Message from the Governor General, Major General Michael Jeffery
I commend Rabbi Dr Shimon Cowen for his research into the universal features of the world religions and his commitment to promoting discussion on the Seven Noahide Laws. These laws, or ethical principles, apply to all contemporary issues and therefore play an important role in our day-to-day lives.
In our modern society where fame and wealth often seem to be the primary measures of success and where family breakdowns and drug and alcohol abuse sadly are on the increase, I believe it is important to concentrate on the values and ideas that unite rather than divide us, and to nurture our ethos of tolerance, decency and mutual respect.
Our natural orientation is to do good, not evil, and this spirit is within us all. It is perhaps the fundamental characteristic of humanity. However, this spirit needs nurturing from childhood, and this is why parents, chaplains and mentors must play a vital role.
Ignorance of other religions can lead to intolerance, narrow-mindedness and, in the extreme, inhumane acts of terrorism. It can therefore be instructive to recognise the importance, indeed the essentiality, of an interfaith dialogue - understanding our commonalities and respecting the different views and approaches of others.
I therefore encourage everyone to reflect and discuss these principles and values with respect to how we live our lives, and to more fully understand the contribution of religion to the fundamental values of our society.
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