Interfaith Trivia: Tell me something about your faith that I don’t know.

In by Rev. Dr. Thomas D. Lynch

On Saturday February 18, 2023 our Honolulu Universal Peace Federation held an interfaith event at the  Seventh Day Adventist, Hawaiian Mission Academy from 3 to 5pm. This was our 5th annual World interfaith Harmony Week event.  In past years we did the water ceremony and during COVID we did a candlelight prayer service on Zoom. We thought we would try something different this year to mark our return to in-person events. Interfaith Trivia: Tell me something about your faith that I don’t know. Not as a game or competition, but as faith representatives simply sharing something interesting, funny or unique (but factual) about the founder of their faith or their religion. Opening chant by our Kahu (Hawaiian priest & Ambassador for Peace) Faith Presenters: All the Major religions were represented except Zoroastrianism. Buddhism- 2 participants from different denominations: Bishop Kosen Ishikawa (Jodo Mission of Hawaii) & Aunty Pearl Awana (Risho Kossei Kai) Hindu- Hare Krishna branch; Eric (Shanti) Bott Islam- Ahmadiyya branch; Imam Matiullah Joyia Christianity- Independent; Rev. Dr. Thomas Lynch Hawaiian Spirituality; Kahu Loko’olu and wife Ihilani Jainism- Independent;    Harendra Panalel and wife Usha Unificationism- The Honolulu Family Church. Rev. Ernie Ho Judaism- Independent; Roger Epstein Seicho-No-Ie (new religion); Merritt Sakata Bahai’i- 2 participants; Heidi Gagno & James Shattuck Sikhism- Independent; Birendra Huja Each faith participant had 7 minutes. Dr. Nakama rang a bell at the 6 minute mark. Closing remarks- Rev. Sun Myung Moon’s words (revised)- The most fundamental law in the universe is that God is our parent and we are His children. Therefore, we are all brothers and sisters under one Heavenly Parent. Final song- sing along with music video  “We are the World” About 35 attended. No guest wanted to leave! Please see our event on our UN World Interfaith Harmony Week  – Interfaith Ohana Hawaii Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/interfaith.ohana.hawaii