Religious leaders urge dialogue as path to peace

Religious communities internationally should strive to overcome violence and to create a more peaceful world through self-examination and interfaith scholarship, said leaders of a world-religions meeting last week in Seville, Spain.

In a statement, participants at the interfaith conference agreed that while religious beliefs have sometimes led to political hostility, scholars and spiritual leaders from different traditions can and should collaborate to "develop the loftiest values about human life and dignity, hospitality to the 'other,' and the ultimate vision for human flourishing."

The Dec. 14-17 conference, which drew representatives from Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish and Muslim communities, was an effort of the new Jerusalem-based Elijah Academy think tank.

After hearing scholarly presentations on the conference theme "Religion, Society and the Other," the Elijah Academy members discussed how religion can be used to decrease political hostility. The attendees resolved to continue and expand their fledgling interfaith scholarship efforts, which they described as having "an enriching and ennobling effect" that encourages "the best in our traditions to surface."

Fla. governor plans faith-based prison

Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has announced the creation of what he calls the nation's first entirely faith-based prison at a facility in his state.

Bush made the announcement Dec. 5 in Tampa at one of a series of conferences sponsored by his brother's White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

"For those individuals who are motivated to change their lives, programs like this can make a tremendous difference and create a pathway out of the criminal justice system," the governor said.

He applauded the work done by the office instituted by President Bush as well as the efforts by Attorney General John Ashcroft to recognize faith-based organizations. "It is imperative for government to work in close and careful coordination with community and faith-based organizations because government alone will never solve the problems tearing the fabric of our society," he said.

The governor's plan for the faith-based prison is for more than 790 inmates to live in eight dormitories at Lawtey Correctional Institution in Raiford. Participation by inmates is voluntary, and entry into the program will not depend on inmates' faith preference or lack of faith. Those who choose to be part of the program will be involved in faith-based activities seven days a week. Programs will focus on such issues as family life, personal growth and life skills.

The Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, criticized the governor's plan. "This is a clearly unconstitutional scheme," he said in a statement. "A state can no more create a faith-based prison than it could set up faith-based public schools or faith-based police departments."

NonProfit Times honors Habitat president

The NonProfit Times has named Habitat for Humanity President Millard Fuller its 2003 Executive of the Year. Fuller co-founded the Americus, Ga.-based organization with his wife, Linda, in 1976 to work to eliminate poverty housing. The Christian ministry has built more than 150,000 homes around the world.

"At a time when charities nationwide are struggling to make ends meet, Fuller's innovation and success with such a vast and necessary movement is noteworthy," the semimonthly publication for nonprofit management wrote in its Dec. 1 issue. "His progressive ideas and marketing know-how keep the 27-year-old movement relevant."

The publication noted that one of Fuller's more recent ventures is the Global Village & Discovery Center in Americus, an attraction that gives visitors a sense of ghettos abroad and models of Habitat homes built in those regions.

It also recognized Fuller for his promotional prowess, evidenced by Habitat's use of the terms "sweat equity" for hard work and "theology of the hammer" to emphasize action.

The ministry's revenue has nearly doubled since 1996, to $747.9 million in 2002, the publication reported. Public support jumped from about $196.8 million to $416.6 million in the same period.

"I am extremely grateful and honored by this recognition from The NonProfit Times," Fuller said in a statement. "Habitat for Humanity and the many dedicated people involved in this movement are leading the way to make homeownership a reality for more and more families in need of a simple, decent place to call home."