World Religion Day

World Religion Day
Observed by	Adherents of various world religions
Type	International, cultural
Significance	Interfaith celebration of the oneness of religion and its role in human society
Date	Third Sunday in January
2015 date	January 18
2016 date	January 17
2017 date	January 15
2018 date	January 21
Frequency	annual
First time	December 8, 1949

World Religion Day is an interfaith observance initiated in 1950 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States, celebrated worldwide on the third Sunday in January each year. Though initiated in the United States, World Religion Day has come to be celebrated internationally.^[1]

Its purpose is to promote the idea that the spiritual principles underlying the world's religions are harmonious, and to suggest that religions play a role in unifying humanity.^[1] In April 2002, the Universal House of Justice, the international Bahá'í governing body, published a letter "To the World’s Religious Leaders", in which it was stated

that interfaith discourse, if it is to contribute meaningfully to healing the ills that afflict a desperate humanity, must now address honestly ... the implications of the over-arching truth ... that God is one and that, beyond all diversity of cultural expression and human interpretation, religion is likewise one.^[2]

History

The earliest observation entitled "World Peace Through World Religion" was in Portland, Maine at the Eastland Park Hotel in October 1947 with a talk by Firuz Kazemzadeh.^[3] In 1949 observances in various communities in the United States made the local newspapers in December called "World Religion Day".^[4] It was standardized across the United States by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States in December 1949 to be held January 15.^[2][5] It also began to be observed internationally starting as early as in Australia in 1950 in two cities^[6] and Bolivia in 1951.^[7] By 1958 Bahá'ís had gathered notices of events in a number of countries—sometimes attracting hundreds of people and sometimes overlapping with race amity priorities.^[8] In Laos for example, meetings were noted in 1958,^[9] 1959,^[10] and 1960, among many countries activities.^[11][12] In the Netherlands in 1962 it was noted in several cities.^[13]

More pronounced awareness

The observance has grown in some scale of recognition beginning in the 1950s.

It was noted on various AM radio stations in the 1950s and 1960s:

• (formerly) KVSM (1951, San Francisco Bay Area)^[14]
• (formerly) KCNA (1951, Tucson area)^[15]
• KFAR (1951,^[16] 1960,^[17] and 1962,^[18] Fairbanks, Alaska)
• (formerly) KTIM (1954, San Francisco Bay Area),^[19]
• WIOU (AM) (1955, Kokomo, Indiana)^[20]
• WGVA (1956, Geneva, New York)^[21]
• KVNA (AM) (1957, Flagstaff, Arizona)^[22]

Various noted speakers have given talks in the 1950s to the 1970s:

• O. Z. Whitehead, actor and writer ^[23]
• Dwight W. Allen, professor of education and reformer^[24]
• Stanwood Cobb, educator and reformer^[25][26]
• Hilda Yen, diplomat and aviator^[27]
• Robert B. Powers, police chief and writer^[28]
• William Sears, television and radio personality^[29]

A number of locales have seen Mayoral proclamations in the United States and Canada in the 1960s and 1970s:

• 1966 - Reno Nevada^[30] and Portsmouth, New Hampshire^[31]
• 1967 - Arcadia, California^[32]
• 1969 - Carbondale, Illinois^[33]
• 1973 - Hamburg, New York^[34]
• 1974^[35] and 1975^[36] - Brandon, Manitoba
• 1977 - Hamburg, New York,^[37]

Once the proclamation was by the Governor in Missouri in 1968.^[38]

Stamps

In 1985 Sri Lanka issued the first World Religion Day postage stamp. This was followed by a stamp issued by the Republic of the Congo in 2007. The Congo stamp showed a globe with the symbols of 11 religions surrounding it, and the text (in French) read, "God is the source of all religions."^[39][40][41]

Modern events

After years of activity since 2000^[42]:1:02min in 2011 Ottawa city government hosted an event that was video taped.^[43] It was subsequently noted in 2014 on CTV Television Network.^[44]

Since 2013 participants have gathered at a virtual presentation in Second Life^[45]:1:44min at the UUtopia Center for an observance.^[46] The 2014 observance had screenshots taken.^[47] The 2015 event^[48] of talks of a panel of speakers was recorded.^[45]

In 2013 the Parliament of Religions noted it.^[49] The Oxford University Press's blog noted it in 2015.^[50]

There is a long tradition of hosting panels and symposia with representatives of many religions at World Religion Day observances.^[51]

