returned from 10 days in Luxembourg.

While there my work transpired in three areas:

I taught a small seminar on principles of conflict mediation
I met old and new friends and colleagues at diplomatic receptions and hosted events
I taught a seminar on family life

Here are some images from the Principles of Peace meeting:

Here are some images from meetings at receptions and events:
For these pictures to be meaningful it is necessary to go to this site (http://bit.ly/rKL4H3) to see in the captions the individuals pictured.

And here are images from the Family Life Seminar:

Also, I was blessed with time in the lovely Autumnal woods near the home where I stayed. I posted those images here: http://bit.ly/snEhBl

9/11: 10 Years After

2011-09-14T16:14:00.000-07:00

9/11: 10 Years After

Wisdom Thinkers reflect on 9/11: Ten years after

2011-08-26T04:37:00.000-07:00

is an international network of peace seekers, many at the top of their fields, committed to world change arising from the common ground of perennial wisdom found in the stories of sacred and secular tradition.

In recent years, good efforts have been made to advance the cause of peace through dialogue, but as time passes, the concept of bound communities talking across lines of separation is an insufficient starting point toward the outcome of a peaceful world. Wisdom in stories has proven to be the way to break the deadlock binding dialogue based peace efforts.

On Thursday, September 8, 2011, Wisdom Thinkers Network will sponsor an important conversation in New York, as part of the 92nd Street Y's decennial commemoration of 9/11, a series entitled: Searching For Answers In A Post-9/11 World.

Here is the program for this upcoming event. Please go to the site and register to attend.

Wisdom Thinkers Roundtable

Clerical pedophilia – The next step

2011-06-22T04:42:00.000-07:00

Clerical pedophilia – The next step

These horrors of abuse continue to haunt us with no signs of abating. But is the world of legal settlements sufficient to rescue us from our collective suffering?

Clerical pedophilia – The next step

2011-06-21T20:14:00.000-07:00

Clerical pedophilia – The next step

The staunch refusal of His Holiness the Dalai Lama

2011-06-01T05:51:00.000-07:00

The staunch refusal of His Holiness the Dalai Lama

An article about democracy movements

Organizational efforts in Berlin

2011-05-29T16:06:00.000-07:00

I recently spent a week in Berlin to support the management of a VIP hospitality team, and tend personally to key international guests at a major speech and performance there.

The last photo in the slides is with former President of Albania, Dr. Alfred Moisiu with his daughter Mirela

Christian - Muslim Dialogue in Washington DC

2011-05-29T15:29:00.001-07:00

I recently spent an evening in Arlington, VA as the guest of Trac5 board members where I helped moderate a private conversation among American Christian leaders and leaders of the major Muslim and interreligious organizations in America (such as ISNA, IIIT, ICRD, and others).

The conversation was designed for those present to examine how best to respond to dramatic events in North Africa, the Middle East, Pakistan, and elsewhere, in ways that create the greatest likelihood of peaceful and positive directions and outcomes.

The encounter was warm of heart, but penetrating in content.

Video of Detroit Talk

2011-05-29T14:13:00.000-07:00

A video of my discourse is at the bottom of this post.

It is a good quality video, but the center section of the address is disrupted by drilling in a part of the temple.

If you can endure the distraction for the minutes the drilling persists, it is possible to follow the talk throughout.

On Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011, I spoke by invitation at the Detroit-based Radha Krishna Ashta Shakthi Mandir on two popular Leelas of Lord Krishna, The Taming Of Kaliya, and Brahma's Delusion.

On the following day I could enjoy a morning of sight-seeing in Detroit with my beloved brother Acharya Shrivatsa Goswawmi ji, his wonderful wife Sandhya, and our delightful local hosts Pam and Sarita. Our pictures are at the GM Center on the Detroit River across from Windsor Canada

Strauss-Kahn: Private lives, public responsibility

2011-05-17T23:07:00.000-07:00

Strauss-Kahn: Private lives, public responsibility

Discourse on the Leelas of Lord Krishna

2011-05-05T14:22:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011, I spoke by invitation at the Detroit-based Radha Krishna Ashta Shakthi Mandir on two popular Leelas of Lord Krishna, The Taming Of Kaliya, and Brahma's Delusion.

On the following day I could enjoy a morning of sight-seeing in Detroit with my beloved brother Acharya Shrivatsa Goswawmi ji, his wonderful wife Sandhya, and our delightful local hosts Pam and Sarita. Our pictures are at the GM Center on the Detroit River across from Windsor Canada

Nazis and German Catholics and Lutherans

2011-04-22T15:31:00.000-07:00

Nazis and German Catholics and Lutherans

An article about Christian martyrs in Nazi Germany, and Catholic-Lutheran relations

Is it possible to live with a clear conscience

2011-04-20T13:59:00.000-07:00

Quora is a forum for questions and answers

Here is a response I gave to a member who asked:

Is it possible to live with a clear conscience in a modern industrial society?
Yes it is possible, but extremely difficult.

Attaining this status is done one decision at a time, thousands of times a day, every day, all day. Eventually it will need to be pursued even in sleep.

The continuous and uninterrupted stream of "choice" should not be seen nor felt as a burden, but rather as incessant opportunity.

The key is to know yourself as "author," and most importantly the author of "you." Who you are is what you have created in your relationship with the voice of your conscience.

Your conscience is a friend and a reliable guide. It is patient, forgiving, and faithful. It will never leave you nor abandon you.

Most people give the right of authorship to the random flux of circumstances. This is an error. Circumstances are merely the environment in which authorship unfolds.

Finally, (so as to avoid a major treatise) there is no such thing as a small or insignificant rejection or violation of conscience. Every yes to conscience counts, just as every rejection or violation of the voice of conscience counts.

A clear conscience is the sweetest of all things,and worth the battle. Don't compromise, don't cheat, don't shade, don't mislead. Be courageous. No threat should be seen as sufficiently terrifying, no opportunity should be seen as sufficiently enticing, that you would chose to violate or reject the voice of your conscience, even in the tiniest way.

If you can go this way, you will be as free as God.

Two State Solution

2011-04-20T10:40:00.000-07:00

Quora is a forum for questions and answers

Here is my response to a member asking about the "two-state solution."

If the two state solution is dead, what is the future for Palestinians?
The Palestine Papers indicate that the Israeli government refused huge concessions. Does that mean that they believe they can inch the Palestinians out, one settlement at a time?

Answer Summary

The pursuit of two states is misguided to begin with

The problem is not technically that "the two-state solution is dead" so much as that the phrase is an oxymoron. Two states is not a solution.

It both disappoints, and confuses me that intelligent and well meaning people pursue this. The fact is obviously that even a most perfectly and seamlessly crafted and implemented "two-state" arrangement would solve next to nothing.

As best I can see, "a two-state solution" is something of a nickname for "a slightly smaller Israel, with a new hostile neighbor." Presently Israel is size X, and has as its neighbors, Lebanon, Syriah, Jordon, kind of somehow Saudi Arabia (a stone's skip or two across the puddle), and Egypt.

What is called "a two state solution," would make Israel size X minus, add a new "country" (Palestine?) into the geography, while doing flat zero to solve ANY of the deeply tragic difficulties and suffering born by all people trapped in this sad and complicated relationsip.

The solution the region needs is a growing integration; fewer and fewer boundaries, not more and more of them, ever more irremovable, cynically politicized, and grotesquely militarized.

