Volume IV
Issue I

A New View for the New Millennium

Two months into the year 2000 and still no sign of the disasters predicted by the antireligionists. (For those who simply must have doom and gloom to make life palatable, we are told to believe that the "real" catastrophe will occur at the "real" millennium of December 31, 2000!)

Fortunately, the majority of humanity does not think that way. Like the millions who welcomed in this new thousand years with celebrations, optimism and an overwhelmingly positive message of cooperation between people of widely diverse cultures and religious faiths; the majority will go on with their lives, searching for better ways to interact with the diverse human family.

At the new CAN we fully agree w ith that view. In fact, we see "tolerance" as simply the first step. Beyond tolerance there is knowledge, understanding and mutual respect.

This does not negate disagreement. One can certainly disagree - yet still
comprehend and honor another's religious views.

It is these attributes on which a strong future of co-action and care amongst people of widely diverse beliefs can be built - within our
families, in our work places, in our communities and across the world.

Read on to learn about results in that direction and the new CAN's involvement in such.

MEDIA GET A DIFFERENT MESSAGE

In the final weeks of 1999, CAN received calls from media worldwide, ranging from television to newspapers as distant as Arkansas and Oregon not to mention international BBC radio, asking about millennial groups, end of the world predictions and potential death and destruction.
In response, CAN again and again provided contacts to real experts (sociologists, religious studies professors, etc.) who did not predict tragedy, but gave factual information about the growing interfaith movement across the United States and the world.
CAN and the qualified sources have been proved right, and so contributed to the overwhelmingly positive direction of increased interfaith cooperation taking further hold in this new century.

INTERFAITH AT WORK!
The North American Interfaith Network (MAIN) is a non-profit association of interfaith organizations and agencies throughout Canada and the United States whose purpose is to provide those organizations with opportunities for communication and mutual strenthening.
They recently called into CAN, saying that they like CAN's new book, "TOLERANCE 101" so much that they are putting a positive review of it in their upcoming February newsletter.
The news about "TOLERANCE 101" will reach thousands of people for whom this book is the perfect tool to help destroy bigotry and create co-action amongst men of goodwill.

SPREADING RESPECT

On December 6, 1999 representatives of the Jewish and Muslim faiths in Southern California signed the historic "Code of Ethics in Jewish-Mulsim Dialogue."
This excellent working model for cooperation between any faith groups is available from us or via the Internet at www.forf.org.
Key points include:
"...We share many values and have common commitments, among them reverence for the dignity and honor of every human being ....While we may disagree on some important issues, even passionately, we believe that dialogue over our disagreements should always be conducted with civility and respect."
These are the key points of agreed upon actions:
"1) Meet regularly to discuss issues of mutual concern and to develop ongoing agenda for dialogue
2) Should a matter of importance to either faith group become public, call for an immediate meeting of dialogue partners for consideration and determination of action
3) Verify rumor and/or reports with each other before making public pronouncements
4) Focus on issues and repudiate, immediately and publicly, any individual or group or institution which appeals to prejudice, hate and violence.
5) Avoid stereotyping and sweeping generalities, such as defining a whole group by the behavior of some.

6) Avoid words of incitement. Criticisms and challenge should be addressed to the substance of the issue, and should stand on its own merit."
The new CAN plans to get this more widely known and used amongst interfaith activists. Already, copies of this document have been presented to religious scholars by CAN representatives attending an International conference in Washington, DC. and from there the document has been submitted to religious freedom advocates at a conference in Spain.
Watch this newsletter for more reports on popularizing this wellcrafted agreement!

CAN ON LINE

In addition to CAN's ongoing actions to publish TOLERANCE 101 hardcopy and get it out into libraries and bookstores, the book is available right now, softcopy online via the Internet.
By going to "www.fatbrain.com" and typing in "Tolerance 101" anyone can download a text only version of our book onto their own computer for a nominal donation.
The direct URL (Universal Resource Locator - the "address" on the internet) is:

www.fatbrain.com.tolerancel0l.2348.
People from any location on planet earth (with a computer to hand) can read the book and use the information to increase religious cooperation worldwide!
Please spread the word and contribute to the motion of changing the dynamics of hate to tolerance!

HOT OFF THE HOTLINE!

A worried mom contacted CAN, desperate for help and intending to physically restrain her adult daughter.
The reason? Mom had learned her daughter was part of a small religious group which predicted the end of the world. The daughter had quit her job, certain that there was going to be no tomorrow, why work?
Instead of doing anything coercive, CAN helped Mom get the daughter to agree to spend the evening before the "end of the world" with Mom and not do anything herself to help the end along.
The result? The world did not end, a new day dawned, daughter agreed to go on with life - and with Mom's help has a new and better job.
TOLERANCE 101 NEEDED NOW
YES! It is true - the propoganda machine of the old CAN is gone, and their lies are not being constantly repeated in the media
However, it is also true that the falsehoods of the old CAN are still scattered in a few "cult scare" type books on library shelves, or in bookstores.
Your donation is vital to get CAN's new book, TOLERANCE 101, out there in bulk, as an authoritative reference replacing the anti-religious message of the old publications.
Please update your annual membership, becoming a Lifetime member, or make a special donation toward the printing/distribution of TOLERANCE 101.

Help us replace the hate!
$100 annual membership
$ 500 Lifetime membership
DONATE TODAY!