Comments on: Charter for Compassion

By: Will

Will — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:52:19 +0000

My interpretation of the Charter is that despite all of our differences we are joined by a very strong common bond – the recognition that we need to live our lives with compassion for others. If we do that, who can argue the world would not be a better place?

Rev. – please consider supporting the Charter’s message by posting the widget that allows people to read and affirm the Charter directly. You can find it at http://www.charterforcompassion.org/widget

Sincerely,
Will (helping to get the word out)

By: Frugal Dougal

Frugal Dougal — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:57:28 +0000

I haven’t signed it because the devil’s in the detail – in particular in the interpretation of the phrase “any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain is illegitimate”. In the UK we have politicians trying to sideline Judaeo-Christian faith traditions because they think all of our scriptures, in different ways, breed violence, hatred and disdain.

By: Alex

Alex — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:15:18 +0000

I agree with the Charter for Compassion and have signed it. However, let me ask the hypothetical question: Isn’t this just a reiteration, watered down into non-religious terms, of fundamental Judeo Christian values? In the most extreme cases, the culture which who adheres to the values expressed in this charter could be annihilated by the culture which has does not value compassion and would thus murder or harm with impunity. Wouldn’t it be better for persons in the various faith traditions (whatever they may be) to reclaim compassion within their own faith traditions, and to rebuke those within their own faith traditions who lack compassion, instead of going outside to embrace this secular charter?

By: Peter Carrell

Peter Carrell — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:32:46 +0000

One hesitates to question these forays of goodwill for humankind, but what on earth, or heaven for that matter, does this mean:

“the ancient principle that any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain is illegitimate”

and from which common aspects of all religions (sic “all”, not just some or most of them) is this statement drawn?

I have no idea where this principle lies in ‘ancient’ times, and I am very doubtful that it lies in the ancient paths of all religions with currency today. It certainly didn’t lie in the ancient religions which were rabble roused to persecute the early believers in Christ. Nor, one might note, did it lie in the principles of Mohammed as he and his successors pursued his particular missionary strategy for the spread of Islam.