The Globe is a Village - The Village is the Globe!

Tom, I don't know whether the "world is flat!" But there is no argument that we live in an interfaith world. In the late 80s, before our family moved down to Georgia from Illinois, I had the privilege of meeting with some folks who would eventually become the local steering committee for the 100 year anniversary of the Parliament of World Religions. This watershed event was first held in conjunction with the Chicago Columbian Exposition in 1893. While it was primarily a Christian event, religious leaders from most of the world's great faith traditions were invited to participate and lots of money and complex logistics brought these folks from all corners of the world. In anticipation of similar participation in the centennial event, the question was asked whether we would have to go around the globe again in order insure diversity. In fact, it became quickly clear that, we would only have to go down the block! In the late 70s, the watchword was "the globe is a village" highlighting emerging economic and political interdependence. Moving into the 21st Century, perhaps our watchword should be, "the village is the globe." Pictured above is the soon to be opened Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, a Hindu temple, located in suburban Lilburn, Georgia. I pass the site on my way to the local swim center, a trip I often make. The temple shares an intersection with a Publix supermarket and a Walgreens pharmacy. 900 regular members anticipate being joined on festival days by 6,000 worshipers who flock here from the larger Atlanta metropolitan region.

Photo Note: Atlanta Journal Constitution - July 5, 2007