Karen Armstrong

   

Karen Armstrong

for the creation, launch, and propagation
of the Charter for Compassion

 

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Find out more about The Charter for Compassion and their goal to bring the Golden Rule back into focus!

British author Karen Armstrong is widely known as one of the most provocative, original thinkers on the role of religion in the modern world. A former Catholic nun, she has written more than 20 books on comparative religion, preaching the similarities of Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Armstrong’s ideas about personal faith and religion have sparked discussion in communities all over the world; she is a powerful voice for ecumenical understanding.

Armstrong received the TED Prize at the Technology, Entertainment, Design Conference in 2008. The Prize is given annually to three individuals who are each granted “One Wish to Change the World.” Armstrong’s wish was for “the creation, launch and propagation of a Charter for Compassion,” which would be based on the principles of universal justice and respect.

The Charter for Compassion affirms that compassion is celebrated in all major religious, spiritual and ethical traditions; its goal is to use this commonality to bring the concept of the Golden Rule back into focus, and make it clear that ideologies of hatred and contempt have failed the test of our time. By showing that all people can agree on compassion, it is hoped that the Charter will build bridges in our divided world.

Submissions to the Charter were open to the public, and more than 150,000 people from over 180 countries contributed their words. A multi-faith, multi-national “Council of Conscience” met in Geneva and crafted the submissions into a final document, to be unveiled on November 14, 2009.

www.charterforcompassion.org

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