The costly (in all ways) effort to establish "two states" no matter how on earth it could be designed still leaves the horrific reality that each side would continue with madness and zeal to desire and seek by all means treasure held by the other (family property, access to sacred sites and more)

Calcifying division, enmity, and distrust into political structures (that automatically implies military defense of the political) should never be bound in the same sentence with the sweet, liberating world solution.

More bonds, more trust, more rights, more freedoms, more understanding, greater integration, expanding cooperation characterize the essential impulse that should appear in sentences with the word solution.

Bibles released in Malaysia

2011-04-09T17:32:00.000-07:00

Bibles released in Malaysia

The government of Malaysia confirmed Saturday that the proposed 10-point solution has paved successfully the way for the release of the 35,100 Bibles in Bahasa Malaysia, which were impounded in Port Klang and Kuching.

While attracting relatively little attention worldwide, Malaysia has been wrestling with a matter of global significance now in its third year. Political tensions arose related to the question of permitting use of the term Allah in Bible translations. The issue is serious, and not easily solved.

Religion and the exploitation of religion in Cote D'Ivoire

2011-03-30T21:16:00.000-07:00

Religion and the exploitation of religion in Cote D'Ivoire

The horrific violence in Ivory Coast, stemming from Laurent Gbagbo's gross violation of election results, is degenerating into sectarian conflict involving religious identities of Ivorians typically divided north and south.

The problem with attacking Libya

2011-03-21T21:57:00.000-07:00

Op-Ed: The problem with attacking Libya

Published today in Digital Journal

Commemoration of Sam Il Cheol

2011-03-12T15:19:00.000-08:00

On March 12, 2011 the Korean Embassy, and the Korean Luxembourg Friendship Association welcomed veterans of the Korean War to commemorate Sam Il Cheol, the March 1, 1919 Korean independence movement from which Korea liberated itself from Japanese occupation:

Approximately 2,000,000 Koreans had participated in the more than 1,500 demonstrations, many who were massacred by the Japanese police force and army.

New President

2011-03-12T15:11:00.000-08:00

A private dinner, hosted by Captain and Mrs. Jonjin Kim, defense attache of the embassy of the Republic of Korea in Brussels, to honor the incoming president of the Luxembourg Veterans of the Korean War, Mr. Gilbert Hauffels (far right)

Address to the United Nations Association of Luxembourg

2011-03-10T07:20:00.000-08:00

On Monday, March 7, 2011, I addressed the United Nations Association of Luxembourg, on the topic "The Viability of the United Nations, elevating the conversation: Conservativism, national self interest, and the need for research into transcultural values"

The presentation covered the historical record of the UN, the history of the conservative response to the UN, the necessity of the UN, and the need for scholarly investment in exposing universal values across the cultural spheres of Western Democratic liberalism, Western Democratic conservativism, Islam, and Confucian based Asian thought.

From Andre Rollinger

Andre Rollinger, President, United Nations Association of Luxembourg

Honorary Consul from Pakistan to Luxembourg

2011-03-10T06:19:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, March 9, 2011 we visited the Pakistani consulate in Kehlen, Luxembourg. There we enjoyed a substantial visit with Honorary Consul, Mark Samuels.

Topics covered included disaster relief, political destabilization, minority rights, micro-lending, and values in knowledge and information.

From Mark Samuels

Honorary Consul General, Mark Samuels

Peace Seminar - Luxembourg, March 5, 2011

2011-03-05T12:58:00.000-08:00

Here are some images from the peace seminar presented in Luxembourg today, March 5, 2011. Topics included leadership, systems, structures, and dynamics for peace, UN support, and UN reform.

Here are some images from the seminar:

Peace Seminar - Luxembourg, 2011

2011-03-04T09:05:00.001-08:00

Here is the invitation and the agenda for the 1 day peace seminar I will lead in Luxembourg this weekend:
Luxembourg Peace Seminar - March 2011

Universal Peace Federation Canada

2011-02-22T11:47:00.000-08:00

On Monday, 22 February, 2011, I addressed the delegates of the Canada, Universal Peace Federation on the topic, "Interfaith Acceptance, and the Next Step."

The presentation examined the enduring causes for interreligious discord, the conditions that have increased the acceptance of interfaith activity and consciousness, and next steps, horizons, and responsibilities for activists.

Here are a couple of pictures from the program

One of the pictures is posed with UPF Secretary General of Canada, Franco Famularo, Rabbi Yaakov Levy, former Chief Rabbi of Geneva, and Resham Singh, head of the Sikh Community of Montreal.

Here is the official, brief report from the Secretary General of UPF, Canada:

“Acceptance of Interfaith – the Next Step”

UPF Montreal – February 21, 2011

In an effort to support the spirit of World Interfaith Harmony Week, UPF Montreal continued its series of monthly meetings, this time on February 21, 2011.

World Interfaith Harmony Week was proclaimed by UN General Assembly Resolution A/65/PV.34

. The proclamation “Encourages all states to support, on a voluntary basis, the spread of the message of interfaith harmony and goodwill in the world’s churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places of worship during that week."

The keynote speaker for this event was Dr. Frank Kaufmann, an interfaith veteran of over 30 years. He currently serves on the board of Trac5, a prominent inter-religious organization devoted to Christian Muslim re-conciliation. (For more information on Trac 5 please visit their site at: http://www.trac5.org/

)

While in Montreal this time, he held several private meetings, conducted a number of larger meetings and seminars, and agreed to extend his stay an extra day so as to address this UPF, monthly meeting.

Participants at this meeting included leaders and representatives from Judaism, Islam, Sikhism, several Christian denominations, and members of other faiths. Of note were, Mr. Resham Singh, leader of Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar, the largest Sikh temple in Montreal, former Chief Rabbi of Geneva, Yaakov Levy, currently of Congrégation Sépharade Beth Rambam in Montreal, and Father Tibu Fernandez of the Roman Catholic St. Joseph Oratory in Montreal.

Dr. Kaufmann spoke on the “Acceptance of Interfaith – the Next Step”

In his talk, he presented the data that close to 70% of the world’s 6.8 Billion people live in countries with high restrictions on religion. He noted that interfaith collaboration has not been popular until recently, but there has been progress. Dr. Kaufmann recommended that this progress is attributable in part to to the following factors:

- increase in travel and population transfer

- secularization and decline of established religions

- questions concerning the effectiveness of the United Nations

- an increase in religious identification

- war and social destabilization

- globalization of the media and the advent of social media

- the presence of popular religious figures such as the Dalai Lama and Pope John Paul II

- the fall of communism.

The presentation was met with several questions, and lively discussion followed.

The next meeting of UPF Montreal on March 16 will feature a presentation by the Executive Director of the Canadian Center for Ecumenism, Mr. Anthony Mansour.

The Canadian Center for Ecumenism

2011-02-19T07:25:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, 17 February, I had the pleasure to meet with Anthony Mansour, executive director of the Canadian Center for Ecumemism in Montreal.

The center is an important institution serving the government, and social and religious institutions across Canada as a resource, providing needed information and understanding whenever transreligious, and cross-cultural forces should inform the development of decisions and programs.

Frank Kaufmann, Anthony Mansour, Franco Famularo

59th National Prayer Breakfast

2011-02-17T14:22:00.000-08:00

The Trac5 board timed our board of directors meeting to coincide with events at the 59th Annual Prayer Breakfast.

Trac5 founder Mark Siljander with two board members Frank Kaufmann (left) and Susan Pausky (right)

The National Prayer Breakfast, primarily at the Washington Hilton, near Dupont Circle in Washington DC,

and the many events all week surrounding the breakfast itself (taking place Thursday, February 3) is spiritually rich and fascinating.

