Lenten "Supper & Study"

Charter for Compassion: Making the Golden Rule Real

Compassion manifests itself in the world not by thinking but by doing.

"The Charter for Compassion" transcends religious, ideological, and national difference. The Charter proclaims a principle embraced by every faith, and by every moral code. It is often referred to as The Golden Rule. Compassion requires that we use empathy -- moral imagination -- to put ourselves in others' shoes. We are called to act toward them as we would want them to act toward us. We refuse, under any circumstance, to carry out actions which would cause them harm.

Launched November 12, 2009 by Karen Armstrong with the participation of thousands of people, the Charter does NOT assume that all religions are the same, or that compassion is the only thing that matters in religion, or that religious people have a monopoly on compassion. It DOES affirm that compassion is celebrated in all major traditions, that the Golden Rule is up to us and cannot be limited to our own group, and that in our divided world, compassion can build common ground.

During the season of Lent, the Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco will engage the Golden Rule as a guide for action, and reflect together on our efforts to live more compassionately. In a series of "Supper and Study" sessions on Wednesday evenings, we'll invite our community to discuss Karen Armstrong's book, Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life. There will be activities for children as well as adults.

Please plan to bring a simple vegetarian dish (appetizer, salad, main course or dessert) to share and join us at 6:30 PM, Weds. March 16, 23, 30, and April 6, 13. Invite your friends!

Excerpts from the Charter:

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 honor 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…

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…

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….

To learn more: http://charterforcompassion.org

--Jack Lohr, Interim Pastor


PS: I'm creating a separate blog called GoldenRuleReal.blogspot.com to focus our participation in this Lenten journey. EVEN IF YOU CAN'T ATTEND THE WEDNESDAY STUDIES, PLEASE READ ALONG WITH US, AND JOIN THE DISCUSSION THERE.