Photo by Bofy 2018 on worldofbofy
The Charter for Compassion embraces the Golden Rule as one of its core principles. The Charter for Compassion is a document that calls on individuals, communities, and organizations to promote compassion in all aspects of life. It seeks to foster a global movement of individuals dedicated to living by the principles of compassion, empathy, and the Golden Rule.
The Golden Rule, which is the principle of treating others as one would like to be treated, aligns closely with the Charter's mission and values. The Charter encourages individuals and communities to embrace the Golden Rule as a guiding principle for personal behavior, relationships, and decision-making.
Equally to promoting the Golden Rule, the Charter is also promoting another formulation of the Golden Rule, GoldenRuleism. Initially the name and essence may seem subtle:
Do for all others, both directly and indirectly, what you would want done for you. Don’t do to any others, either directly or indirectly, what you wouldn’t want done to you.
but it extends the original meaning of the Golden Rule to perform an act which extends a feeling of empathy to one of compassionate action on behalf of others. It also reminds us, as the theologian Harvey Cox did decades ago that inaction is action. GoldenRuleism requires us to take definitive action, directly, indirectly or both. For example, we can give our time, or our money, or both, to support organizations working to alleviate and eradicate food insecurity and homelessness and to support the eradication of poverty.
By promoting the GoldenRuleism, the Charter for Compassion emphasizes the importance of empathy, compassion, and respect for others. It encourages individuals to consider the perspectives, needs, and well-being of others and to act in ways, directly or indirectly, that uphold the dignity and rights of others.
The Charter for Compassion incorporates the Golden Rule into its initiatives, programs, and campaigns. It encourages individuals and communities to engage in compassionate action, foster understanding, and work towards creating a more just and compassionate world. The Charter's activities, such as the Compassionate Cities campaign and Global Read program, celebration of our annual days of compassion and 40 days of peace, aim to inspire individuals and communities to live in accordance with the principles of compassion and the GoldenRuleism.