The National Prayer Breakfast is a yearly event held at the Washington Hilton on the first Thursday of February. The breakfast has taken place since 1953 under the Eisenhower Presidency. The founder of the event was the Norwegian-born Methodist Clergyman, Abraham Vereide. Among the nearly 3,500 guests are international invitees from over 100 countries. It is hosted by members of Congress and is organized by The Fellowship Foundation – a conservative Christian group often referred to as “The Family.” The breakfast was initially termed the Presidential Prayer Breakfast, but was officially changed to the National Prayer Breakfast in 1970.

Keynote speakers at the breakfast included Braveheart screenwriter Randall Wallace

And US President Barack Obama

Christmas sermons of Pope Benedict and Archbishop Rowan Williams

2010-12-26T13:52:00.000-08:00

Christmas sermons of Pope Benedict and Archbishop Rowan Williams

Wikileaks and the Balance of Political Principles

2010-12-05T19:43:00.000-08:00

Wikileaks and the Balance of Political Principles

Julian Assange and Wikileaks: What is lost, what is gained

2010-12-04T08:25:00.000-08:00

Julian Assange and Wikileaks: What is lost, what is gained

Opinion: The Catholic Synod statement on Israeli settlements

2010-11-11T08:29:00.000-08:00

Opinion: The Catholic Synod statement on Israeli settlements

Materialism and genetics

2010-11-01T08:26:00.000-07:00

Materialism and genetics

Opinion: Juan Williams, Vivian Schiller, and Suicide Bombers

2010-10-25T02:46:00.000-07:00

Opinion: Juan Williams, Vivian Schiller, and Suicide Bombers

The Little Angels visit Luxembourg on the 60th anniversary of the Korean War

2010-10-15T08:29:00.000-07:00

On September 18, 2010 the Little Angels Cultural Dance Troupe, founded by Sun Myung Moon, and promoted by the Korean Cultural Foundation, the Government of Korea, and a swarm of corporate sponsors stopped in Luxembourg as part of a 16 nation tour to honor the veterans of of the Korean War who fought as a United Nations alliance under US command to protect the free and democratic south from the aggression of Kim Il Sung's North Korea, The Soviet Union, and China.

There is much to say about the war, and about the remarkable gesture of gratitude exhibited in this major global undertaking to thank these honorable veterans as they move into their 80's and 90's and slowly lose their life long friends once again.

These young ladies who make up the Little Angels are exquisite ambassadors of gratitude from a nation that has risen from the ashes to become an important contributor to world culture.

It is true that many of these children might not even be alive were it not for the valiant sacrifice and devotion of these soldiers fighting and dying in a strange and far off land.

The visit of the Little Angels in Luxembourg was a grand affair, endorsed by the nation's prime minister and attended by the international diplomatic corps, and Luxembourg's political, social, cultural, and business leaders.

Much about the visit, and on many distinct occasions the impact was deeply moving; often tugging at the heart and moving to tears.

On this site however, I wish simply to show some images of the visit. It is a long sequence of photos. You can go to the site directly by clicking on the slide show if you prefer.

The Little Angels arrived, led by the head of the Korean Cultural Foundation, Mr. Bo Hi Pak. The little ones had a day of sight seeing, and then performed two ceremonies of commemoration, one at the Luxembourg war memorial, and the second at the US National Cemetary where General Patton is buried.

Mr. Pak and the visiting delegation offered a special luncheon for the veterans, and later that same evening Little Angels performed.

Saudi King, Ahmadinejad Talk Politics on Phone 12/10/2010 « Values Forum of New World Encyclopedia

2010-10-13T10:39:00.000-07:00

Saudi King, Ahmadinejad Talk Politics on Phone 12/10/2010 « Values Forum of New World Encyclopedia

Values voters see common cause, if not agenda, with Tea Party - Values Forum of New World Encyclopedia

2010-09-23T05:36:00.000-07:00

Values voters see common cause, if not agenda, with Tea Party - Values Forum of New World Encyclopedia

Interpol worried about spike in extremist websites - Values Forum of New World Encyclopedia

2010-09-23T03:17:00.000-07:00

Interpol worried about spike in extremist websites - Values Forum of New World Encyclopedia

Opinion: Israel and Palestine: Talks going well. Do not expect peace

2010-09-17T05:43:00.000-07:00

Opinion: Israel and Palestine: Talks going well. Do not expect peace

Opinion: Is it Christian to burn the Qu'ran?

2010-09-09T12:04:00.000-07:00

Opinion: Is it Christian to burn the Qu'ran?

New York Church & State | Examiner.com

The Mosque at Ground Zero - New York Church & State | Examiner.com

2010-08-19T23:38:00.000-07:00

The Mosque at Ground Zero - New York Church & State | Examiner.com

Opinion: Concrete barrier removed in Jerusalem

2010-08-15T18:24:00.000-07:00

Opinion: Concrete barrier removed in Jerusalem

Values in Knowledge Foundation

2010-08-15T06:48:00.000-07:00

Values in Knowledge Foundation

On August 10, 2010 the State of New York granted incorporation to the Values in Knowledge Foundation.

We are very excited for the official launch of this project.

Please visit the site as we begin the important work of the foundation.

Thank you

A Touch of Harmony Progam at NYU

2010-07-21T12:34:00.000-07:00

Jamiyah Singapore is a magnificent and far ranging organization comprised of a host of social welfare activities that seem to cover all areas both of human need, as well as those of personal aspiration, and social improvement. It's founder and president is the bright, peaceful, pleasant visionary Abu Bakar Maidin, whom I had the honor and pleasure of meeting on my recent travels to Dublin.

One of the projects of Jamiya Singapore is the Touch of Harmony Program, now in its 6th successful year. In its own words:

In this experiential programme, a team of students and faculty members from New York University and various Universities in Singapore are given the opportunity to visit each other’s homeland to observe, work together and actively partake in educational, developmental and welfare missions and activities so as to learn about different socio-cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

On July 20, Touch of Harmony program leaders Mohamad Hosni Abdul Malik of Jamiyah Singapore, and Ms. Valerie Cabral of NYU invited me to spend an evening with this year's leadership participants. I shared with them my experiences and guidance from the pursuit of harmony among the world's religions, and endeavored to answer questions.

My experience was wonderful. The caliber of the students/program participants was superior in all ways.. These young people were enormously bright, engaged, informed, and present.

We had a couple of pictures together, one in the lecture hall,

And one over dinner with the photographer who humbly took the picture and missed the chance to pose with us.

Netanyahu: Conversion laws and direct talks

2010-07-18T07:24:00.000-07:00

Netanyahu: Conversion laws and direct talks

Jain Saint Ascends

2010-06-21T22:02:00.000-07:00

Jain Saint Ascends

Visionary of Peace Award

2010-06-10T10:32:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, June 5, 2010, I was awarded the 2010 Visionary of Peace Award by the Interfaith Round Table of Ireland, the Inter Cultural Peace Center, and the Sheikh Satardien Justice and Peace Foundation

Other recipients included Professor Hamid bin Ahmad al-Rifaie and Dr Abdullah Omar Nasseef of Saudi Arabia.

The award was given as part of the 6th annual IRI interfaith peace conference, entitled Deity and Darwin.

Conference participation comprised an impressive collection of international and local leaders and scholars devoted to peace.

Some of the participants are seen here on the conference schedule:

Here are some pictures of the conference. The conference was attended by senior Catholic and Protestant clergy, as well as the Ambassador from Nigeria to Ireland:

While at the conference I delivered a paper on the conference theme.

