At the conclusion of their talks, they endorsed a programme to bring their beliefs to bear in the debate over globalisation. Their statement of principle acknowledges that there are opportunities and perils accompanying globalisation. It also emphasises that because faiths are rooted in individual conscience and the lives of local communities, religious leaders have a role to play in bringing about a more humane society. This would, the statement says, be one step toward overcoming the division and hostility that globalisation has generated. Finally, the religious leaders urge that their input be broadened to provide greater ethical guidance on troublesome questions confronting today s political, business and social leaders.
Faith is an abstract idea that can help or be abused.
All depends on man s understanding and man s willingness to submit to something that controls his behaviour. I think faith groups have always been motivated by the desire to share and to be of service to others. I have no doubt that many people taking technology through the world to less developed areas are driven by religious considerations. I give you one small example within Judaism. We have an organisation called ORT, which takes technological education to many countries throughout the world to non-Jewish communities as part of our service to humanity.