World Scripture


The Quest for Unity of the World's Religions

 World Scripture (WS) stands as one of the major contributions to the advancement of world peace. In essence, it is a comparative anthology of sacred texts of the world's religions, organized under important common topics essential to all the faiths. World Scripture, a project of the International Religious Foundation, was inspired by WCARP's founders; Drs. Reverend and Mrs. Moon. It was completed over five years of research by 40 international scholars representing the world's religions.

World Scripture will become a shining light, a volume of holy scripture that puts together the universally valuable contents of the world's religions. In particular, it will become a precious textbook for educating the younger generation who are to live together as one global family. It will teach them to be able to overcome barriers between religions, races and cultures.
I believe that through this text, all people will not only free themselves from religious ignorance and self-righteousness, but also realize the fact that, among religions, there are shared values and a universal foundation which are of greater significance than the differences which have historically divided religions.
Rev. Sun Myung Moon (World Religions Conference, 1991)
Click here for: founder's address

A copy of World Scripture can be found at the VCU Library: World Scripture: A Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts, Paragon House, NY, 1991.

A personal copy can be obtained at: HSA Publications (Click on: Books for Outreach, HSA23 A or B).

Among the 40 contributors to the success of World Scripture were: Ninian Smart, Huston Smith, and locally: Dr. David Manning White (Professor Emeritus VCU, deceased 1994), K.L. Seshagiri Rao, UVA, and from Maryland: Rev. Dr. Frederick Jelly, O.P. (Mount St. Mary's Seminary).

This project (WS), has appeared at an opportune time in human history. Ecumenical practices are at an all-time high, religious barriers are breaking down and a new age of practical philosophical understanding is dawning. WS is revealing the shared beliefs of the world's religions and will stimulate the mobilization of spiritual power for peace under our common divine parenthood. Whether He be called God, Allah, Ultimate Reality or other names.

Report on World Scripture Conferences held at VCU in 1992 and 1993

Sponsors: World CARP/Unification Campus Ministry and VCU Religious Studies Program. Organizers: Dr. Cliff Edwards and Rev. F. George Russell

___________Program Schedule, November 2, 1992___________

10:45 a.m. Invocation and Welcoming Remarks - Dr. Cliff Edwards, Prof. of Religious Studies, VCU

11:00 Keynote Address: "The Vision of World Scripture and the Quest for World Peace" by Dr. Frank Kaufmann, Executive Director, International Religious Foundation

11:40 Presentation of World Scripture: A Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts - its conception and completion

12:00 Assembly of the World's Religions - Video Tape (Second AWR Conference held in San Francisco, August 1990)

12:45 Lunch

2:00 Recognition of Local Contributors to the Publication of World Scripture (Dr. Seshagiri Rao -Hinduism; Dr. David M. White -World Spirituality; Rev. Dr. Frederick Jelly - Roman Catholicism)

2:30 Remarks by Contributors

3:15 Discussion and Break

4:00 Public Reading from World Scripture by Selected Representatives of the World's Religions

5:00 Joint Statement of Cooperation Read and Signed

5:20 Break for Evening Session

Evening Session:

6:30 Dr. Amina Wadud-Muhsin - VCU Religious Studies Program: "The Hidden Wonders in the Qur'an"

7:15 Bhante Sunanda Putwar, President of Siddhartha University: " Buddhist Scripture and World Peace"

8:00 Break

8:15 Entertainment by J. A. Godfrey Inspirational Choir (Broad Rock Baptist Church

8:45 Close

Joint Statement of Cooperation

As members of the world's community of faith and representatives of the world's religions, we the undersigned, hereby commit ourselves to further the search for harmony and lasting peace among the world's religions. And further, we hereby affirm:

1) To work cooperatively with loving respect for each other's faith toward the realization of world peace.

2) To put aside resentment, indifference and any kind of bias or prejudice that have characterized the historical conflicts and wars among religions.

3) To pursue the path of mutual understanding among our faiths through respectful dialogue and discussion.

4) To challenge ourselves to practice the essence of our faith which is: "love for the Divine and living for the sake of others."

5) To research the universal principles and values which compliment our faiths so as to discover the common ideal, heritage and destiny of humankind.

6) To work together to find effective solutions to the complex problems facing our community, nation and world.

7) To work together to restore the vitality of religion and spirituality wherein we are able to become true testimonies of love to the world.

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