A preliminary draft of this paper can be read here.

Conference organizers, particularly Sheikh Satardien generously supported my travel and lodging that allowed me to participate in this prestigious meeting.

But before the conference began, I was graciously hosted by Geoffrey Ross, the brother of a long time friend Peter.

My brief time with Geoffrey can be seen here

Put to bed

2010-04-27T05:56:00.000-07:00

I spent the last 30 days in the excruciating mission to oversee completing a manuscript to release for a large print run.

As I've tried to explain to friends and family the unique anxiety, pressures, and content of my 20 hour days, I realized that the experience has to stay within (at least for the time being). It feels incommunicable.

On Friday night April 23 my signature when onto the book block.

Here are a couple of scenes at the printer (around the book cover)

War and Religion

2010-04-27T05:12:00.000-07:00

I was invited to speak at U Mass on the topic of Religion and War.

It turned out to be an excellent program with a very good panel of speakers.

Here are some pictures from the event followed by a brief word on the speakers

Speakers for faith Alive 2010

Tsültrim Davis is a member of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition, a Gelug lineage of Tibetan Buddhism under the spiritual guidance of Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

Imam Taalib Mahdee works for the Department of Corrections as a chaplain, and he is a religious leader at Masjid Al-Quran, Dorchester MA

PAUL L. ATWOOD is a senior lecturer in the American studies department and research associate in the William Joiner Center for the Study of War and Social Consequences, both at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. He is a Vietnam-era veteran and an editor of Sticks and Stones: Living with Uncertain Wars (2006).

Shanadeen Begay- is Navajo by racial category and of the Red House Clan.

Reverend Gerard McKeon SJ- works for the Archdiocese of Boston in campus ministry at Salem State College and at UMASS Boston

War and Religion

2010-04-09T04:26:00.000-07:00

I will give a presentation at this event in Boston this Wednesday

War and Religion - Student Event at U Mass

The only viable strategy for the Vatican

2010-04-07T07:58:00.001-07:00

The only viable strategy for the Vatican

Posted using ShareThis

Luxembourg Peace Seminar

2010-03-04T11:01:00.000-08:00

On March 21, 2010, I will deliver a 2 day seminar on the elements and dynamics of a peaceful society.

Here is the invitation to the seminar:

Luxembourg Seminar on the Elements and Dynamics of a Peaceful Society

Program in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

2010-01-18T06:25:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, 17 January 2010 I was invited to speak on the program In Honor and in Memory of the Life and Legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Free Synagogue of Flushing,

The speech is here : http://fwd4.me/Bl8

Obama's Team and a New US Middle East Policy

2010-01-09T07:10:00.001-08:00

Obama's Team and a New US Middle East Policy

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The Church, Sex Abuse Legislation, Robocalls, and a Lawsuit

2009-12-28T12:55:00.005-08:00

The Church, Sex Abuse Legislation, Robocalls, and a Lawsuit

Posted using ShareThis

The Melbourne Parliament: A question of relevance

2009-12-16T04:06:00.001-08:00

The Melbourne Parliament: A question of relevance

Posted using ShareThis

Work in Montreal

2009-12-12T14:49:00.000-08:00

The interfaith group of the Montreal chapter of the Universal Peace Federation, and a Montreal youth leadership program invited me to give two separate sets of lectures between December 9 and December 13.

December 9th happened to be the day of Montreal's first major snow storm of the year, leaving 15 inches of snow on the ground in a single day. You can see the snow as I stand in front of the Church of the Imani Temple, where I offered the talk: Engagement: The next interfaith responsibility:

Here are a few pictures both with the interfatih group in attendance, as well as during our tour of the sanctuary of the Temple.

The other sets of lectures were for the youth group. Always a great joy for me, lot's of energy, hope and inspiration:

Climategate: The 5th Plague

2009-12-04T09:21:00.001-08:00

Climategate: The 5th Plague

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NYC Family Strengthening Coalition - Strategic Planning Session

2009-08-20T06:55:00.001-07:00

On Wednesday, August 19, 2009, Alan J Inman Enterprises served part of its commission from several conference conveners to facilitate the meeting held in the President's office of York College.

Joyce A. Thomas, Regional Administrator (Region 2) of the Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, Provost and Senior Vice President of York College, Lonnie McCleod, President of Exodus Transitional Community, and in absentia Ava Rice, President and CEO of the New York Urban League (with the support of AJIE) convened approximately 25 representatives from major services organizations and agencies to participate in a 4 hour session designed to explore the possibility of a coalition with the goal of strengthening families and communities as pressing in its own right, and in light of opportunities related to emphases and initiatives from the current US administration.

Frank Kaufmann, Joyce Thomas, Alan Inman

Present included leaders and reps from such groups as, The NYC Administration for Children's Services, Com Alert (Brooklyn DA), NYC Human Resources Administration, Coalition for Hispanic Family Services, Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, NYS Office of Children and Family Services, Project Head Start, and a good many others.

I served the conference as a session facilitator under the auspices of AJIE.

The conference was focused, rich in resources, and fruitful in its outcome.

United Nations Speech Announcement

2009-07-22T09:00:00.001-07:00

Counter-Terrorism and International Organizations

July 22, 2009 • 4:00 PM ~ 6:00 PM
Hardin Room • 777 UN Plaza, New York, NY

How the Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee is working to bolster Member
States ability to prevent terrorist acts
Ahmed El-Dawla
Participating in his personal capacity, Judge on Leave

Can Religions Help Counter Terrorism?
Frank Kaufmann
Executive Director, Inter-Religious Federation for World Peace (IRFWP)

The entire announcement is here

Peace conference in Brno, Czech Republic

2009-03-13T13:14:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, March 11, 2009 I gave a morning and an afternoon presentation at the conference New Perspectives for the Development and Future of Europe and the World held in Brno, Czech Republic.

Presenters included Dr. Honoris Causa Professor Ing. Julius Alexy, CSc., professor of Economics at the University of Bratislava, and at Trencianskej University in Dubcek, Professor Dusan Luzny from the Religion and Philosophy faculty at Masarykovy University, Ing. Ivo Kaplan, from the UEF, and Ing. Zuheir Kotroch, and Dr. Juraj Lajda.

Professor Alexy presented an economic model that analyzes and responds to the current global, economic crisis, a model that properly takes into account dynamics unique to globalization. Professor Luzny in a tightly worked piece examined the shadows associated with religious identity from which violence can arise. Kaplan spoke on the role and relationship of spiritual and material dimensions of human social interaction, and posited ideas for a balance that can generate progressive and healthy societies. Kotroch detailed designs for interreligious cooperation from a Muslim perspective. Mr. Lajda presented a sweeping history, and rather large philosophical edifice for envisioning new directions for peace activisim.

My presentations also took up matters pertaining to religion and peace, and can be found here (<-- click) and here (<-- click). It was a joy and an honor to be present among influential leaders and thinkers from the region, sincere and devoted people who demonstrate strong commitment to virtue and to the ideals of peace. Here are a few pictures from this conference:

Interreligious Ceremonies in New York

2009-02-07T13:58:00.000-08:00

In the final days of January, 2009 I worked together with both local and international leaders from the world's religions to support spiritually, ceremonially, and liturgically two major events on a single day in New York City

The first event was the celebration of Dr. Sun Myung Moon's 90th birthday. The religious leaders seen here in procession brought as gifts, the sacred scriptures from many of the world's major faith traditions:

The second event occurred later the same evening in which many of the same leaders and some new ones offered prayers of blessing on the international and interreligious couples:

London

2008-11-25T15:47:00.000-08:00

These pictures and report in part show scenes from my professional activity and responsibilities. But they also touch upon time in which I was able to enjoy the beauty of London

The first three pictures in this slide show are from an orientation session with religious leaders as we prepared for the Ceremony for merging sacred waters, a part of the festival on the following day.

