Speaking out against religious intolerance, and the support of freedom of thought and religious expression, is behind the Presbyterian Church’s endorsement of the National Statement on Religious Diversity for Aotearoa New Zealand.
New Presbyterian Church Moderator, the Right Rev Dr Graham Redding says everyone has the right to be treated with respect whatever their belief, “Through the teaching in school of different religious and spiritually traditions, ignorance and bigotry can be dispelled from future generations”.
The national statement, which aims to stop all forms of religious intolerance, has already been endorsed by 14 New Zealand religious groupings.
“It is important that our Church contributes to building a civil society; freedom of thought and religious expression is essential to such a society,” Right Rev Dr Graham Redding said.
/ENDS
Notes to reporter:
The Presbyterian Church biennial General Assembly is currently being held at St Patrick’s College, Silverstream, Upper Hutt, Wellington, until 6 October 2008.
The Presbyterian Church is the third largest denomination in Aotearoa New Zealand, with more than 400,000 people identifying as Presbyterian in the 2001 Census, and 30,000 regular church attenders.
If you would like to arrange an interview with the Right Rev Dr Graham Redding contact:
Angela Singer
senior communications advisor
Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
027 455 0098
angela(at)presbyterian.org.nz