Explanation
Title
To recognize the Interfaith Association of Central Ohio (IACO), in promoting interfaith understanding and cooperation among different faith traditions.
Body
WHEREAS, the City Council of Columbus, Ohio and its surrounding areas are nationally recognized as places welcoming diversity and moral integrity in its operation; and
WHEREAS, eight major faith traditions - Bahá'í, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islamic, Jain, Jewish, and Sikh - work together in IACO, to create awareness, understanding, and tolerance of the diversity of religious expression and beliefs; and
WHEREAS, the IACO has discovered that interfaith understanding allows people to go beyond merely tolerating each other's beliefs to one of respecting and appreciating the differences of religious expression; and
WHEREAS, interfaith understanding creates the awareness of the great similarities and a strong sense of common purpose between all faiths, in that all faiths believe in the Golden Rule concept; and
WHEREAS, the Association's Main Event luncheon will be held on October 26, 2008 at The King Arts Complex Ballroom with Dr. Susan Huntington, Distinguished University Professor, The Ohio State University. Dr. Huntington is an expert on South Asian art and culture as well as Buddhist art and teaches History of Art. Dr. Huntington will be speaking on the topic of "Religion in Art; Art in Religion: Understanding Religion through Art"; now, therefore;
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby declare Sunday, October 26, 2008, as Interfaith Understanding Day in the City of Columbus.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be presented to the Interfaith Association of Central Ohio (IACO).