Re-emergence of the Golden Rule

WHY THIS STORY IS IMPORTANT:
We can't say it better than  by paraprasing the Charter for Compassion site:  The new emphasis on a principle we have in common "is above all a summons to creative, practical and sustained action to meet the political, moral, religious, social and cultural problems of our time."

This year, religion historian Karen Armstrong served as the catalyst to bring fresh attention to an ancient principle that cuts across the great faith traditions: Behave toward others as you would have them behave toward you.

While the Charter for Compassion that Armstrong initiated is perhaps the most high-profile reminder of what is known as "The Golden Rule," this principle also appears in language of important interfaith initiatives, including the National Religious Campaign Against Torture.

The campaign against torture site says it this way:

 Tens of thousands of people of diverse faith traditions, including evangelical Christians, mainline Protestants, Roman Catholics, Orthodox Christians, Quakers, Unitarians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Sikhs, and Hindus, as well as representatives of over 130 religious organizations, are working together to end U.S.-sponsored torture. Notwithstanding points of theological difference, these groups share a basic understanding and affirmation of the inherent dignity of each individual which includes:

-- A conviction that all individuals are created in the image of God and therefore are endowed with a basic dignity;

-- Some variant of what is commonly referred to as "The Golden Rule": That which you would not want done to yourself, do not do to another.

The Charter for Compassion states:

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.

Odyssey Networks has been privileged to join in the work of making the Charter known, and you can find information about the Charter, a link to sign it, and related videos here.