[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 374 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
2d Session
H. CON. RES. 374
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 24 (legislative day, September 17), 2008
Received
October 2 (legislative day, September 17), 2008
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Supporting Christian, Jewish, and Muslim interfaith dialogue that
promotes peace, understanding, unity, and religious freedom.
Whereas interfaith dialogue among Christians, Jews, and Muslims is a powerful
way to bridge the chasms of mistrust and misunderstanding that can
divide adherents to the 3 Abrahamic faiths;
Whereas a number of important initiatives to enhance interfaith dialogue have
been launched in recent years;
Whereas in 1997, the Three Faiths Forum was founded in London and has focused on
``improving understanding between the Muslim, Christian, and Jewish
communities'';
Whereas in 1998, the Foundation for the Three Cultures of the Mediterranean was
founded in Seville, Spain, by former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon
Peres, King Juan Carlos I of Spain, and King Hassan II of Morocco, with
the objective of promoting cooperation between Christians, Jews, and
Muslims;
Whereas in 2005, King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan launched
the ``Amman Interfaith Message'' in order to ``establish full acceptance
and goodwill'' between Christians, Jews, and Muslims;
Whereas in 2007, 138 Muslim scholars, leaders, and activists sent a letter to
numerous Christian leaders expressing their support for peace, harmony,
and goodwill between Christians, Jews, and Muslims;
Whereas in 2007, the Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land was
founded ``to advance [the] sacred values [of Christianity, Islam, and
Judaism], to prevent religion from being used as a source of conflict,
and instead serve the goals of just and comprehensive peace and
reconciliation'';
Whereas the Vatican has announced that the Pope intends to address a Catholic-
Muslim summit of religious leaders in November 2008;
Whereas interfaith dialogue has the potential to inspire men and women around
the world to appreciate the common values shared by adherents of
different religions, thereby strengthening the bonds of respect,
cooperation, and tolerance against the forces of radicalism, extremism,
and hatred;
Whereas these initiatives provide an opportunity to elevate the voices of people
of faith who, often at risk to themselves, advocate for peace and
understanding, courageous positions too often drowned out by radical
extremists; and
Whereas unity among leaders of different faiths is a powerful weapon to fight
intolerance, marginalize extremism, and defeat the agents of terrorism:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
That it is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the United States supports the spirit of peace and
desire for unity displayed in initiatives of interfaith
dialogue among leaders of the 3 Abrahamic faiths;
(2) the United States further supports additional meetings
of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim religious leaders aimed at
greater dialogue between the religions;
(3) the United States encourages the many people of faith
around the world who reject terrorism, radicalism, and
extremism to join these and similar efforts in order to build a
common bond based on peace, reconciliation, and a commitment to
tolerance; and
(4) the United States appreciates those voices around the
world who condemn terrorism, intolerance, genocide, and ethnic
and religious hatred, and instead commit themselves to a global
peace anchored in respect and understanding among adherents of
the 3 Abrahamic faiths.
Passed the House of Representatives September 23, 2008.
Attest:
LORRAINE C. MILLER,
Clerk.