Taipei, July 27 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian called for the establishment of a pluralistic society characterized by mutual respect, concern and positive interaction.
President Chen made the appeal while meeting with the visiting choir of Cambridge University's King's College.
The president first extended a warm welcome to the British choir, which will perform in Taiwan to help promote a world religion museum construction project initiated by Taiwan's Buddhist Master Hsin Tao, who was also present at the meeting.
President Chen said he admires Hsin Tao's efforts to promote the establishment of the world religion museum in Taipei County.
"I believe that love and peace should be the basis for the construction of a museum featuring all faiths prevailing in the world," President Chen said, adding that he is convinced the ultimate convictions behind the project are "respecting every faith, tolerating every ethnic group and loving every living being."
"Even though lifestyles and communication methods have changed along with advancements in science and technology, we still need to treasure basic human nature. We need to establish a pluralistic society in which all people are mutually concerned, respect one another, and interact constructively," President Chen noted.
Noting that the King's College choir is a preeminent representative of the great British church music tradition, Chen said the choir's Taiwan visit, its first, is of great significance.
After listening to an impromptu performance during the meeting, President Chen said he was moved by the grace and inspiration of the Christian hymns in praise of God.
President Chen stressed that both music and religion transcend national boundaries because they feature spiritual concerns. "When we listen to music and hymns, we should forsake suspicion, misgivings and animosity. We should listen to the 'voice of our own mind' and to the 'voices of others.' Only by so doing can our hearts and minds be filled with modesty and compassion," he added.
The president also wished the choir great success for its performance tour of Taiwan.