IRLA Mongolia

Dr. John Graz, Secretary General, International Religious Liberty Association, in his opening remarks congratulated Mongolia on its stance of religious liberty. He reminded the group that last year when the symposium finished the plan was for this year to have an International Congress in Mongolia. This is still the hope in the near future.

Dr. John Graz said, “Where there is no freedom of expression, legislation against defamation of religion will be use by the government or by the religious majority to discriminate against minorities and to suppress what could be useful and healthful critiques.” This remark summarized the presentation he made to open the symposium.

The speakers for this year’s symposium came from the United States, Russia and Mongolia. In addition to the leaders of the IRLA, John Graz and Eugene Hsu, Vice President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, other presenters were A. Jambal, Scientist, Institute of Philosophy, Sociology and Law, the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Nicolai Shaburov, Director, Centre for Religious Studies, Russian State Humanitarian University, B. Iderbayar, Professor, University of Religion, D. Baasan Scholar of Philosphy, Religion History and Astrology, David M. Berrett, Senior Fellow, International Centre for Law and Religion Studies, Brigham Young University.

“State and Religion should co-exist in a harmonious way”, according to D. Baasan, in his presentation. Professor Baasan’s topic harked back to the Mongolian history by emphasizing that Government should implement the Peace Policies of Chingis Khan.

In his closing remarks, John Graz said, “The very fact that we are able to have a symposium on Religious Freedom is a very positive fact. Other places in the world would have to change the name of the meeting to Friendship or something like that.” He also encouraged the group to form a local chapter of the IRLA as a registered, authorized organization.