Elder Bedner to G20: Lack of respect for faith leads to ‘crisis of legitimacy’

Policymakers who did not account for the important role of faith in people’s lives contributed to the “crisis of legitimacy” in response to COVID-19, said Elder David A. During the G-20 Interfaith Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Bedner said on Wednesday.

Elder Bedner is the third member of the quorum of twelve presses of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to speak at the annual 20th Summit in many years.

“My call is for respect, accommodation and cooperation – creative solutions that reduce the risk of COVID-19 while not cutting people off from an essential part of their lives,” said Elder Bedner, who participated in a virtual panel discussion from afar. Studio in the Church Office Fee Building in Salt Lake City.

“In many cases, the lack of such respect casts doubt on the government and undermines its legitimate efforts to contain the epidemic.”

For the second time in four months, Elder Bedner said some government officials failed to understand during the epidemic, as he said on Wednesday, “how and why religion is fundamental to the lives of billions of people.”

He told the G20 plenary session on COVID-19 that he appreciated the sincere efforts of government officials to protect people from the authorities, adding that “religious activities should be carefully limited when it is really necessary to keep people safe.

“No one has the right to spread a dangerous virus,” he said.

“But that’s not the end of the matter,” he added. “How secular officials understand religion and religious people has a profound effect on how they treat religious institutions and believers in times of crisis. Understanding can be a response to deeper and more respectful understanding, more legitimate and effective public policy. “

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Wednesday’s event is the seventh international forum for the political and banking leaders of 19 countries and the European Union ahead of the annual 20th Summit. The goal is to help religious communities and experts shape the G20’s global policy agendas.

“We believe that excellent answers cannot be found without listening to religious voices, and sensitive experts are always put in place to help translate religious understanding into practical policy initiatives,” said Cole Durham, president of the G20 Interfaith Forum Association. Welcome letter to this week’s stage

The theme of the Interfaith Forum is “Realizing 21st Century Opportunities for All.”

Elder Bedner said religion is the definition of billions of people who rely on faith for strength, comfort and hope. It also transmits moral and social truth.

“Our faith is just as important as our pride as human beings,” he said. “It’s necessary.”

Responsible religious communities have not sought to disregard public policy to ignore the dangers of COVID-19 or to reduce its spread, but religious freedom cannot be revoked under international law, even in a crisis: The believer’s soul, “said Elder Bedner.

The ban on blankets at religious gatherings risks strong ties with family, religious beliefs and faith communities associated with better mental, emotional and physical health, he said, adding that experts report increased frustration, physical and emotional abuse and suicide during social lockouts. Is. Isolation.

He said governments and policy experts could win allies in the general struggle against health or other serious threats by acknowledging the essential place of religion in people’s lives.

G20

“Misinformation about the health crisis is a major obstacle. Confidence communities can dispel rumors, calm fears, and facilitate accurate information, ”said Elder Bedrer. “Many will be afraid of vaccines. Religious leaders can be helpful in the fight against coronavirus. ”

The keynote speaker was Iraq’s Minister of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities. Other panelists include the president of the World Union for Progressive Judaism and the assistant general director of the World Health Organization’s antimicrobial resistance.

The rest of the panel was made up of senior officials from the Vatican and the United Nations and senior Saudi health official and founder and national director of the Gusdurian Network Indonesia, Alyssa Wahid, who promotes international dialogue, democracy and human rights. .

After the panelists spoke, they discussed ways in which religion and governments could work better together during the epidemic.

Elder Bedner suggested that governments and officials would benefit from an appreciation of perfection in the healing of humanity.

“Religion has a key role to play in that comprehensive perfection of healing,” he said.

Elder Bedner’s two teammates have spoken at the last two international forums in the Barclays.

A.P.

Elder de Todd Christoph Ferson spoke at the G20 Interfaith Forum in 2018 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He said everyone is interested in protecting religious freedom because it is fundamental to social well-being, which returned to the General Conference of International Letter-Day Saints earlier this month. He told the G20 that religious freedom protects both other fundamental rights and promotes civic virtues and nurtures strong families.

Elder Garrett W. Gong spoke at the G20 Interfaith Forum in Chiba, Japan last year. He said religious communities offer unique connections between international and local organizations and contribute to peace.

Tomohiro Ohsumi

He referred to empirical evidence dispelling the notion that religion inherently leads to violence, saying that religion instead provides inspiration, discipline, transcendence, faith, hope and goodwill.