See also

• World Interfaith Harmony Week

Notes

1. Buck 2011, pp. 936–938
2. Buck 2011, pp. 937
3. "Baha'i community to sponsor address". Portland Sunday Telegram And Sunday Press Herald. Portland, Maine. 19 Oct 1947. p. 42. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
4. • "Baha'i group". The Sun and the Erie County Independent. Hamburg, New York. 8 Dec 1949. p. 2. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
   • "World Religion Day proclaimed by Baha'i Faith". The Eagle. Bryan, Texas. 10 Dec 1949. p. 2. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
   • "Baha'i sets Religion Day". Long Beach Independent. Long Beach, California. 17 Dec 1949. p. 6. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
5. "Meeting the Crisis; Tell the story; World Religion Day". Bahá'í News. December 1949. p. 4. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
6. • "Baha'i Faith - World Religion Day". The Southern Mail. Bowral, New South Wales. Jan 6, 1950. p. 3. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
   • "World Religion Day observance". News. Adelaide, South Australia. Jan 11, 1950. p. 15. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
7. "Latin American News". Bahá'í News (241). March 1951. p. 7.
8. "The Oneness of religion is proclaimed internationally with many public observances of World Religion Day". Bahá'í News. March 1958. pp. 12–14. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
9. "Four Faiths Join in Observance of World Reliqion Day in Laos". Bahá'í News (326). April 1958. p. 11.
10. "Newspaper and Radio Publicity, Visual Aids Assist in Proclaiming World Religion Day Observances on Theme of The Oneness of Religion; The audience at the special World Religion Day Program in Vientiane...". Bahá'í News. No. 337. March 1959. p. 9.
11. Rabbani, R., ed. (1992). The Ministry of the Custodians 1957-1963. Bahá'í World Centre. p. 221. ISBN 0-85398-350-X.
12. "The Oneness of Religion Proclaimed to Millions on World Religion Day". Bahá'í News. No. 349. March 1960. pp. 2–4.
13. "First-Time Observances Held by Three Netherlands Communities". Bahá'í News. No. 373. April 1962. pp. 4–5.
14. "Baha'i to have two programs". The Times. San Mateo, California. 19 Jan 1951. p. 14. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
15. "Expect ten at Baha'i convention". Tucson Daily Citizen. Tucson, Arizona. 24 Jan 1951. p. 21. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
16. Malloy, Fran (16 Jan 1951). "Baha'i World Religion Day set Jan 21". Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. Fairbanks, Alaska. p. 1. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
17. "Baha'is to observe World Religion Day". Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. Fairbanks, Alaska. 16 Jan 1960. p. 5. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
18. "Baha'is religion day is observed". Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. Fairbanks, Alaska. 20 Jan 1962. p. 5. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
19. "Baha'i's present radio program". Daily Independent Journal. San Rafael, California. 16 Jan 1954. p. 10. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
20. "Baha'i lecturer is speaker here for World Religion Day". The Kokomo Tribune. Kokomo, Indiana. 17 January 1955. p. 9. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
21. "Broadcast set" (PDF). The Geneva Times. Geneva, New York. Jan 14, 1956. p. 5. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
22. "Baha'is observe World Religion Day". Arizona Daily Sun. Flagstaff, Arizona. 18 Jan 1957. p. 9. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
23. "Baha'i spiritual group to hear talk by actor" (PDF). Buffalo Courier-Express. Jan 16, 1954. p. 3. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
24. "Baha'i speaker". Daily Independent Journal. San Rafael, California. 12 Jan 1961. p. 21. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
25. "Baha'is to celebrate". The New York Age. New York, New York. 3 Jan 1953. p. 11. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
26. "Two local women planning to attend religious meeting". The Circleville Herald. Circleville, Ohio. 14 Jan 1955. p. 8. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
27. "Baha'i program here tomorrow". The Bridgeport Post. Bridgeport, Connecticut. 19 Jan 1957. p. 2. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
28. "Baha'i World Day". Tucson Daily Citizen. Tucson, Arizona. 15 Jan 1972. p. 8. Retrieved Feb 12, 2015.
29. "Baha'i Faith leader sets visit to Pee Dee". Florence Morning News. Florence, South Carolina. 20 Jan 1973. p. 5. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
30. "Religion Day observance set". Nevada State Journal. Reno, Nevada. 11 Jan 1966. p. 19. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
31. "Proclamation". The Portsmouth Herald. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 15 Jan 1966. p. 20. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
32. "Religion Day highlights Baha'i goal". Arcadia Tribune. Arcadia, California. 5 Jan 1967. p. 28. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
33. "Baha'i Faith will observe". Religion Day Southern Illinoisan. Carbondale, Illinois. 10 Jan 1969. p. 5. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
