Abraham Conference 2022: Recovering faith in Faith

Historically, the Abrahamic religions shaped lives and civilisations. In the last century, they are becoming increasingly marginalised, seen as a matter of private devotion and personal morality at best, or divisive and violent at worst.

The recent census shows a decline in the Christian percentage of the Australian population and an increase in those who are not affiliated with religion, further evidence of the loss of reputation of religions.

But religions remain a powerful social force. With the issues that we face in our globalised, pluralist world, how can we recover faith in Faith?

The formal program started with Welcome to Country by Shirley Gilbert followed by Welcome by Ahmet Polat, Chairperson of the Abraham Conference Organising Committee.

“Our collaboration for this conference dates back to nearly 20 years ago. Since then, we have shared the wisdom of our Spiritual traditions with one another. This humble conference platform also aims to produce some solutions for our society through its distinguished speakers, and audience,” Mr Polat said.

He further added, “I believe this event reminds us that such insights and commonalities can foster productive conversations between Jewish, Christians and Muslims. The Abraham Conference is a symbol of unity, knowledge, and peace and is a great platform for spreading love and peace between all people. Today we will discuss the issues that we face in our globalised, pluralist world, and how we can recover faith in Faith.”

Exploring the theme, Geraldine Doogue AO, renowned journalist and radio and television presenter engaged in conversation with John Cleary, veteran ABC broadcaster together with three panellists from the Abrahamic faiths: Rabbi Moshe Givental, North Shore Temple Emanuel; Rev Dr Rob McFarlane, Presbytery Relations Minister, Uniting Church in Australia; and Associate Professor Salim Farrar, Sydney University Law School.

The moderator of the event John Cleary started the conversation with Geralindine Doogue by a quote from an American Historian, Will Durant: ‘A certain tension between religion and society marks the highest stages of every civilization. Religion begins by offering magical aid to harassed and bewildered men; it culminates by giving to a people that unity of morals and belief which seems so favorable to statesmanship and art; it ends by fighting suicidally in the lost cause of the past.’

“Institutional religion has been in steady decline in Australia and other countries including the USA since the 1960s.  Do you have any observations regarding factors within our traditions that may have contributed to this decline?, John posed the question.

Following the conversation, the three panelists Rabbi Moshe Givental, Rev Dr Rob McFarlane and Associate Professor Salim Farrar made their comments on the conversation as well as taking part in a Q&A session with the audience.

One of the highlights of this years conference were the small group discussions which allowed participants to chat to people they may not normally get to encounter. Working in diverse teams, participants were asked to identify four priority areas for Abrahamic Traditions as they move forward in a world where some are ‘losing faith in Faith.’,

Other priority areas included education for all. Interfaith cooperation, helping younger generations connect to faith particularly as it related to finding a sense of meaning and purpose in life.

This wonderful opportunity for respectful dialogue acknowledged that although we come from different faith traditions, we have many common desires and hopes for our traditions as they provide hope, meaning and the potential for transforming  our world to a more just place.

Rev Dr Patrick McInerny finally presented a summary of the discussion saying, “Our job is not to pass the moral voice to the world but it to convey the prophetic message to all humanity.”

Events such as the Abraham Conference provide a good opportunity to challenge our thinking about the other and recognise that although we have marked differences in beliefs and practices, there are many commonalities too particularly related to local and global issues.

Conference partners  for the Abrahamic Conference include Affinity Intercultural Foundation, Australian Egyptian Forum Council, Australasian Muslim Times (AMUST), Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations, NSW Council of Christians and Jews, Diocese of Parramatta, Ecumenical Council of NSW, Indian Crescent Society of Australia (ICSOA), NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, and the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of NSW & ACT.

Halal, kosher and vegetarian refreshments were provided by the hosts together with a special Turkish ‘Noah’s Pudding’ marking the day of Ashoora, 10th of Muharram in the Islamic Calendar.