What it is:
On October 27, 1986, at the invitation of Pope John Paul II, 160 leaders of world religions gathered at Assisi, Italy for a day of interfaith prayer for world peace. Among those faiths represented were Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Animism, Protestantism, Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Native American spiritism, and Buddhism. Among those in attendance were Dr. Robert Runcie of the Church of England, the Dalai Lama [the fourteenth incarnation of the original Dalai Lama], snake worshipers from Togo, and Zoroastrians. According to the Pope, the purpose of the meeting was to make the world aware of the power of prayer, "which, in the diversity of religions, expresses a relationship with a supreme power that surpasses our human capacities alone." It was also to be a day of fasting, because "by abstaining from food we shall become more conscious of the universal need for PENANCE and inner transformation." After praying in separate rooms, the participants gathered together in the Square of Saint Francis and each religion was able to present its own prayer.
A second gathering took place at Assisi on January 24, 2002 in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Concerning the day, the Pope writes, "[In coming to Assisi], we will show that genuine religious belief is an inexhaustible wellspring of mutual respect and harmony among peoples; indeed it is the chief antidote to violence and conflict." At this gathering, "Testimonies for Peace" were read by leaders of the varied religions. Then the representatives were escorted to their rooms to pray. After prayer, they returned together for a fraternal "Agape" meal, followed by additional readings of "Commitments to Peace" by various leaders. The Pope then confirmed and concluded the shared commitment to peace with the words "Violence never again! War never again! Terrorism never again! In God’s name, may all religions bring upon earth justice and peace, forgiveness, life and love."
How it came about:
Through most of her history, the Catholic Church stressed that there was no salvation outside the Catholic Church. For example, the COUNCIL OF TRENT condemned the Protestant "heresy" with over 100 ANATHEMAS. But a major shift in strategy occurred at the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). In its first declaration "Lumen Gentium," the Catholic Church declared that salvation is available to "adherents of all faiths who seek God apart from Christ." While technically still holding that there is no salvation outside the Catholic Church, it is now taught that people of all faiths are mystically part of the body of Christ. The Catechism of the Catholic Church answers the question of who belongs to the Church: "And to it, in different ways, belong or are ordered: the Catholic faithful, others who believe in Christ, and finally all mankind, called by God’s grace to salvation." The Catholic Church includes all non-Christian religions, but especially Muslims: "The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; they profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day." After centuries of elitism, the Catholic Church now sees all religions as mystical subsets of the Universal (Romish) faith.
Why it is wrong:
1) ...because the adherents of these various religions are being deluded by the Pope into a false assurance of salvation;
2) ...because the "God" to whom these religions pray is an idol of their own making, not the true and living God; for example, the Dalai Lama claims to be the son (fourteenth generation) of God (the original Dalai Lama);
3) ...because these prayer meetings promote a "multi-faith" new age religion of inclusivism and human potential, denying the only true religion;
4) ...because true peace only comes through Jesus Christ, not through prayers to Mary, Buddha, et al.
Warnings in Scripture:
"Jesus said to him ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me." Jn. 14:6
"They have made me jealous with what is not God; They have provoked Me to anger with their idols" Deut. 32:21
"You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." James 4:4
"They keep saying to those who despise Me, ‘The LORD has said "you will have peace"’, And as for everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart, They say, ‘Calamity will not come upon you.’" Jer. 23:17