The next picture is with Julius Alexy with whom I collaborate for youth education in Europe. After that comes a picture of a steeple shot out of a bus en route to the convention center.

Three pictures are of a swan in the rivulet that flows beside London's Excel Center. Two pictures are with Maya and her mom (with whom I had the pleasure to meet and stay with throughout the festival).

The four most important pictures are from the sacred waters ceremony, and the final 4 are the young people celebrating during the music at the GPF.

For any interested, here is a video of the entire sacred waters ceremony, narrated by Mr. David Hannah:

Report on the IRFWP/NWE reception at the annual conference of the American Academy of Religion

2008-11-03T10:22:00.000-08:00

The Inter Religious Federation and the New World Encyclopedia offered a top drawer, scholarly panel on a controversial, interesting, and relevant subject. We picked what we believed to be an ideal topic to address the challenges faced by religion scholars with a mission to teach at university and graduate school levels.

It was our hope that this presentation, could help those present recognize the unique value and importance of NWE. Such matters as the hotly debated interface between religion and science found in the article on Intelligent Design contain in microcosm questions facing religious scholarship today.

David Burgess, the editor for both literature and political science, drew from his expertise in each area to contextualize the special challenge presented when publishing articles on controversial subject matter such as Intelligent Design. He spoke of similar controversies in university literature departments, and spoke of the serious implications of the ID debate for contemporary society and culture. His job was to set the stage for the editor of this particular article, namely Rick Swarts, NWE editor for Life Sciences.

Rick Swarts followed with a second, commanding presentation, explaining his approach to the article and showing how the NWE version differs from that which appears in Wikipedia. Additionally, Dr. Swarts expanded through this particular subject to show how NWE life science articles communicate universal, ideal values along with just what many such values are.

The panel was followed by a pleasant and lively, wine and cheese reception.

New World Encyclopedia and Inter Religious Federaton - Meeting in Chicago

2008-10-31T12:30:00.000-07:00

For 20 years the IRFWP has offered an evening of stimulating and relevant intellectual reflection on the eve of the annual conference of the American Academy of Religion (AAR).

Our panels are vigorous and engaging, set in a warm collegial atmosphere, and our reception provides the chance to catch up with old friends and meet new ones

If you are in Chicago this year, please come.

We would love to see you!

Sincerely

Frank Kaufmann
Inter Religious Federation for World Peace
New World Encyclopedia

About Us

The Inter Religious Federation for World Peace (IRFWP) is a 25 year old initiative for world peace through interreligious dialogue and harmony.

IRFWP has representatives in 192 countries and a database with thousands of active partners, religionists in the academy, clergy, and grass roots leadership.

The New World Encyclopedia (NWE) is designed to organize human knowledge so the reader will learn information not just for its own sake, but for its value to the reader and the world as a whole. It is designed to provide the context and values of our social and organizational relationships, and our relationship with nature and the environment.

The underlying goal of the encyclopedia is to promote knowledge that leads to human happiness, well-being, world peace. It is a useful tool for everyone, and an ideal resource for student research.

Busy times at the Inter Religious Federation for World Peace

2008-07-20T12:16:00.000-07:00

Times remain extremely busy at the offices of the Inter Religious Federation for World Peace

Dialogue and Alliance continues as an award winning publication, with new editions and new articles.

The website stays active as a source of education and dialogue.

And international, spiritual and scholarly leaders steadily visit for deliberations, planning, and personal and professional conversation:

Prophet Peter Anamoh of the Machaira of the Pneuma Foundation, Accra, Ghana

Ralph Singh, Guru Gobind Sadan, India and USA

Professor Eilleen Barker, Sociology, London School of Economics

Mahaswamiji Shivamurthy Shivacharya, Sri Taralabalu Jagadguru Brihanmatha monastery, Karnataka, India

Karmapa in America '08

2008-05-19T12:44:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, May 17, 2008 I was greatly blessed to attend together with my family the discourse of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, head of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism.

Here is the report on this day, that appears on the website of His Holiness:

Today, American Buddhism saw yet another historic occasion revealed, as His Holiness the Seventeenth Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Drodul Trinley Dorje, gave his first ever public dharma teaching on American soil. Speaking from the stage of the Hammerstein Ballroom, at which he gave one morning and one afternoon talk, His Holiness provided a lively, humorous, and down-to-earth description of “Awakening the Heart of Enlightenment,” discussing topics such as developing a stable practice even while leading a busy lifestyle, realizing the inseparability of oneself and others, and working gently and playfully with our own minds.

His Holiness’s second talk was preceded by a musical tribute from the American rock ‘n’ roll legend Lou Reed, who began his brief set with an acoustic rendition of his hit, “Perfect Day.” For the thousands of members of the sold-out audience at the Hammerstein who received the historic nectar of His Holiness’s first U.S. teachings, the day was perfect, indeed.

In the evening, His Holiness was the guest of honor at a dinner offered by the local Tibetan Association, which was led in hosting His Holiness by Kalon Tashi Wangdi, Representative to the Americas of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Afterward, at Hunter College in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, His Holiness kindly bestowed the empowerment of the deity Hayagriva upon an assembly of the local Tibetan community.

To understand a bit more about the different schools of Tibetan Buddhism, and learn, for example what is the relationship of this young man to the better known His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, please read this brief and helpful exposition.

Congress of Religions, Charleston, SC

2008-01-13T03:22:00.000-08:00

The conference in Charleston went well. I spoke on conflict resolution, Tim Pye spoke on a business plan for the support of interfaith activity, and W.D. Mohammad also spoke on the relationship between upliftment through business in conjunction with spiritual devotion. W.D. Mohammad also spoke on the Qu'ran's guidance on the ideal of interfaith harmony and cooperation.

Here are a couple of pictures from the event:

A number of people requested my slide show. So I post it here. (It can be downloaded from the Scribd site):

Conflict Resolution - Speaking engagement at College of Charleston Religious Studies

2008-01-08T09:14:00.000-08:00

This weekend I will be on a program together with long time colleague, W. Dean Mohammad, in Charleston, South Carolina.

I will write up my experience after my return.

Modest success at the AAR

2007-11-19T08:16:00.000-08:00

As reported just below, and here, New World Encyclopedia was presented during the reception of the Inter Religious Federation for World Peace (IRFWP) at the annual conference of the American Academy of Religion (AAR) . Frank Kaufmann, moderated the session in which Arts and Literature editor, David Burgess, and History and Biography Editor, Clinton Bennett offered presentations (accompanied by power point) to explain issues surrounding fact and value as pertains to their respective areas of editorial responsibility.

We wished for a better turn out in the "voluntary" environment of convention receptions, but we are grateful indeed for the strong and sincere interest plainly shown by those in attendance. Professors and students included those from Yale, Calvin, Fuller, and others. For this we are grateful.

The catering and banquet services from the Manchester Grand Hyatt, for the reception following the panel presentation, were exceptional. We extend our thanks and happily make mention here of their fine support for our event.

On the morning following our reception, editors present taped interviews for films that are now in production to accompany the forthcoming release of the New World Encyclopedia. Hard Rock Hotel, whom we also wish sincerely to thank, generously provided free space for filming.

Here are a few images of our time together.

