Prologue

The more the members of the globalised world approach each other through lively capital and technology transfer, expanding world trade, increasing world tourism, the Internet and through an unparalleled flow of information, the more fear of the loss of cultural identity is spreading among people. Some fear westernisation, others fear easternisation. Fear and phobias of such kind form the breeding ground for conflicts which then are escalated and intensified by the wealth of the few and the pov- erty of the many as well as by prosperity in the north and deficit in the south.

The 11th September brought the peak of the iceberg to light; a devastat- ing oriflamme for the showdown of smouldering religious conflicts which might raise the world to the ground through new crusades and a clash of cultures.

In retrospect, the Declaration of Human Rights (1948) was a reaction to the barbarianism of the World War and the totalitarian regimes of injus- tice.

A UN declaration about religions provides from the beginning the peace- ful regulation of cultural and religious conflicts in the ominous shadow in which today’s world lives. Hence the world community of countries and peoples, represented by the UN, defines general and binding frame con- ditions for a peaceful regulation of religious problems and conflicts. Thus a new era in the spiritual development of humanity is simultaneously ini- tiated. All members agree to these documents with their signature and ensure in their respective countries that the spirit of this declaration be- comes their people’s cultural habitus through laws, training and public activities.