MONA to host the Australian Fair for Freedom of Belief and Religion

MONA is hosting the inaugural Australian Fair for Freedom of Belief and Religion from July 26 to 27, 2014.

The AFFBR seeks to bring together a wide range of groups, communities and organisations from around Australia to present a broad spectrum of beliefs and religious views as represented in our contemporary society. The AFFBR will run for two days and will include a trade fair, forums and workshops offering visitors the change to experience and to learn about many diverse viewpoints.

“I am sure people will be wondering why MONA is doing this, given David Walsh’s clear statements of non-belief in any gods,” says Jarrod Rawlins, MONA curator.

“We have the freedom to offer a forum where everyone can engage with and learn about the beliefs and religious views that are part of many people’s lives. We hope the fair is a place of freedom, tolerance and understanding,” Rawlins added.

Rawlins confirmed that expressions of interest have been sent to many groups inviting them to take part and that there has been a great response. He said that MONA is not charging any fee to registered participants to take part in the fair, which will include lectures and workshops from Scientologists, Atheists, Buddhists, Pagans, Kabbalists, Ecorevolutionaries, laughing yogis, Goddess Associates, academics from the University of Tasmania, and more.

What: Australian Fair for Freedom of Belief and Religion
Where: MONA – Museum of Old and New Art, 655 Main Rd, Berriedale, Hobart, Tasmania
When: July 26 and 27, 2014; 10am to 5pm
Entry: Included in museum entry; $20 / $15 concession / free for Tasmanians and under-18’s. www.affbr.org
LECTURES
CINEMONA, B3, MONA

SATURDAY JULY 26
10.30am–11am: Bahai Centre Information Session
11.30am–12.15pm: Ron Cruikshank – Pathways of Love
1.00pm–1.30pm: An Introduction to Kabbalah
3.00pm–3.40pm: Associate Professor Douglas Ezzy, UTAS – ‘Sex, Death & Religion’
4.00pm–4.40pm: Church of Scientology – ‘What is Scientology? – Beliefs and Practises’

SUNDAY JULY 27
10.30am–11am: First Church of Christ, Scientist – On Prayer and Healing
11.30am–12pm: Love Hobart – ‘Freedom of Religion in Australia’
12.30pm–1.15pm: Dr Graeme Miles, UTAS – ‘Greek Myth and Ritual’
2.30pm–3pm: Share International – ‘UFO’s & Angels – A New Age of Dawns’
3.30pm–4.10pm: Atheist Foundation – ‘Religion: Fact or Fiction’
4.20pm–5pm: Holy Tantra Esoteric Buddhism Inc – ‘Human and human, universe and human are all a non-connected unity’ Address by Master Wang

WORKSHOPS
C’MONA, B3, MONA

SATURDAY JULY 26
10.30am–11am: Brahma Kumaris Workshop – ‘Worry Free’ Workshop room 1
11.30am–12pm: Laughing Yoga with Jacob Miller Workshop room 2
11.30am–12.10pm: Ecoevolutionaries ‘Experiential Wildmindfulness Meditation’ Outdoor workshop
12.30pm–1.10pm: Hobart Spiritualist Church – ‘Connections with a Mysterious Force’ Workshop room 2
2.30pm–3pm: Tashi Choling Shamatha Meditation with Charles Chadwick Workshop room 1
2.30pm–3.10pm: Hobart Religious Society of Friends – Meeting for Worship Workshop room 2
4pm–4.40pm: Harp Meditation with Mandy Cruikshank C’MONA Library

SUNDAY JULY 27
10.30am–11.10am: Lotus Centre – Open Heart Meditation Workshop room 1
11.30am–12.10pm: Tasmanian Pagan Alliance ‘Casting a Circle Workshop’ Outdoor workshop
12pm–12.40pm: The Goddess Association in Australia present ‘The Ancient Mother of Life’ workshop room 2
1pm–1.40pm: Eckankar Workshop – ‘Past Lives, Dreams & Soul Travel’ Workshop room 1
2pm–2.30pm: Adi Dam Meditation – ‘We are Consciousness Itself’ Workshop room 2
3.30pm–4pm: Sukyo Mahikari Light Purification Workshop room 1
4.15pm–5pm: Harp Meditation with Mandy Cruikshank C’MONA Library

Download Program:
AFFBR_program_.pdf
Rebecca Fitzgibbon, MONA Events Media Manager