Interfaith or Multifaith Networks

In recent years a number of 'Interfaith' or 'Multifaith' Networks have been established around Australia.

The first 'Interfaith Network' was established in the Dandenong area of Melbourne, in 1989. Their 'vision' is "Many Faiths, One People". Since then, many Councils have facilitated and encouraged the establishment of such Networks - and the Dandenong Network actively promoted them. In Melbourne there are such Networks in Knox (est 2002), Casey, Whitehorse, Kingston, Geelong and so on.
Knox Interfaith Network includes a list of such Networks in Melbourne. So does Dandenong, along with a long list of national and international interfaith organisations (click here for their links page).

Religions involved in these Networks include Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, Baha'i, Sikh, Mormonism, Aboriginal Spirituality, etc...

The stated aim of these Networks is to try and establish harmony between religions.

Some Networks do 'tours' of various 'places of worship'.
The Casey Multi-Faith Networkwas even given $15,000 in funding by the Brumby state Labor government in 2009 for activities, including running such tours!
Read report - click here.

Of course, there can be no real harmony between them because they are ideologically opposed to each other. In Christianity, for instance, Jesus Christ says that He is the 'Way, the Truth and the Life' and that He is the only way to the Father. That means that all other religions are false.

It is extremely difficult in such an organised Network to proclaim the truth of Christianity and even more difficult to openly criticise other religions such as Islam or Mormonism.

Why has there been a huge increase in the number of these Interfaith Networks?

A good question.

Religion, Cultural Diversity and Safeguarding Australia
In 2004, a series of books was published by the federal Department of Immigration. The main book was called Religion, Cultural Diversity and Safeguarding Australia.
It called for the establishment of a national 'interfaith space', for interfaith services to be held to mark significant tragic events - rather than Christian services, for the establishment of a National Multifaith Advisory Council and so on.

A second book promoted the establishment of 'Interfaith Networks' at the Council level - the book provides Guidelines on how to establish them.This book was sent to Councils.

The third book in this series was called 'Muslim Australians' and promoted Islam.

At the time the three books were published we set up a Campaign Page to express concern about these books and the establishment of Interfaith Networks and the effect they would have on Australia.

Links to each of the books - plus our Commentary - is available .... click here.