Strive for more compassion
On Nov. 12, nearly 100 of our neighbors gathered at the Chapel at St. John’s Home for the world-wide release of a “Charter for Compassion.”
This document was inspired by religious historian Karen Armstrong, author of A History of God. Armstrong received a TED award (Technology, Entertainment, Design) in February 2008.
TED always grants its awardees a wish. Armstrong’s wish was that TED help her with the formulation and international introduction of a Charter for Compassion based on the universal acceptance of the Golden Rule.
TED assisted a committee from the three Abrahamic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, to gather the thoughts of thousands around the world to write the charter. Armstrong teaches that the core of all the great religions is compassion.
She says, “Compassion is not the feeling of goodwill or pity. Instead it is the principled determination to put ourselves into the place of the other (that) lies at the heart of all truly religious and ethical systems.”
In response to what Armstrong calls a “militant, aggressive religiosity” which is found in all religions, Armstrong says, “I want people to hear the compassionate voice of religion. I want to … bring compassion to the forefront of people’s attention.”
The Rochester launch was sponsored by the Greater Rochester Community of Churches, the Coalition for the Beloved Community, the Center for Interfaith Studies and Dialogue and many multi-faith groups. The Rochester tradition of friendship among Muslims, Jews, Christians and others was represented in testimonies. We concluded the evening by signing the charter.
The single-page charter acknowledges “that we have failed to live compassionately.” It resolves to treat “everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect,” and “to cultivate an informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings — even those regarded as enemies.”
Compassion “is the path to enlightenment, and indispensable to the creation of a just economy and a peaceful global community.”
“The Golden Rule is hard,” Armstrong says. But, the violence that dominates our news cannot build a good world. Compassion is the irreplaceable ingredient for a healthy society.
You may sign the charter with more than 16,000 others, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama, at www.charterforcompassion.org.
You may live out the charter in your own neighborhood and home, in your public advocacy and personal interactions. As you drive, as you speak, as you think.
Myers past president of Greater Rochester Community of Churches.
