UPF Meeting: Are ethics more important than religion? - in Munich, Germany

UPF Meeting ‘Ethics are more important than religion’ (Dalai Lama) Are ethics more important than religion? Munich, Germany, 26. February 2016

E ven if somewhat belated, the Munich UPF group held an interreligious meeting on Friday, 26 February to mark the UN World Interfaith Harmony Week. Our chosen topic was: ‘Ethics are more important than religion’ (Dalai Lama)/ Are ethics more important than religion? This statement and the question it poses led to a surprisingly lively discussion. Reference was repeatedly made to the booklet of the Dalai Lama which deals primarily with this topic. Emotions were stirred, and representatives of many different world views expressed their opinions-from the Christian Science Church, Islam, the Innayathi-Sufi Order, Scientology, the Family Federation for World Peace reality that there is a cause behind all state. Religious teachings are not for and Unification (FFWPU), and diverse that exists and lives. Whoever looks in the benefit of religion itself. Religion is independent religious groups. detail at life’s complexity and ingenuity the means to fulfill the will of God, cannot but realize that there is an which is to recreate us and raise us as intelligent, creative and loving force God’s children. It is not possible to behind it all: an original being that is limit God by the doctrines and rituals the cause of, and is reflected in, of established religions. The task of creation. religion is to cultivate our character in The representatives from Christian that we live a life of faith, embracing Science laid much value on a spiritual enlightenment as well as personal interpretation of the Bible and the growth, so that we can walk with God creation story. Man is an image of God in our daily life. and thus he must live for his own sake, Siegfried continued: it is not enough as well as for the sake of his fellow man. simply to have rules for a moral life; Ute Eilzer, Scientology Church, stated mankind must also be motivated to live Marlene Straub from the Inayathi-Sufi that mankind is created to be happy by these rules and to have the ability to Order introduced us to the 40 ethical and quoted a few passages from their persevere with such a life. And in order rules which should be emulated in the guidelines for a better life, such as: to accomplish this, there has to be a course of one’s life in order to develop a reformation in human nature such that spiritually mature personality. Do not be promiscuous, be faithful to mankind is in a position to restore the Here are only a few of these rules: your partner, do not do anything vertical relationship with God. The illegal… conscience, when intact, is a powerful Do not speak badly of others behind their backs… For Bilal Akkaya from the Intercultural entity enabling man to behave in an Dialogue Center Munich (IDIZEM), ethical fashion. Do not look down on those who look up religion and a love for Allah play a big There were lively discussions between to you… role. From these come virtues and good and after the presentations, illustrating Do not boast about your good deeds…. deeds. Education, ethics and service to the importance of this topic to each Dr. Alfons Wellenhofer from UPF humanity is a part of religion. person. pointed out that ethical principles are Siegfried Jensen of the FFWPU Munich without doubt essential for mankind gave the last presentation and began by and that a religion of high quality must quoting words of the founder, Rev. Robert Bentele, UPF Munich not only abide by, but should even Moon: The presentations (in German) are exceed, ethical principles. He said that available from UPF Munich: Religion is an institution for training reality is often ignored and this leads to muenchen@upf-deutschland.de and education, to renew dysfunctional a big deficiency. And that is namely the mankind and restore it to its original