In 1986, the Pope hosted a meeting of world religions in Assisi. The meeting was televised worldwide, and leaders of Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican, Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, and Hindu religions were present, along with leaders of most other minor religious organizations. Each denomination paid its respects to the Pope.
At this meeting, and at subsequent meetings, the Pope was the spokesman and central figure. During his US tour in 1987, the Pope met with Protestant and Eastern Orthodox leaders and asked them to, "work toward a time when all Christians confess one faith." In Los Angeles he met representatives of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism. A similar meeting occurred in 1999:
As reported in the Associated Press, with the Tibetan god-man, the Dalai Lama, sitting by his right side, this October [1999] in Rome the Pope presided at a special council of some 2000 religious leaders of various faiths, sects, and cults...the Pontiff told the assembled Buddhist monks, Zoroastrian priests, Catholic cardinals, Hindu gurus, American Indian shamen (sic), Jewish rabbis, and ecumenical clergy that all must join in condemning the Christian fundamentalists who ‘abuse speech’ and whose efforts at converting others ‘incite hatred and violence.’i
The Pope was confirmed as the world's spiritual leader:
All present were in accord on two key points: (1) Pope John Paul II was endorsed by consensus as the planet’s chief spiritual guide and overseer; and (2) Religious fundamentalists who refuse to go along with the global ecumenical movement are to be silenced. They must be denounced as "dangerous extremists" full of hate (emphasis added).ii
The Parliament of World Religions also propagates the theme that all religions serve the same God. It is noteworthy that the United Nations is the forum of many of these high level discussions and that the Pope has used this forum as the representative of all the religions of the world.
Read about Catholic relations with the Jewish and Muslim communities.
i. Billy Graham and his friends (Sharing, 2001): 420.
ii. "True Bible-Believers Denounced at Papal Conference," Power of Prophecy Volume 2000-03 (March 2000): 3.
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This article is adapted from Truth Matters by Professor Walter J. Veith, an international speaker who has studied Biblical issues in-depth in his quest for truth. His popular series Genesis Conflict brings the debate between Creation and evolution to a new climax as he dissects the arguments with a scientific eye. His highly-acclaimed series Total Onslaught sheds light on the state of the world today as we move to a one-world government and an anticipated apocalypse.
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Geocentricity: It's Time to Face the Facts
The Rise of Evolutionary Thinking
Earth's History: Conflicting Paradigms
Lamarck Proposes Natural Selection
Age Of The Earth Is Carbon-Dating Accurate?
Flood Chronology
Read several authors' thoughts on papal Rome's history.
This article highlights quotes from historical and Catholic sources proving the Papacy's aggressive nature.
Persecution in the First Centuries
An Era of Spiritual Darkness The Waldenses
John Wycliffe Huss and Jerome
Luther's Separation From Rome
Luther Before the Diet The Swiss Reformer
Progress of Reform in Germany
Protest of the Princes The French Reformation
The Netherlands and Scandinavia
Later English Reformers
The Bible and the French Revolution
The Pilgrim Fathers Heralds of the Morning
An American Reformer Light Through Darkness
A Great Religious Awakening A Warning Rejected
Prophecies Fulfilled What is the Sanctuary?
In the Holy of Holies God's Law Immutable
A Work of Reform Modern Revivals
Facing Life's Record The Origin of Evil
Enmity Between Man and Satan
Agency of Evil Spirits Snares of Satan
The First Great Deception
Can Our Dead Speak to Us?
Liberty of Conscience Threatened
The Impending Conflict
The Scriptures a Safeguard The Final Warning
The Time of Trouble God's People Delivered
Desolation of the Earth The Controversy Ended
Is Revelation a Sealed Book?
Revelation 1 Commentary
Revelation 1: Jesus, The Heart of Revelation
Revelation 2 Commentary
Revelation 2-3: Letters to Seven Churches
Revelation 3 Commentary
The Lamb and the Sealed Book
Revelation 4 Commentary
Revelation 5 Commentary
Revelation 6 Commentary
Revelation 7 Commentary
Revelation 8 Commentary
Revelation 9 Commentary
Revelation 10 Commentary
Revelation 11 Commentary
Revelation 12 Commentary
Revelation 13 Commentary
Revelation 14 Commentary
Revelation 15 Commentary
Revelation 16 Commentary
Revelation 17 Commentary
Revelation 18 Commentary
Revelation 19 Commentary
Revelation 20 Commentary
Revelation 21 Commentary
Revelation 22 Commentary
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