8/11/2019 Charter for Compassion Spirituality

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Charter for Compassionbring compassion to life

Compassion is no longer an optionit isthe key to our survival. If our religious andethical traditions fail to address thesechallenges, they will fail the test of ourtime.

~Karen Armstrong, Compassion: AnUrgent Global Imperative

The Test of Our Time

Religions and spiritual traditions haveprovided humankind with a variety ofpaths to personal enlightenment,various teachings for developing arelationship with an entity or entitiesoutside ourselves in a universe full ofmystery, and to a number ofscriptures that not only tell the storyof these paths and teachings but alsoguide us in how to live in communitywith other human beings and theworld we inhabit. The seed for the

Charter for Compassion is this latterpointthe idea that all worldreligions share a common threadabout how to relate to other humanbeingsour mothers and fathers, ourfamilies, our communities, as well asthe strangers beyond our boundaries.

Charter founder Karen Armstrong,who has studied and written widelyabout world religions and religioustraditions, urges a more globalperspective by all those involved inparticular religions, faith traditions,and interfaith efforts. That globalperspective is the realization that allhuman beingsnot just those withwhom we share a community urgently need our compassion, andthe conviction that we must act toprovide such compassion whereverthere is suffering.

The Charters Call toCompassion Action

Recognizing that the principle ofcompassion lies at the heart of allreligions, ethical and spiritualtraditions, calling us always to treat allothers as we wish to be treatedourselves, the many world luminariesfrom a variety of faith traditions whocontributed to writing the Chartermade a specic call to all men andwomen:

To restore compassion to thecenter of morality and religion

To return to the ancient principlethat any interpretation of scripturethat breeds violence, hatred ordisdain is illegitimate

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To ensure that youth are givenaccurate and respectful informationabout other traditions,religions and cultures

To encourage a positive appreciationof cultural and religiou s diversity

To cultivate an informed empathywith the suffering of all human beings even those regardedas enemies

The Charter A Documentand a Global Movement

Since Karen Armstrong received theTED prize in 2008 and worked withother inuential scholars and leadersto develop the Charter, the document

has become central to a globalmovement and an organization, TheCharter for Compassion International.As of June, 2014, the Charter connectsa worldwide community of people inover 235 cities (towns, hamlets,townships, countries) that havedeclared their intent to operate in alltheir affairs with compassion. TheCharter has also developed a networkof networks connecting people in avariety of sectors (Education,

Environment, Healthcare, Business,Peace, Religion/Spirituality andInterfaith, Science Research, Social

Justice, and the Arts) through regularphone conferences, newsletters, and arich website of compassionate stories,bibliographies, and resources forestablishing compassion as a motivatingforce in whatever we are doing in theworld.

Become a Partner of TheCharter

Although the Charter for Compassionis in part supported by those who havecommitted themselves as Members,there is no fee for an organization tobecome a partner, and we encourageyou to join us by signing the Charterand then by declaring yourself aPartner organization.

The Charter provides regular, openconference calls for each of its sectorsusually beginning with a provocativespeaker. A summary report is publishedfollowing each of these calls, and allPartners also receive generalnewsletters and announcements ofupcoming events, conferences, and

other information that may be ofinterest. Each Partner organization hasa dedicated page within our website sothat ot hers can read about what anorganization is doing and perhaps formalliances among organizations. Anongoing blog, relevant annotatedbibliographies, and an ever-increasinglibrary of resources is also available onour website. The Charter staff takeseriously the need and thecommitment to facilitate the

connection of people who share thehope of making a difference.

Spotli ght on a Few of OurPartn ers

Here are just a few examples ofPartners who have signed on to theCharter for Compassion. Weencourage you to read more aboutthem and then to join us by becominga Partner.

Berkley Center for Religion,Peace & World Affairs-Georgetown University (USA), isdedicated to the interdisciplinary studyof religion and the advancement ofinterdisciplinary understanding. Itsscholars, programs, events, andpublications examine the intersectionof religion with global policy challengesof diplomacy, democracy, developmentand dialogue.

The Council for a Parliamentof the World's Religions (USA)works to cultivate harmony among theworld's religious and spiritualcommunities to achieve a just, peacefuland sustainable world. The Councilorganizes the world's

largest interfaith event, the Parliamentof Religions every 5 years in a differentcity around the world.

The Maimonides InterfaithFoundation (United Kingdom) is an

interfaith charity that fostersunderstanding and co-operation among

Jews, Christians, and Muslims throughcultural and academic programs. TheFoundation is committed to creatingopportunities where the threecommu nities can meet and share theircommo nalities and discuss theirdifferences.

The United Religions Initiative(USA) is a grassroots, bridge-buildingorganization that believes whenpeoples passions and initiative areorganized, connected and shared, theycan create a sustaining global force forgood. While respecting differencesamong beliefs and spir itualities, URIpursues a common pu rpose: topromot e enduring daily interfaithcooperation, to end religiouslymotivated violence in order to createcultures of peace, justice, and healing.

Become a Charter Partner. Visit ourCharter for Compassion Website:www.charterforcompassion.org.

Art on the front page by American artistGeorge Tooker.

I love you when youbow in your mosque,kneel in your temple,pray in your church. Foryou a nd I are sons ofone religion, and it is thespirit.

~Khalil Gibran

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