IRFWP reception at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion, 2007

2007-11-14T18:37:00.001-08:00

The Inter Religious Federation for World Peace (IRFWP) and its predecessors hold a reception at the annual conference of the American Academy of Religion (AAR), and have done so every year since 1981.

Below is the announcement and information for our reception this year. If you are in San Diego, please be sure to visit. We would love to see you.

clipped from www.aarweb.org

Follow this link to see the list of program units from this year's conference

Here is the announcement for the IRFWP meeting this year.

M16-119 - Annual Reception: Interreligious Federation for World Peace (IRFWP) and New World Encyclopedia

Friday (November 16), 7:00 PM-8:30 PM
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

This year the Interreligious Federation for World Peace (IRFWP) and the Religion Office of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) continues with the second in the series of receptions introducing to the Academy the pending launch and ongoing progress of the New World Encyclopedia (a full, general knowledge encyclopedia based in universal values).

SURV Meeting at SUNY Purchase

2007-11-08T08:59:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday evening, November 7, 2007, I had the pleasure to work with Theo Wilson, Kimiyake Miyahira, and the leadership of Students United in Realizing the Vision (SURV) at SUNY Purchase to speak at their meeting devoted to Family and Identity. My presentation was on The Relationship between family and the pursuit of peace.

Ms. Sophia Kirkley presented on two youth movements, namely Service for Peace (SFP), and College Association for the Research of Principles (CARP). Also included in the program were informal and personal meeting activities as well as small group discussion sessions.

These are an inspired and inspiring young people who hold promise for positive leadership now and in the future.

Here are a few pictures from the event:

Conference on the Convergence of Science and Spirituality

2007-10-06T07:30:00.000-07:00

My day at the Conference on the Convergence of Science and Spirituality proved edifying and delightful at every turn.

The conference transpired in honor of Professor T.D. Singh, International Director of the Bhaktivedanta Institute

Larry Goldberg assembled a sterling line up of speakers and presenters, every one worthy of mention, including creation theologian Matthew Fox and Iliff president David Trickett to name just two.

I personally found every talk genuinely educational and transformative, and learned a great deal from each one. The morning tended to have the papers with spirit as the starting point, and the afternoon tended to have papers with science as the starting point.

An unexpected and enriching addition to the conference was Errol and Rochelle Strider founders of Innertainment

Here is a little slide show with some images from the conference and related gatherings and events:

Many thanks and much praise for the organizers, presenters, participants, and generous patrons of this lovely and important occasion.

Guru Nanak Award

2007-09-20T07:03:00.000-07:00

Please note in the article that I am nominated for this award.

Jew, Christian, Sikh scholars vie for
Guru Nanak award
Prabhjot Singh
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 19
An award of $ 50,000, to be given every other year to an individual
or an organisation in recognition of propagating Guru Nanak’s
philosophy of discovering oneness of humanity by exploring the
differences that separate people, has attracted nominations
from top Jew, Christian, Muslim and Sikh scholars besides academics
and inter-faith organisations.

Instituted by the New York-based HOFSTRA University and
supported by the Sardarni Kuljit Kaur Bindra Foundation, the
first Guru Nanak Interfaith Award will be presented in
September, 2008.

Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a former Indian
Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral, US Senators Charles Schumer
and Norm Coleman, academics Rabbi David Rosen, Dr Martin Marty
besides celebrated writer and author Khushwant Singh and a
member of the Rajya Sabha (MP) Tarlochan Singh are members
of the selection committee constituted for the inaugural award.

HOFSTRA University had invited nominations by inserting
advertisements in major US newspapers.

Interestingly, the list of nominees is who’s who of individuals and
organisations involved in spreading the message of universal
brotherhood as preached by the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev.

One of the nominees, Debora Batcha, for example, is designer of
a talisman symbolising the fundamental unity of three Abrahamic religions.
Abode of the Message (a community of Lebanon), Rabbi Arthur Schneier
(spiritual leader of Park East Synagogue, and a member of the
first interfaith delegation to visit the Soviet Union and China),
medicos Alan Astrow and Daniel Sulmasy, the Bo Yin Ra Foundation
and the Center for Religious Inquiry.

Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions, the Compassionate
Listening Project, the Esalen Institute for Theory and Research and
Track Two’s Abrahamic Family Reunion, Sacha Stone and the
Humanitad Foundation, Hands of Peace, Hartford Seminary,
the Interfaith Encounter Association, Interfaith Peace Building
Initiative, Interfaith Works of Central New York, Joseph
Interfaith Foundation, Interfaith Mission Service for
Greater Tennessee Valley, International Center for Religion and Diplomacy,
International Summer School on Religion and Public Life,
Molloy College Institute for Christian/ Jewish Dialogue and the
Liberian Council for Churches are among some of the organizations
whose nominations have been received.

Interestingly, nomination of Modernage Public School and College of
Abbottabad in Pakistan for the award has also been acknowledged.

Tenzin Gyatso, the fourteenth Dalai Lama, is also on the nominee
list for the award list.

Among individuals of Indian origin Jagdish Gandhi of Lucknow,
Dr Eboo Patel, an eminent speaker and broadcaster on interfaith,
Sukhbir Singh Kapoor, an author of 40 books on Sikh religion,
Bhai Harbans Lal, Emeritus Professor of Pharmacology and Neurosciences
and Baba Virsa Singh of Delhi and Trilochan Singh, Professor of
Mechanical engineering at Wayne University in Detroit.

Others individuals nominated for the award include Steve D. Martin,
president of Vital Visions, Ruth Broyde-Sharone, a film maker,
Dr Sayyed Hussain Nasr, University Professor of Islamic Studies,
Dr Paul F. Knitter, Gary Krupp, Dr Frank Kaufmann and Dr Harold Kasimow,
a pioneer in introducing the study of non-Christian traditions
in the curriculum.

American Muslim Day Parade

2007-09-11T13:25:00.000-07:00

I had the honor to be invited by event co-chairman Imam Shamsi Ali of the 96th Street Mosque
to walk with participants and speak with leaders and invited guests at the 22nd American Muslim Day Parade.

When I tried to read back through news reportage of the event, I was STARTLED to see the coverage! It was covered as a controversial strife-riven event full of protest and ire! In fact, it was impossible to find a single news article that described the event in a way that even remotely resembled my experience (and I stayed with the parade and stage events from beginning to end).

It was a sunny, balmy Sunday. The event began with midday prayers for the faithful prior to the start of the actual parade, after which press was invited in to meet and interview the organizers. At the lead of parade was a color guard of bright flags, then Muslim members of the New York City Police, followed by three lines of dignitaries, and then all others.

Security on the streets was remarkably sparse. In fact the only time I saw police was at intersections to help coordinate marchers and cross-town traffic as lights changed.

The parade traversed a short distance (42nd street to 24th street) at a slow, leisurely pace, for the most part in silence or simple conversation among those walking.

At one point there was suddenly a shrill, angy little group shouting "No Sharia in America." They caught me off guard. I couldn't make out more than a small handful of people, and even at our snail's pace, they faded in the distance in just a moment or two. Across the street from the one angry group was another equally angry group only this second one I think were folks who think of themselves as Muslims. The funny thing was that they too were reviling the people in the parade. Apparent the second angry group was full of rage that the Muslims in the parade failed to be sufficiently hateful to their non-Muslim detractors from the other side of the street.

I felt like we had passed momentarily through some Alice in Wonderland-like bubble of anger, as we ambled quietly and peacefully down the street.

