International Religious Liberty Congress in Taiwan

Since 9/11, people in the world have become very concerned about national security. At the same time, people are worried about their freedom.  

For two days, August 30 to 31, the International Religious Liberty Association held a congress at the Holiday Inn Hotel, in Taipei, Taiwan with the theme of "'Religious Freedom, Human Rights, and Security."  

There were more than 200 delegates from Government, NGOs, different religious groups including Christians, Buddhist, Muslim, and Taoist. 12 experts on religious freedom delivered speeches during the congress.

At the opening session, Taipei City mayor, Dr. Ying-jeou Ma spoke of the vital importance of religion and freedom of conscience.

The highest Catholic leader in Taiwan, Cardinal Paul Shan’s presentation, "The model of peacemakers," declared that people should tell tyrants to respect religious freedom. He urged people of all faiths to work together for religious freedom and peace as a top priority. 

The IRLA secretary-general, Dr. John Graz said, "Religious Freedom, Human Rights, and Security are focused on the importance of maintaining such fundamental freedoms as a major contribution to global security." 

Dr. Jairyong Lee, the IRLA president for the Northern Asia-Pacific Region, said "Religious liberty is important because man's dignity is based on freedom of conscience,"  

The IRLA vice president, Eugene Hsu who is originally from Taiwan, said "There is so much discrimination going on in many places, and after 9/11, even those countries where religious freedoms were well-established, governments now restrict freedoms previously enjoyed. So people need to work together to promote and defend religious liberty."

This Taiwan IRLA congress brought to the attention of different religious groups and leaders the religious freedom issue. Also, the atmosphere itself was peaceful and gave an opportunity for inter-religious dialogues.  

The Congress was meaningful to the attendee’s because national security is one of the top issues in, Mainland China, Hong-Kong, Taiwan, North and South Korea, and Japan. This first IRLA congress in Taiwan sensitized those attending to the issues of religious freedom.  

The Taipei congress was sponsored by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Adventists in Taiwan expect the congress will open doors for the Adventist Church.