"The Fraternal Relations Committee shall foster and develop fraternal relations, understanding, and good will with organizations devoted to the practice or study of religion, to the end that the purposes of URANTIA BROTHERHOOD may be advanced." This is the definition of purpose for the committee contained in the constitution of URANTIA Brotherhood. Its rather open mandate enables us to engage in a variety of activities.

All of our work, however, must rest on some basic assumptions, using The URANTIA Book as a guide. One such assumption might be that human society has a destiny of ultimate integration -- that the diverse origins of human identity which often cause us to oppose each other, particularly in groups, will some day become the pieces in an integrated human mosaic of exquisite beauty.

Religious organizations have a long history of mutual antagonisms. Even today the conversion of members from one religious group to another is seen as a loss, not only to that organization, but somehow to God.

Therefore the work of the Fraternal Relations Committee is more complex than simply representing URANTIA Brotherhood, or even The URANTIA Book, to other groups. If mutual understanding and good will are to be advanced, then the representation must go both ways. Students of The URANTIA Book need to understand and appreciate the complex world of faith in which we exist, and with which we must interact.

Consequently our committee is presently focusing its efforts in the following areas:

We invite speakers from religious and academic organizations to address students of The URANTIA Book for the purpose of informing readers about the current state of religion on the planet, and also to introduce those guests to URANTIA Brotherhood and to the book.

* We help prepare readers for the role of addressing religious and academic organizations when invited to speak about the book.

* We prepare articles to inform readers about present-day religions.

* We network with representatives of religious and academic organizations to develop a recognition of The URANTIA Book and, perhaps ultimately, a relationship with URANTIA Brotherhood.

* We provide opportunities for the clergy of various religious denominations to develop ways of utilizing the teachings of the book in their ministry.

We plan to continue these efforts, primarily through the URANTIA Brotherhood BULLETIN, through seminars and conferences, through our newly-established gift book program, and through personal contact with individuals who are active in religious and academic organizations.

THE COMMITTEE

Dick Bain
Scott Forsythe
Steve Law
Michael Painter
Philip Rolnick

Peter Laurence, Chair

ADJUNCTS

Marvin Gawryn
Gard Jameson
David Robertson
Wesley Smith
Jeff Wattles