We got to the stage, prayers and scripture was read, the national anthem was sung by two beautiful, humble young ladies in hijab, the MC occasionally explained a little about Muslim terms or traditions, and a bunch of people spoke from the mike. I spoke too representing the Universal Peace Federation, and the Family Federation for World Peace.

I guess the most interesting thing about the day was the fact that Mayor Bloomberg stood down a letter writing campaign, and perhaps other political pressures to cancel the parade. In response he declared the day American Muslim Day, and sent a cabinet representative to march from beginning to end, and at the end on stage read and present the Mayor's declaration.

As I say, it was very hard to find any reportage matching my experience, but this one article at least is not completely crazy. In it one reads:

Mayor Michael Bloomberg responded to the critics [saying] "Muslims are a "vital part of our city... "It would be a terrible mistake for anyone to implicate a whole group of innocent individuals -- no matter what their faith -- with the terrible acts committed on September 11, 2001."

Here is a little personal slide show with a few images from the parade:

Conference on the Convergence of Science and Spirituality

2007-09-01T09:35:00.000-07:00

On September 29, 2007, I will present a paper at the:

The Second Annual Conference on the Convergence of Science and Spirituality: "Beyond Einstein's Determinism: How Interdisciplinary and Interfaith Cooperation are Inspiring New Perspectives on Consciousness"
September 29, 2007 | 09:00 AM

It will be held at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, CO

Here is the announcement about the conference.

Here below is some information from the conference program:

INTRODUCTION: Rev. John Thompson

9:10 – 10:00 A.M: Opening Address

Dr. Matthew Fox: Science, Spirituality and Consciousness: Gifts and Convergences in a Perilous Time

Abstract: The relationship between science and spirituality is an ancient one: it is only in modern times that science divorced from spirituality, though it is true that in the West with Augustine's notion of the corruption of nature a dominant stream of Christianity felt science was irrelevant. But not so in the creation spirituality tradition including Hildegard of Bingen ("all science comes from God") and Thomas Aquinas ("a mistake about creation results in a mistake about God.")

We will explore the four Paths of creation spirituality in light of today's many gifts from science, for example, the Via Positiva (science provides many reasons for arousal of awe); the Via Negativa (science substantiates what meditators East and West have been doing for centuries and chaos theory mirrors the Dark Night of the Soul experience of the mystics); the Via Creativa (creativity becomes the identifying characteristic of human beings and our nearest ancestors); the Via Transformativa (applied science helps solve real issues of global warming, the universality of homosexuality, and more).

Bio: Matthew Fox is author of 28 books on spirituality and culture including two books of dialog with British biologist Rupert Sheldrake, Natural Grace and The Physics of Angels. Among his other books are Original Blessing; The Reinvention of Work; Passion for Creation: The Earth-Honoring Spirituality of Meister Eckhart; One River, Many Wells; Creativity: Where the Divine and the Human Meet; The New Reformation. He holds a doctorate in spirituality from the Institut Catholique de Paris and has developed masters and doctoral programs over the years that do education differently by including creativity and meditation as integral to the curriculum along with courses in the new cosmology and world spiritual traditions and practices.

10:00 – 10:30 A.M.

Dr. Vic Mansfield: Einstein and Quantum Nonlocality: a Doorway to Buddhist Emptiness and Compassion

Abstract: Einstein’s objection to the indeterminism in quantum mechanics is well known. However, Einstein’s most influential challenge to quantum theory revolved around his rejection of the lack of independent existence in quantum objects. For example, Einstein’s biographer, the physicist Abraham Pais, wrote, “We often discussed his notions on objective reality. I recall that during one walk Einstein suddenly stopped, turned to me, and asked whether I really believed that the moon exists only when I look at it.”[1] Einstein’s rejection of a central feature of quantum mechanics (quantum object’s lack of independent existence) ignited a debate about the philosophic foundation of nature that lasted for a half century. It culminated in what many people consider the most important finding since the advent of modern science: the famous experiments that conclusively revealed nonlocality in nature. Now we know that “quantum moons” demonstrably do not exist when unobserved. Assuming no technical background in physics, this lecture shows how such “experimental metaphysics” has an extraordinarily detailed resonance with the Middle Way Buddhist principle of emptiness, the very heart of Buddhism. What Einstein found to be the most vexing feature of quantum mechanics is, in the eyes of Middle Way Buddhists, the ultimate nature of reality and the foundation for universal compassion. In this way, physics sheds light on the nature of reality, including consciousness, and has moral implications for how we treat each other and the planet.

[1] Abraham Pais, “Subtle is the Lord”: The Science and the Life of Albert Einstein (Oxford University Press, New York, 1983) p. 455.

Bio: Vic Mansfield is a professor of physics at Colgate University. For four decades, he has practiced and studied with spiritual leaders in the U.S., Europe, and India. Along with teaching a wide range of physics and astronomy courses, for two decades he has been teaching a popular course on Tibetan culture and Buddhism. He has written three interdisciplinary books and scores of papers. His most recent book, Tibetan Buddhism and Modern Physics: Toward a Union of Love and Knowledge (Templeton Foundation Press, February 2008) will be translated into Tibetan and Chinese by the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who will also write a preface to the book. Vic warmly invites you to his website at www.lightlink.com/vic.

10:40 – 11:10 A.M.

Dr. Frank Kaufmann: Bridged Epistemology, Bridged Traditions, Multifaith Family

Abstract: In almost all people, religious conviction and religious adherence derive from conflating knowledge with interpretive speculation. These two natural and positive faculties cannot inhere fully. Thus the foundation for virtually all religious life in individuals and in the world has a fracture at its foundation (a fracture with the potential to yield both positive and negative responses and outcomes). This tear in the basis of religious life informs and participates in all subsequent religiosity and religious expression, often infecting religious life with a particularly virulent strain of the disease of separation. The tiny few whose religious life is all knowledge and no speculation found religions, or are the saints of their various traditions. War, conflict, disease, exploitation, ecological dereliction, and other forms of disorder and horror are due to an insufficient number of saints at any given time (but this is a difficult problem to solve). This paper introduces interim and intermediary (also more widely available) steps we can take to realize humane ends on a global scale, while striving to increase the saint population.

Bio: Dr. Frank Kaufmann is executive director of the Inter-Religious Federation for World Peace (IRFWP), editor in chief of Dialogue and Alliance (a scholarly journal on religion and peace), and editor in chief of The New World Encyclopedia (a values based, general knowledge encyclopedia). He has worked in the area of religion and conflict resolution for 29 years in over 65 countries, at times in physical danger and life threatening circumstances.

11:10 - 11:40 am

Dr. David Trickett:

Bio: David Trickett recently joined the Iliff community as its 13th president and as Henry White Warren Professor of Ethics and Leadership. He was previously chairperson of the board and senior fellow at the Center for World Religions, Diplomacy, and Conflict Resolution (CRDC) at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, as well as the founder and president of The Jefferson Circle.

As an ordained United Methodist elder in full connection within The United Methodist Church (UMC), President Trickett has worked in congregations from 350-10,000 members. His service to the UMC includes membership on numerous committees at district, annual conference, and jurisdictional levels; participation in the Oxford Institute of Methodist Theological Studies; election to the World Methodist Council; and service on the denominational Genetic Science Task Force. As an interfaith leader involved in global dialogue, he has worked to bring many different faith traditions together on complex issues.

President Trickett has taught at several theological schools, including Perkins School of Theology, Washington Theological Consortium (which he also headed), Virginia Theological Seminary, Howard University School of Divinity, and the Catholic University of America.

1:35 – 2:05 P.M.

