Scholars at International Conf. in the Ukraine examine religions with American roots-JWs included

by AndersonsInfo 2 Replies latest watchtower scandals

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  AndersonsInfo

  http://www.fulbright.org.ua/91_4_e.html

  Religion and "Americanization": An International Conference Sponsored by Fulbright

  Signs of Ukraine's diverse religious landscape are everywhere in Kyiv. On an average weekend, hundreds of religious groups hold meetings in Kyiv: several people gather in a house church or 10 thousand assemble for the meetings of Pastor Sunday Aledjah's Embassy of God Church of All Nations. Among the most influential of these religious groups have been those with American roots, such as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the Jehovah's Witnesses, and different charismatic groups. At a conference organized by the Fulbright Program, scholars from five countries set out to explore this phenomenon and measure its impact on Ukraine and on Europe.

  The conference "Exporting Religion, Translating Belief: Exploring American Religions in Europe" was the result of collaboration among different organizations and individuals. Sponsored by Fulbright and the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy and the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, the conference brought together scholars from the Department of Religion at the Institute of Philosophy, National Academy of Sciences, Odesa National University, Ukrainian Catholic University, and Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. Foreign participants came from the University of Utah (USA), the University of Madrid (Spain), Kaliningrad State University (Russia), and Aristotle University (Greece).

  The conference began Friday April 16 with lectures from two prominent scholars — Dr. Colleen McDannell, Professor of History and Religious Studies at the University of Utah, and Dr. Liudmyla Fylypovych, Director of the Center for Religious Information and Freedom in Kyiv. Examining Western and Eastern Europe separately, McDannell and Fylypovych made surprising conclusions during their talks. Both agreed on the low impact of religions with American origins. These groups represent only a small percentage of practicing believers in Europe and Ukraine. Fylypovych argued that the impact of Americans working in Ukraine is greater than statistical data suggests. Growth rates among American religions are high and their influence has included movements toward technology, an interest in the Ukrainian Bible, and extensive charity work. She believes that the Ukrainian press too often disparages the work of missionaries and overlooks its positive aspects.

  Conference panels on the following day focused on religious movements, including Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, the Church of Scientology, the Church of Christ, and charismatic movements. Pavlo Pavlenko and Eduard Martynyuk provided differing overviews of American religions in Ukrainian society. Pavlenko argued that American religions could never be fully integrated into Ukrainian identity while Martynyuk proposed viewing the impact of American religions in Ukraine as "convergence" rather than replacement.

  An afternoon panel highlighted legal aspects of non-traditional religious movements in Ukraine, Spain and Russia. Speakers from these countries look to the United States as a model for religious tolerance manifested in legislation and governmental structures and all acknowledged limitations. At the same time, speakers suggested that a replication of the U.S. system would not satisfy particular needs of individual countries. Mykhailo Babiy summed up the consensus when he said, "All religious organizations are functioning in a multi-cultural, poly-religious atmosphere, and legal structures need to do more to reflect that."

  The conference was very lively: participants stayed to talk for a full hour after the library's closing; the translator became excited during Saturday's panels and left the booth to participate; conversation and panel sessions were dynamic.

  Amy Frykholm,
  Fulbright Scholar in Ukraine at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and at Drahomanov Pedagogical University (2003-2004).
  Research field: American Culture and Literature
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  Satanus

  Sounds interesting. Another of america's exports.

  While protestantism started in germany, this became the lutheran church. The american brand of protestantism originated, basically in england, and then flourished in the 'new world'. There, it splintered and evolved, as it continues to do endlessly to this day. I don't think that it serves europe, or any country well. It is a seriously conflicted system, and so, foments agitation where ever it goes.

  S
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  iamwhoiam

  in·ter·faith (ntr-fth) adj. Of, relating to, or involving persons of different religious faiths: an interfaith marriage; an interfaith forum.

  The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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Our Readers Ask

. . .

How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses View Interfaith ?

? According to the World Christian Encyclopedia, there are some “10,000 distinct religions worldwide.” Because conflicts between them have led to untold hurt, the concept of interfaith brings hope to many worshippers. They believe that it can engender peace and unity in a divided world.

The Bible encourages unity. The apostle Paul likened the Christian congregation to a human body, each member being “harmoniously joined together and being made to cooperate.” (Ephesians 4:16) Similarly, the apostle Peter urged his fellow believers: “All of you be like-minded.”—1 Peter 3:8.

The early Christians lived in a multicultural and multireligious world. Yet, when writing about the mingling of different religions, Paul asked: “What portion does a faithful person have with an unbeliever?” Then he warned Christians to “get out from among them.” (2 Corinthians 6:15, 17) Clearly, Paul was speaking against interfaith . Why did he do so?

The apostle explained that spiritual fellowship between one who is a true Christian and one who is not would be an uneven yoke, a misfit. (2 Corinthians 6:14) It could result only in harm to the Christian’s faith. Paul’s concerns were like those of a father who knows that some children in his neighborhood behave badly. As a concerned parent, he wisely sets limits on whom his child should play with. His restrictions may be unpopular. Under the circumstances, however, being separate would protect his child from bad influences. Similarly, Paul knew that being separate from other religions would protect Christians against their harmful practices.

In taking that stand, Paul was imitating Jesus. While Jesus set the greatest example in promoting peace among people, he did not practice interfaith . Many religious groups, such as the Pharisees and the Sadducees, were active during Jesus’ earthly ministry. In fact, these religious factions joined forces to challenge Jesus, going as far as to plot his death. Jesus, on the other hand, directed his followers to “watch out . . . for the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”—Matthew 16:12.

What about today? Is the Bible’s warning against interfaith still valid? Yes, it is. This is because differing religious beliefs cannot bond through interfaith any more than oil and water can mix simply by putting them together in a pot. For instance, when people of different religions come together to pray for peace, which god is being petitioned? Christendom’s Trinitarian God? Hinduism’s Brahma? The Buddha? Or someone else?

The prophet Micah foretold that “in the final part of the days,” people from all nations would say: “Come, you people, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will instruct us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” (Micah 4:1-4) The result would be peace and unity on a worldwide scale, not because all faiths are somehow joined, but because all people accept the one true faith.