Charter for Compassion. A Religion for the Evolution of Humanity.

[Why Syzygy]

As she accepts her 2008 TED Prize, author and scholar Karen Armstrong talks about how the Abrahamic religions -- Islam, Judaism, Christianity -- have been diverted from the moral purpose they share: to foster compassion. But Armstrong has seen a yearning to change this fact. People want to be religious, she says; we should act to help make religion a force for harmony. She asks the TED community to help her build a Charter for Compassion -- to help restore the Golden Rule ("Do unto others as you would have them do unto you") as the central global religious doctrine.
~~snips~~

So, if religion is not about believing things, what is it about? What I've found is that, across the board, religion is about behaving differently. Instead of deciding whether or not you believe in God, first you do something, you behave in a committed way, and then you begin to understand the truths of religion. And religious doctrines are meant to be summons to action: you only understand them when you put them into practice.
~~ ~~
There's also a great deal, I think, of religious illiteracy around. People seem to think -- now equate religious faith with believing things. As though that -- we call religious people often "believers," as though that were the main thing that they do. And very often, secondary goals get pushed into the first place in place of compassion -- the Golden Rule. Because the Golden Rule is difficult. I -- sometimes, when I'm speaking to congregations about compassion, I sometimes see a mutinous expression crossing some of their faces because religion -- a lot of religious people prefer to be right, rather than compassionate.
~~ ~~
And so I do urge you to join me in making -- in this Charter. To building this Charter, launching it, and propagating it so that it becomes -- I'd like to see it in every college, every church, every mosque, every synagogue in the world, so that people can look at their tradition, reclaim it, and make religion a source of peace in the world, which it can and should be. Thank you very much.
http://blog.ted.com/2008/03/karen_armstrong_1.php#more

Karen Armstrong wants nothing less than the transformation of Religion. She states that the three majors have at their core the same ideal. Historically they have failed to live up to their self proclaimed creed.

If Religion can be reshaped in the 21st century, to reflect what we need most, universal cooperation, acceptance, peace, sustainability, that would be a religion I could get behind.

Of special note is her distinction between *believing* and religion. Another contemporary writer, Eckart Tolle, is bringing the same distinction to the collective discussion on these matters of our day.

How do the rest of you feel about this possibility?
Or what do you think, if that is the case?

[no_hypocrisy]

1. A good source for balance of all religions can be found in

ethical culture and humanism. Both center around humanity, dignity, compassion, and hope for all people as well as community and dependence on one another versus codependence.

[Celebration]

2. traditionally, it seems to me

Religion reflects the culture. Compassion seems to be a forgotten virtue. Unfortunately video games and movies (that culture again!) are more likely to emphasize violence over compassion. I do wish her luck, but I think it is an uphill climb.

[Why Syzygy]

3. It will come from within the religions from the people.

If you listen to her speech, she talks about congregations all over the world who approach her, wanting to be a part of the change. That's what the charter is all about.