"I have been involved
in the Reading Interfaith Group for about five years and am now the current chair. My own faith background was very diverse and at times confusing. Although all my family are Christian, they belong to a wide range of different groups within this framework. I grew up surrounded by vigorous debate about religion. We lived in Libya for many years where I became very familiar with the Muslim way of life. In 1967 our family spent several months in hiding when war broke out between a coalition of Arab States and Israel. The experience of danger, uncertainty and losing contact with almost everyone I knew left an impression of how lives can be changed through war. My greatest personal achievement was somehow managing to sit still for an all night peace vigil. This is because despite being the representative Quaker, I am far from being the quietest member of the Committee!" So far as the group is concerned, I consider our beliefs should be applicable to the whole of life without fear or discrimination and our programme of events should reflect this. This also means that we have a responsibility to be fully inclusive. Since it is impossible to go anywhere without beginning in the present, I believe that everyone who comes in contact with our group has a right to be valued exactly for how they are. This journey through life is a team effort in which we are able to gain so much through support, dialogue and by accepting that every starting point, experience and opportunity is different. "I expect
to pass through this world but once: any good thing therefore
that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow-creature,
let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall
not pass this way again." http://fromacupboard.blogspot.com/
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