34. "World Religion Day" (PDF). The Photo News. Hamburg, New York. Jan 17, 1973. p. 12. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
35. "World Religion Day to be observed". The Brandon Sun. Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. 19 Jan 1974. p. 5. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
36. "Proclamation for World Religion Day". The Brandon Sun. Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. 18 Jan 1975. p. 18. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
37. "World Religion Day" (PDF). The Hamburg Sun. Hamburg, New York. Jan 13, 1977. p. 5. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
38. "Religion day being observed". The Sunday News and Tribune. Jefferson City, Missouri. 21 Jan 1968. p. 8. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
39. Buck 2011, pp. 937–938
40. One Country. Congo Republic issues stamp for World Religion Day. Volume 18, Issue 4. January–March 2007.
41. Bahá'í Library: Bahá'í Stamps
42. A Sacred Life: Beliefs in Action, World Religion Day, 2014 (television). Ottawa, Canada: CTV News. January 19, 2014.
43. religions (January 16, 2011). World Religion Day 2011 at Ottawa City Hall (video). Ottawa, Canada: Bahá'ís of Ottawa.
44. A Sacred Life: Beliefs in Action, World Religion Day, 2014 (television). Ottawa, Canada: CT Morning Live. January 17, 2014.
45. 2015 World Religion Day in Second Life (video). Second Life, UUTopia: Programa de Paz. Jan 18, 2015.
46. "2014-01-23 LG Minutes". First UU Congregation of Second Life. Jan 23, 2014. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
47. pcnewton (Jan 19, 2014). "World Religion Day 2014 in SL". Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
48. "2014-12-11 LG Minutes". First UU Congregation of Second Life. Dec 11, 2014. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
49. "Baha'i World Religion Day January 20 start golden rule conversations". The Parliament Blog. Council for a Parliament of the Word's Religions. January 17, 2013. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
50. Alex Guyver (January 18, 2015). "World Religion Day 2015". Oxford University Press's Academic Insights for the Thinking World. Oxford University Press. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
51. • "World Religion Day program". The Times. San Mateo, California. 11 Jan 1950. p. 5. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
    • "World Service slated here by Baha'is of area". The Portsmouth Herald. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 11 Jan 1950. p. 5. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
    • "Baha'i symposium at armory Sunday marks World Religion Day" (PDF). Hamburg Sun and Erie County Independent. Hamburg, New York. Jan 18, 1951. p. 3. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
    • "Baha'is observe World Religion Day at meeting" (PDF). Jamestown Post-Journal. Jamestown, New York. Jan 22, 1951. p. 9. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
    • "Area Baha'is note World Religion Day". The Portsmouth Herald. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 23 Jan 1951. p. 2. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
    • "World Religion Day sponsored by Baha'is". The Sun and the Erie County Independent. Hamburg, New York. 17 Jan 1952. p. 2. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
    • "Baha'is schedule religious forum". The Charleston Daily Mail. Charleston, West Virginia. 17 Jan 1952. p. 36. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
    • "World Religion Day sponsored by Baha'is" (PDF). Hamburg Sun and Erie County Independent. Hamburg, New York. Jan 17, 1952. p. 2. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
    • "Religious group plans symposium Sunday night". Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. Fairbanks, Alaska. 14 Jan 1955. p. 5. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
    • "Mrs White hostess at religious meet". Arizona Daily Sun. Flagstaff, Arizona. 15 Jan 1959. p. 5. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
    • "Unitarians, baha'is to join in World Religion Day observance". The San Bernardino County Sun. San Bernardino, California. 17 Jan 1959. p. 8. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
    • "Baha'is to observe World Religion Day". Pasadena Independent. Pasadena, California. 17 Jan 1959. p. 5. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
    • "Baha'is hold series on religions". Tucson Daily Citizen. Tucson, Arizona. 12 Jan 1963. p. 11. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
    • "Sunday - World Religion Day observance" (PDF). The Geneva Times. Geneva, New York. Jan 18, 1968. p. 3. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.
    • "Discuss World's Faiths - Baha'i sponsors religion symposium" (PDF). The Geneva Times. Geneva, New York. Jan 24, 1968. p. 2. Retrieved Feb 14, 2015.

References

• Buck, Christopher (13 September 2011). "World Religion Day (January)". In Beverley, James A.; Jones, Constance A. Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations. 1 (illustrated ed.). ABC-CLIO. pp. 936–939. ISBN 978-1-59884-205-0.