At a recent interfaith forum on countering racism and gender discrimination held in Western Australia, Elder Paul Lekias, an Area Seventy for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said, “Any form of racism and discrimination is missing the key principle of human dignity.”
He quoted the teachings of Jesus Christ, saying, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her,” found in John 8:7.
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Panel seated left to right: Elder Paul Lekias (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), Father Michael Moore (Catholic Church), Hon. Simon Milman, MLA (Member for Mt Lawley), Reverend Jacob Legarda (Anglican Church), Father Abram Abdelmalek (Coptic Orthodox Church), Rabbi Dan Lieberman (Perth Hebrew Congregation) and at the podium: Rabbi Dovid Freilich (Perth Hebrew Congregation)Elder Lekias invited listeners to do more than not cast stones at others, but suggested we become ‘stone catchers’ to protect those suffering discriminations, quoting Bryan Stevenson, an American lawyer and equal justice activist.
A forum panel of five faith leaders — Father Michael Moore (Catholic Church), Reverend Jacob Legarda (Anglican Church), Father Abram Abdelmalek (Coptic Orthodox Church), Rabbi Dan Lieberman, and Elder Paul Lekias — was chaired by Mr Simon Millman, MLA for Mt. Lawry.
Father Moore reminded attendees to “treat each other as brothers and sisters,” and that “our differences do not take away our right to exist and be in harmony with others.”
Reverend Legarda suggested that the forum was an example of the willingness of various groups to work together to resolve issues.
Father Abdelmalek suggested that intolerance and bigotry are subtle forms of discrimination. He said, “Accountability to God will help remind us to value each individual.”
Rabbi Lieberman took inspiration from the Torah and said, “We are all created in the image of God with unique attributes. We must therefore educate people to value themselves and love the stranger. Loving your neighbour as yourself begins with loving yourself first. Don’t judge others unless you have been there yourself,” he implored, reassuring the audience that, “it is not about being Jewish, it’s about being human.”
The forum was hosted by the Jewish Community Council of Western Australia. Rabbi Dovid Freilich introduced the panel members. He emphasised the value of learning from others so individuals can make informed decisions.
One topic of discussion was the need for citizens and faiths to offer suggestions to lawmakers so universal freedom of religion and belief is maintained, while safeguarding the wellbeing of individuals, such as LGBTQ persons.