SEEKING UNDERSTANDING PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT FAITHS TO DISCUSS RIGHT, WRONG.

Byline: Holly Andres Staff Writer

STUDIO CITY - Clergy and lay religious leaders this month will kick the door open on what is billed as the ``root of most serious conflicts in human society,'' examining the issue of ``Do you have to be wrong for me to be right?''

The San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council, promoting religious and ethnic harmony for almost 40 years, is sponsoring the latest in a series of panel discussions that seeks understanding among the faiths in the San Fernando Valley.

``It's a unique topic: Do we need to have an enemy? Does it have to be 'our way or else you're in eternal damnation' and how do we deal with that?'' said the Rev. Wayne Christiansen of Faith Lutheran Church in Canoga Park, who will moderate the discussion.

Participants at the July 20 discussion will also include: Scott Fitz-Randolph, a Christian Scientist; Harish Amar, a Hindu; Joe Morgan, a Presbyterian; Mohammad Chaudhry, a Muslim, and Rabbi Jerry Brown from Temple Ahavat Shalom in Northridge.

Through the discussions, the Valley Interfaith Council hopes to ``level the playing field'' and offset the extremist religious positions that often appear in the media, Christiansen said.

``Everybody thinks they're right,'' said Fitz-Randolph, a member of the 36th Church of Christ, Scientist, in Studio City, where the discussion will be held.

``You wouldn't be a dedicated believer if you didn't think what you believe in is right,'' he said. ``What I think the question means is that people have a tendency to demonize others who don't think the same way.''

Fitz-Randolph, an executive vice president of Winner and Associates in Encino, said he believes it's the obligation of all to overcome strife in the world.

``The whole idea of religious war is an offense to God. Somehow we need to get free of that,'' Fitz-Randolph said. ``Most people who worship God do not accept that it has to be this way. We're looking for strength, wisdom and the means to overcome the tendency of looking at others with the 'us versus them' belief, which is rampant.''

The obligation to reform or convert other people is also a topic that the panelists will have an opportunity to address.

``Hindus never seek to convert others,'' said Harish Amar, a professor at California State University, Los Angeles. ``The Hindu religion teaches understanding. There are many paths to achieve salvation and to be with God.''

Sitting in classrooms with Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs and Christians in his native India, Amar grew to realize that people need to understand the logic of different religions before they dismiss or scoff at their teachings.

``Hinduism teaches that all religions are equal. There is a lot of hatred and a lot of violence around the world,'' Amar said. ``Religion is supposed to be about love and respect. We need to be human before saying you belong to this or that church or group.''

``Do You Need to Be Wrong for Me to Be Right?'' panel discussion will be held at 3 p.m. July 20 at the 36th Church of Christ, Scientist, 4032 Whitsett Ave., Studio City. For information, call the San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council, [phone], Ext. 3001.

Holly Andres, [phone]

holly.andres(at)dailynews.com

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The Rev. Wayne Christiansen, center, will moderate a panel discussion on ``Do you have to be wrong for me to be right?'' Panelists will include Harish Amar, left, and Scott Fitz-Randolph.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News