On Thursday, April 9, there will be an unusual opportunity for members of the community to learn about the Parliament of the World's Religions, the world's largest international interreligious gathering, planned for October 15-19, 2015, in Salt Lake City, Utah. SiVIC, the Silicon Valley Interreligious Council, is sponsoring a pre-Parliament event for people who want to find out about the Parliament and what they might expect if they choose to attend in October.
The informational event will be held Thursday, April 9, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm at theChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 875 Quince Avenue in Santa Clara, CA. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
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The theme of the 2015 Parliament is Reclaiming the Heart of Our Humanity, highlightingthree critical issues: Climate Change and Care for Creation; War, Violence, and Hate Speech; and The Widening Wealth Gap and Wasteful Consumption. Special focus will be made on Women, Indigenous Communities, and Youth.
Confirmed speakers include Nobel Peace Prize winners, authors, educators, advocates, and religious leaders from diverse traditions. Named so far have been His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Mairead Maguire, Oscar Arias Sanchez, Dr. Karen Armstrong, Dr. Tariq Ramadan, Dr. Eboo Patel, Chief Arvol Lookinghorse, Valarie Kaur, Dr. Arun Gandhi, Rev. Jim Wallis, Dr. Vandana Shiva, Rabbi David Saperstein, Michael Bernard Beckwith, Tavis Smiley, and Terry Tempest Williams.