Dr. Héctor Rosario: Towards a New Ontological Argument: The Existence of the Soul vis-à-vis The Existence of God

Abstract: Ontological arguments are philosophical discourses that purport to deductively prove the existence of God. The first recorded argument in Western thought is due to St. Anselm, which mathematicians Descartes and Leibniz later refined. This argument reached the pinnacle of abstraction in the realm of symbolic logic in the twentieth century thanks to Gödel. Nevertheless, the argument has met with fierce critics and opponents. In this article I will briefly review the history of the ontological arguments and discuss two major hurdles in the traditional approach to the subject. The first obstacle is a result of the consequences related to the definitions of God used by the proponents of the ontological arguments. The second obstacle lies in addressing the existence of God without first addressing the existence of the soul. I will build on Gödel’s ontological argument – whose theology is essentially Judeo-Christian – and combine it with the philosophical framework of the Vaishnava school of thought based on the Bhagavad Gita and the Vedanta Sutra. I will present my rationale and plans for advancing an ontological argument that first considers the existence of the soul, and once that is established, proceeds to conclusively address the existence of God.

Bio: Héctor Rosario teaches mathematics at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus. He was born in Puerto Rico in 1974 and earned his Ph.D. from Columbia University in New York in 2003. His current academic interests are the ontological arguments, the foundations of mathematics, and the philosophy of science and mathematics. He is also an ordained Gaudiya Vaishnava priest known as Ananta Ram das Adhikari.

2:05 – 2:35 P.M.

Dr. Jagdish Srivastava: Science Supports Spirituality and Contradicts Neo-Darwinism

Abstract: This paper is based on the scientific exploration of the nature of Reality, which includes both Quantum Reality (which is the foundation of physical universes) and the realm of pure ideas. This exploration is done through a scientific theory (denoted by TK) propounded by the author, which (so far as the author is aware) is the only theory put forward so far by any philosopher or scientist which spans the entire realm of Reality, both physical and otherwise.

This paper deals mainly with the implications of TK in the Spiritual realm, which is defined to be that part of Reality wherein the destiny of man is embedded. Indeed, for humans, Spirituality is that behavior and frame of mind which would be required of a person if he is to act rationally in the face of Reality (i.e., in the face of facts as they really exist). (Here, by a 'rational action', we mean an action that is not foolish, inefficient, misguided, or naive. A rational person would ignore Spirituality only because of ignorance of pertinent facts that are not easily visible to the mind's eye.)

Darwin's theory of evolution is well known; the author does not work in this field, and cannot provide any new argument against or in favor of this theory. However, there is a sub-theory, which we shall call 'Neo-Darwinism' which is contradicted by TK (irrespective of whether Darwin's theory is right or wrong). This sub-theory assumes that 'Consciousness' 'evolved' on the planet earth, where as TK establishes that Consciousness is independent of time and space. (In other words, the Consciousness that a human has existed before his body was born and will exist after his body dies.)

This explanation and the associated discussion shall lead us into the general spiritual implications of TK, that throw light on Religion and its occasional conflict with Science.

Bio: Professor Srivastava received his Ph.D. degree in 1961. In 1966, he became full Professor at Colorado State University, from where he retired in 2004. In the early nineties, he also had joint appointment in Philosophy. He is a Fellow of the top world organizations in Statistics and in Combinatorial Mathematics. He is also a Fellow of TWAS: The World Academy of Science for developing countries.

In 1998, on his 65th birthday, two large felicitation volumes (containing articles from top experts from all over the world) were published. In 1975, he founded the prestigious monthly Journal of Statistical Planning and Inference, of which he has been the Editor-in-Chief. He has been the President of several world organizations. He has made many important discoveries, several of which bear his name. He has written more than 140 papers, and (co-) authored or edited several books. Since the sixties, he has also been interested in Philosophy, Consciousness, Quantum Physics, and Spirituality, in which he has lectured internationally and written extensively.

2:45 – 3:15 P.M.

Dr. Beverly Rubik: The Biofield: The Flame of Life and a Key Link Between Science and Spirituality

Abstract: Long ago Western science discarded the concept of a vital force. However, this concept is central to virtually all indigenous medicine and perennial wisdom throughout the world. It has often been considered to be the very quintessence of life. Today a similar concept similar is emerging at the frontiers of science, known as the biological field or “biofield”.

The biofield is an invisible energy field of each organism that is proposed to be the super-regulator of all the biochemistry and physiology of the body, holding the key to the invisible higher order of being. Linking the metaphysical realm of invisible fields to the physical body, the biofield may be the closest that science can ever approach the soul.

Laboratory measurements show that each person has a unique energy signature that is influenced by states of consciousness. The human biofield extends from the body into the surrounding space and is thought to “entangle” each person with one another, the biosphere, and even the cosmos.

The biofield is central to understanding life’s integral wholeness and to the development of an integrative medicine that incorporates indigenous healing methods. It is thought to be the scientific basis of many types of therapies, including laying-on-of-hands by spiritual healers, energy psychology, and homeopathy. This talk will summarize the biofield concept and its practical consequences for spirituality and the environment.

Bio: Dr. Beverly Rubik is President and founder of the Institute for Frontier Science and a researcher, speaker and writer in the frontier fields of biofield science, energy medicine, and spiritual healing. She was a Congressionally-appointed member of the Program Advisory Board to the Office of Alternative Medicine at NIH and chaired NIH panels on electromagnetic medicine and manual healing.

3:15 – 3:45 P.M.

Dr. Larry Goldberg: Complexity Theory, Quantum Theory, and the Theory of Consciousness: Towards a Worldview that Unifies the Core Commitments of our Scientific and Spiritual Heritage

Abstract: If we succeed in understanding consciousness scientifically, we could never explain away the mystery of subjectivity or its creative abilities. But we might be able to characterize how everyday complexity (dramatized by living systems and the entire cosmos), quantum perplexity (famously including uncertainty, the probabilistic “reality” of wavefunctions, and nonlocal entanglement), and the capacity for conscious experience are interrelated. If it turns out that only complex systems that are coupled with the quantum world in which they are immersed (like fish at sea) in a certain way can become conscious and can express and inform conscious experience, this discovery would have tremendous implications for our spiritual perspectives. Reciprocally, our spiritual appreciation of the context of the sacred could motivate the direction of consciousness studies research, as, for example, in the study of the relationships among the entire cosmos, the quantum vacuum, and the Supreme Consciousness or God. This talk will explore the potential for a worldview that integrates scientific and spiritual perspectives in the quest to comprehend the roots of conscious experience.

Bio: Dr. Larry Goldberg is a philosopher of science, environment, and mind who has applied his interdisciplinary methodology to the development of new educational and research programs in global change, computational science and engineering, bioethics, educational hypermedia, the health effects of Denver’s air pollution, and the integration of the physiological and psychological dimensions of medical and nursing research. He is currently developing a theory of how quantum mechanical phenomena may mediate the mutual relationship between consciousness and the states of complex systems; and a methodology for integrating the contributions of cognitive scientists, quantum physicists, and consciousness and spirituality researchers in interdisciplinary programs that investigate the interface between the inner and outer worlds.

PANEL / DISCUSSION/ Q & A

The Integration of Science and Spirituality: 3:50 to 4:45 P.M.

Panel Members: Drs. Matt Fox, David Trickett, Vic Mansfield, Frank Kaufmann, Jagdish Srivastava, Héctor Rosario, Beverly Rubik — Fifty-five minutes — Moderator for Panel: Dr. Larry Goldberg