Friday, November 13, 2009

yesterday , all around the world a wonderful thing began

You might have noticed the new banner over there to the left or you might not have but I would like to draw your attention there now. This is the Charter for Compassion it was a wish of last years TED prize winner Karen Armstrong, yesterday after a year of planning and compiling of stories it was unveiled to the world!



"The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the centre of our world and put another there, and to honour the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect.

It is also necessary in both public and private life to refrain consistently and empathically from inflicting pain. To act or speak violently out of spite, chauvinism, or self-interest, to impoverish, exploit or deny basic rights to anybody, and to incite hatred by denigrating others—even our enemies—is a denial of our common humanity. We acknowledge that we have failed to live compassionately and that some have even increased the sum of human misery in the name of religion.

We therefore call upon all men and women ~ to restore compassion to the centre of morality and religion ~ to return to the ancient principle that any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain is illegitimate ~ to ensure that youth are given accurate and respectful information about other traditions, religions and cultures ~ to encourage a positive appreciation of cultural and religious diversity ~ to cultivate an informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings—even those regarded as enemies.

We urgently need to make compassion a clear, luminous and dynamic force in our polarized world. Rooted in a principled determination to transcend selfishness, compassion can break down political, dogmatic, ideological and religious boundaries. Born of our deep interdependence, compassion is essential to human relationships and to a fulfilled humanity. It is the path to enlightenment, and indispensible to the creation of a just economy and a peaceful global community."

Please support and affirm the Charter by adding your name to the growing list of affirmers by visiting the website.

10563 have affirmed so far, including;

His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan- Chair, King Hussein Foundation
Paul Simon- Musician
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu
Sir Ken Robinson- Author
Deepak Chopra- Author
Sheikh Ali Gomaa- Grand Mufti of Egypt
Professor Candido Mendes- Secretary General, Académie de la Latinité
Goldie Hawn- Actor
Dr. Abdul Sattar Edhi- Founder, Edhi Foundation
and ME!

Now I don't consider myself a religious person, but I do try to live ethically and I am spiritual. Above all though I believe in the Golden Rule, especially in light of the recent election. Treat others as you, yourself want to be treated. Why is that so hard for some to grasp. Won't you join me in this amazing call for compassion?

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